Cascade Conference release

LA GRANDE – According to the coaches, Southern Oregon University has the Cascade Conference women's basketball team to beat for the 2014-15 season.

With eight of their top-nine in minutes played back from last season's 25-8 team, the Raiders attracted seven of 10 first-place votes in the CCC preseason coaches' poll, which was released Monday by the league office.

SOU totaled 96 points, just ahead of defending regular-season champ Eastern Oregon (87) and College of Idaho (75). Oregon Tech, which defeated the Raiders for the CCC's tournament championship, was picked fourth with 69 points.

The Raiders' 12-6 mark tied them for third place in the conference in 2013, but they reached the CCC title game with an 80-62 upset at top-seeded Eastern Oregon. Winners of eight of their last 10, they were two spots in the NAIA poll short of receiving an at-large bid to the NAIA Championships.

Eastern Oregon has won the last two regular-season titles. SOU is shooting for its first since 2007-08, when it was a co-champion with the Mountaineers.

The Raiders open their season at home on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 against U.C. Merced and New Hope Christian. Both contests will tip off at 5:30 p.m.

Cascade Conference Preseason Poll
1. Southern Oregon, 95 points (25-8 overall, 12-6 CCC in 2013)
2. Eastern Oregon, 87 (23-10, 14-4)
3. College of Idaho, 75 (16-12, 12-6)
4. Oregon Tech, 69 (28-6, 13-5)
5. Corban, 58 (13-18, 8-10)
6. Concordia, 50 (7-23, 4-14)
7. Northwest, 46 (18-13, 10-8)
8. Evergreen, 25 (14-12, 10-8)
9. Warner Pacific, 23 (6-23, 12-16)
10. Northwest Christian, 21 (9-19, 5-13)