SBU's Matt Rogers was named as a preseason first team All-American by The Sporting News, in the publication's preseason issue. Rogers and his Bearcat teammates were also tabbed as a possible breakthrough squad.

The Bearcats' 6-11 center, a native of Doniphan, Mo., averaged 18.3 ppg. and 8.7 rpg. with a Division II-leading 123 blocked shots in 2008-09. He was named to four All-American squads and was named Daktronics South Central Region Player of the Year, unanimous MIAA MVP, first team All-MIAA and MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. Rogers shot 51.2 percent from the floor (169 of 330) and was 160 of 211 from the line (75.8 pct.). He was also one of the Bearcats' best outside shooters, connecting on 50 of 123 (40.7 pct.) from long range.

Joining Rogers on the first team were Lucas Alves of BYU-Hawaii, Tyrone Curnell of Valdosta State, Darren Duncan, of Merrimack and Jason Westrol of Bentley.

SBU finished 26-5 last year and won their third MIAA regular season crown in the last four years. They advanced to the South Central regional final, which was the second-best NCAA tournament finish in school history. They also extended their home court winning streak to 30 games, the second-best active streak in Division II.

Tomas Brock joins Rogers as the Bearcats' returning starters, and coach Jeff Guiot has brought in a host of new talent to replace the highly successful senior class of a year ago. The Bearcats open their regular season with a trip to the 12th annual Disney Tip-off Classic on November 6-8 in Orlando, Florida. SBU will match up with Saint Leo, Philadelphia and Lake Superior State.