After losing its top three scorers and rebounders from last season, the Colorado State men’s basketball team was picked to finish seventh in the 11-team Mountain West by the media’s preseason poll, released by the conference on Tuesday.

The Rams return two starters from last year’s team that won a program-record 27 games but lost in the first round of the NIT, guard Joe De Ciman (7.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and forward Tiel Daniels (5.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg). The team also has three other key returners in guards Gian Clavell (9.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg), Fred Richardson III (3.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg) and John Gillon (7.9 ppg, 1.1 rgp), last season’s sixth man of the year in the MW.

Along with guard Antwan Scott, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility after missing most of last year with a foot injury, the Rams welcome in seven newcomers. Junior college transfers Kimani Jackson (New Mexico Junior College) and Emmanuel Omogbo (South Plains College) should give CSU a much-needed presence inside after losing forwards J.J. Avila and Stanton Kidd to graduation.

Guard J.D. Paige (formerly Jeremiah) and forward Toby Van Ry should see their first minutes as Rams this season after redshirting as true freshmen last year while a trio of freshmen are also on roster in guards Prentiss Nixon and Anthony Bonner and forward Nico Carvacho.

For the second straight year San Diego State and Boise State were picked to finish first and second, respectively. The Aztecs received 22 out of a possible 25 first-place votes. Utah State was picked third, followed by UNLV, Fresno State, New Mexico, CSU, Wyoming, Nevada, Air Force and San Jose State.

Four of the past six seasons the Rams have finished better than their predicted finish in the preseason media poll, including last year when they were voted fifth but finished third, a game behind co-champions Boise State and San Diego State.

Fresno State guard Marvelle Harris, a first-team all-conference selection last year, was tabbed the preseason player of the year. He’s joined on the preseason all-conference team by SDSU forward Winston Shepard, Boise State guard Anthony Drmic, Boise State forward James Webb III and Wyoming guard Josh Adams.

New Mexico forward Tim Williams, a transfer from Samford, was picked as the preseason newcomer of the year and UNLV forward Stephen Zimmerman was selected as the preseason freshman of the year.

Sean Star: 970-669-5050, sstar@reporter-herald.com