Sept. 16, 2008

Contact: Brian McCann

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland State has been tabbed the favorite this year in the Horizon League with senior forward J'Nathan Bullock being selected as the leading candidate for Horizon League Player of the Year honors, according to the 2008-09 Athlon Preseason Basketball Annual, which is available at newstands nationally.

"I appreciate the honors that Athlon has accorded us because they take notice of how far this program has come in a very short time," CSU head coach Gary Waters said. "Preseason rankings really mean nothing else because they are based on what we did last year and the potential for us to be a good team again this season.

"There are a number of teams that are capable of winning the Horizon League title this year so it is important that we continue to work hard and get ready for the season. This is just another sign that we aren't going to sneak up on anybody this year and that we'll have to be ready to face every opponent's best effort this winter."

In addition to the preseason rankings, Athlon also named the senior duo of Bullock and Cedric Jackson to its preseason all-league team, joining Wright State's Vaughn Duggins, Butler's Matt Howard and Josh Mayo from UIC.

"This is a nice honor for both J'Nathan and Cedric because it recognizes what they both mean to this team. We believe that we will have two of the better players in the Horizon League this year, both of whom are capable of achieving this honor," Waters said.

Cleveland State, which was one of at least 16 teams in NCAA history to go from 20 losses in one season to 20 wins the next, returns four starters and eight lettermen off the 2007-08 team that went 21-13, finished second in the Horizon League in both the regular season and postseason tournament and earned a bid to play in the NIT.

The Vikings were selected ahead of Wright State (21-10, 12-6), which finished third last season. Green Bay (15-15, 9-9) was chosen third, followed by defending league champion Butler (30-4, 16-2) in fourth, UIC fifth, Valparaiso sixth, Loyola seventh, Milwaukee eighth, Youngstown State ninth and Detroit 10th.

After going 3-1 during a tour of Spain in August, the Vikings will resume practice for the upcoming season on Friday, Oct. 17.