Feb. 18, 2011

Utah Valley is strong favorite in Great West Conference

Utah Valley is the pick to repeat as champion in the Great West Conference, in voting by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

The Wolverines garnered seven first-place votes and 63 points to claim the top spot. UVU won the inaugural GWC regular-season and tournament titles in 2010.

Northern Colorado was second with one first-place vote and 52 points. Houston Baptist was third, followed by NYIT, North Dakota, Texas-Pan American, NJIT and Chicago State.

Conference contests begin on April 8, with four-game series for league weekends. North Dakota will host the Great West Tournament on May 24-28 at Grand Forks, N.D.

Great West Preseason Poll

Team (First Place) (2010 GWC, overall record)

1. Utah Valley, 63 (7) (26-2, 42-17)

2. Northern Colorado, 52 (1) (22-6, 34-24)

3. Houston Baptist, 44 (15-13, 28-31)

4. NYIT, 41 (15-13, 26-29)

5. North Dakota, 30 (13-15, 19-35)

6. Texas-Pan American, 29 (9-18, 22-32)

7. NJIT, 17 (9-18, 13-44)

8. Chicago State, 12 (2-26, 4-52)