Oct. 19, 2010

CHICAGO - The Loyola University Chicago men's basketball team has been picked to finish eighth in the Horizon League according to polling of the League's head coaches, sports information directors and media. Butler, which advanced to the NCAA Championship game a year ago, was the unanimous pick to repeat as the League champion.

The Bulldogs received all 48 first-place votes and were followed in the poll by Detroit, Cleveland State, Valparaiso, Milwaukee, Wright State and Green Bay. Slotted eighth, the Ramblers were picked ahead of city rival UIC and Youngstown State.

Junior guard Shelvin Mack of Butler was chosen as the Horizon League Preseason Player of the Year and was joined on the all-league first team by Norris Cole (Cleveland State), Matt Howard (Butler), Rahmon Fletcher (Green Bay) and Brandon Wood (Valparaiso).

Named to the second team were Vaughn Duggins (Wright State), Eli Holman (Detroit), Cory Johnson (Valparaiso), Chase Simon (Detroit) and Robo Kreps (UIC).

Loyola returns all five starters and Horizon League Sixth Man of the Year Walt Gibler from last year's club that posted 14 wins. In 2004-05, Jim Whitesell's first season as Loyola's head coach, the Ramblers were picked eighth in the preseason poll and finished tied for fourth in the regular-season standings and advanced to the semifinal round of the Horizon League Championship.

The Ramblers open the 2010-11 campaign when they host a four-team tournament, Nov. 12-14 at the Gentile Center.

2010-11 Horizon League Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Butler - 480 points (48 first-place votes)
2. Detroit - 381 points
3. Cleveland State - 376
4. Valparaiso - 312 points
5. Milwaukee - 259 points
6. Wright State - 256 points
7. Green Bay - 242 points
8. Loyola - 146 points
9. UIC - 121 points
10. Youngstown State - 67 points