October 1, 2015
BASKETBALL (M): CHARLOTTE, N.C. (10/1/15) - What a way to start off the preseason receiving top 10 news from the Sporting News NCAA Division III poll as East Texas Baptist University is number seven. In the first major men's basketball poll of the year, ETBU has earned national respect after last year?s NCAA Tournament run.
"We are very honored to receive this ranking," says head coach Bert West. "This shows the respect for our region of basketball. It's nice to have your program recognized but this is a new year and we have to earn that ranking again with a new team this year."
ETBU went 26-6 last year winning their first-ever American Southwest Conference regular season and tournament championship. They then made a run in the NCAA Tournament to the Elite Eight falling to eventual national champion Wisconsin-Stevens Point. ETBU also posted an 18-0 record at home in Ornelas Gym and has a current 22-game home winning streak.
There are seven key returners coming back with three starters in Jamil Samuel, Dylan Augustine, and Junior Mitchell. ETBU starts their season on Saturday, November 14th, in Memphis, Tenn., against Rhodes College.
Sporting News NCAA Division III Preseason Poll
1.Augustana
2.Amherst
3.Marietta
4.Catholic
5.Virginia Wesleyan
6.Whitworth
7.East Texas Baptist
8.Mount Union
9.Franklin & Marshall
10.New York University