MAC Preseason Poll Released
10/29/2013 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
CLEVELAND, OH - The Buffalo women's basketball team was picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference's East Division, and sophomore Mackenzie Loesing was named to the preseason all-MAC East team, as announced this afternoon by the conference.
After making a run to the conference quarterfinals in coach Felisha Legette-Jack's first season at the helm, the Bulls return eight letter winners and add in six talented newcomers to the team. After a slow start in the non-conference season, the team won eight conference games in the regular season and then won a pair of tournament games - including an upset of Miami (OH) in the second round to face Akron in the quarterfinals. The Zips, who are the preseason favorite out of the East this season, were able to edge out the Bulls despite a career-high 26 points from Kristen Sharkey.
Loesing earns preseason All-MAC honors after being an honorable mention All-MAC and All-Freshman team member after her first season with the team. Loesing led the team in scoring, field goals, free throws, and steals in her freshman season, culminating with a spot on the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman team and was honorable mention All-MAC. Her 11.6 points per game were the most by a freshman at UB since Brandie Karhoff averaged 12.7 points per game in 1988-89, and she scored in double figures in eight of the final nine games of the season. On defense, she was credited with 66 steals, which was among the conference's best.
The Bulls kick off the 2013-14 season with an exhibition game Tuesday night against Mansfield. Tip time is scheduled for 7 pm.
MAC East Preseason Poll
1. Akron (9 First Place Votes)
2. Bowling Green (3)
3. Buffalo
4. Miami
5. Ohio
6. Kent State
MAC West Preseason Poll
1. Central Michigan (12 First Place Votes)
2. Ball State
3. Toledo
4. Eastern Michigan
5. Western Michigan
6. Northern Illinois
2014 Predicted Tournament Champion
Central Michigan (9 Votes)
Akron (1)
Bowling Green (1)
Miami (1)
Preseason All-MAC East Team
Hanna Luburgh, Akron
Rachel Tecca, Akron
Alexis Rogers, Bowling Green
Mackenzie Loesing, Buffalo
Hannah Robertson, Miami
Preseason All-MAC West Team
Nathalie Fontaine, Ball State
Crystal Bradford, Central Michigan
Jessica Green, Central Michigan
Andola Dortch, Toledo
Inma Zanoguera, Toledo
