By Lamar SID Office

HOUSTON – As announced by the league office on Wednesday, Lamar University’s women’s hoops team is the unanimous pick to win the Southland Conference title in a poll of the conference’s women’s basketball coaches and sports information directors. This marks the second time in as many seasons that the Cards have been predicted first among SLC teams.

“It is an honor to be picked by our peers to be number 1 in pre-season,” said head coach Robin Harmony. “This league is getting so strong that every game is a fight, and it’s so hard to win on the road. We need to continue to work hard and improve each day, and staying healthy will play a big part in our success. For me it’s an honor to coach at Lamar and represent the Southland Conference. We have great teams and coaches in our conference, and we are all hopeful we can bring positive, national exposure to the Southland this season with our brand of basketball.”

Reflecting the final standings of the 2017-18 season, Lamar was picked first, receiving the maximum possible 24 first-place votes. The Ladyjacks of Stephen F. Austin, who came in last season’s regular season standings, is picked to finish second this year as well. Central Arkansas was tabbed to finish third in the 13-team league.

Last season Lamar went 22-8 overall and 17-1 in conference play enroute to its first outright regular season title, and is now seeking its first consecutive titles in program history. The Cards return 10 members of the 2017-18 squad including Preseason First Team All-Conference guards Chastadie Barrs and Moe Kinard. Harmony, a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and University of Miami (FL) Halls of Fame as a player and the St. Thomas University (FL) Hall of Fame as a coach, was the 2017-18 SLC Coach of the Year.

The preseason all-conference team was released Wednesday morning at the Southland Conference Basketball Media Day at the Toyota Center in Houston. The media day included the men’s and women’s basketball coaches from every league institution. The Southland Conference basketball preview show will air on ESPN3 on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

For ticket information, call 409-880-1715. The Montagne Center ticket office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays.

The preseason poll is voted upon by the head coach and sports information director from each Southland school. Each individual ranks the other 12 teams in their predicted order of regular season finish. Ranking one’s own school is not permitted.