The 2008-2009 Oregon Tech Hustlin' Owls
Oregon Tech No. 1 in NAIA DII Preseason Poll
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Defending national champion Oregon Tech begins the 2008-09 season No. 1 in the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Preseason Top 25 Coaches' Poll, announced today (Oct. 27). Other Cascade Collegiate Conference teams in the Top 25 include Eastern Oregon (6), Evergreen (20) and Warner Pacific (24).
The Hustlin' Owls are without 2008 NABC/State Farm Player of the Year Ryan Fiegi but expect big things from seniors posts Christian Cavanaugh (13.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and Josh Wetzler (9.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg) along with junior transfer Justin Parnell. Oregon Tech returns four starters from last years National Championship team with the addition of NCAA Division II transfer Justin Parnell look to control the very competitive Cascade Collegiate Conference. OIT earned all 15 of the possible first-place votes and 405 total points after going 31-6 last season under head coach Danny Miles (847-362).
Bethel (Ind.), a team to reach the 2008 Quarterfinals and go 29-7, are right behind Oregon Tech at No. 2. The Pilots earned 382 total points and return all five starters from last season including NAIA Second Team All-American William Walker. Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) checks in at No. 3 and turns to NAIA First Team All-American Ben Falkenberg. The senior is nearing 2,000 career points and is in the school's Top 5 for career three-pointers and made free throws.
No. 4 Northwood (Fla.) posted 362 points and has NAIA First Team All-American DeSean White, who went for nearly 18 points per game last year. No. 5 Ozarks (Mo.), hosts of the National Championships for the 10th straight year, went 27-6 last year and went to the Quarterfinals.
The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences and independents. The first regular season Top 25 poll will be announced on Monday, Dec. 1.
For more information on NAIA men's basketball http://naia.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl-div2/spec-rel/102708aab.html
Oregon Tech opens up the 2008-2009 season at home this Saturday, November 1st against William Jessup at 7:30pm at Danny Miles Court. The game can be heard live on 92.5 KLAD-FM and on the world wide web at www.oitsports.com with Bobby Thompson and Mike Garrard.