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CHICAGO (10/9/12) -- The Detroit Titans men's basketball team was picked to finish second in the Horizon League preseason poll voted on by the league's coaches, sports information directors and media members, while junior guard Ray McCallum was named the preseason Player of the Year on Tuesday at the InterContinental Hotel.

The Titans totaled 332 points – including four first-place votes – trailing only Valparaiso's 382 points and 40 first-place selections. Green Bay was picked to finish third with 283 points, while Youngstown State was fourth with 243 and Cleveland State fifth tallying 230. Rounding out the poll was Milwaukee (178), Loyola (105), UIC (96) and Wright State (86).

McCallum, the HL preseason Player of the Year and first team selection for the second-straight season, was named the Horizon League Tournament MVP last year after he helped lead the Titans to the League crown and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1999. McCallum led the team in scoring (15.4 ppg), assists (4.0 apg) and steals (1.6 spg) for the second-straight season. He was named to the Lou Henson All-America team as well as the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) All-District First Team and the National All-Jesuit Team after a superb season that saw him become the 37th Titan to surpass 1,000 career points and the first to do it as a sophomore.

Another Titan that received preseason honors was senior Nick Minnerath, who was named to the All-Horizon League Second Team. Minnerath the 2010-11 Titans co-MVP averaged 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as a junior, including six 20-point games over the final two months of action. He averaged 12.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in the first five games last year before enduring a season ending injury.

The Titans won last year's Horizon League Tournament Championship and were third during the regular season finishing with a 22-14 record, including an 11-7 mark in the conference. Detroit returns eight letterwinners and three starters from that squad, led by McCallum and Minnerath as well as seniors Doug Anderson and Jason Calliste.

2012-13 season and individual tickets are currently on sale for men's and women's basketball. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit the online Titan Ticket Office by CLICKING HERE or contact the Titans' Ticket office at (313) 993-1700. The Titans' Ticket Office is located in Calihan Hall and is open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Titans will host their own media day on Friday, October 12 at noon in Calihan Hall.


Preseason Poll:
1. Valparaiso (40 first-place votes) – 382 points
2. Detroit (4) – 332
3. Green Bay – 283
4. Youngstown State – 243
5. Cleveland State – 230
6. Milwaukee – 178
7. Loyola – 105
8. UIC – 96
9. Wright State – 86

Preseason Player of the Year: Ray McCallum, Detroit

All-League First Team:
Ray McCallum, Detroit
Ryan Broekhoff, Valparaiso
Kendrick Perry, Youngstown State
Alec Brown, Green Bay
Kevin Van Wijk, Valparaiso

All-League Second Team:
Ben Averkamp, Loyola
Anton Grady, Cleveland State
Keifer Sykes, Green Bay
Damian Eargle, Youngstown State
Nick Minnerath, Detroit