Aggies men picked 2nd in WAC

New Mexico State women predicted to win the conference

DENVER — The 2017-18 New Mexico State men’s basketball team was selected to finish second behind Grand Canyon in the Western Athletic Conference in the preseason coaches and media polls.

“Fortunately, the league office doesn’t hand out banners and trophies in the preseason,” Aggie coach Chris Jans said. “It looks like the preseason voting was close and it could eventually shape up to be a tight race down the stretch. We hope to be a part of a competitive conference season.”

The Aggies received a firstplace vote in the coaches’ poll for a total of 40 points to GCU’s 46 points and six first-place votes.

NMSU WOMEN:

New Mexico State was voted as the favorite to win the WAC in both polls.

Aggies junior forward Brooke Salas was chosen as a member of the All-WAC first team in both polls. During the 2016-17 campaign, the Placentia, Calif., native was named first team All-WAC after averaging 13.5 points, 1.5 steals and 6.5 rebounds.

“All the credit goes to the previous coaching staff, players and the returners for all of their hard work and success,” NMSU coach Brooke Atkinson said. “We’ll be taking everything one step at a time and we’re excited to get the season started. Brooke and Zaire have earned that recognition with what they’ve done in their previous seasons.”