NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Every major national publication has picked Murray State and Tennessee Tech -- in no particular order -- to be the Ohio Valley Conference's top two men's basketball teams this year.

Tuesday's OVC's media day at the Gaylord Entertainment Center went right along with that theme as those squads were neck-and-neck in the conference's official preseason poll based on voting by the league's coaches and sports information directors.

Murray State, with four returning starters, was the choice to win its 20th regular-season OVC title -- but barely.

The Racers, 19-13 overall and a third-place 10-6 in the regular-season standings last year, received eight first-place votes and 119 total points.

"I'm happy where we were picked," Murray State coach Tevester Anderson said. "Hopefully we can prove we're worthy of that."

Tennessee Tech (27-7, 15-1) also received eight first-place votes and wound up just shy of the Racers in total points with 117.

The Eagles, who have won the past two regular-season titles but came up short against the Racers in last year's tournament finals, will have a new face on the bench this season. Former Kentucky assistant Mike Sutton took over the program after Jeff Lebo left for Chattanooga.

"I'm excited to be in the league," Sutton said.

Murray State lost leading scorer Justin Burdine but returns most of its other key players, including senior forward James Singleton, an all-OVC second-team selection last year.

"I think the coaches and other voters forgot Justin Burdine is no longer with us. We relied on him a lot," Anderson said. "But we have a talented team."

Tennessee Tech had a talented team last year as it posted its best record ever and advanced to the NIT quarterfinals. The Eagles return much of that talent, including senior center Damien Kinloch, who was runner-up for OVC Player of the Year honors.

"I think we have a good opportunity, but it will be a big challenge for us," Sutton said.

Also expected to contend for the title is Morehead State (18-11, 11-5), which was picked third and received the other two first-place votes.

The Eagles were second last year for their best finish since 1983-84 and coach Kyle Macy returns four starters, including first-team all-OVC junior swingman Ricky Minard, who averaged 22.3 points per game and finished in the top 15 of every conference statistical category.

"We're excited to be picked preseason No. 3. I think it shows an improvement in our program," Macy said. "But we know if we don't play well, we can be back at the bottom of the conference."

After the top three there was a significant dropoff, which leaves quite a few teams hopeful of slipping into the No. 4 spot that means a home game for the first round of the conference tournament.

"Those three teams have to be picked at the top. They have the most players back," Southeast Missouri State University coach Gary Garner said. "But after that, I think it's wide open. I know all the other coaches are thinking, if they can just get fourth, they can get to Nashville (for the tournament semifinals)."

Garner's Indians (6-22, 4-12) were picked sixth in the nine-team league after last year's dismal eight-place showing. They return quite a bit of experience, led by sophomore guard Derek Winans, last year's OVC freshman of the year who made the preseason all-conference second team.

"I think we're going to be better," Garner said. "How much, I don't know."

Eastern Illinois (15-16, 7-9) was picked fourth. Coach Rick Samuels' squad returns senior guard Henry Domercant, the reigning OVC player of the year who was second in the nation in scoring at 26.4 points per game. Not surprisingly, Domercant is the conference's preseason player of the year.

Austin Peay (14-18, 8-8) was selected fifth. Coach Dave Loos lost Nick Stapleton, the nation's seventh-leading scorer, but returns his other four starters.

Tennessee State (11-17, 7-9) was picked seventh. The Tigers will be led by junior guard Garrett Richardson, nephew of coach Nolan Richardson III.

Tennessee-Martin (15-14, 7-9) was picked eighth. The Skyhawks are coming off their first winning season since joining the OVC in 1992, but coach Bret Campell must replace five of his top six scorers.

Eastern Kentucky (7-20, 3-13) is expected to finish last again, but coach Travis Ford hopes senior guard Shawn Fields and some new talent will help them escape the cellar.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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