KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats, who are the reigning regular-season MIAA champions, have been ranked #1 in the MIAA preseason coaches polls for men's basketball during the annual Preseason Basketball Luncheon at the Basie Ballroom of the Kansas City Marriott Hotel.

Last season, the Bearcats were 22-8 with a 14-4 record in the MIAA, which earned the Bearcats their second MIAA regular-season championship in three years. They were a perfect 15-0 at home and earned an invitation to the NCAA Tournament where they lost in the second round.

Key returners for the Bearcats will include Junior Matt Rogers, who has been named as a Division II Bulletin 2008-09 Preseason All-American. Rogers was named as a unanimous selection last season to the All-MIAA First Team, and was also named as the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. SBU’s D’Ante Harris was named as a member of the ALL-MIAA Second Team. Nick Kovacevich will provide more leadership this season as he did during last years NCAA Tournament by scoring 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against West Texas A&M, and scoring a team-high 18 points against Tarleton State.

Earlier this month, the Bearcats were ranked #6 nationally according to the preseason poll published in The Sporting News College Basketball Yearbook 2008 edition.

As the season opens against the University of Utah on November 15, head coach Jeff Guiot has 299 career wins.

2008-09 MIAA Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

School Pts.

1. Southwest Baptist (8) 98

2. Central Missouri (1) 82

3. Nebraska-Omaha (2) 81

4. Fort Hays State 74

5. Northwest Missouri State 56

6. Washburn 55

7. Missouri Southern 44

8. Emporia State 38

9. Pittsburg State 32

10. Missouri Western 29

11. Truman 16

Points awarded on an 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.

Coaches could not vote for their own school.