November 7, 2003

Basketball Teams Tabbed in
RMAC Preseason Poll

Several Individuals Honored As Well

            Kearney, NE – The Nebraska-Kearney basketball teams, both defending RMAC Champions, are picked to finish first (women) and second (men) in the league this winter, according to the league preseason poll, which was released today.

            On the men’s side, UNK is second to Metro State in both the East Division and in the overall race. The Lopers received one first place vote for the East Division title and 30 points overall while Metro got the East Division’s other 13 first place nods to tally 13 points.

            The Roadrunners are also heavy favorites to win the overall league title, getting 51 points with UNK second (31), Fort Hays State third (26) and Colorado State-Pueblo fourth (14).

            North Platte senior forward Nick Branting was the only Loper on the preseason All-East Division team. Branting averaged 14.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last year to earn first-team All-East honors.

            Junior Will Taukiuvea (Salt Lake City, Utah), who played his first two years at McCook Community College, was chosen as Preseason Newcomer of the Year. He averaged 17.5 points and 6.2 rebounds last season for the Indians and was tabbed by the Omaha World Herald as the state’s top JUCO player.

            On the women’s side, UNK is the overwhelming pick to win the East Division and the overall championship. UNK received 13 first place votes for the East Division title and tallied 50 points for the league title. Fort Hays State (34 points) was picked to finish second behind the Lopers in the East while Mesa State (32 points) is second to UNK in the overall league race.

            Senior Allison Kruger, who earned RMAC Player of the Year honors last year after averaging 15.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, is the Preseason Player of the Year. She and fellow senior Heather Steffen (West Points) represent the Lopers on the preseason East Division team. Steffen led UNK in rebounds last winter (8.9) while ranking fourth in points (12.0).

            The UNK women are also 23^rd in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Top 25 Division II poll. The Lopers first regular season opponent, defending national champion South Dakota State, is preseason No. 1