Nov. 5, 2002
Columbia, Mo.-Following media day last week, reporters from around the Big 12 conference picked the University of Missouri men's basketball (18th ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll) team to finish in fourth place this season in the Big 12 Conference.
The poll, which was released earlier this morning, is a near-mirror image of the Big 12 Coaches Poll that was released last Thursday. Kansas took the top spot, followed by Oklahoma, Texas, followed by the Tigers in fourth and Texas Tech rounded out the top five. The only difference between the polls is at the 8th and 9th spot as Colorado and Baylor changed places in the media survey.
Several Tigers received votes for individual awards in the media polling. Junior Rickey Paulding received votes for the pre-season All-Big 12 First Team, while junior Ricky Clemons was a finalist for newcomer of the year. Former Vashon High School standout Jimmy McKinney also received votes for the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award.
Mizzou continues its pre-season preparations this Friday when they welcome the Mid-West All-Stars at 7 p.m. in the Hearnes Center. For ticket information, log on to www.mutigers.com or call 1-800 CAT-PAWS or 884-PAWS in Columbia
Below is the 2002-03 Big 12 Media Poll.
Team (first place votes) Pts 1. Kansas (16) 310 2. Oklahoma (10) 302 3. Texas (1) 275 4. Missouri 234 5. Texas Tech 222 6. Oklahoma State 182 7. Iowa State 149 8. Colorado 132 9. Baylor 116 10. Nebraska 71 11. Kansas State 70 12. Texas A&M 44Note: Points were awarded 12 for first, 11 for second, 10 for third, etc.