PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Starting five spots in front of its preseason ranking from last season, the University of Pikeville men's basketball team received a No. 14 ranking in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Top-25 Poll released on Tuesday.
However, the ranking is seven spot behind where the Bears left off last March when they were ranked seventh in the final poll of the season after advancing to the program's fourth trip to the NAIA national quarterfinals.
The Bears have 11 newcomers, including redshirt freshman Da'Rell Domineck, but they still have a veteran presence, led by NAIA All-American Darrion Leslie and reigning Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year Jordan Perry. Rze Culbreath, a regular starter last year, also returns.
UPIKE allowed less than 65 points per game last season and doesn't expect a drop off in talent with the addition of three NCAA Div. I transfers - 6-3 Mike Chambers (Maryland Eastern Shore), 6-7 Rodney Hawkins (St. Peter's) and 6-6 Basil Thompson (St. Francis (Pa.).
Four MSC teams appear in the poll, led by Georgetown at No. 4 which got an early start to its season on Monday with a 107-66 win over Miami-Middleton (Ohio).
Life (Ga.), last season's national runner-up, is next in line at No. 9, followed by UPIKE at No. 14. Lindsey Wilson is the final ranked team from the conference at No. 21.
Cumberlands, which advanced to the NAIA National Tournament last season, is listed as receiving votes.
Defending national champion Texas Wesleyan is the top-ranked team in the NAIA, followed by LSU Alexandria (La.) and William Penn (Iowa).
UPIKE leads the poll in one category as its 60 straight rankings, dating back to the 2012-13 season, are the most of any team in the country.
The regular season kicks off for the Bears on Friday at 8 p.m. ET against Central Penn as part of the UPIKE Tip-Off Classic in UPIKE Gym. UPIKE will play its first two games at the gym due to scheduling conflicts at the East Ky. Expo Center.
Admission for the games this weekend will be $5 and free for children under five years old and those with a UPIKE ID. Season tickets will also be honored for the games and will be available to pick up at the door if not already obtained at the UPIKE basketball offices at the Expo.
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