Jayhawks Picked to Finish Second in the Big 12

Feb. 16, 2010

IRVING, Texas –

Kansas baseball has been picked to finish second in the Big 12 Conference by the league’s coaches in the annual preseason poll, released by the conference office Tuesday. The Jayhawks received 69 points in the poll, including one first-place vote to finish behind preseason-favorite Texas (81, nine first-place votes).

Being selected No. 2 in the conference is KU’s highest preseason prediction since joining the Big 12 for the 1997 season.

The Jayhawks were followed in the poll by Texas A&M (64 points), Oklahoma (57), Oklahoma State (47), Baylor (39), Kansas State (29), Missouri and Nebraska (22) and Texas Tech (20).

Coaches were asked to predict the conference’s order of finish, but were not allowed to vote for their own team. Points were awarded based on the ranking (nine for a first-place vote, eight for second, etc.).

Kansas is coming off a 39-24 season, which saw them place fifth in the Big 12 with a 15-12 record in league play. The Jayhawks also advanced to the NCAA Regionals, falling to North Carolina in the championship round of the Chapel Hill region.

The Jayhawks are scheduled to open the season on Friday at 3 p.m., against Eastern Michigan at Hoglund Ballpark.

2010 BIG 12 CONFERENCE BASEBALL PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL

Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.