Defending conference champion, UW-Stevens Point is the preseason favorite of the league's sports information directors to win the 2008 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball title.
UW-Stevens Point received eight first-place votes in this year's preseason poll. The Pointers secured their league-leading 24th conference championship trophy and fourth WIAC tournament plaque last season. The 2006-07 squad was ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division III for seven weeks and advanced to the sectional semifinals of the NCAA tournament.
UWSP has led the NCAA Division III in free throw percentage and fewest turnovers per game the past two years.
The Pointers set a Division III record by shooting 82.3 percent from the free throw line in 2006-07 and established WIAC single-season marks with 309 three-point field goals made and 744 three-pointers attempted. In the last 10 seasons, Stevens Point has compiled a 116-44 record against WIAC adversaries.
Both of UW-Superior's conference wins in 2006-07 were on the road, including a victory at UW-Eau Claire for just the second time in 35 years.
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The Yellowjackets lost six games by eight points or less last season. UWS will play a five-game stretch of home games from Dec. 15 to Jan. 12.
'JACKET JOTTINGS: Head coach Dave Buchanan is beginning his second season at UWS. The 'Jackets return five letterwinners and lose seven, including four starters. ... The 'Jackets host St. Scholastica on Friday, Nov. 16.
2007-08 Preseason Picks
1. UW-Stevens Point (8) 26-3, 15-1
2. UW-Whitewater (1) 18-9, 10-6
3. UW-Platteville 13-12, 8-8
4. UW-Oshkosh 21-6, 12-4
5. UW-La Crosse 19-8, 12-4
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6. UW-River Falls 10-16, 5-11
7. UW-Stout 12-13, 5-11
8. UW-Eau Claire 10-16, 3-13
9. UW-Superior 7-18, 2-14
