TCU’s Thorns Named to Preseason All-MW Team
DENVER – The Mountain West released its men’s basketball preseason media poll and all-conference team Wednesday at the league’s annual media day held at The Mtn.-MountainWest Sports Network studios.
TCU senior guard Hank Thorns was selected to the Preseason All-MW Team, becoming the second Frog named to the preseason squad in the last three years (Zvonko Buljan, 2009).
Thorns was named third-team All-MW as a junior last season, when he led the league in both assist average (7.0) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.71). He was the only player to finish the 2010-11 campaign ranked among the nation’s top-12 in both assists (No. 4) and assist-to-turnover ratio (No. 12). Thorns’ 225 total assists ranked No. 2 on the MW’s single-season charts.
In addition to his abilities as a floor general, Thorns also was successful finding the bottom of the net in his first season as a Frog. He finished the year with a 10.7-point scoring average to rank second on the squad in total scoring. He made 30 starts and 32 appearances for TCU in its 33 contests.
Thorns was joined on the Preseason All-MW Team by UNLV guard Oscar Bellfield, New Mexico forward Drew Gordon, UNLV guard/forward Chace Stanback and New Mexico guard Kendall Williams. Gordon was named Preseason Player of the Year, while San Diego State guard Xavier Thames and New Mexico guard Hugh Greenwood were tabbed Preseason Newcomer and Freshman of the Year, respectively.
The conference media selected New Mexico as the preseason favorite to win the Mountain West men’s basketball regular-season title, as the Lobos captured 22 of 26 first-place votes and 203 points for the top spot position. UNLV received the remaining four first-place votes and 183 points to finish second, followed by San Diego State in third place with 158 points. Colorado State (No. 4; 119 points), Air Force (No. 5; 78 points), Wyoming (No. 6; 68 points), TCU (No. 7; 64 points) and Boise State (No. 8; 63 points) rounded out the preseason rankings.
TCU officially begins full-scale fall workouts this Friday. The squad will play host to Cameron University in an exhibition game Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. prior to opening the regular season at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum Nov. 11 against Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m.
