Lubbock Christian is the preseason pick of the Sooner Athletic Conference women's basketball coaches to win the 2012-13 league title in their final season as an NAIA school.

The Lady Chaps return three starters from last season's NAIA Fab Four team.

"As each coach in the conference knows, every year is an adventure and I hope that whether we are picked at the top, the middle, or the bottom, that our approach to each day to practice and compete will not change.," said LCU Coach Steve Gomez. "We enter each year with high standards for the program, both on the court and in the community, and with a number of players returning from last years' team, we expect them to continue the tradition that has been created before them. It is an honor, but hopefully not a curse, to be given this preseason consideration in such an outstanding conference."

Lubbock Christian received seven of a possible eight first-place votes (coaches were not allowed to rank their own team) and 63 points. Rogers State is ranked second with one first-place vote and 54 points, while Oklahoma City is ranked third with 51 points and the remaining first-place vote.

Oklahoma Baptist is ranked fourth with 39 points and John Brown holds down the middle position in the nine-team league with 35 points.

St. Gregory's is ranked sixth with 34 points, followed by Wayland Baptist with 25, Mid-American Christian with 15 and USAO with eight.

The regular season tips off Oct. 30.

2012-13 SAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Lubbock Christian (7)        63

2. Rogers State (1)                 54

3. Oklahoma City (1)             51

4. Oklahoma Baptist              39

5. John Brown                        35

6. St. Gregory's                      34

7. Wayland Baptist                25

8. Mid-America Christian      15

9. Science & Arts Oklahoma 8