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| Augustana fans could have a
lot to be excited about, at preseason No. 3 and the defending
champions coming to their gym in December. Augstana athletics photo by Ian Magnuson |
Defending national champion UW-Whitewater received 18 first-place votes in the preseason D3hoops.com men's basketball Top 25, but Augustana, which finished last season unranked altogether, picked up a half-dozen and conference rival Illinois Wesleyan added another in the 2014-15 D3hoops.com men's basketball Top 25.
Augustana finished last season 20-8, losing to UW-Whitewater in the NCAA Tournament and finishing just out of the Top 25, but returns every single player from that team. UW-Whitewater returns two starters and four significant contributors from its national title team, including seniors KJ Evans and Quardell Young, who combined for 28.0 points per game.
Amherst and Williams, who annually contend for spots in the Final Four, remain near the top but suffered big losses, with Amherst losing D3hoops.com Player of the Year Aaron Toomey to graduation and Williams losing both its coach and an All-American to Division I. Mike Maker took the head coaching job at Marist this offseason and Duncan Robinson transferred to the University of Michigan.
All in all, reflecting the typical offseason upheaval, eight of the preseason Top 25 were not ranked when last season ended.
Check out the full poll. The women's poll will be released next week and the first regular season poll will be issued the week following Thanksgiving.