MARION, Ind. -- Indiana Wesleyan University men's basketball will open the season as the No. 9-ranked team according to the NAIA Division II Top-25 Coaches' Preseason Poll.

The Wildcats receive the recognition in the poll following a stellar 2008-09 campaign which Indiana Wesleyan finished 29-7 for the second most wins in program history. IWU earned the Mid-Central College Conference regular season co-championship and advanced to the NAIA Elite Eight for the second time in three seasons.

Defending national champion Oklahoma Wesleyan University gained 13 of 15 first place votes to open the season No. 1 with 404 points. Black Hills State (S.D.) University is second with one first place vote and 387 points. No. 6-ranked Walsh (Ohio) University garnered the final first place vote and has 341 points.

Indiana Wesleyan accumulated 298 points for the ninth spot in the ranking.

The MCC schedule will once again provide a challenge as the conference has a total of five teams receiving votes. Bethel (Ind.) College in ranked No. 3 and University of Saint Francis (Ind.) chimes in at No. 23. Huntington (Ind.) University and Spring Arbor (Mich.) University sit outside the top-25 but are in the receiving votes section of the poll.

Indiana Wesleyan returns four players with starting experience from a season ago. Leading the team will be senior forward Zach Coverstone who was recognized last season as a NAIA All-American Honorable Mention selection. The 6-9 post player holds the Indiana Wesleyan record for blocks in a career with 187. Coverstone averaged 13.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks while shooting 61.3-percent from the floor.

The Wildcats open their season November 6-7 at the Purdue-Calumet Tip-Off Classic and will play their first home game on November 17 against Indiana Tech.

CLICK HERE for NAIA Men's Basketball Division II Top-25 Coaches' Preseason Poll