Lindenwood men’s basketball coach Kyle Gerdeman talks with his team during a game last season. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
DeMarcus Dixon
Staff Writer
The Ohio Valley Conference released its men’s and women’s basketball preseason rankings and all-conference teams on Tuesday.
The Lindenwood men were picked to finish 10th in the conference this season, while the women were picked to finish 11th. Keenon Cole was named to the preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference men’s team.
The Lions received 40 points in the poll, as voted on by leagues head coaches and communications directors. Morehead State was tabbed to win the league, garnering 200 points, including 20 first-place votes. SIU-Edwardsville was selected second with 162 points, while Tennessee State came in just behind them for third place, with 153 points and the final two first-place nods.
Tennessee-Martin (fourth), Southeast Missouri (fifth), Tennessee Tech (sixth), Little Rock (seventh), Western Illinois (eighth), Southern Indiana (ninth) and Eastern Illinois (eleventh) round out the poll.
The 2023-24 Lindenwood men’s team will have a distinctly new look, with eight newcomers, including seven transfers and one freshman. Among the returners is Cole, who was tabbed a second-team all-conference performer a year ago.
The Streamwood, Ill., native averaged 12.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Cole was also the OVC’s league leader in three-point field goal percentage (46.3%), while scoring in double figures during 22 of the Lions’ 32 games.
The Lindenwood women, who were picked to finish last in the preseason poll, will also have a new look this season. The Lions will have 12 newcomers on the team (nine freshmen, three transfers) and will also be led by new coach Amy Eagan, who comes to Lindenwood after coaching at Truman State, Ashford, St. Ambrose, and most recently, three seasons at Drury.
On the court, the Lindenwood women’s team will be led by junior guard Mary McGrath, who averaged a team=best 12.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last year.
The Lindenwood men will begin their season on Monday, November 6, with a road game against Nebraska. The Lions’ home opener will be the following week, on November 13, at Hyland Arena against Hannibal-LaGrange.
The Lindenwood women will also begin the season on November 6. The Lions will host Tulsa that evening, with tip off scheduled for 6 p.m.
2023-24 OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. Morehead State (20 1st-place votes) 200
2. SIUE 162
3. Tennessee State (2) 153
4. Tennessee-Martin 149
5. Southeast Missouri 124
6. Tennessee Tech 120
7. Little Rock 85
8. Western Illinois 80
9. Southern Indiana 63
10. Lindenwood 40
11. Eastern Illinois 34
2023-24 OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. Tennessee Tech (16 first-place votes) 196
2. Little Rock (5) 184
3. Eastern Illinois (1) 157
4. UT Martin 135
5. Southeaest Missouri 125
6. Southern Indiana 104
7. SIUE 89
8. Tennessee State 75
9. Morehead State 64
10. Western Illinois 49
11. Lindenwood 32