WHEELING — The West Liberty University men’s basketball team has been named the Mountain East Conference preseason favorite, according to a vote of the league’s 11 head coaches.

The MEC men’s basketball preseason poll was announced Tuesday afternoon here at WesBanco Arena, the site of this year’s Basketball Media Day.

The Hilltoppers received nine of 11 possible first-place votes for a total of 98 points. Head coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team. West Liberty advanced to the NCAA tournament second round last year.

Fairmont State, which was voted second in the poll, and third-place Charleston each received a first-place vote.

Following the top three, West Virginia State and Concord were voted as fourth and fifth, respectively. Glenville State is sixth in the poll, followed by MEC newcomer Point Park, Davis & Elkins, Wheeling, Frostburg State and West Virginia Wesleyan.

In the women’s poll, Fairmont State has been selected as the MEC preseason favorite.

Fairmont state has increased its win total in each of the past two seasons, going from 15 wins to 23 to 27 last season. The Falcons captured the regular season MEC title, tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament.

Frostburg State narrowly edged West Virginia State for the second spot in the preseason poll.

The University of Charleston, with first-year head coach Bubby Johnson, and Concord round out the top five.

Glenville State is sixth in the preseason poll, followed by West Liberty, Wheeling, West Virginia Wesleyan, MEC newcomer Point Park and Davis & Elkins.

The 2024-25 MEC Basketball Media Day was held in the WesBanco Arena, the site of this March’s Mountain East Conference basketball championship.

The tournament begins March 5 and will conclude with the championship games on March 9.