KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After last year’s first ever NAIA National Tournament Final-Four appearance, the Northwood University men’s basketball team has been picked to win the 2011-2012 national championship. In the NAIA Division II Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Seahawks took the top spot and are preseason ranked No. 1 in the nation. This is the first time in the history of the program that the Seahawks begin the season at the top of the list.
“It’s a complement to last year’s players,” said head coach Rollie Massimino. “There’s still a lot of work to be done in order to reach our goal.”
Other opponents ranked in the Top 25 include No. 4 Bellevue University (Neb.), No. 8 Embry-Riddle, and No. 19 Warner University.
In addition to being picked No. 1 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Seahawks were also picked to finish first in the Sun Conference regular season. Coach Rollie Massimino’s Seahawks received eight out of the nine possible first place votes. Massimino, who was the 2011 NAIA National Coach of the Year, returns six letterwinners who helped the Seahawks to a perfect 16-0 record. The returning veterans include the 2011 Sun Conference Player of the Year and First-Team All-American, Jonathan Dunn (24 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.3 spg), and All-Conference selection and third-team All-American, Patrick Horstmann (11.9 ppg, 10 rpg, 1.6 apg). The Seahawks will also be welcoming newcomers Masse Doumbe and Jake Lockhart, who are expected to make significant contributions to the team’s success this season.
The Seahawks open their season on Nov. 4 when they travel to the University of Maryland (NCAA DI) to take on the Terps in an exhibition game.
Rollie Massimino’s Seahawks are preseason ranked no. 1 in the nation for the first time in school’s history.
Ryan
There was a time when these games didn’t give me ANY kind of worry.
Not after the last 7-8 years though.
Regardless of rebuilding or whatever they are calling this, these games should be blowouts. I have a bad bad bad bad bad feeling about this season.
Who are our starting 5?
Stoglin
Mosely
Faust
Padgett
Parker?
Well, they are all Rival’s 150’s. That might not be as bad as we think. The depth is gonna be an issue.
Weiss and Pankey
I’d like to have the Hawk. Howard and Lem will be big if they make it back quick.
Who else is on the team? I can’t even remember.
· 11/12/2019