Big 12 Coaches Tab OU the Favorite

NORMAN – The accolades continue to pour in for the nation's top-ranked tennis team. The Sooner men were selected as the league favorite in the Big 12 coaches' poll released on Thursday.

This marks the third consecutive season that the Sooners have been voted preseason No. 1 by the league's coaches. Oklahoma received five of the six possible first place votes and totaled 25 points. The Sooners are 17-1 this season, having claimed the ITA National Indoor Championship and racked up nine top-15 wins.

The Baylor Bears come in at No. 2 in the poll with one first place vote and 21 total points. OU has already topped Baylor, ranked No. 2 by the ITA, twice this season, including a 4-1 win in its last match in the finals of the BNP Paribas Open Collegiate Challenge presented by Oracle.

Oklahoma's Sunday afternoon opponent, Texas claims the third spot. The Longhorns are currently ranked No. 7 by the ITA and boast the No. 1 singles player in the country, Soren Hess-Olesen.

Proving the conference's depth, TCU occupies the No. 4 spot. The Horned Frogs are ranked No. 10 by the ITA. Oklahoma State and Texas Tech tied for fifth in the coaches' poll.

The Sooners' run through this deep conference begins this weekend as they take on TCU Friday night at 5:30 p.m. and Texas Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Headington Family Tennis Center. As always admission is free. Fans who are unable to attend this weekend's action can stream both matches live on SoonerSports.tv.

2015 BIG 12 MEN'S TENNIS PRESEASON POLL
(First place votes in parentheses; Coaches not allowed to vote for own team)

1. Oklahoma (5) 25
2. Baylor (1) 21
3. Texas 17
4. TCU 13
T5. Oklahoma State 7
T5. Texas Tech 7

For more information on Oklahoma Men's Tennis, follow the team on Twitter at @OU_MTennis.