UB senior guard Joanna Smith was named the Big 4 Pre-Season Player of the Year, cementing her place as the must-see act in Western New York women’s basketball.
Big 4 media day was held Wednesday at the KeyBank Center in downtown Buffalo. The Big 4 consists of UB, Canisius, Niagara and St. Bonaventure – the four premier institutions in athletics in Western New York. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams placed four players each on preseason All-Big 4 squads. UB men’s basketball placed more players on All-Big 4 preseason squads than any of the other three schools.
Senior forward Blake Hamilton and sophomore guard C.J. Massinburg were named to the preseason first team. Senior wing Willie Conner and sophomore forward Nick Perkins were both named to the second-team.
For the women’s team, Smith and junior point guard Stephanie Reid each picked up first team honors. Senior center Cassie Oursler and sophomore forward Brittany Morrison were both named to the second-team.
Michael Akelson is the senior sports editor and can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
Follow him on Twitter at @mikeakelson