By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

The Wichita State Shockers have been picked to win the American Conference men’s basketball race, while the UTSA Roadrunners are ranked 13th and last in the annual preseason poll.

Junior guard Je’Shawn Stevenson from North Texas Mean Green is listed as the conference’s best bet to become Player of the Year in the poll announced on Friday morning.

Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Wichita State (9) 140
Memphis (4) 131
South Florida 118
Tulsa 99
Charlotte 95
UAB 89
UNT 84
Florida Atlantic 75
Temple 61
Tulane 52
East Carolina 34
Rice 22
UTSA 14
(#) first place votes

Preseason honors
Player of the Year: Je’Shawn Stevenson, Jr., G, UNT

Freshman of the Year: Felipe Quinones, Fr., G, Florida Atlantic

All-Conference first team: Kanaan Carlyle, Sr., G, Florida Atlantic; Jayden Reid, Sr., G, Memphis; Je’Shawn Stevenson, Jr., G, UNT; Sonny Wilson, Sr., G, South Florida; Will Berg, R-Sr., C, Wichita State

Second Team: Justyn Fernandez, Sr., G, UAB; Deuce Jones, Jr., G, UAB; Tylik Weeks, Sr., F, Memphis; Derrian Ford, 5th, G, Temple; Gavin Griffiths, Sr., G, Temple; Dillon Battie, Jr., F, Wichita State; Jordan Frison, Sr., G, Wichita State