SEATTLE (Oct. 12) ­ Earning its best ever preseason ranking, Seattle Pacific University will start the men's basketball at No. 5 among NCAA Division II teams, according to the Division II Bulletin.

The Falcons bring back three starters and two other key contributors from their West Region championship squad. They won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship and eventually advanced to the semifinal round of the Elite Eight, finishing 26-6.

Defending national champion Winona State (Mn.) is ranked No. 1. Alabama's Montevallo, which SPU defeated in the quarterfinals a year ago, is No. 2.

The best previous preseason ranking for Seattle Pacific was No. 16 in 2000-01.

Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25
1. Winona St.
2. Montevallo
3. Tarleton St.
4. SIU Edwardsville
5. Seattle Pacific
6. Findlay
7. Northwest Missouri
8. Rollins
9. Barton
10. Southern Indiana
11. Stonehill
12. Clayton St.
13. SW Baptist
14. South Dakota
15. Sonoma St.
16. Neb. Kearney
17. Lenoir-Rhyne
18. Adelphi
19. Mount Olive
20. Alderson-Broaddus
21. Bowie St.
22. West Texas A&M
23. Catawba
24. Grand Valley St.
25. Bloomfield