Vikings picked to repeat as GNAC men’s basketball champions

News

Courtesy WWU Athletics Photo: Associated Press

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – After winning both the conference’s regular season and tournament titles a year ago, Western Washington University is picked to win it all again in the 2017-18 edition of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s Preseason Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, announced Tuesday afternoon from the conference office in Portland, Ore.

WWU also earned a preseason national ranking of No. 22 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll. The Vikings are also listed No. 16 in the Basketball Times NCAA II preseason top 20 ranking.

The Vikings, who finished with a 25-6 record and a 17-3 GNAC mark, received 7 of 11 first-place votes from conference coaches for a total of 116 points. Western Oregon, the 2015-16 GNAC regular season and tournament champion, is picked second with 108 points after picking up three first-place votes.

Recent Headlines

15 hours ago in Sports

Los Angeles Angels settles lawsuit with family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs over fatal overdose

The Los Angeles Angels reached a confidential settlement Friday in a lawsuit over the drug overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

21 hours ago in Sports

LeBron James cites ‘Luka magic’ as Doncic has 45-point triple-double

LeBron James was in awe of "Luka magic" after Luka Doncic had 45 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in his fifth triple-double of the season in a 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.

21 hours ago in Sports

Seahawks overcome 16-point deficit to stun Rams 38-37 in OT in NFC West showdown

Mike Macdonald was in no mood to play for a tie, and the Los Angeles Rams' defense had no interest in letting Sam Darnold connect with any of his top receiving options.

2 days ago in Sports

Tarik Skubal joins Paul Skenes on US World Baseball Classic pitching staff

Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers has agreed to pitch for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, joining a pitching staff that includes reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

2 days ago in Sports

Timberwolves formalize a reunion with Kevin Garnett, with a plan to finally retire his No. 21 jersey

Kevin Garnett will finally have his No. 21 formally retired by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves announced on Thursday they've hired the Hall of Fame member and franchise icon as a team ambassador, with a plan to honor Garnett in a jersey-raising ceremony at Target Center on a future date.