Conference Poll   

     FORT WORTH, Texas- The Texas Wesleyan men's basketball team was picked to win the Red River Athletic Conference championship by League offices announced Friday morning. The Rams also open the season ranked 25th in the nation in this week's 2003-04 NAIA Preseason Poll released on Tuesday.

     In the Red River Conference preseason poll, Texas Wesleyan garnered 124 total votes and five first-place votes, barley nudging out defending-champion Houston Baptist, who also finished with five first-place votes and a total of 119 votes.

     "The one thing that holds true in this conference is that anyone can beat anyone on any given night," head coach Terry Waldrop said. "I still think that Houston Baptist is the team to beat, because they have won the RRAC title every season since its inception. We do feel like we are one of the many teams to have a shot at the championship this season."

     Texas Wesleyan returns two starters from a team that finished 22-12 and advanced to the conference semifinals last season. The Rams were ranked as high as 23rd in the nation at one point.

     The Rams, ranked 25th in the nation, received a total of 28 total votes in the national poll. Their first opponent, Oklahoma Christian comes in at number 26, one vote behind the Rams.

     "We feel honored to be in the Top 25 in the nation," Waldrop said. "This is a reflection of the hard work that the coaches and players put in our first season back in the NAIA last year. Hopefully we can take this ranking and continue building from there."

     Texas Wesleyan opens their 2003-04 campaign against Oklahoma Christian on Nov. 11th. The Rams will host the Eagles at 7 p.m. at the Sid Richardson Gymnasium.