DETROIT, Mich. - The Cleveland State men's basketball team was picked ninth in the 2017-18 Horizon League Preseason poll that was announced on Friday morning at the League's Media Day at Little Caesars Arena.

 

Oakland was tabbed the preseason favorite, earning 453 points and 31 first place votes. Defending tournament champion Northern Kentucky was second with 10 first place votes and 414 points, while UIC came in third with 347 points and three first place votes.

 

Detroit Mercy garnered 273 points and a first place to come in fourth and was followed by Wright State (259), Green Bay (249), Youngstown State (209; 1 first place vote), Milwaukee (161; 1 first place vote), Cleveland State (125) and IUPUI (95).

 

Under the direction of first-year head coach Dennis Felton, the Vikings began practice for the 2017-18 season last weekend. Felton welcomes back three starters and eight letterwinners from last year's squad.

 

The Vikings open the season on Nov. 11 with a 7:00 pm game at Akron as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Kent State and Youngstown State will play in the second game of the doubleheader.

 

Place      Team (1^st Place Votes)    Points
1.              Oakland (31)                         453
2.              Northern Kentucky (10)          414
3.              UIC (3)                                 347
4.              Detroit Mercy (1)                    273
5.              Wright State                          259
6.              Green Bay                             249
7.              Youngstown State (1)             209
8.              Milwaukee (1)                        161
9.              Cleveland State                      125
10.             IUPUI                                     95

 

2017-18 Preseason All-Horizon League First Team
Drew McDonald, Northern Kentucky (Preseason Player of the Year)
Jalen Hayes, Oakland
Martez Walker, Oakland
Dikembe Dixson, UIC
Cam Morse, Youngstown State

 

2017-18 Preseason All-Horizon League Second Team
Corey Allen, Detroit Mercy
Jaleel Hogan, Detroit Mercy
Lavone Holland II, Northern Kentucky
Kendrick Nunn, Oakland
Tai Odiase, UIC