CHICAGO -- The UIC duo of Tarkus Ferguson and Marcus Ottey were recognized by the league's coaches and media members Tuesday as the Preseason Horizon League honors were announced by the conference office. Ferguson was named to the Preseason All-Horizon League First Team while Ottey was listed on the Preseason All-Horizon League Second Team.
 
In addition to the individual awards, the preseason poll for all 10 conference teams was announced. The Flames were picked to finish third in the league behind Wright State and Northern Kentucky and received one first-place vote.
 
Ferguson and Ottey were selected for preseason honors for the second consecutive season, garnering second team and first team honors, respectively, a year ago.
 
Ferguson enters his senior season after being named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District Team last year, UIC's first honoree on the team since the 2008-09 campaign. The Belleville, Illinois native was voted to the All-Horizon League Second Team at the end of last season after leading the Flames in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and minutes. Ferguson led the team with 26 double-digit scoring games last year including seven double-doubles and just the second triple-double in program history.
 
A fellow senior, Ottey finished tied for second on the team and 12^th in the league in scoring (14.8) a year ago. Ottey finished the year with 25 games of 10 or more points while dishing out a career-high 77 assists. The Ajax, Ontario native enters his final season as UIC's active scoring leader in points (1,287) and games played (98).
 
Ferguson is joined on the All-Horizon League First Team by Preseason Player of the Year Antoine Davis (Detroit Mercy), Jalen Tate (Northern Kentucky), Xavier Hill-Mais (Oakland) and Loudon Love (Wright State). On the All-Horizon League Second Team with Ottey is JayQuan McCloud (Green Bay), Tyler Sharpe (Northern Kentucky), Bill Wampler (Wright State) and Darius Quisenberry (Youngstown State).
 
Wright State was tabbed as the preseason favorites to win the Horizon League title, receiving 28 of the 36 first-place votes. Northern Kentucky, who was picked to finish second, received five first-place votes while UIC and Oakland, the preseason No. 3 and 4 teams, respectively, each earned one first-place vote. Cleveland State, picked to finish in 10^th place, collected the final first-place vote.
 
UIC opens the 2019-20 season on Sunday, Nov. 3, with a home exhibition against Parkside.
 
2019-20 #HLMBB Preseason Poll Results
Pl.      School (1st-place) – Votes
1.        Wright State (28) – 350
2.        Northern Kentucky (5) – 295
3.        UIC (1) – 280
4.        Oakland (1) – 229
5.        Green Bay – 207
6.        Youngstown State – 186
7.        Milwaukee – 146
8.        Detroit Mercy – 133
9.        IUPUI – 92
10.      Cleveland State (1) – 62
 
Preseason Player of the Year
Antoine Davis, Detroit Mercy
 
Preseason All-Horizon League First Team (alphabetical order by school)
Antoine Davis, Detroit Mercy
Jalen Tate, Northern Kentucky
Xavier Hill-Mais, Oakland
Tarkus Ferguson, UIC
Loudon Love, Wright State
 
Preseason All-Horizon League Second Team (alphabetical order by school)
JayQuan McCloud, Green Bay
Tyler Sharpe, Northern Kentucky
Marcus Ottey, UIC
Bill Wampler, Wright State
Darius Quisenberry, Youngstown State