Central Oklahoma is projected to win the North Division, while Tarleton State is the choice in the South Division in the annual Lone Star Conference men's basketball preseason polls announced on Wednesday.

UCO finished second in the North Division last season, while Tarleton ended up third in the South Division.     

The LSC has 14 teams set to compete this season and the league race should be as close as ever.  The season begins on November 15.

Here's a closer look at what the voters had to say about LSC men's basketball in 2007-08:

NORTH DIVISION

      Central Oklahoma is the Lone Star Conference North Division preseason favorite after recording a 20-8 overall and 9-3 league mark last season, according to the league's annual men's basketball preseason polls.

      The Bronchos have two starters, including All-LSC North first team selection Sam Belt, and five other lettermen back.

      UCO collected 16 of 20 first-place votes to finish with 136 total points in the balloting of LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives. 

      Texas A&M-Commerce was picked second in the poll with a first-place nod and 98 points, followed by Southwestern Oklahoma in third with 90, defending LSC North champion Southeastern Oklahoma in fourth with 85, Northeastern State fifth with 77, Cameron sixth with 40 and East Central seventh with 34.

SOUTH DIVISION

      Tarleton State is the Lone Star Conference South Division preseason pick, according to the annual preseason polls.

      The Texans finished the 2006-07 season 18-10 overall and 7-5 in the division to advance to the program's sixth straight LSC Postseason Tournament.  Reigning LSC South Freshman of the Year Dan Eichel returns in addition to three Division I tranfers.

      Tarleton received 12 first-place votes out of the 20 ballots cast by LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.  The Texans tallied 131 total points to finish in front of last year's co-South Champion West Texas A&M.

      WTAMU was second in the poll with five first-place votes for 114 total points, while defending LSC Tournament and co-South Division champion Midwestern State was third with three first-place tallies and 98 overall points, followed by Angelo State in fourth with 71, Texas A&M-Kingsville fifth with 64, Eastern New Mexico sixth with 52 and Abilene Christian seventh with 30.

 

NORTH DIVISON		1st	Total
1	Central Oklahoma	16	136
2	Texas A&M-Commerce	1	98
3	Southwestern Oklahoma		90
4	Southeastern Oklahoma	3	85
5	Northeastern State		77
6	Cameron		40
7	East Central		34

SOUTH DIVISION		1st	Total
1	Tarleton State	12	131
2	West Texas A&M	5	114
3	Midwestern State	3	98
4	Angelo State		71
5	Texas A&M-Kingsville		64
6	Eastern New Mexico		52
7	Abilene Christian		30