ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team was picked to finish fourth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Poll, as voted on by the 14 head caoches in the league.  The announcement came Thursday from the NSIC office in St. Paul.

St. Cloud State was chosen as the preseason favorite earning 171 points including three first place votes.  Winona State was picked to finish second receiving 169 points and six first place votes, while Minnesota State, Mankato, was selected third with 164 points and two first place votes.  SMSU received 143 points and earned two first place votes.

Augustana was selected fifth with 136 points while Concordia earned 117 points to earn the sixth spot.  Northern State was tabbed seventh with 113 points followed by Minnesota Duluth (97), Bemidji State (89), Wayne State (65), MSU Moorhead (60), Upper Iowa (59), Mary (45) and Minnesota, Crookston (28).

Minnesota State senior center Travis Nelson was named the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year, while SMSU senior forward Kevin Andrews was named one of the “players to watch” in the conference.

The Mustangs will play two exhibition games before opening up the regular season.  SMSU will host St. Olaf College on Nov. 3 and host Gustavus on Nov. 9, before opening the regular season at home on Tuesday, Nov. 17, versus Dordt College.

2009-10 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll
    1.    St. Cloud State (3)    171
    2.    Winona State (6)    169   
    3.    Minnesota State (2)    164
    4.    SMSU (2)    143
    5.    Augustana    136
    6.    Concordia-St. Paul    117
    7.    Northern State    113
    8.    Minnesota Duluth    97
    9.    Bemidji State    89
    10.    Wayne State    65
    11.    MSU Moorhead    60
    12.    Upper Iowa    59
    13.    University of Mary    45
    14.    Minnesota, Crookston    28
( ) First Place Votes