Both the Seattle Pacific University men's and women's basketball teams received another dose of good news on the eve of their first practice sessions. The Falcon men, coming off a 27-5 record and trip to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, have been ranked No.17 in the NABC/Division II Bulletin preseason coaches poll and the women, who also made the playoffs again last season, are No. 22.

Earlier, a preseason poll of Pacific West Conference coaches installed both the SPU men and women as favorites to win the 2001 PacWest title.

Individually, Brannon Stone (Jr., 6-7, Oak Harbor, Wa.) was named to the men's preseason All-America team while Gyongyver "Gus" Balogh (Sr., 5-11, Szombathely, Hungary) was selected to the women's team. Stone led SPU in rebounding (7.5), blocked shots, and assists while averaging 12.6 points as a sophomore. Balogh averaged 13.4 points and hit 51 percent of her three-pointers as the Falcons went 21-7. Both made the all-PacWest team in 2000.

The men's team also has John Hubbard, another all-conference selection, among its returnees. Hubbard averaged 13.7 points as the sixth man. To compensate for the loss of four starters, Coach Ken Bone has recruited four transfers who last played at Division I programs. Seattle Pacific will open exhibition play Nov. 10 by hosting Washington at Brougham Pavilion.

The women's team features three returning starters, plus the return of Jana Holme, the starting center in 1998-99. Holme was an injury redshirt last season. The Falcons begin their 13th season under Gordy Presnell with an exhibition at Portland Nov. 14.