ST. LOUIS – University of Evansville junior Colt Ryan has been named to the 2011-12 MVC Preseason All-Conference Team as the Aces are projected to finish fifth in the league this season.
 
Ryan is the lone junior on the preseason team, which includes two seniors and two sophomores.  The Batesville, Ind. native finished third in the conference in scoring last season, averaging 15.7 points per game.  He leads an Evansville team that advanced to the postseason for the second time in three seasons with a berth in the CBI Tournament.
 
Evansville returns three of its top four scorers and was recognized for its experience, being picked to finish fifth in the league.  The preseason ranking is the first top five appearance in the poll for the Aces since the 2000-01 season when UE was projected to finish second.
 
Creighton received 29 out of 40 first place votes as they were picked to win the league.  The Bluejays finished with 389 points.  Wichita State is projected to place second.  The Shockers grabbed seven first place votes and finished with 350 points.
 
Defending State Farm MVC Tournament winner Indiana State was the final team to garner votes, receiving four to tally a 331 to place third.  Northern Iowa (245) was picked to finish fourth while the Aces had 234 points in their fifth-place projection.
 
Aside from Ryan, the Preseason All-Conference Team features four other players, led by Preseason Player of the Year Kyle Weems.  Weems, a senior from Missouri State, won the Larry Bird Trophy last season as the top player in the MVC. 
 
Others on the preseason team include sophomore Doug McDermott of Creighton, Sophomore Jake Odum from Indiana State and Wichita State senior Toure’ Murry.