Tusculum Ranked Sixth in Division II Bulletin Men's Basketball Preseason Poll

BEAVERTON, Ore. --- The Tusculum College men’s basketball team is ranked sixth in the nation according to the 2009-10 Division II Bulletin Preseason Poll announced officials. The No. 6 national ranking is Tusculum best listing ever in school history.

The Pioneers return four starters from last year’s 20-11 squad, the program’s first 20-win season in 16 years. Tusculum posted an eight-game winning streak en route to earning an at-large berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

BYU-Hawaii is the top ranked team in this year’s inaugural poll as the Vulcans return four starters from last year’s 27-2 club. Defending national champion Findlay is ranked second after posting a perfect 36-0 record a year ago. Southwest Baptist is third, followed by Cal Poly Pomona, Bellarmine, Tusculum, Merrimack, Augusta State, Florida Southern and Bentley to round out the top 10.

Valdosta State is 11^th, followed by Southwest Minnesota State, Metropolitan State, Central Missouri, Winona State, Kutztown, Central Oklahoma, Grand Valley State, Philadelphia, Northern Kentucky, Delta State, Rollins, Johnson C. Smith, West Virginia State and Incarnate Word to complete the top 25 poll.

Of the teams listed in this year’s poll, three are on Tusculum’s schedule this season including: No. 5 Bellarmine (Dec. 21), No. 8 Augusta State (Dec. 12) and No. 20 Northern Kentucky (possible match-up on Nov. 21). Tusculum opponents Catawba and Christian Brothers are also receiving votes.

Tusculum tips off its season Nov. 16 when they host Tennessee Wesleyan at Pioneer Arena, beginning at 8 p.m.

- TC -

Division II Bulletin Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll
Rk.          Team
1            BYU-Hawaii
2            Findlay
3            Southwest Baptist
4            Cal Poly Pomona
5            Bellarmine
6            TUSCULUM
7            Merrimack
8            Augusta State
9            Florida Southern
10           Bentley
11           Valdosta State
12           Southwest Minnesota State
13           Metropolitan State
14           Central Missouri
15           Winona State
16           Kutztown
17           Central Oklahoma
18           Grand Valley State
19           Philadelphia
20           Northern Kentucky
21           Delta State
22           Rollins
23           Johnson C. Smith
24           West Virginia State
25           Incarnate Word

Others Receiving Votes: Barton, Cal State San Bernardino, Catawba, Christian Brothers, Claflin, Dallas Baptist, Fort Hays State, Gannon, Massachusetts-Lowell, New Mexico Highlands, Seattle Pacific, Southern Indiana, Tarleton State, USC Aiken, Virginia Union.

Tusculum Opponents in Italics