Men's Basketball | 10/19/2021 10:37:00 AM

Dixie State was voted to finish 12^th by both the coaches and the media as the Western Athletic Conference announced its 2021-22 conference men's basketball preseason polls on Tuesday.
 
New Mexico State was overwhelming pick to reclaim its crown in 2021-22 as the Aggies received eight first place votes and 138 points in the coaches' poll, and was favorite among the media pollsters as well.

Defending WAC champion Grand Canyon collected three first place votes and 131 points to finish second in the coaches' rankings, while the Lopes were voted third in the media poll. Meanwhile, conference newcomer Stephen F. Austin garnered one first place nod and 106 points to finish third in the coaches' poll and second in the media poll.
 
The rest of the coaches poll listed Utah Valley (103 pts) in fourth, WAC newcomer (and 2020-21 Southland champion) Abilene Christian (1 FPV; 92 pts) in fifth, Seattle U (90 pts) in sixth, WAC newcomer Sam Houston (86 pts) in seventh, California Baptist (84 pts) in eighth, Tarleton State (48) and UTRGV (48 pts) in t-ninth, conference newcomer Lamar (41 pts) in 11^th, DSU (35 pts) in 12^th, and Chicago State (12 pts) in 13^th.
 
Rounding out the media poll was ACU in fourth, followed by UVU, CBU, SHU, Seattle U, Tarleton, Lamar, UTRGV, DSU and CSU.  
 
No Trailblazer player was voted to either the coaches or media preseason first or second teams. Seattle U's Darrion Trammell was the coaches' selection for preseason Player of the Year, while UVU's Fardaws Aimaq was tabbed as the media's choice for the preseason honor.

Dixie State will begin its second season at the NCAA Division I level on Tuesday, Nov. 9, as the Trailblazers head to Spokane to face preseason No. 1-ranked Gonzaga.  

2021-22 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll
Rank  Team (FPV)                                       Points
1.         New Mexico State (8)                         138
2.         Grand Canyon (3)                               131
3.         Stephen F. Austin (1)                          106
4.         Utah Valley                                         103
5.         Abilene Christian (1)                           92
6.         Seattle U                                             90
7.         Sam Houston                                      86
8.         California Baptist                                 84
T9.       Tarleton State                                     48
T9.       UTRGV                                               48
11.       Lamar                                                  41
12.       DIXIE STATE                                       35
13.       Chicago State                                      12                               
 
2021-22 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' All-WAC Teams
Preseason Player of the Year: Darrion Trammell, Seattle U
First Team
Fardaws Aimaq, R-So., C, Utah Valley
Teddy Allen, R-Jr., G, New Mexico State
Jovan Blacksher, Jr., G, Grand Canyon
Riley Grigsby, Jr., G/F, Seattle U
Gavin Kensmil, Sr., F, Stephen F. Austin
Jabari Rice, R-Jr., G, New Mexico State
Ty Rowell, R-Jr., G, California Baptist
Darrion Trammell, So., G, Seattle U
 
Second Team
Damien Daniels, Sr., G, Abilene Christian
Savion Flagg, Gr., G/F, Sam Houston
Montre' Gipson, Sr., G, Tarleton State
Demarkus Lampley, Sr., G, Sam Houston
Johnny McCants, R-Sr., F, New Mexico State
Donnie Tillman, Sr., F, New Mexico State
Roti Ware, Sr., G, Stephen F. Austin
Trey Woodbury, Jr., G, Utah Valley
 
2021-22 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll
Rank  Team                                     
1.         New Mexico State
2.         Stephen F. Austin
3.         Grand Canyon
4.         Abilene Christian
5.         Utah Valley
6.         California Baptist
7.         Sam Houston
8.         Seattle U
9.         Tarleton State
10.       Lamar
11.       UTRGV
12.       DIXIE STATE
13.       Chicago State

2020-21 Preseason Men's Basketball Media All-WAC Teams
Preseason Player of the Year: Fardaws Aimaq, Utah Valley
First Team
Fardaws Aimaq, R-So., C, Utah Valley
Jovan Blacksher, Jr., G, Grand Canyon
Montre' Gipson, Sr., G, Tarleton State
Gavin Kensmil, Sr., F, Stephen F. Austin
Demarkus Lampley, Sr., G, Sam Houston
Jabari Rice, R-Jr., G, New Mexico State
Ty Rowell, R-Jr., G, California Baptist
Darrion Trammell, So., G, Seattle U
 
Second Team
Teddy Allen, R-Jr., G, New Mexico State
Johnny McCants, R-Sr., F, New Mexico State
Coryon Mason, Sr., G, Abilene Christian
Reggie Miller, Sr., G, Abilene Christian
Reed Nottage, So., G, California Baptist
Roti Ware, Sr., G, Stephen F. Austin
Trey Woodbury, Jr., G, Utah Valley
Holland Woods II, Gr., G, Grand Canyon