Oct. 7, 2008

IRVING, Texas - The Baylor men's basketball team easily surpassed its highest preseason prediction in Big 12 history, tying Kansas for third in the 2008-09 Big 12 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll released Tuesday.

The Bears, coming off their first NCAA appearance since 1988, received first-place votes (two) for the first time in Big 12 history. Prior to this poll, the highest BU had been selected in the preseason tally was No. 7 in 2006-07. Last season, the Bears were tabbed No. 9 in the preseason poll.

Baylor finished six points behind preseason favorite Oklahoma (three first-place votes) and four behind second-place Texas (four first-place votes). KU, the defending NCAA champion, received the remaining three first-place votes.

Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Missouri - all postseason squads last season - were chosen fifth, sixth and seventh. The remainder of the poll is Kansas State at No. 8, followed by Nebraska, Texas Tech, Iowa State and Colorado.

The Big 12 Conference will hold its preseason media day on Thursday, Oct. 23 in Oklahoma City - site of the 2009 Phillips 66 Big 12 Basketball Championships. Baylor's 2008-09 season gets underway on Saturday, Nov. 15 when the Bears host Paul Quinn College at 3 p.m. at the Ferrell Center.

2008-09 BIG 12 PRESEASON POLL

	Team (First Place Votes)	  Points
1.	Oklahoma (3)                    109
2.	Texas (4)                       107
3.	Baylor (2)                      103
	Kansas (3)                      103
5.	Texas A&M	                  79
6.	Oklahoma State                  69
7.	Missouri                        51
8.	Kansas State                    50
9.	Nebraska                        49
10.	Texas Tech                      39
11.	Iowa State                      20
12.	Colorado                        13

Eleven points were awarded for first place, 10 for second, etc.
Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.