Oct. 29, 2012

ST. LOUIS - The Illinois State women's basketball team was picked to finish in the top-five for the sixth time in the last seven seasons, as the Redbirds were projected to finish third in the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll for the 2012-13 season, as voted on by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and media. Senior guard Jamie Russell, the 2012 Valley Newcomer of the Year, was also named a MVC Preseason All-Conference selection.

Illinois State received 323 votes in the poll, including two first-place votes. ISU has been picked in the top-five in 19 of the 30 preseason polls in conference history. The Redbirds have been picked to finish third eight times in program history. The last time the team was picked to finish third was prior to the 2004-05 season, when the Redbirds finished eighth with a 7-11 conference record.

Creighton is the preseason favorite to win the conference with 382 points and 26 first-place votes and is followed by Wichita State (347). Northern Iowa (272), Missouri State (265) and Bradley (144) round out the top-six teams. Along with Creighton and Illinois State, Wichita State was the other team to garner first-place votes with 12. Indiana State (135), Southern Illinois (123), Drake (121) and Evansville (119) occupy the final four spots in the preseason poll.

Illinois State was selected to finish sixth during the 2011-12 season and ended the regular season in second place. The Redbirds have won at least 12 Valley games in each of the last six years.

2012-13 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Creighton (26)--382
2. Wichita State (12)--347
3. Illinois State (2)--323
4. Northern Iowa--272
5. Missouri State--265
6. Bradley--144
7. Indiana State--135
8. Southern Illinois--123
9. Drake--121
10. Evansville--119

2012-13 Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference
Jessica Diamond, Wichita State
Jacqui Kalin, Northern Iowa
Jamie Russell, Illinois State
Christiana Shorter, Missouri State
Carli Tritz, Creighton (Preseason Player of the Year)

GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.