Yellowjackets Picked Third in Heartland Poll (11/12/06)

BILLINGS, MT – The Montana State-Billings men’s basketball team has been picked to finish third in the Heartland Conference in a poll of coaches and sports information directors.  The Yellowjackets, regular season co-champions last year, finished behind St. Edward’s and St. Mary’s in the poll.

The Yellowjackets received 76 points and four first place votes in the poll.  St. Edward’s, who won the conference tournament last year and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, received eight first place votes and 90 points.  St. Mary’s tallied 84 points and three first place votes.  The poll was rounded out by Oklahoma Panhandle State (55 points), Incarnate Word (44), Lincoln (40), and newcomer Dallas Baptist (32). 

The preseason all-conference team, which did not include any Yellowjackets, was dominated by St. Ed’s and St. Mary’s.  Daniel Pierre and Shawn Weinstein represented the Hilltoppers; Jarvis Lee and Rod Bellard were tabbed for the Rattlers.  Also on the preseason all-conference team was Jason Grant of Incarnate Word.

The Yellowjackets play their final exhibition game of the preseason on Tuesday, November 14, when they host Rocky Mountain College at 7:00 p.m. at Alterowitz Gym.  MSUB opens the regular season December 1 and 2 at a tournament in Nampa, ID.

Heartland Conference Preseason Poll
1. St. Edward’s (90 points, 8 first place votes)
2. St. Mary’s (84 points, 3 first place votes)
3. Montana State-Billings (76 points, 4 first place votes)
4. Oklahoma Panhandle State (55 points)
5. Incarnate Word (44 points)
6. Lincoln (40 points)
7. Dallas Baptist (32 points)

Heartland Preseason All-Conference Team
Daniel Pierre (SEU), Jarvis Lee (STMU), Shawn Weinstein (SEU), Rod Bellard (STMU), Jason Gant (UIW).