Columbia, Mo.-- The University of Missouri men's basketball squad was picked to finish second in the Big 12 according to the 2003-04 Big 12 Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll, the Big 12 announced today. The Tigers were picked to win the conference by the Big 12 coaches two weeks ago.

This marks the first time in the seven-year history of both the coaches' and media polls that the projected winner has been different. The media and coaches were also different on the their top three selections. The media went with Kansas, Missouri and Texas while the coaches selected Missouri, Texas and Kansas. Both agreed on spots 4-12 going in order of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Colorado, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Iowa State, Nebraska and Baylor.

Three Tigers players again received individual recognition heading into the 2003-04 season. Senior Arthur Johnson was named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year and was selected to the preseason All-Big 12 Team along with fellow senior Rickey Paulding. Junior Jason Conley also garnered preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors. Johnson and Paulding had already been named All-Big 12 by the coaches and Conley had received Newcomer of the Year honors as well.

Johnson is already Mizzou's all-time leading shot blocker with 197 career swats and can become the Tigers' all-time leading rebounder with just 194 more caroms. The talented big man recorded a league-leading 19 double-doubles last year and now has 36 double-doubles for his career. He earned All-Big 12 second team honors last year and was also named to the Big 12 All-Improved team. Paulding is the Big 12's second leading returning scorer as he averaged 17.4 points per contest last year. He also was tabbed with All-Big 12 second team honors last season. Johnson and Paulding rank 22nd (Johnson with 1,268 points) and 23rd (Paulding 1,220 points) respectively in career scoring at Mizzou and have a good chance to move into the top five this season.

A transfer from Virginia Military Institute, Conley became the first freshman to lead the country in scoring as a freshman during the 2001-02 season when he averaged 29.5 points per contest. Last season, he averaged just over 22 points per contest at VMI before transferring to Mizzou in January. He will be eligible to compete for the Tigers following the first semester when the Tigers take on UNC-Greensboro on Dec. 21.

Two other Tigers received votes in two different catergories. Junior guard Randy Pulley garnered votes for Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year while freshman forward Linas Kleiza pulled votes for Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year.

The Tigers will take the court against an opponent for the first time this season on Monday when they take on Innerhoop at 7 p.m., at the Hearnes Center in the first of their two exhibition contests. Tickets are still available for the contest by calling 1 (800) CAT PAWS or 884-PAWS in Columbia. For more information on Mizzou men's basketball, log on to the home of Mizzou Athletics on the web, www.mutigers.com.

2003-04 Big 12 Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll

Team (first place votes)	Pts
1. Kansas (18)	 334
2. Missouri (8)	 305
3. Texas (2)	 303
4. Oklahoma (1)	 258
5. Oklahoma State	 229
6. Colorado	 198
7. Texas Tech	 187
8. Kansas State	 129
9. Texas A&M	 117
10. Iowa State	 95
11. Nebraska	 77
12. Baylor	 30

Note: Points were awarded 12 for first, 11 for second, 10 for third, etc.


2003-04 Preseason Media All-Big 12 Team
Name, School	 Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl-Exp	Ppg	Rpg	Hometown (Previous school)

Andre Emmett, Texas Tech	G	6-5	229	Sr-3L	21.8	6.6	Dallas, Texas (Carter HS)
Arthur Johnson, Missouri	C	6-9	268	Sr-3L	16.1	9.6	Detroit, Mich. (Pershing HS)
Keith Langford, Kansas	G	6-4	205	Jr-2L	15.9	4.9	Fort Worth, Texas (North Crowley HS)
Rickey Paulding, Missouri	G	6-5	218	Sr-3L	17.4	5.5	Detroit, Mich. (Renaissance HS)
Wayne Simien, Kansas	F	6-9	255	Jr-2L	14.8	8.2	Leavenworth, Kan. (Leavenworth HS)

Others receiving votes - Tony Allen, Sr., G, Oklahoma State; Kevin Bookout, So., F, Oklahoma;
 David Harrison, Jr., C, Colorado; Aaron Miles, Jr., G, Kansas; Michel Morandais, Sr., G/F, Colorado;
 Brandon Mouton, Sr., G, Texas; Jake Sullivan, Sr., G, Iowa State; James Thomas, Sr., F, Texas;
 Antoine Wright, So., F/G, Texas A&M


Preseason Player of the Year - Arthur Johnson, Missouri (C, 6-9, Sr., Detroit, Mich., Pershing HS)
Preseason Newcomer of the Year - Jason Conley, Missouri (G, 6-5, Jr., Silver Springs, Md., VMI)
Preseason Freshman of the Year - Drew Lavender (G, 5-7, Fr., Columbus, Ohio, Brookhaven HS)


2003-04 Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (first place votes)	Pts.
1. Missouri (8)	 114
2. Texas (3)	 108
3. Kansas (1)	 106
4. Oklahoma	 92
5. Oklahoma State	 81
6. Colorado	 71
7. Texas Tech	 64
8. Kansas State	 48
9. Texas A&M	 41
10. Iowa State	 33
11. Nebraska	 23
12. Baylor	 11

Note: Points were awarded 11 for first, 10 for second, nine for third, etc.
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.