ST. LOUIS, MO. ? The Indiana State University women's basketball team has been picked to finish seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference in the 2008-2009 season, according to a poll of coaches, sport information directors and media that cover Valley basketball.

The Sycamores received 166 points in the poll, which was released today by the Missouri Valley Conference. Indiana State finished in sixth place last year with an 8-10 record. Indiana State was 14-15.

It came as no surprise that the Illinois State Redbirds are the overwhelming favorite to win the MVC championship this season. The Redbirds, who shared the conference title a year ago, received all 40 first place votes and a perfect score of 400.

The Creighton Bluejays were picked second with 310 votes with the Drake Bulldogs third at 297 and Evansville Purple Aces fourth with 251 points. Northern Iowa came in at fifth with 245 points and Missouri State sixth at 215.

Following Indiana State is the Bradley Braves in eighth with 161 points, Southern Illinois Salukis ninth with 108 and the Wichita State Shockers in 10th with 47 points.

Sycamore head coach Jim Wiedie begins his 10th season as the Indiana State head coach with three starters and six letter winners returning. Joining the six returning players are seven freshmen and one transfer.

Indiana State women's basketball fans will be able to get their first look at the 2008-2009 squad Saturday afternoon as the Sycamores host the University of Indianapolis for an exhibition contest starting at 2:05 p.m. (ET). This is the first of two exhibition games for the Sycamores as Indiana State will also host Missouri-St. Louis in an exhibition contest at 3:05 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, Nov. 8.