Here’s where Evansville was chosen in the MVC men’s basketball preseason poll

Evansville was selected ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball preseason poll on Wednesday.

The Aces received 199 points to finish ahead of Valparaiso, Missouri State and Illinois-Chicago. Bradley was the overwhelming preseason favorite choice with 46 of a possible 49 first-place votes. The poll is voted on by Valley head coaches, communications directors and a media panel.

More: Breaking down Evansville men’s basketball’s 2024-25 non-conference schedule

The MVC preseason poll in order, with point totals: Bradley (597), Northern Iowa (527), Murray State (473), Illinois State (397), Drake (388), Belmont (377), Southern Illinois (337), Indiana State (207), Evansville (199), Valparaiso (173), Missouri State (116), UIC (110).

Evansville went 17-18 last season, a 12-win improvement in David Ragland’s second year, and won a game in the conference tournament. There are also remain many unknowns with a revamped roster after the Aces’ top five scorers and another starter graduated or transferred. UE opens the season Nov. 5 at North Texas.

The MVC preseason All-Conference First Team included preseason Player of the Year Duke Dean (Bradley), Tytan Anderson (Northern Iowa), Darius Hannah (Bradley), Johnny Kinziger (Illinois State), Cooper Schwieger (Valpo) and JaCobi Wood (Murray State). The Aces didn’t have a player chosen on any of the three preseason all-conference teams.

Evansville was chosen 12th in the preseason women’s basketball poll on Tuesday. The Aces also didn’t have a player selected to an all-conference team. Drake was chosen the preseason favorite with 39 of a possible 48 first-place votes.

The MVC preseason poll in order with point totals: Drake (566), Norther Iowa (504), Belmont (475), Murray State (391), Missouri State (380), UIC (347), Illinois State (341), Valparaiso (193), Indiana State (189), Southern Illinois (167), Bradley (97), Evansville (96).

Drake’s Katie Dinnebier was chosen the MVC preseason Player of the Year and highlights a first team that includes Grace Boffeli (Northern Iowa), Maya McDermott (Northern Iowa), Anna Miller (Drake), Lacy Stokes (Missouri State) and Katelyn Young (Murray State).

The Aces went 4-28 last year under coach Robyn Scherr-Wells. UE opens the season Nov. 5 at IU Indy.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville selected ninth in MVC preseason basketball poll