Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
EMU Women's Basketball Team Picked Third in the MAC West
10/31/2012 9:30:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Toledo and Miami tabbed in preseason poll to win respective divisions
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team was picked to finish third in the West Division according to the 2012-13 Mid-American Conference preseason poll as voted by the leagues head coaches and select members of the media. The announcement was made in Cleveland today, Oct. 31, as part of the conference's women's basketball Media Day.
Junior Natachia Watkins (South Euclid, Ohio-Brush) was also selected to the Preseason All-MAC Team for the first time in her career.
First-year Head Coach Tory Verdi inherits an EMU squad that returns nine letterwinners and three starters from a 2011-12 squad that finished with a 23-9 overall record and a 13-3 mark in Mid-American Conference play. The Eagles captured a share of the team's fourth MAC West Division championship and followed it up with a dramatic 72-71 victory over rival Central Michigan University to win the MAC Tournament title and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
The University of Toledo was picked to win the West Division followed by Central Michigan University in second and EMU third. Rounding out the West Division were Northern Illinois University, Western Michigan University and Ball State University. Miami University was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the East.
The Rockets were also picked to take home the MAC Tournament crown in 2013.
In just two days the EMU women's basketball team takes to the court for the first exhibition game of the 2012-13 campaign. The women's team plays host to Madonna University, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m. Season and single-game tickets are on sale at the EMU Ticket Office by calling, 734.487.2282.
MAC West Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Toledo (24 First Place Votes)
2. Central Michigan (6)
3. Eastern Michigan
4. Northern Illinois
5. Western Michigan
6. Ball State
West Division Preseason All-MAC Team
Natachia Watkins, Eastern Michigan
Crystal Bradford, Central Michigan
Naama Shafir, Toledo
Andola Dortch, Toledo
Yolanda Richardson, Toledo
MAC East Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Miami (16 First Place Votes)
2. Bowling Green (13)
3. Akron (1)
4. Ohio
5. Kent State
6. Buffalo
East Division Preseason All-MAC Team
Rachael Tecca, Akron
Alexis Rogers, Bowling Green
Courtney Osborn, Miami
Chrissy Steffan, Bowling Green
Kristen Olowinski, Miami
MAC Women's Basketball Tournament Champion: Toledo (16), Central Michigan (12), Bowling Green (2)
Junior Natachia Watkins (South Euclid, Ohio-Brush) was also selected to the Preseason All-MAC Team for the first time in her career.
First-year Head Coach Tory Verdi inherits an EMU squad that returns nine letterwinners and three starters from a 2011-12 squad that finished with a 23-9 overall record and a 13-3 mark in Mid-American Conference play. The Eagles captured a share of the team's fourth MAC West Division championship and followed it up with a dramatic 72-71 victory over rival Central Michigan University to win the MAC Tournament title and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
The University of Toledo was picked to win the West Division followed by Central Michigan University in second and EMU third. Rounding out the West Division were Northern Illinois University, Western Michigan University and Ball State University. Miami University was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the East.
The Rockets were also picked to take home the MAC Tournament crown in 2013.
In just two days the EMU women's basketball team takes to the court for the first exhibition game of the 2012-13 campaign. The women's team plays host to Madonna University, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m. Season and single-game tickets are on sale at the EMU Ticket Office by calling, 734.487.2282.
MAC West Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Toledo (24 First Place Votes)
2. Central Michigan (6)
3. Eastern Michigan
4. Northern Illinois
5. Western Michigan
6. Ball State
West Division Preseason All-MAC Team
Natachia Watkins, Eastern Michigan
Crystal Bradford, Central Michigan
Naama Shafir, Toledo
Andola Dortch, Toledo
Yolanda Richardson, Toledo
MAC East Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Miami (16 First Place Votes)
2. Bowling Green (13)
3. Akron (1)
4. Ohio
5. Kent State
6. Buffalo
East Division Preseason All-MAC Team
Rachael Tecca, Akron
Alexis Rogers, Bowling Green
Courtney Osborn, Miami
Chrissy Steffan, Bowling Green
Kristen Olowinski, Miami
MAC Women's Basketball Tournament Champion: Toledo (16), Central Michigan (12), Bowling Green (2)
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