Oct. 22, 2003
DALLAS - The Missouri women's basketball team was picked to finish seventh in the Big 12 Conference this season in a vote of the league's head coaches, Big 12 officials announced today.
The Tigers received 55 votes, two more than eighth-place Iowa State. Defending champion Texas, which advanced to the 2003 NCAA Women's Final Four, received 10 of 11 possible first-place votes (coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team) and 120 overall points to pace the field.
In addition, senior forward Evan Unrau (Fort Collins, Mo. / Rocky Mountain HS) received votes among the coaches' picks for the preseason All-Big 12 team. Last season, Unrau became just the second Tiger in the seven-year history of the Big 12 Conference to earn First Team All-Big 12 recognition. Amanda Lassiter, who recently completed her second season in the WNBA as a starter for the Seattle Storm, was the first.
Picked to finish eighth last year by the coaches, Mizzou finished 9-7 in the league and tied for fifth to match the Tigers' highest-ever placing in the seven-year history of the Big 12 Conference. MU was 17-14 overall and reached the quarterfinal round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament.
The 2003-04 squad returns four starters and eight letterwinners, including five seniors. In addition, a talented recruiting class involving four newcomers joins the fray.
The Tigers are continuing practice sessions in preparation for their first public scrimmage, the Brewer Breakfast, on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 8-10 a.m. in Brewer Fieldhouse at the Student Recreation Center.
Season tickets continue to go on sale by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS (573-884-PAWS in Mid-Missouri) or online at www.MUTigers.com.
(first place votes in parentheses; coaches not allowed to vote for own team)
1. Texas (10) 120 2. Kansas State (2) 111 3. Texas Tech 99 4. Oklahoma 87 5. Colorado 81 6. Baylor 72 7. MISSOURI 55 8. Iowa State 53 9. Kansas 40 10. Oklahoma State 35 11. Nebraska 20 12. Texas A&M 19