IRVING, Texas - The Marshall University men's basketball team has been picked to finish in sixth place in Conference USA in 2008-09, the league office announced today, in a vote conducted by the conference's 12 head coaches.

Marshall, 16-14 last season, returns five letterwinners and three starters to go along with its eight newcomers. The Herd, picked to finish in ninth place in last season's poll, ended the 2007-08 season in a three-way tie for sixth place.

Memphis, coming off an appearance in the 2008 NCAA National Championship title game and an NCAA-record 38 wins, is the unanimous choice as preseason favorites. UAB and Preseason Player of the Year Robert Vaden were picked to finish in second place, followed by Tulsa (3rd place), UTEP (4th) and Southern Miss (5th).

"We're excited to have the opportunity to compete this season in Conference USA," Marshall head coach Donnie Jones said. "I think this is the best C-USA has been since the league was re-aligned (in 2005).

"There is a lot of parity in the league this season and we appreciate the coaches giving us respect enough to be picked in the top half of the conference."

C-USA will host its men's and women's basketball media day on Thursday in Memphis, both of which can be seen online at conferenceusa.com and on the CBS College Sports Network.

Marshall will open the regular season on Nov. 16 at home versus WVU Tech. The Herd's C-USA opener is on Jan. 7 at the FedExForum versus Memphis.

2008-09 C-USA Preseason Men's Basketball Poll
1. Memphis
2. UAB
3. Tulsa
4. UTEP
5. Southern Miss
6. Marshall

2008-09 C-USA Preseason Player of the Year
Robert Vaden - Sr., G/F, UAB

2008-09 C-USA Preseason All-Conference Team
Robert Dozier - Sr., F, Memphis
Stefon Jackson - Sr., G, UTEP
Jerome Jordan - Jr., C, Tulsa
Jermaine Taylor - Sr., G, UCF
Robert Vaden - Sr., G/F, UAB