It appears both Simon Fraser University (SFU) basketball squads are expected to have an average 2022-23 campaign, according to other coaches.
In the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) preseason women's poll, the Red Leafs have been chosen to finish fifth out of 10 teams behind Central Washington, Montana St. Billings, Alaska Anchorage and Western Washington.
In 2021-22, the women finished in sixth place in the conference with a 12-14 record overall, while going 8-8 in league play.
SFU head coach Bruce Langford is returning for his 21st season and will have three starters returning from last year.
The women are participating in a series of scrimmages against Canadian schools before heading to Hawaii for the PacWest/GNAC challenge, scheduled for Nov. 11 and 12.
Meanwhile, the men have been picked to finish second-last in the 2022-23 preseason poll ahead of Alaska.
Last year, the Red Leafs' season compiled a conference record of 12-13 and a league record of 7-9.
While it's being predicted the men will have a disappointing season, head coach Steve Hanson doesn't believe the end result will be the same.
"Pre-Season polls have little bearing on the end results in March," he said in a news release.
"Being the lone Canadian team in the NCAA, the early polls do not reflect the quality of our incoming recruits and transfers.
"The GNAC is one of the toughest conferences on the continent and year after year, we are an 'Any Given Night' league and if last year didn't prove that, I don't know what else to say,"
The Read Leafs need look no farther than last season when Alaska went into the playoffs with an 8-14 record and ended up surprising most.
Alaska won four straight games, winning the GNAC championship. Then they upset Cal State San Marcos and Azusa Pacitic to advance to the Division II West Region final.
This year, the Nanooks have been chosen to finish last.
The men will begin its GNAC 2022-23 season on Nov. 11.
