Nov. 2, 2000

CHICAGO - University of Memphis junior forward Kelly Wise has been named to the Conference USA Preseason All-League Team as selected by the conference's coaches.

Wise was tabbed an all-Conference USA third-team selection last year when he averaged 14.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. His 71 blocks as a sophomore ranked seventh-best in U of M history while his 119 career rejections are already eighth in C-USA history.

The Fort Walton Beach, Fla., native's rebounding and block averages as well as field goal percentage (.561) all ranked among the league's top three.

In Conference USA games Wise averaged 16.3 points (9th), 9.1 rebounds (3rd) and 3.3 blocks (2nd) while shooting 54.2 percent from the floor (2nd).

Conference USA also released its preseason coaches' poll. Memphis is picked to finish second in the National Division behind South Florida. Cincinnati is picked to repeat as the American Division champion ahead of DePaul and Charlotte.

Also named to the C-USA Preseason Team were South Florida's B.B. Waldon and Altron Jackson along with Louisville's Marques Maybin, Cincinnati's Kenny Satterfield and Marquette's Brian Wardle.