BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (10-27-09) – Picking up right where they left off, the Oklahoma Wesleyan men’s basketball team will begin the 2009-10 campaign as the top team in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division II. The Eagles received 13 of 15 possible first place votes from the NAIA DII coaches’.
Before making a run for the 2009 national title, the Eagles were setting in the top spot in the NAIA DII final ratings in the final four polls released, with the final coming the week following the conference tournaments. Wesleyan finished the season with a 35-2 overall record.
The Eagles will again be led by first team All-American Steve Briggs, who will enter the season 171 three-pointers made behind former John Brown (Ark.) teammate Brandon Cole, who currently holds the record for threes made at any collegiate level. Last season, Briggs knocked down 168 from behind the arc, including a national tournament record of 23.
Briggs will again be complimented on the court by last season’s ninth best rebounder and third team All-American Sadiel Rojas. Rojas finished last season with just over 10 rebounds a contest.
Conference opponents in the preseason Top 25 include No. 5 College of the Ozarks (Mo.), who the Eagles defeated for the national title, and No. 12 Bellevue University.
However, before the conference season begins on Jan. 15 at Peru State College in Neb., the Eagles will play solid non-conference opponents like Rogers State University and Rocky Mountain College (Mont.). Rogers State will begin their season at No. 6 in the NAIA Div. I coaches’ poll, while Rocky Mountain College, the NAIA Div. I National Champion, shows up at No. 15.
The Eagles also face the National Christian College Athletic Association Div. II national champion Southwestern Christian University. Southwestern Christian handed the Wesleyan men their first loss in 2008-09.
Head coach Donnie Bostwick and his team will begin their title defense on Nov. 3 at home against Friends University (Kan.). The Falcons will enter the game receiving votes in the NAIA Div. II poll. Tipoff in Bartlesville is set for 7:30 p.m.