The Kent State men’s and women’s basketball teams were both picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference East Division this season, according to the preseason polls announced earlier today.

The men were placed behind last year’s MAC Tournament champion Ohio, who received 12 first-place votes and were also tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the MAC Tournament again. Kent State received eight first place votes and garnered six votes for this season’s tournament championship.

Junior forward Justin Greene was chosen to the preseason All-MAC East Division team. Last season, he led the Flashes by averaging 13.6 points per game and nearly seven rebounds per game.

The women were selected behind perennial MAC East power Bowling Green, who won the MAC Tournament and regular season last year. The Falcons were also selected as favorites to win the tournament this year.

Representing the Flashes on the All-MAC team was senior guard Jamilah Humes, who led the women with 14.6 points per game and 2. 5 steals per game.

The men open their season against Iona at the World Vision Classic hosted by Cleveland State on Nov. 12, while the women start at Canisius the same day.

Men’s MAC preseason poll:

East division:

1. Ohio — 128 points (12)

2. Kent State — 114 points (8)

3. Akron — 104 points (4)

4. Miami — 84 points

5. Bowling Green — 42 points

6. Buffalo — 32 points

West division:

1. Ball State — 124 points (12)

2. Central Michigan — 122 points (8)

3. Eastern Michigan — 88 points (2)

4. Western Michigan — 68 points

5. Northern Illinois — 64 points (2)

6. Toledo — 38 points

Tournament champion: Ohio (10), Kent State (6), Central Michigan (4), Ball State (2), Akron (2)

Women’s MAC preseason poll

East division:

1. Bowling Green

2. Kent State

3. Miami

4. Akron

5. Ohio

6. Buffalo

West division:

1. Toledo

2. Eastern Michigan

3. Central Michigan

4. Ball State

5. Northern Illinois

6. Western Michigan

Tournament Champion – Bowling Green

(first-place votes in parentheses)