No unreasonable expectations for UNLV basketball this season
Rashad Vaughn is expected to be the best freshman in the Mountain West this season, but expectations for the UNLV basketball team are not quite as high.
San Diego State was tabbed a near-unanimous favorite in the preseason media poll released today. The Aztecs, the defending regular-season champions, received 34 of 35 first-place votes in a poll forecasting the 2014-15 season.
Boise State collected the other first-place vote and is No. 2 in the poll, followed by New Mexico, UNLV and Colorado State.
Rebels coach Dave Rice does not need to worry about the burden of unreasonably high expectations after losing the top five scorers from last season’s 20-13 team. But Vaughn, a shooting guard from Findlay Prep and a McDonald’s All-American, was voted the preseason Freshman of the Year.
Wyoming senior forward Larry Nance Jr., who is returning from a knee injury, was named preseason Player of the Year.
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247
MOUNTAIN WEST PRESEASON POLL
Rank Team (First-Place Votes) Points
1. San Diego State (34) 383
2. Boise State (1) 275
3. New Mexico 270
4. UNLV 269
5. Colorado State 258
6. Wyoming 256
7. Fresno State 232
8. UNR 126
9. Air Force 102
10. Utah State 98
11. San Jose State 41
PRESEASON ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST
Anthony Drmic, Senior, G/F, Boise State
Daniel Bejarano, Senior, G, Colorado State
Winston Shepard, Junior, F, San Diego State
Dwayne Polee II, Senior, F, San Diego State
Larry Nance Jr., Senior, F, Wyoming
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Larry Nance Jr., Senior, F, Wyoming
PRESEASON NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Angelo Chol, Junior, F, San Diego State
PRESEASON FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Rashad Vaughn, G, UNLV
