Oct. 23, 2002
Dallas, Texas. - The University of Missouri men's basketball team was picked fourth in the annual Big 12 Conference preseason coaches' poll released today by the league office.
The University of Kansas (116 votes), who took the top spot last year in the Big 12 with a perfect 16-0 mark, was picked to win the conference while fellow NCAA Final Four team Oklahoma was picked to finish second. Sweet 16 qualifier Texas was picked third, and the Tigers, who reached the Elite Eight, came in fourth with 87 votes.
Several Tigers were mentioned for individual awards. Junior All-American and Wooden Award Candidate Rickey Paulding received votes for the Preseason Coaches All-Big 12 Team. Paulding averaged 18.6 points per contest in the Tigers NCAA Elite Eight run. He and talented big man Arthur Johnson lead a balanced Tiger scoring attack into the 2002 season.
Freshman standout Jimmy McKinney and junior JUCO transfer Ricky Clemons both received consideration for freshman and Newcomer of the Year awards. McKinney was the Gatorade Player of the Year for Missouri and named a Parade Magazine 4th -team All-American after his senior season at Vashon High School last year. Clemons averaged 18.2 points and 7.5 assists per game last season for the College of Southern Idaho.
Head Coach Quin Snyder and the Tigers kick off the 2002-03 campaign with an exhibition contest on Nov. 2 against EA Sports. Mizzou has qualified for three straight NCAA Tournaments under Snyder's tutelage and looks to continue the momentum put into motion with last year's captivating run to the Elite Eight.
Big 12 Coaches Preseason Coaches Poll 1. Kansas (7) 116 2. Oklahoma (3) 113 3. Texas (2) 103 4. Missouri 87 5. Texas Tech 77 6. Oklahoma State 76 7. Iowa State 54 8. Baylor 47 9. Colorado 43 10. Nebraska 36 11. Kansas State 22 12. Texas A&M 19
Here's a quick look at MU's Big 12 history in the coaches' pre-season poll:
Year Predicted Finish 1996-97 No Preseason poll 10th 1997-98 4th T-5th 1998-99 3rd T-2nd 1999-00 5th 6th 2000-01 3rd 6th 2001-02 2nd 6th