Oct. 9, 2000

NKU PICKED 3RD IN GLVC PRESEASON POLL

Kentucky Wesleyan tabbed GLVC preseason favorite

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Defending NCAA Division II national runner-up Kentucky Wesleyan College is a slight choice to capture the 2000-01 Great Lakes Valley Conference men’s basketball championship, according to a poll by GLVC coaches. KWC captured eight first-place votes and 118 points to ease past the University of Southern Indiana (four first-place votes, 113 points) and Northern Kentucky University (102 points) as the favorite. The Panthers (31-3 last season) have won the last three NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region championships and appeared in the last three NCAA title games, winning it all in 1999. KWC lost All-America LeRoy John to graduation, but returns a solid cast coupled with an outstanding group of recruits in hopes of capturing its record eighth NCAA II title. USI (25-6) has reloaded once again and is considered the Panthers’ top threat. The Screaming Eagles beat KWC twice last year and returns six of its top players in hopes of earning a 16th NCAA bid. NKU (26-7) has five of its top six scorers back and looks like a cinch for its sixth NCAA bid in seven years. The fourth annual GLVC Tournament is scheduled for February 28-March 3 at Roberts Stadium in Evansville, Ind. 2000-01 GLVC men’s basketball preseason poll 1. Kentucky Wesleyan (8) 2. Southern Indiana (4) 3. Northern Kentucky 4. Indianapolis 5. Lewis 6. Bellarmine 7. UM-St. Louis 8. *IPFW 9. UW-Parkside 10. Quincy 11. SIU Edwardsville 12. Saint Joseph’s *not eligible for conference championship