INDIANAPOLIS -- For the first time as a member of the Horizon League, the Oakland men's basketball team was picked as the league favorite receiving 31 of 47 first-place votes in the 2017-18 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll announced on Friday morning. The preseason poll was voted on by the league's 10 head coaches, media members, and men's basketball contacts throughout the league.

The Golden Grizzlies, the reigning regular season champions, were selected to win their league for the first time since 2010 when they were a member of The Summit League. Defending tournament champion Northern Kentucky was picked second and received 10 first-place votes while UIC was tabbed third and received three first-place votes. Detroit, Youngstown State and Milwaukee also received first-place votes.

Oakland landed the most players on the preseason all-league teams with Jalen Hayes and Martez Walker being named to the first team and Kendrick Nunn being selected to the second team.

Oakland opens its season with an exhibition game against Davenport on Nov. 6 before hosting Fort Wayne for the regular season opener on Nov. 10.

Preseason Player of the Year: Drew McDonald, Northern Kentucky

First Team

Drew McDonald, Northern Kentucky (16.9 ppg, 7.6 rebs)

Jalen Hayes, Oakland (17.9 ppg, 9.2 rebs)

Martez Walker, Oakland (17.8 ppg overall)

Dikembe Dixson, UIC (20.3 ppg, 6 rebs (all games))

Cameron Morse, Youngstown State (23.2 ppg, led HL)

Second Team

Corey Allen, Detroit Mercy (15.4 ppg, 16-17, HL FOTY)

Jaleel Hogan, Detroit Mercy (16.9 ppg, 6.9 rebs)

Lavone Holland II, Northern Kentucky (14.5 ppg, 4.1 ast overall)

Kendrick Nunn, Oakland (15.5 ppg at Illinois in 15-16)

Tai Odiase, UIC (3.2 blks, 16-17, HL DPOTY)

All stats are 16-17 Horizon League games only, unless noted.

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