Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Picked Sixth, Eighth in Preseason CCHA Polls
9/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Sept. 28, 2011
East Lansing, Mich. - Central Collegiate Hockey Association's annual preseason polls.were released on Wednesday morning, and Michigan State was selected eighth in the coaches poll and sixth in the survey of the league's media. For just the second time in six years, the coaches and media agree on who should own the No. 1 position, as Notre Dame received enough points from the conference's 11 head coaches and 72 media members to be named the preseason favorite in both polls.
Michigan State will be led into the 2011-12 season by a new head coach, former CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos, and junior captain Torey Krug, who on Tuesday was named a pre-season All-CCHA selection by a vote of the conference coaches. The Spartans boast 19 upperclassmen on this year's roster, including 10 seniors.
"I'm not surprised by it - and I really don't give it much thought," said Anastos. "We have higher expectations of ourselves , and now it's up to us to show it.
"I expect the league will be highly competitive. Pre-season projections are based on the previous season -- as such, it's not surprising where we are projected," continued the MSU mentor. "There is always a team each season who outperforms expectations. It's our goal to be that team."
In the coaches poll, the Fighting Irish captured eight first-place votes and two seconds, while Miami took two first-place votes as well as five seconds to come in just nine points behind the favorite. Michigan had the remaining first-place vote to finish third with Western Michigan placing 10 points back at fourth. Alaska collected 63 total points to finish fifth.
The media also voted in favor of Notre Dame, with Miami coming in second and Michigan again rounding out the top three. The Irish picked up 44 of a possible 72 first-place votes, while the RedHawks garnered 16 and the Wolverines received 12 first-place votes. The Broncos and Nanooks finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the media poll as well.
A total of 72 media members ranked the 11 CCHA teams in projected order of finish for the regular season. Points were awarded on an 11-10-9-8, etc., basis. League coaches ranked the CCHA teams, excluding their own school, in the order they predicted the regular season will end.
2011-12 Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Notre Dame (8) 108
2. Miami (2) 99
3. Michigan (1) 93
4. Western Michigan 83
5. Alaska 63
6. Northern Michigan 60
7. Ohio State 56
8. Michigan State 51
9. Ferris State 50
10. Lake Superior 30
11. Bowling Green 22
2011-12 Preseason Media Poll
1. Notre Dame (44) 819
2. Miami (16) 772
3. Michigan (12) 757
4. Western Michigan 604
5. Alaska 449
6. Michigan State 439
7. Ferris State 425
7. Northern Michigan (Tie) 425
9. Ohio State 386
10. Lake Superior 298
11. Bowling Green 170
