KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The top four spots in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Preseason Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Poll are separated by 15 points and the Raven Men’s Basketball team is right in the mix.

Benedictine, who went 24-9 a year ago and qualified for their second straight trip to the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Div. I Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament, earned 95 points and was selected third by the coaches in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll released by Heart on Wednesday.

Evangel earned seven first-place votes to tally 109 points as they were selected to repeat as Heart Champions. MNU earned three first-place votes and tallied 105 as the preseason No. 2 while Peru State earned the remaining two first-place votes while tallying 94 points as the fourth-place selection. Heart newcomer William Penn University rounded out the top five with 78 points.

The Raven open the season on Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. in North Newton, as they take on Bethel College. They remain on the road for their second game of the season on Nov. 3 when they travel to Belleville, Ill., to take on Lindenwood University-Belleville at 7 p.m.

Benedictine opens up their 15-game home schedule with three straight home games from Nov. 7 through Nov. 18. They host Friends University at 5 p.m. Nov. 7 before hosting Park University on Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. They open up Heart play on Nov. 18 against Peru State College at 7:30 p.m.

— BC Athletics —