Today the WAC men's and women's basketball preseason media polls and All-WAC teams will be released and in the spirit of openness and transparency we're sharing with you the ballots that we submitted to the WAC for both men's and women's side.

Men's Poll:
1) New Mexico State - Our pick hinges greatly on Wendell McKines and Troy Gillenwater returning after the fall semester. If neither returns, it opens up the door for any of our top five picks to win the league. If only one of the two returns the Aggies will be tough to beat, if both return, the Aggies should be the clear cut favorite.
2) Utah State - Stew Morrill is the most underrated coach in the country in our opinion. Year in and year out he finds a way to win no matter who he loses and who he has coming back. This season will be no exception.
3) Nevada - Nevada's depth could hurt them late in close games when foul problems and fatigue become an issue and they could falter this season. It will also be interesting to see how smooth the transition from Mark Fox to David Carter goes on the court. Everyone says Carter was the natural pick but ask any former assistant who has become a head coach, things are different just one chair over.
4) Idaho - This pick could have easily been third. Idaho is poised for a run at the title with a team loaded with senior experience and Don Verlin being a Stew Morrill disciple is bad news for the rest of the WAC just look at last year's results.
5) Louisiana Tech - The Bulldogs were oh-so-close in so many games last season will they get over the hump this season? Outside of New Mexico State, we think La. Tech is probably the most athletic team in the WAC. Picking them as low as 5th was a tough decision but given the teams ahead of them, we're not sure they could justifiably go anywhere else.
6) Fresno State - They have two outstanding players in Paul George and Sylvester Seay. Who else will step up for the Bulldogs?
7) Boise State - We don't know a whole lot about Boise State except that they return big man Kurt Cunningham, one of the leaders in field goal percentage from last season and Anthony Thomas, the "Mouth of the WAC" (reference Guarantee v. Idaho which by the way, he did not back up).
8) San Jose State - Adrian Oliver is probably the most impressive individual player we saw last season play against the Aggies.
9) Hawai'i - This is a make or break year for Coach Bob Nash. We remember when UH was a force in the WAC. Maybe this will be the season they turn things around. Roderick Flemings is projected to be an NBA draft pick and Bill Amis hit some clutch shots last season. Outside of those two we don't know much else about UH.

Player of the Year: Jahmar Young. Last season Jahmar really matured on the court (his demeaner from freshman to sophomore year was night and day) and developed into a leader on the floor. JY is one of the elite talents in the league and could be one of the elite talents in the country. And he's only a junior.
Rest of the All-WAC Team: Luke Babbitt (Nevada), Kyle Gibson (La. Tech), Mac Hopson (Idaho), Adrian Oliver (SJSU)
Newcomer of the Year: Steffan Johnson (Idaho)

Women's Poll (Top three capsules only)
1) Louisiana Tech - Year two under WNBA and Lady Techster legend Teresa Witherspoon should propel the Lady Techsters to the top.
2) New Mexico State - A homer pick? We don't think so. New Mexico State was one of the youngest teams in the country last season and it showed on the court. However, all that experience comes back, the Aggies have replaced the two senior starters from last season, Niki Holt and Tyshae Walton. We expect big things from the Aggies this season. Especially if the team buys into Darin Spence's defensive philosophy. Defense wins championships.
3) Fresno State - They've won the league the past two seasons because they've been lights out from the three point line. How long can that last? At some point they have to stop making nearly 50% of their threes right?
4) Boise State
5) Idaho
6) Utah State
7) Nevada
8) Hawai'i
9) San Jose State

Player of the Year: Madison Spence - We think the addition of Crystal Boyd as well as the maturation of Danisha Corbett, Kaitlyn Soto and Tabytha Wampler in the post will allow Madison to show off her skills and why she was one of the top point guard recruits coming out of high school. Plus she should be 100% healthy this season. Last year she finished Top 5 in the league in scoring and she was never healthy the entire season battling mono and food allergies the entire season.
Rest of the All-WAC Team: Crystal Boyd (NM State), Shanavia Dowdell (La. Tech), Jaleesa Ross (Fresno State), Yinka Olorunnife (Idaho).

Be sure to check out this week's interview with cross country assistant coach Paul Harkins. The Aggie women's team won the Bronco Invitational in Santa Clara while the men's team posted a five spot improvement over last season. Both teams have tremendous momentum heading into the WAC Championships in Reno in two weeks. Where the women's team should be one of the favorites and the men's team is looking for a Top Four finish.

On to today's links...

Aggie Soccer
Korey Middleton of The Round Up talks about the Aggie soccer team.

Aggie Men's Basketball
Jason Groves of the Las Cruces Sun-News talks about the Aggies' strength at point guard.

Jason Groves also shares his preseason media poll picks.

Aggie Women's Basketball
Jason Groves of the Las Cruces Sun-News blogs about a verbal commitment for the women's team.

If you've found an article that you think other Aggie fans would like to read, send it to us! Select "The Daily Aggie" from the 'Category' drop-down.