The Morehead State men's basketball team has been picked second in the Ohio Valley Conference's East Division, while senior Brent Arrington earned Preseason All-OVC honors in a vote of the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
Morehead State went 17-17 a year ago, 10-6 in conference, and advanced to the semifinals of the OVC Tournament before falling to Murray State.
During head coach Sean Woods' first three years at Morehead State, the Eagles have won 52 games, which is the most for any coach in his first three seasons in MSU history.
Arrington, a redshirt junior from of Baltimore, Md., came to Morehead State, along with Woods, from Mississippi Valley State. He was the only player to start all 34 games for the Eagles a season ago and ranked second on the team with 11.1 points per game. He ranked third in the OVC in steals (1.9/game), while averaging 11.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest.
"I think it's well deserved. He's paid his dues and he's been a consistent performer for us," said Woods. "I don't think there is a player in our league that is as versatile, and he is one of the best on-ball defenders in the country. He's one of the top two or three players in our league. We're going to go as far as he goes."
The Eagles open play this season with an exhibition against Asbury (Ky.) on Nov. 3. They open the regular season at home against Cincinnati Christian on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.
Overall OVC Champion: Belmont (21 first-place votes). Other Teams Receiving Overall First-Place Votes: UT Martin (2), Murray State (1).
East
1. Belmont (22) 132
2. Morehead State (1) 105
3. Eastern Kentucky (1) 88
4. Tennessee Tech 67
5. Jacksonville State 52
6. Tennessee State 48
West
1. Murray State (15) 125
2. UT Martin (9) 115
3. Eastern Illinois 88
4. Southeast Missouri 72
5. Austin Peay 57
6. SIUE 35
