The Morehead State men's basketball team received two first-place votes and has been picked third in the OVC Eastern Division by OVC media.
The OVC will release its preseason poll and All-OVC team, as voted on by league head coaches and sports information directors, on Wednesday, October 26 during the league's annual Media Day in Nashville.
The media panel picked Belmont as the preseason favorites. Belmont senior forward Evan Bradds was tabbed the OVC Men's Basketball Preseason Player of the Year.
Belmont picked up nine of the 14 first-place votes in the overall regular season champions category while Murray State (3) and Morehead State (2) received the others. The Bruins also accumulated 12 of a possible 14 first-place votes in being tabbed the favorite in the East Division, a title they have claimed each of the past four years.
Belmont earned 82 total points to finish ahead of Tennessee State who had 64 points and Morehead State who picked up the other two first place votes and netted 62 points. The East Division was rounded out by Eastern Kentucky (35), Tennessee Tech (32) and Jacksonville State (19). Murray State received all 16 first-place votes (84 total points) to be named the West Division preseason favorites. Defending tournament champion Austin Peay was tabbed second (60 points) followed by Eastern Illinois (56), UT Martin (45), Southeast Missouri (28) and SIUE (21).
Morehead State will host their Blue-Gold Game at Johnson Arena on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. ET. The scrimmage is free and open to the public.
The Eagles open their schedule with an exhibition against Cincinnati Christian at Johnson Arena on Nov. 6. They then open the regular season against Kentucky Christian at home on Nov. 11. For details on the entire 2016-17 Morehead State men's basketball schedule, click here.
2016-17 Media OVC Preseason Men's Predicted Order of Finish
East Division
1. Belmont (12 first-place votes) - 82 points
2. Tennessee State - 64
3. Morehead State (2) - 62
4. Eastern Kentucky - 35
5. Tennessee Tech - 32
6. Jacksonville State - 19
West Division
1. Murray State (14 first-place votes) - 84 points
2. Austin Peay - 60
3. Eastern Illinois - 56
4. UT Martin - 45
5. Southeast Missouri - 28
6. SIUE - 21
Preseason Player of the Year: Evan Bradds, Belmont
