Nov. 4, 2003
DALLAS - Echoing the sentiments of the Big 12's coaches, a panel of league media members picked the Missouri women's basketball team to finish seventh in the Big 12 Conference this season, league officials announced today.
The Tigers received 103 votes, six more than eighth-place Iowa State. Defending champion Texas, which advanced to the 2003 NCAA Women's Final Four, received 17 of the 18 first-place votes and 215 points to pace the field.
With the exception of flip-flopping Texas A&M and Nebraska for 11th and 12th place, the media poll was exactly the same as the coaches' poll released two weeks ago.
Picked to finish seventh last year by the media, Mizzou was 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.
Head Coach Cindy Stein's squad continues preparations for the 2003-04 season, which starts this Saturday with a 1 p.m. exhibition contest against Southwest Baptist University at the Hearnes Center.
Season tickets remain 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 (17) 215 2. Kansas State (1) 193 3. Texas Tech 180 4. Oklahoma 162 5. Colorado 133 6. Baylor 125 7. MIZZOU 103 8. Iowa State 97 9. Kansas 62 10. Oklahoma State 61 11. Texas A&M 39 12. Nebraska 34