Oct. 26, 2016
Mountain West Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason Award Announcement
Mountain West Women's Basketball Season Preview Show
San Jose, Calif. - The San José State women's basketball team, continuing its three-year upward trend, has been selected to finish in fifth place in the Mountain West Conference's preseason poll of the leagues 11 head coaches and media representatives. In addition, senior Dezz Ramos is on the preseason all-conference team and junior Hallie Gennett has been selected the Newcomer of the Year by the same panel. The announcement came from the Mountain West Conference office on Wednesday.
Entering its fourth season in the Mountain West, SJSU's fifth place predicted order of finish is its best to date. Last year, the Spartans were predicted to come in eighth place in preseason voting, but beat the street with a fourth place finish and a first round bye in the league tournament. In its three previous seasons San José State was selected to end conference play in ninth (2013-14), tenth (2014-15) and the aforementioned eighth last year.
The 2016-17 Mountain West women's basketball preview show will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network and Facebook Live beginning at 1:00 p.m. (PT) today. Hosted by the Mountain West Networks's Jesse Kurtz and Stormy Buonantony, the preview show will feature coach and player interviews from all 11 campuses. The schedule will follow the predicted order of finish with San José State's preview beginning at approximately 1:30 p.m. (PT).
Ramos, who garnered the conference's Preseason Newcomer of the Year award last season, went on to earn the honor in the regular season along with All-Mountain West selection. A point guard from West Valley, Utah, she returns for her senior campaign after leading SJSU to its first winning record in conference play (11-7) since the 2004-05 season. In addition, the team enjoyed its highest finish in league play, fourth place, in the three years it has competed in the Mountain West.
In conference play in 2015-16, Ramos ranked second in scoring (17.2 ppg) and free throw percentage (.853) and returns as the leader in each category in 2016-17. Also among returners, she ranks third in assists (4.3/g) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7:1) and tenth in steals (1.3/g) and 3-pointers made (1.6/g).
Ramos joins Ta'Rea Cunnigan, who earned the honor twice, as the second Spartan named to the Mountain West Preseason All-Conference Team.
Gennett sat out last season serving a year in residence per NCAA transfer rules. The 5-11 forward, who will play the trail post position in head coach Jamie Craighead's up tempo offense, competed at Sacramento State her first two college seasons.
As a freshman, the native of Post Falls, Idaho, set the Sacramento State single-season record for 3-pointers made with 85. She followed that up by breaking her record with 86 threes in 2014-15. Those numbers would rank second and third on the SJSU single-season list for 3-pointers made.
Translating Gennett's numbers to the Mountain West, her 12.1 points per game in her last season at Sacramento State, would rank ninth among returners to the league. Her 86 threes in 2014-15 would have been the second most last year and would rank first among returners in the Mountain West.
Her 278 3-point attempts in 2014-15 would have led the MWC last year and her .309 3-point percentage would be ninth among players coming back in 2016-17.
Gennett is the second Spartan in as many years to garner Mountain West Newcomer of the Year selection. Dezz Ramos earned the honor prior to last season.
Joining Ramos on the Preseason Mountain West All-Conference Team are Boise State's Brooke Pahukoa, , Bego Faz Davalos of Fresno State, Cherise Beynon of New Mexico and Preseason Player of the Year Ellen Nystrom of Colorado State. New Mexico's Mykiel Burleson earned Preseason Freshman of the Year honors.
Two-time regular season champion Colorado State (283 pts.) is picked to repeat again, garnering 17 first place votes. Boise State (271 pts & 11 first-place votes) followed by Fresno State (225 pts.), UNLV (201 pts.) and the Spartans (197 pts.) round out the top-five.
New Mexico (176 pts. & one first-place vote) is sixth, followed by San Diego State (126 pts.), Wyoming (123 pts.) and Utah State (97 pts.) in seventh through ninth place, respectively. Nevada (66 pts.) and Air Force (28 pts.) round out the voting.
The Spartans begin the 2016-17 season hosting an exhibition game on Tuesday, November 1 against Sonoma State. Tipoff in The Event Center at 5:00 p.m. The regular season kicks off with games at New Mexico State (11/11) and Arizona State (11/13). SJSU's home opener is October 18 at 7:00 p.m. in The Event Center against Pacific.
2016-17 Mountain West Women's Basketball
Preseason Coaches and Media Poll Results
- Colorado State (17) - 283 pts.
- Boise State (11) - 271 pts.
- Fresno State - 225 pts.
- UNLV - 201 pts.
- San José State - 197 pts.
- New Mexico (1) - 176 pts.
- San Diego State - 126 pts.
- Wyoming - 123 pts.
- Utah State - 97 pts.
- Nevada - 66 pts.
- Air Force - 28 pts.
Preseason All-Conference Team
Dezz Ramos, San José State
Brooke Pahukoa, Boise State
Ellen Nystrom, Colorado State
Bego Faz Davalos, Fresno State
Cherise Beynon, New Mexico
Preseason Player of the Year
Ellen Nystrom, Colorado State
Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Hallie Gennett - San José State
Preseason Freshman of the Year
Mykiel Burleson, New Mexico