Warriors ranked 25th in preseason basketball poll
Advertiser Staff
At least one national publication thinks the Hawai'i men's basketball team can carry its late-season success from last season into this season.
Predrag Savovic, an All-WAC guard last season, is one of seven returnees from last season's University of Hawai'i men's basketball team that gained a berth in the NCAA Tournament for only the third time in school history. One national publication ranks Hawai'i No. 25 in its preseason poll.
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According to CollegeInsider.com, Hawai'i is ranked No. 25 in its Top 25 Preseason poll, which will be released today.
"It's a great honor to be ranked among the best programs in the country," head coach Riley Wallace said. "It's a reward for our strong finish last year in winning the WAC and making the NCAA Tournament."
Seven players return from last season's 17-14 team that won the Western Athletic Conference Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for only the third time in school history.
Among the returnees are three starters — All-WAC guard Predrag Savovic, guard Mike McIntyre and forward Phil Martin. Three others who played key roles last year — guard Carl English, forward Mindaugas Burneika and center Haim Shimonovich — also return.
Maryland is ranked No. 1, with defending national champion Duke at No. 2. Only one other WAC team was ranked: Fresno State at No. 23.
Preseason Top 25
CollegeInsider.com
1. Maryland
2. Duke
3. Florida
4. Kentucky
5. Illinois
6. Oklahoma St.
7. Kansas
8. St. Joseph’s
9. Memphis
10. UCLA
11. Virginia
12. Missouri
13. Temple
14. Iowa
15. Oklahoma
16. Cincinnati
17. Syracuse
18. Georgetown
19. Texas
20. Stanford
21. Mississippi
22. Boston College
23. Fresno St.
24. N. Carolina
25. Hawai‘i
