UNLV men, women picked in middle of the pack

Steve Addy

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2001 | 9:57 a.m.

DENVER -- The Mountain West media doesn't think UNLV's basketball teams will be half-bad this season.

But they apparently won't be half-good either.

In balloting announced today at MWC media day, UNLV's men were chosen fifth in the preseason poll, well behind first-place Wyoming, and the Lady Rebels were picked fourth behind Colorado State, Utah and BYU.

UNLV senior forward Linda Frohlich was chosen the MWC's top returning woman for the third straight season and made the preseason all-league team.

None of UNLV's men made the all-MWC squad, and Wyoming senior forward Josh Davis was chosen the top returnee.

Rebels coach Charlie Spoonhour didn't put much stock in the poll.

"I'm a lot more interested in what people will say at the end of the year," he said. "If we're still fifth then, that won't be too good."

Wyoming, which split last season's regular-season title with BYU and Utah, got 25 of 29 first-place votes and 228 points. Utah earned 199 points, New Mexico 176 and San Diego State 130.

"I can see the logic in Wyoming (being No. 1)," Spoonhour said. "But I can also see a couple other teams up there. That's not a knock on Wyoming. It's because the league is pretty good."

UNLV's men begin the season Nov. 17 against Wisconsin, while the Lady Rebels host Cal State Fullerton on Nov. 16.