COLLEGE BASKETBALL: EAGLETTES PICKED TO REPEAT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech has been the Ohio Valley Conference's dominant women's basketball team over the years and that isn't expected to change this season.

The defending champion Golden Eaglettes were the solid choice of the OVC's coaches and sports information directors during the conference's media day Wednesday at the Gaylord Entertainment Center.

Tech, which has won or shared three of the past four OVC titles and has captured 13 league championships overall, received 14 of a possible 16 first-place votes (teams are not allowed to pick their own finish).

The Eaglettes, 24-9 last season, return four starters, including center Janet Holt, the 1999-2000 OVC Player of the Year who was picked to repeat that honor. She averaged 17.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game a year ago.

"Not only does Janet score, she rebounds, plays defense and runs the floor, and she's an Academic All-American," said Tech coach Bill Worrell, whose squad also claimed the OVC Tournament crown last season. "She ranks up with the outstanding players I've had."

Austin Peay, which became the first No. 6 seed ever to advance to the OVC Tournament finals last season, was picked second, which would be quite a jump from last year's sixth-place finish. The Lady Govs received three first-place votes.

The Lady Govs, 15-15 a year ago, return four starters, including 1999-2000 OVC Freshman of the Year Brooke Armistead.

"Our team is together," said Austin Peay coach Susie Gardner. "It's fun to come to practice."

Eastern Kentucky, which slumped to 13-15 and fifth place in the OVC last season, was picked to finish third. Murray State went 14-15 a year ago and posted its best-ever OVC finish by tying for third. The Lady Racers are tabbed for fourth this season.

Southeast Missouri State, which slumped to 11-17 last season and placed just seventh in the league, was picked fifth and -- somewhat surprisingly -- received the remaining first-place vote.

"Who knows," said a grinning Southeast coach Ed Arnzen when asked if he was surprised that either one league coach or sports information director believes the Otahkians will win the title. "When you select these teams, you really have no idea.

"I think (being picked fifth) is probably appropriate. And Tech should probably be the favorite, with their tradition and the good players they have back."

Although the Otahkians are currently hampered by some injuries -- junior-college transfers Kim Brown and Cindy Bates are both out for several weeks -- they figure to be improved this year thanks in large part to the return of standout junior Pam Iversen, who missed the final nine games of last season after suffering a serious knee injury.

Iversen, who has still not totally recovered from reconstructive surgery, should eventually return to full strength. She was picked as a second-team preseason all-conference choice.

"I think we'll have a good basketball team, especially later," Arnzen said.

Tennessee-Martin (12-16 last year) was picked to finish sixth, followed by Eastern Illinois (8-19), Tennessee State (8-18) and Morehead State (2-25).

Joining Holt and Armistead on the preseason all-league first team are Tennessee Tech's Allison Clark, Murray State's Monika Gadson and Tennessee State's Tamara Washington.

The OVC has one new head coach as 11-year Tennessee State assistant Valencia Jordan takes over the reins of the Lady Tigers.

OVC WOIMEN'S POLL

Predicted order of finish for the Ohio Valley Conference women's teams as picked by league coaches and sports information directors with number of first-place votes in parentheses followed by total points:

1. Tennessee Tech (14) 126

2. Austin Peay (3) 111

3. Eastern Kentucky 94

4. Murray State 80

5. Southeast Missouri (1) 73

6. Tennessee-Martin 63

7. Eastern Illinois 42

8. Tennessee State 36

9. Morehead State 23