Courtesy: Robert Barclay/CMU Jordan Bitzer averaged 12.1 points, 4.8 boards and 2.1 assists during his junior season. The Chippewas were tabbed favorites to win the West Division in the MAC's preseason media poll on Wednesday.

MOUNT PLEASANT -- The Mid-American Conference released its men's basketball preseason coaches poll on Wednesday, tabbing Central Michigan as the favorites to bring home a West Division title in 2010.

The Chippewas, who were co-2009 West Division champions, have won three division titles in the last nine years.

CMU (10 first-place votes, 113 points) edged Northern Illinois (four first-place votes, 102 points) and Eastern Michigan (three first-place votes, 94 points) atop the division.

Akron (19 first-place votes, 190 points) is projected to win the East and received a league-high 19 votes as the favorite to win the 2010 MAC Tournament.

MAC Preseason Media Poll
East Division
1. Akron – 190 points (19)
2. Kent State – 108 points (3)
3. Buffalo – 97 points (1)
4. Miami  -- 78 points
5. Bowling Green – 54 points (1)
6. Ohio – 32 points

West Division
1. Central Michigan – 113 points (10)
2. Northern Illinois – 102 points (4)
3. Eastern Michigan – 94 points (3)
4. Ball State – 87 points (3)
5. Western Michigan – 79 points (4)
6. Toledo – 29 points

(First place votes in parentheses)

Tournament Winner (votes): Akron (19), Buffalo (2), Northern Illinois (1), Kent State (1), Bowling Green (1)

Preseason All-MAC Teams
East Division
Kenny Hayes, G, Miami
Brett McKnight, F, Akron
Rodney Pierce, G, Buffalo
Chris Singletary, G, Kent State
Anthony “Humpty” Hitches, G, Akron

West Division
David Kool, G, Western Michigan
Jarrod Jones, F/C, Ball State
Brandon Bowdry, F, Eastern Michigan
Darion “Jake” Anderson, G, Northern Illinois
Carlos Medlock, G, Eastern Michigan