KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Coming off the program's fourth NAIA Division II Fab Four Appearance the Bellevue University men's basketball team is ranked fourth in the annual NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll, as announced by the National Office on Tuesday afternoon.
Last week Bellevue was picked as the unanimous favorite to defend their regular-season and NSAA Tournament titles from a year ago. BU posted a 25-11 overall record in 2016-17 (11-5 NSAA) as they recorded at least 20 victories for the 17th-straight season and reached their 15th-straight NAIA National Tournament.
Bellevue returns three double-figure scorers and five of their top six scorers overall in All-American BJ Shelton, All-NSAA pick Nick Hilton, point guard Jalen Hall, forward Jaffery Stillman, and forward Blake Wilder.
Among the top newcomers to the squad are forwards Brandon Fagins and Andrew Saunders as well as guards Richard Reed, AJ Nolen, Connor Dukes, and Drew Apsher.
Cornerstone (Mich.), who defeated the Bruins in the national semifinal to advance to the title game, were the top vote getters earning 10 of 12 first place votes and 311 points to top the poll. Defending National Champion Union (Ky.) was picked second with 295 points and garnered the other two first place votes. Saint Francis (Ind.) picked up 284 points to be ranked third while Bellevue (281 points) and Northwestern (Iowa) (264 points) round out the top five.
The Bruins are the only NSAA school ranked in the poll, however, Valley City State and Dickinson State are each receiving votes.
In total Bellevue plays at least games against teams ranked in the Preseason Top 25; vs. #2 St. Francis (Nov. 10) at IU-East, vs. #18 Briar Cliff (Nov. 25) at Midland, and a potential match-up with either #9 IU-East or (RV) Washington Adventist on Nov. 11.
BU will play a further six against teams receiving votes; at York (Oct. 27), vs. Morningside (Nov. 7), vs. Valley City State (Jan. 5), vs. Dickinson State (Jan. 12), at Dickinson State (Jan. 26), and at Valley City State (Jan. 27).
The Bruins open their season at the York Classic on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28 with games against York (Friday, 7 p.m.) and Friends (Saturday, 3 p.m.), respectively.
Bellevue will host Morningside in their home-opener at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.
