GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – For the 12th-consecutive year, the Green Bay women's basketball program has been named the Horizon League's preseason favorite, as announced by the league office on Thursday morning. This year the Phoenix share the title of preseason favorite with the defending regular season and tournament champion, Wright State. Frankie Wurtz was the lone GB member recognized on the preseason all-league teams, receiving a first-team nod from conference.

Wurtz returns to the roster after leading Green Bay in scoring in 2018-19, averaging 10.5 points per game. She is the first player to return to the roster after leading the team in scoring since Allie LeClaire accomplished the same feat in 2015-16. Despite missing games due to injury, Wurtz was still able to lead the Phoenix in three-pointers made with 41.

Green Bay will be tested early and often this season, as its non-conference slate currently features seven opponents who advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season, with Central Michigan (Nov. 6), South Dakota (Nov. 9), Missouri (Nov. 16), Marquette (Nov. 19), DePaul (Dec. 7), Maine (Dec. 13) and South Dakota State (Dec. 21) all punching their tickets in 2019. The Phoenix also has the potential to take the court against additional NCAA Tournament teams based on results in the Victoria Invitational.

Green Bay was plagued by injuries a season ago and returns a number of key players in 2019-20. Caitlyn Hibner is poised to make a strong comeback after sitting out all of 2018-19 with an injury. Karly Murphy will also be gracing the floor once again for the Phoenix after suffering an injury in the season opener last year, causing her to miss the remainder of the season. Murphy impressed as a redshirt freshman in 2017-18, averaging 7.4 PPG and 4.1 RPG in league play.

The Green Bay women's basketball team will take the court for exhibition action on Thursday, Oct. 24 against Michigan Tech at 7 p.m. for Yooper Night. The Phoenix officially opens the season on Tuesday, Nov. 6 on the road at Central Michigan. The Phoenix returns to the Kress Center for its home opener on Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. versus South Dakota.

Below is the league's preseason poll as well as a complete breakdown of the preseason all-league teams.

2019-20 #HLWBB Preseason Poll
Pl.   Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
T1.    Green Bay – 91 (4)
T1.    Wright State – 91 (4)
3.       IUPUI – 85 (2)
4.       Youngstown State – 71
5.       Milwaukee – 57
6.       Northern Kentucky – 51
7.       Cleveland State – 37
8.       Oakland – 31
9.       Detroit Mercy – 19
10.     UIC – 17
 
Preseason Player of the Year
Macee Williams, IUPUI
 
Preseason First Team (alphabetical order by school)
Frankie Wurtz, Green Bay
Macee Williams, IUPUI
Megan Walstad, Milwaukee
Michal Miller, Wright State
Mary Dunn, Youngstown State
 
Preseason Second Team (alphabetical order by school)
Savanna Crockett, Cleveland State
Mariah Miller, Cleveland State
Molly Glick, Northern Kentucky
Angel Baker, Wright State
Chelsea Olson, Youngstown State

 
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