Oct. 21, 2009

MILWAUKEE - Two University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball players have been named to the Horizon League's Preseason All-League Team, the league office announced today.

Seniors Tone Boyle and James Eayrs were each placed on the second team in voting by the league's coaches, sports information directors and media members.

Matt Howard of Butler was named the preseason player of the year and was joined on the first team by teammate Gordon Hayward, Wright State's Todd Brown and Vaughn Duggins and Cleveland State's Norris Cole.

Joining Boyle and Eayrs on the second team were Rahmon Fletcher and Troy Cotton of Green Bay along with Shelvin Mack of Butler.

Boyle led the Panthers in scoring and three-pointers made a season ago, earning a spot on the All-Horizon League Second Team as well as on the league's all-newcomer team. He wound up averaging 13.2 points per game and shot 36 percent from three-point range, numbers that actually dipped late in the season while he battled a back injury. He was also the team leader in minutes played, averaging over 35.5 minutes per contest.

Eayrs averaged better than 13 points per game in league play, claiming a spot on the league's all-newcomer team. He played in all 31 games a season ago, starting the final nine contests of the year. He reached double figures in points 17 times and had three double-doubles, averaging nearly 16 points per game as a starter. The 6-foot-7, 310-pounder also wound up making 44 three-pointers while tying for third on the team with 23 steals.

The league announced the results of its preseason team poll yesterday, with UWM picked to finish fourth in the standings. Butler was the league preseason favorite, followed by Wright State and Cleveland State.

UWM is in preseason practice now and will open its exhibition season Nov. 4 against Cardinal Stritch at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The Panthers' first regular season game is Nov. 13 against Concordia-St. Paul.