It was a big day for senior forward IImar’I Thomas as she was picked to be Co-Preseason Player of the Year and First Team All-American Athletic Conference. The Bearcats were picked fourth, but received a two first place votes.
Per GoBearcats:
American Athletic Conference coaches voted University of Cincinnati women’s basketball senior forward IImar’I Thomas as the Co-Preseason Player of the Year and picked the Bearcats to finish fourth the league announced Wednesday.
Thomas shared the league’s top preseason honor with Temple forward Mia Davis.
It marks the first time a Bearcat has been named a conference preseason player of the year since UC legend Cheryl Cook earned the distinction from the Metro Conference prior to the 1984-85 campaign.
Thomas was also named a unanimous Preseason First Team All-AAC selection Wednesday.
Thomas has registered a decorated career at Cincinnati, earning First Team All-AAC accolades at the conclusion of each of the past two seasons. She also was named the AAC Freshman of the Year and a unanimous pick to the AAC All-Freshman Team at the end of the 2017-18 season.
Tabbed a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American a year ago, Thomas averaged 18.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 2019-20. She scored in double figures in 27 of 32 games, posting 20 or more points in 14 contests and registered eight double-doubles. She enters this season ranked 13th on UC’s all-time scoring list with 1,356 career points.
BEARCATS PICKED TO FINISH FOURTH IN AAC
UC received two first-place votes from league coaches but was picked to finish fourth with 73 points. USF was picked as the league favorite, garnering 98 points and eight first-place votes. UCF was slotted second with 79 points and one first-place vote. Tulane was third with 78 points.
The predicted order of finish for the remaining AAC teams follows: Temple (57 points), Wichita State (54), Houston (49), Memphis (40), East Carolina (36), SMU (31) and Tulsa (10).
2020-21 AAC PRESEASON POLL & AWARDS
Coaches Preseason Poll
Finish – Team (First-Place Votes) – Points
1 – USF (8) – 98
2 – UCF (1) – 79
3 – Tulane – 78
4 – Cincinnati (2) – 73
5 – Temple – 57
6 – Wichita State – 54
7 – Houston – 49
8 – Memphis – 40
9 – East Carolina – 36
10 – SMU – 31
11 – Tulsa – 10
Preseason Players of the Year
IImar’I Thomas, F, Cincinnati
Mia Davis, F, Temple
Preseason First Team
Brittney Smith, F, UCF
IImar’I Thomas, F, Cincinnati*
Lashonda Monk, G, East Carolina
Mia Davis, F, Temple*
Krystal Freeman, F, Tulane*
Preseason Second Team
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, F, Memphis
Elisa Pinzan, G, USF
Elena Tsineke, G, USF
Arsula Clark, G, Tulane
Mariah McCully, G, Wichita State
* unanimous selection
