KSU Basketball Players Kevin Smith & Cortney Matthewis (KSU Athletics)

FRANKFORT, KY (October 20, 2011) — The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference recently announced the 2011-2012 SIAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Teams as voted on by the SIAC Basketball Coaches Association.

On the men’s side, Kentucky State’s Kevin Smith was named to the Preseason All-Conference Second Team. Smith, a junior from Detroit, Michigan, was the Breds’ leading rebounder and ninth in the SIAC during the 2010-11 campaign, averaging 6.6 rebounds per game (186 total). He was also the second-leading scorer on the team with 12.0 points per game and shot .496 from the field.

The Thorobreds, who finished last season 15-13 overall and 13-11 in the SIAC (5th), were predicted to finish No. 7 in the conference for the 2011-12 season.

Returning 2010 SIAC All-Conference Second Team member, 2011 SIAC All-Tournament Team member and two-time SIAC Player of the Week, Cortney Matthewis, was voted to the Preseason All-Conference Second Team on the women’s side. Matthewis, 10th in the SIAC for scoring last year, led the Brettes with 12.0 points per game. She was also third on the team for rebounds (131 total, 5.5 per game). Matthewis’ ability to drive to the basket and draw fouls resulted in her knocking down 82.6 percent of her free throws, which led the team and was good for third in the SIAC.

Picked to finish No. 4 in the conference for the 2011-12 campaign, the Thorobrettes ended the 2010-11 season at No. 5 with a record of 17-11 overall and 13-9 in the SIAC.

Kentucky State’s men and women open the 2011-12 season at home on November 22 against Claflin University. The women tip-off at 5:30 p.m. followed by the men at 7:30 p.m.

Danielle Wright
Director, Office of Sports Information
Kentucky State University