KCAC
[Men's Basketball] Men's Basketball Tabbed Seventh in KCAC Preseason Coach's Poll; Ninth in …
WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Men's Basketball Falcons have been picked to finish seventh in the KCAC preseason coach's poll and ninth in the media survey, with the votes taking place today (Oct. 14) following the KCAC Virtual Media Day on the conference's Facebook page. The video can be viewed HERE.The top three schools in both surveys reflected last season's standings, with defending conference regular season and tournament champion Bethel College picked first in both polls. Runner-up finisher Oklahoma Wesleyan University came in second, followed by Ottawa University.Southwestern College was fourth in the coach's poll and rounded out the top five in the media's selections. McPherson College was the media's fourth choice and were tied for fifth with Kansas Wesleyan University for the fifth spot in the coach's poll.Following Friends in the coach's poll were Tabor College, York College and Avila University rounding out the top 10.KWU, Tabor, Bethany College, Friends and Avila concluded the top 10 in the media poll.Under first-year head coach Austin McBeth, the Falcons will be bolstered by the return of NAIA All-America honorable-mention and first-team All-KCAC performer Davonte Pack (SR/Sumter, SC) along with all-conference honorable-mention selection Ian Konek (JR/Long Beach, Calif.) this season.The 2021-22 season for the Falcons will begin with two games in Hastings, Neb., starting with a matchup vs. Concordia University on Oct. 29. Friends will then turn around and face Hastings College the following day (Oct. 30).The home opener inside the Garvey Center is set for Nov. 2 against Barclay College, while the Falcons will kick off KCAC action on Nov. 17 at home vs. Avila University."Our entire non-conference schedule is challenging, so I hope we can show some toughness through the first month of the season," said McBeth. "Personally, I'm glad we're starting with high-caliber teams because I want our guys to be prepared for the KCAC. I've heard a lot of good things about the strength of our conference, and I'm looking forward to seeing what this team can do in our first year together!"