Sabres Chosen Fourth in Men's Preseason Basketball Poll

WAUKESHA, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University men's basketball team was tabbed by the coaches to finish fourth in the North Division in the 2011-12 Northern Athletics Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league office announced, today, Oct. 27.
The Sabres earned 33 votes, finishing behind division favorite Concordia Wisconsin, which totaled 64 points, including seven first place votes. Edgewood came in a very close second with 63 points and five first place votes. Lakeland (52 points) was third followed by Marian, Wisconsin Lutheran (23) and Maranatha (17) to round out the North Division.

In the South, Aurora was chosen to be the favorite heading into the season with 68 points, including eight first place votes. Benedictine was second with 63 points and the remaining four first place votes, while MSOE (46) was third, Concordia Chicago (30) fourth, Dominican (26) fifth and Rockford (19) sixth, to round out the South Division.

Marian Head Coach Mark Boyle enters his 24th season at the helm, but will sit out the early part of the season as he recovers from heart surgery. In the interim, assistant Tony Draves will assume head coaching responsibilities as he prepares the Sabres for their season and home opener against Ripon College on Nov. 15, at 7 p.m.

2011-12 Northern Athletics Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll
NORTH DIVISION
1. Concordia Wisconsin (7), 64
2. Edgewood (5), 63
3. Lakeland, 52
4. Marian, 33
5. Wisconsin Lutheran, 23
6. Maranatha, 17

SOUTH DIVISION
1. Aurora (8), 68
2. Benedictine (4), 63
3. MSOE, 46
4. Concordia Chicago, 30
5. Dominican, 26
6. Rockford, 19

first-place votes in parentheses
voted by the conference's 12 head coaches
6-5-4-3-2-1 point scale used for each division