November 11, 2004

Basketball Teams Picked High in RMAC Poll

Taukiuvea, Modlin Cited

            Kearney, Neb. – Both Nebraska-Kearney basketball teams have been picked to finish high in the RMAC standings in 2004-05.

            The preseason coaches poll, along with the preseason All-RMAC team, was released today.

            On the men’s side, UNK is picked to finish second in the East Division while the Loper women are expected to repeat as East Division champions  

            Individually, junior center Kalee Modlin (Knoxville, Ia.) is the women’s preseason player of the year. She earned 1^st-team All-RMAC and 1^st-team All-East Division honors as a sophomore after leading the Lopers in points (17.6) and rebounds (7.9).

            Modlin also ranked in the RMAC top 20 in 10 different statistical categories.

            For the men, senior swing man Will Taukiuvea (Salt Lake City, Utah) has been chosen preseason 1^st-team All-RMAC and 1^st-team All-East Division.

            He averaged 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last year and was subsequently named 2^nd-team All-East Division.

            The Loper women received 17 points in the East Division poll, nine fewer then Regis. UNK then got nine of the possible 14 first place votes.

            On the men’s side, Metro State received 16 points in the East race with the Lopers at 23 points. Metro then got 10 first place votes with UNK collecting the other four.