SMSU Women Picked First; Men Fifth

Southwest Missouri State’s women have been picked to win the Missouri Valley Conference title in the upcoming season. The Bearcats received 31 of 39 first place votes. They will be led by Jackie Stiles, who led the nation in scoring last year with 28 points per game. Drake was picked second, followed by Evansville.On the men’s side, Creighton is projected to win the MVC followed by Evansville and Indiana State. Southwest Missouri State was picked to finish fifth in the ten-team league. The Bearcats lost four starters from last years team. The league’s coaches, sports information directors and media voted in the polls.