SEATTLE (Oct. 17) -- Seattle Pacific University, which opens its season Nov. 16, has been ranked 16th in the NCAA Division II men's basketball preseason poll of coaches conducted by The Division II Bulletin.

The Falcons, who bring back four starters from a squad which went 21-6 and advanced to the NCAA tournament for a fourth successive season in 2001, are scheduled to meet two other nationally-ranked teams.

Western Washington, ranked No. 4, will face SPU twice in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. No. 17 Henderson State (Ar.) plays the Falcons at the High Desert Classic Dec. 15 in Las Vegas.

Seattle Pacific began practices earlier this week and hosts The Son's Blue Angels Nov. 6 in the first of two preseason games. The regular season begins with the Vitamilk Tip-Off Classic Nov. 16-17 at Brougham Pavilion. The Falcons will meet Indianapolis in the first round and Lock Haven (Pa.) in the second round.

DIVISION II BULLETIN TOP 25
1. Kentucky Wesleyan
2. Charleston (WV)
3. Florida Southern
4. Western Washington
5. Northeastern State (OK)
6. Tampa
7. Washburn (KS)
8. St. Cloud (MN)
9. Cal State San Bernardino
10. Adelphi (NY)
11. Southern Indiana
12. South Dakota State
13. Longwood (VA)
14. St. Anselm (NH)
15. Wingate (NC)
16. Seattle Pacific
17. Henderson State (AR)
18. Clarion (PA)
19. Angelo State (TX)
20. Saint Joseph's (IN)
21. Nebraska Kearney
22. Grand Valley (MI)
23. Johnson C. Smith (NC)
24. Northwest Missouri
25. Northern Kentucky