Denver senior captain Nate Rohnert was chosen today to the first team of the Sun Belt Conference’s preseason squad, the league announced today.
The Pioneers were picked second in the SBC West Division behind North Texas, which got eight of the 13 first-place votes. Denver got one first-place vote in the West. Western Kentucky was the near unanimous choice to win the East Division.
Rohnert was an all-SBC pick as a sophomore and junior. Last season, the Chaparral High grad averaged 15.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists. The Pioneers (15-16 last season) open this season Nov. 13 at home against Northern Iowa.
SBC preseason poll
West Division
1. North Texas (9 first place votes) 85 points
2. Denver (1) 73 points
3. Louisiana-Lafayette (1) 56 points
4. Arkansas-Little Rock (1) 53 points
5. Louisiana-Monroe (1) 45 points
6. Arkansas State 36 points
7. New Orleans 17 points
East Division
1. Western Kentucky (12 first place votes) 77 points
2. Troy (1) 62 points
3. Middle Tennessee 53 points
4. South Alabama 40 points
5. Florida Atlantic 21 points
6. Florida International 20 points
Preseason All-Conference
First Team
Nate Rohnert, Denver
Desmond Yates, Middle Tennessee
Eric Tramiel, North Texas
Brandon Hazzard, Troy
A.J. Slaughter, Western Kentucky
Second Team
Chris Gradnigo, Louisiana-Lafayette
Josh White, North Texas
Richard Delk, Troy
Sergio Kerusch, Western Kentucky
Steffphon Pettigrew, Western Kentucky
Preseason Player of the year – AJ Slaughter, Western Kentucky
