Women?s Basketball Tabbed Preseason MAC Favorite

October 18, 2007 | Women's Basketball

By: Ball State Athletics

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For the first time in program history, the Ball State women's basketball team has been picked as the 2007-08 preseason favorite to win the Mid-American Conference West Division and the MAC Tournament title the league office announced at MAC Media Day at Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday. The preseason poll is voted on by league coaches and institutional voters.

“We are honored to be picked by our peers to have potential this season, but we realize it is very early in our development as a team,” seventh-year head coach Tracy Roller said. “We look forward to the challenges that lie ahead, as our team continues to improve.”

The Cardinals were picked to repeat at West Division champions with 240 total votes, including 36 out of 41 potential first place votes. Ball State held a 56-point lead over second-place Northern Illinois (184) which recorded two first place votes. Eastern Michigan (150) was tabbed third while Western Michigan (122) was fourth and received three first place votes. Rounding out the division, Toledo (106) was picked fifth and Central Michigan (59) was tabbed for sixth.

Ball State returns seven letterwinner and four starters from last season's 24-7 team that advanced to the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). The 24 victories last season were tied for the single season record for wins in Ball State program history.

The Cardinals are led going into the 2007-08 by four returning starters in seniors Julie DeMuth (Merrillville, Merrillville) and Lisa Rusche (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills); junior Porchia Green (Indianapolis, Ind./Arlington) and sophomore Audrey McDonald (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo).

DeMuth, a preseason All-MAC selection, led the Cardinals in scoring at 15.5 points and in rebounding at 8.8 boards per game. She scored in double figures in 27 of 31 games last season and posted a team-high 11 double-doubles. Rusche had a breakout season last year as she finished third on the team in scoring at 11.2 points and second in rebounding at 6.9 boards per game.

Green also earned preseason All-MAC honors as she averaged 10.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game last season. McDonald was named to the All-MAC Freshman team last year as she averaged 8.7 points per game as she converted 62-of-155 (.400) from three-point land.

In the East Division, Ohio was picked as the preseason favorite with 210 total points, including 19 first place votes. Defending MAC champion Bowling Green was tabbed second with 187 points and 11 first place votes while Miami was third with 183 points and nine first place votes. Kent State (137), Buffalo (87) and Akron (57) round out the East Division preseason selections.

The Cardinals also took the top spot in the MAC Tournament voting as they received 22 of the 41 votes. Defending MAC Tournament champion Bowling Green was second with six votes, while Miami and Ohio were tied for third with five votes each. This is the second time that Ball State has been picked to win the west (2002-03) and the first time it has been picked to win the MAC Tournament in program history.

The Cardinals will open play in 2007-08 with an exhibition game on Nov. 2 as they host the Hoosier Lady Stars at 7:30 p.m. at Worthen Arena. Ball State opens the regular season on Nov. 10 as it hosts Louisville at 1 p.m.

Mid-American Conference Preseason Women's Basketball Poll

West Division (First place votes) Points

1. Ball State (36) 240

2. Northern Illinois (2) 184

3. Eastern Michigan 150

4. Western Michigan (3) 122

5. Toledo 106

6. Central Michigan 59

East Division (First place votes) Points

1. Ohio (19) 210

2. Bowling Green (11) 187

3. Miami (9) 183