West Texas A&M and Texas A&M-Commerce have been tabbed as the Lone Star Conference preseason favorites for the 2007-08 women's basketball season.  WTAMU is picked to win the South Division and A&M-C is the choice to do the same in the North Division, according to the league's annual preseason polls announced on Wednesday.

      The Lady Buffs have won the last three South crowns, including a perfect 14-0 run last season, while A&M-C captured it's first-ever North title last season before winning the conference tournament and South Central Regional to advance to the NCAA Elite Eight.

      The LSC has 15 teams ready to play this season and the league should be as exciting as ever with several teams set to challenge WTAMU and A&M-C.  The season tips off on November 15.

      Here's a closer look at what the voters had to say about LSC women's basketball in 2007-08:

NORTH DIVISION

      Following the most successful season in school history, Texas A&M-Commerce is the favorite to win the 2007-08 Lone Star Conference North Division, according to the league's annual women's basketball preseason polls.

      The Lions won the NCAA South Central Regional, LSC Tournament and North Division titles for the first time ever last year with a 28-9 overall and 10-2 conference record.  A&M-C also made its initial NCAA Elite Eight appearance, while setting seven LSC records and 40 school records.  Britney Jordan, the reigning LSC North Newcomer of the Year and LSC Tournament Most Valuable Player, returns to lead the Lions.

      A&M-C received 18 of 20 first-place votes and totaled 136 total points as the top team in the balloting of LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.

      Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State finished second and third, respectively, with each team collecting one of the remaining two first-place tallies.  The Bronchos finished with 110 total points and the RiverHawks totaled 90 points.

      Southeastern Oklahoma was fourth with 86 points, followed by East Central fifth with 64, Southwestern Oklahoma sixth with 41 and Cameron seventh with 33.

SOUTH DIVISION

      West Texas A&M is the front-runner in the Lone Star Conference South Division after posting a perfect 14-0 record in league play last season, according to the preseason polls.  

      The Lady Buffs cruised to the South Division title last year and advanced to the NCAA South Central Regional with a 28-5 overall record.   Junior Emily Brister returns to lead WTAMU after claiming her second straight LSC South Player of the Year honor.

      WTAMU collected 21 of 23 first-place votes and totaled 180 points as the top pick in the balloting of LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.

      Abilene Christian was picked second in the poll, receiving one first-place vote and 145 total points.  Tarleton State was third with 133 points followed by Angelo State in fourth with the other first-place tally and 130 points.

      Rounding out the poll were Midwestern State in fifth with 74 points, Texas Woman's sixth with 66, Eastern New Mexico seventh with 60 and Texas A&M-Kingsville eighth with 40.

 

NORTH DIVISION		1st	Total
1	Texas A&M-Commerce	18	136
2	Central Oklahoma	1	110
3	Northeastern State	1	90
4	Southeastern Oklahoma		86
5	East Central		64
6	Southwestern Oklahoma		41
7	Cameron		33

SOUTH DIVISION		1st	Total
1	West Texas A&M	21	180
2	Abilene Christian	1	145
3	Tarleton State		133
4	Angelo State	1	130
5	Midwestern State		74
6	Texas Woman's		66
7	Eastern New Mexico		60
8	Texas A&M-Kingsville		40