Bethel Hoops No. 10 In Coaches Poll
The Indiana college basketball scene is well represented in the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Coaches Preseason Top 25 poll released on Tuesday.
Perennial power Bethel College out of Mishawaka checks in at No. 10 in the coaches poll.
The Grace College men’s team is one of several squads who received votes in the preseason poll.
Bethel, which finished 28-8 last season, opens its season on Friday at 6 p.m versus the University of Northwestern Ohio in the Maple City Hoop Fest at Goshen College. Coach Mike Lightfoot’s Pilots will then play Brescia University on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the event.
The Pilots’ home opener is set for Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. versus Lawrence Technological University in the annual Gates Automotive Classic.
Grace, coming off a 20-15 season, hosts Concordia Friday at 8 p.m. in the season opener in the Crossroads Classic at the MOCC in Winona Lake. Coach Jim Kessler will be going for career win No. 700 for the Lancers Friday night.
The Lancers were runner-up in the Crossroads League tournament and the NCCAA National Championships last season.
Indiana Wesleyan University, a member of the Crossroads League with both Grace and Bethel, is ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll. IWU went 31-6 a year ago.
Saint Francis, which finished 21-11 last season, checks in at No. 15.