Detroit, Mich. -- Senior guard Cameron Morse was named Preseason All-Horizon League First-Team for the second straight season, and the YSU men's basketball team was predicted to finish seventh as the Horizon League released preseason all-league teams and preseason poll at the Horizon League Basketball Media Day at Little Caesars Arena.
A 2017 All-Horizon League First-Team selection, Morse led the league in scoring for the second straight year with 23.2 points per game against league opponents last year. He also ranked ninth in the nation with 22.9 points per game and 260 field-goals made and 15th with 711 total points. Morse set the YSU Division I scoring record with 711 points and needs 579 points to become just the third player in school history to score 2,000 career points.
The Penguins garnered a first-place vote and a total of 209 points for their seventh-place ranking. Oakland was tabbed as the 2018 preseason favorite with 453 points and 31 first-place votes while defending Horizon League Tournament Champion Northern Kentucky was voted second with 414 points and 10 first-place votes. UIC (347 points, 3 first-place votes) was picked third while Detroit (273, 1) was predicted fourth. Wright State (259) and Green Bay (249) were picked ahead of the Penguins at fifth and sixth while Milwaukee (161, 1) was eighth, Cleveland State (125) was ninth and Horizon League newcomer IUPUI (95) was voted 10th.
2017-18 Horizon League Preseason Poll
1. Oakland (453, 31 First-Place Votes)
2. Northern Kentucky (414, 10)
3. UIC (347, 3)
4. Detroit Mercy (273, 1)
5. Wright State (259)
6. Green Bay (249)
7. Youngstown State (209, 1)
8. Milwaukee (161, 1)
9. Cleveland State (125)
10. IUPUI (95)
2017-18 Horizon League Preseason Teams
First-Team
Drew McDonald, Northern Kentucky (Preseason Player of the Year)
Jalen Hayes, Oakland
Martez Walker, Oakland
Dikembe Dixson, UIC
Cameron Morse, Youngstown State
Second-Team
Corey Allen, Detroit Mercy
Jaleel Hogan, Detroit Mercy
Lavone Holland II, Northern Kentucky
Kendrick Nunn, Oakland
Tai Odiase, UIC
Younstown State opens the 2017-18 season against Kent State, Saturday, Nov. 11, at 9 p.m. in the Northeast Ohio Coaches vs. Cancer Basketball Doubleheader hosted by the University of Akron.
