Complete OAC Coaches Preseason Poll (.pdf)

BEREA, Ohio—The Baldwin Wallace University men's basketball team was picked to finish third in the 2016-17 Ohio Athletic Conference Coaches Preseason Poll.

BW, who was picked sixth a season ago, was selected third of 10 teams with 60 points. The Yellow Jackets were behind defending OAC Tournament champion John Carroll University and OAC regular season champion Marietta College as they tied for first with 77 points each. The University of Mount Union was fourth with 54 points and Ohio Northern University was fifth with 50 points.  

"We are very excited about the experienced players we have returning and equally excited about our ten newcomers," said second-year Head Coach Tom Heil. "While it is flattering to be picked third we know that every OAC game is a challenge to win and we look forward to consistent improvement throughout the season." 

Heil, who has a 38-18 career record in his two seasons as a head coach, returns 11 letterwinners that includes all five starters from a last year's squad that posted a 16-11 overall mark and a 10-8 OAC record. Last season, the Yellow Jackets advanced to the OAC Tournament semifinals.

BW begins the 2016-17 campaign on Tuesday, November 15 when it travels to Cleveland to face cross-town rival Case Western Reserve University in a non-conference game inside Horsburgh Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m. BW opens OAC play on Saturday, December 3 when they host Marietta College in the Ursprung Gymnasium.