Oct. 10, 2007

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Fresno State women's basketball team was picked to finish fourth in the preseason coaches' poll and fifth in the media poll. The polls were released Monday at the annual WAC Basketball Media Day in Salt Lake City. The results of the polls didn't surprise Bulldog coach Adrian Wiggins.

"The reality is that we lost six seniors who had a lot of game experience," Wiggins said. "I think we have a group this year capable of being a better team than what we were last year."

The Bulldogs did receive one first place vote in the media poll.

Senior Tierre Wilson was named to the Preseason All-WAC teams in the coaches and media polls. Last year Wilson earned Second-Team All-WAC honors while averaging 14.4 points and a team-best 6.4 rebounds a game.

"It is a great honor for Tierre," Wiggins said. "But I don't think that that is ultimately her goal. She really wants to be a conference champion."

Boise State was picked to win the WAC in both polls, receiving nine first place votes and 128 points in the media poll and seven first place votes and 63 points in the coaches poll.

Nevada and Louisiana Tech flip flopped the second and third positions depending on which poll you look at. The Wolf Pack was picked second in the coaches poll and third in the media poll while La. Tech was second in the media poll with two first place votes and third in the coaches poll.

In the coaches poll, New Mexico State was picked fifth, Hawai'I sixth, Utah State seventh, San Jose State eighth and Idaho ninth,

Jessica Thompson of Boise State was tabbed as the Preseason Player of the Year by the coaches and media.

The Dogs officially open practice Friday evening and play their first exhibition game Sunday November 4 against the Melbourne Roos.

"Join the State - Fresno State!" - Men's and Women's Basketball season tickets and mini plan packages for the 2007-08 season go on sale Monday, October 8th and can be purchased online at gobulldogs.com, by phone at 559-278-DOGS, or in person at the Bulldog Ticket Office. The Fresno State Men's and Women's Basketball teams will open the 2007-08 season at the Save Mart Center in a doubleheader of exhibition games. On Sunday, November 4 the women's team will play the Melbourne Roos at 2 p.m. followed by the men's team against Western Washington at 4 p.m. Single game tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Preseason Media Poll
1- Boise State (9) 128
2- Louisiana Tech (2) 109
3- Nevada (1) 98
4- New Mexico State (2) 94
5- Fresno State (1) 85
6- Hawai'I 63
7- Utah State 46
8- Idaho 27
9- San Jose State 25

Media Preseason All-WAC Team
Dellena Criner, Jr., G, Nevada
Sherell Neal, Sr., F, New Mexico State
Katie Madison, So., P, Idaho
Jessica Thompson, Jr., G, Boise State
Tierre Wilson, Sr., F, Fresno State

Coaches Preseason All-WAC Teams
First Team
Dellena Criner, Jr., G, Nevada
Sherell Neal, Sr., F, New Mexico State
Tanya Smith, Sr., F, Hawai'i
Jessica Thompson, Jr., G, Boise State
Tierre Wilson, Sr., G, Fresno State

Second Team
Shanavia Dowdell, So., F, La. Tech
Brandi Fitzgerald, Sr. G., Nevada
Tasha Harris, Sr., G, Boise State
Katie Madison, So., P, Idaho
Taylor Richards, Sr., G, Utah State

Player of the Year
Jessica Thompson, Boise State