If not for a nagging foot injury last season, Ball State University men's basketball forward Anthony Newell would have tied for the lead in the Mid-American Conference in scoring and finished second in rebounding.
For his performance in the 2007-08 season, however, MAC coaches and members of the news media Wednesday selected Newell to the preseason All-MAC West Division team.
"This is a tremendous honor for Anthony and our program," coach Billy Taylor said in a press release. "Anthony is certainly well-deserving of this recognition."
Newell, a senior captain, missed nine games early last season with a left foot injury and returned to lead the Cardinals with 16.9 points and eight rebounds per game. Although he missed too many games to be considered for MAC statistics, he was still picked as an Honorable Mention All-MAC selection.
Taylor is looking forward to watching how Newell will lead the team this season.
"Anthony has worked extremely hard throughout the offseason to prepare himself physically and mentally for the challenges that lie ahead of him this season," Taylor said in the press release.
Newell, the only selection from Ball State, is joined on the West squad by University of Toledo forward Tyrone Kent, Western Michigan University guard David Kool, Northern Illinois University guard Darion Anderson and Eastern Michigan University guard Carlos Medlock.
The preseason All-MAC East Division team is comprised of Ohio University forward Jerome Tillman, University of Akron forward Nate Linhart, Kent State University guard Al Fisher, Bowling Green State University forward Nate Miller and Miami University guard/forward Michael Bramos.
The Cardinals, who finished last season 6-24 (5-11 MAC), open up their season Nov. 15 at home against Eastern Illinois University.
Preseason All-MAC West Team (last season statistics)Anthony Newell, Ball State: 16.9 points, eight rebounds per gameTyrone Kent, Toledo: 16.9 points, 1.77 steals per game David Kool, Western Michigan: 16.3 points per game, 88 percent career free-throw percentageDarion Anderson, Northern Illinois: 12.2 points, 2.6 assists per gameCarlos Medlock, Eastern Michigan: 14.8 points, 4.1 assists
Preseason All-MAC East Team (last season statistics)Jerome Tillman, Ohio University: 13.3 points, 7.6 rebounds per gameNate Linhart, Akron University: 8.5 points per game, 38 percent 3-point percentage Al Fisher, Kent State: Returning MAC Player of the Year - 13.9 points, four assists per gameNate Miller, Bowling Green: 13.6 points, 6.5 rebounds per gameMichael Bramos, Miami University: 16.3 points, 1.5 blocks per game
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