Coyotes get preseason national ranking

Cal State San Bernardino, coming off a 22-8 record and a share of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) regular-season title a year ago, has been ranked No. 20 in the 2008-09 NABC Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches Poll that was released on Thursday.

The Coyotes, who are also the preseason favorite to capture the 2009 CCAA title, received 40 points in the voting after finishing 14th in the 2007-08 final poll.

Findlay, Ohio, garnered the top spot in the NABC poll after concluding last season with a 28-5 mark. South Carolina Aiken was second and was followed by Bentley, Mass., Florida Southern and Augusta State.

Cal State San Bernardino received a Top 20 ranking despite losing three first-team All-CCAA performers in seniors Michael Earl, Lance Ortiz and Marlon Pierce. However, the Coyotes' roster will be strengthened by the addition of guards Devin Montgomery and DuBois Williams, who join the Coyotes after time at Division I institutions Pepperdine and Saint Mary's, respectively.

The 2008-09 season will begin November 7 when Humboldt State opens play in the Second Annual Disney Tip-Off Classic at the Anaheim Convention Center. CCAA play begins December 3 when Humboldt State hosts Sonoma State in Arcata, Calif.

The CCAA Tournament is slated for March 3-7 with the semifinals and finals scheduled for March 6 and 7 at Coussoulis Arena on the campus of Cal State San Bernardino.

2008-09 NABC/Division II Preseason Coaches Poll
                                                                                             
1.   Findlay, Ohio (8) - 28-5                      
2.   South Carolina Aiken -  27-4                     
3.   Bentley, Mass. - 34-1                      
4.   Florida Southern - 24-9                      
5.   Augusta State, Ga. - 27-7                     
6.   Northern Kentucky - 21-8                      
7.   Central Oklahoma - 28-6                      
8.   Minnesota State - 22-7                      
9.   Winona State, Minn. - 38-1                      
10. Gannon, Pa. - 26-5                      
11. Grand Valley State, Mich. - 36-1                      
12. Southwest Baptist, Mo. - 22-8                      
13. Central Washington - 21-7                      
14. LIU-C.W. Post, N.Y. - 26-5                       
15. North Alabama - 27-9                       
16. Northwest Missouri State - 24-8                       
17. Lenoir-Rhyne, N.C. - 23-7                      
18. Drury, Mo. - 25-6                       
19. Tarleton State, Texas - 25-7                       
20. Cal State-San Bernardino - 22-8                      
21. Mount Olive, N.C. - 24-7                       
22. Kentucky Wesleyan - 24-8                       
23. Brigham Young-Hawaii - 20-8                       
24. Fort Lewis, Colo. - 24-6                       
25. Pittsburgh-Johnstown, Pa. - 23-8                       
 
Others receiving votes: Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 20, Ferris State (Mich.) 18, Bowie State (Md.) 17, Central Missouri 17, Philadelphia (Pa.) 17, Benedict (S.C.) 14, Catawba (N.C.) 14, Christian Brothers (Tenn.) 14, Northern State (S.D.) 13, Clayton State (Ga.) 11, Arkansas-Monticello 9, Valdosta State (Ga.) 8, Delta State (Miss.) 7, St. Edward's (Texas) 6, Virginia Union 6, Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 5, Metropolitan State (Colo.) 5, Montevallo (Ala.) 5, Armstrong Atlantic State (Ga.) 4, Pfeiffer (N.C.) 3, Northeastern State (Okla.) 2, Ashland (Ohio) 1, Millersville (Pa.) 1, Nebraska-Omaha 1.