BRIDGEPORT - Sophomore guard Frank Webb has left the West Virginia State men's basketball team, coach Bryan Poore announced Tuesday at Mountain East Conference Media Day.
Webb, who averaged 13 points and three assists per game last season, left the program last week and the Yellow Jackets now find themselves in a difficult spot, looking for a replacement option at point guard with the start of the season approaching.
"It's difficult to lose him at this time. If you lose a guy in the summer, you can find a replacement," Poore said. "The timing of it makes it difficult for us, but our guys have handled it well. They know it's just the next guy up, we have to just go out and play."
Poore indicated that Brent Bauer is in line to move into the starting lineup, while Jae'Von McClain and Terrance Jenkins can also play point guard. West Virginia State opens the season with an exhibition against Marshall on Thursday.
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After making its third trip to the Division II Final Four in four seasons, the West Liberty men's team once again was picked to finish first in the MEC.
The Hilltoppers earned 10 first-place votes in the poll, which was selected by the league's coaches.
"Preseason polls don't mean a whole lot, but I know what kind of programs [the other MEC schools] have and this is not a comfortable position to be in," West Liberty coach Jim Crutchfield said. "I always feel like I function better when the expectations are lower. I've got some pretty good kids and we lost some really great ones.
"I know for us to be a really good, competitive team, the guys who are back have to get better from last year."
The two remaining votes for first place went to Fairmont State and Wheeling Jesuit, with the Falcons picked to finish second in the conference by a slim margin. At one point last season, West Liberty, Fairmont State and Wheeling Jesuit were all ranked in the top five, with the Hilltoppers and Cardinals both spending time at No. 1 nationally.
Charleston was picked to finish No. 5 in the MEC. The Golden Eagles don't return much from last season's group that finished 16-14, and coach Dwaine Osborne has brought in 11 newcomers. West Virginia State was picked to finish 10th.
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Fairmont State's women's basketball team was picked to win the MEC by the league's coaches on Tuesday.
The Falcons won 20 games in 2015-16 and return five starters, including Makenzie White, who is back for her senior year. The former Scott standout averaged 15.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists last year before an injury ended her season.
"We're striving to find our identity for this season," Fairmont State coach Steve McDonald said. "They're the same kids returning, but they're a year older and we're still looking for that identity. I don't think we're where we want to be right now, but I think we'll be very good by February."
Following Fairmont State, which received nine votes for first place, was Wheeling Jesuit. The Cardinals won the MEC tournament last season and received two first-place votes.
The remaining first-place pick went to Charleston, which was picked fourth in the MEC behind West Liberty. West Virginia State was picked to finish ninth.
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The University of Charleston women's team will be hitting the road for its preseason exhibition game, getting the chance to play in one of the most historic arenas in all of college basketball.
The Golden Eagles will travel to Durham, North Carolina on Sunday to take on Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils enter the season picked to finish sixth in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
For UC coach Adam Collins, he just wants his players to soak in the experience and continue to learn and improve as they prepare for their season opener against Kutztown on Nov. 12.
"I want them to have fun," Collins said. "Obviously we want to compete and go out and play hard, but this is a cool experience for them to play in a storied place against a great team. They are going to really enjoy this game and this opportunity."