Oct. 13, 2010

IRVING, Texas (SMU/C-USA) --- SMU senior forward Papa Dia was selected to the 2010-11 Preseason All-Conference USA second-team by the league's 12 head coaches. Last week, Dia was named to the Preseason All-Conference USA first-team by the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook.

Last season, Dia was an All-Conference USA third-team selection. He led the team and was fifth in C-USA in rebounds (8.6) while also ranking second on the team and 17th in C-USA in scoring (12.3). Additionally, Dia finished fourth in the league in field goal percentage (.544), sixth in free throw percentage (.800) and sixth in blocked shots (1.2).

The Mustangs host an SMU-record 19 home games at Moody Coliseum this season. SMU opens the season at home on Nov. 12 with "Operation Sellout" as the women host Utah at 5:30 p.m. and the men face Arkansas-Little Rock at 8 p.m. Men's basketball season tickets start at just $90. For ticket information call 214-SMU-GAME, visit www.SMUMustangs.com, call the Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone line at 214-373-8000, or go to www.ticketmaster.com.

2010-11 PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Randy Culpepper, UTEP, G, 6-0, Sr., Memphis, Tenn.

2010-11 PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
Randy Culpepper, UTEP, G, 6-0, 165, Sr., Memphis, Tenn.
Gary Flowers, Southern Miss, F, 6-8, 214, Sr., Dallas, Texas
Justin Hurtt, Tulsa, G, 6-4, 201, Sr., Raytown, Mo.
Wesley Witherspoon, Memphis, F/G, 6-9, 210, Jr., Atlanta, Ga.
Brock Young, East Carolina, G, 5-11, 180, Sr., Raleigh, N.C.

2010-11 PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
Will Barton, Memphis, G, 6-6, 175, Fr., Baltimore, Md.
Papa Dia, SMU, F, 6-9, 235, Sr., St. Louis, Senegal
Aaron Johnson, UAB, G, 5-8, 185, Sr., Chicago, Ill.
Arsalan Kazemi, Rice, F, 6-7, 205, So., Esfahan, Iran
Jeremy Williams, UTEP, F, 6-7, 220, Sr., Memphis