October 15, 2007...3:16 am

Men’s Hoops: From No. 1 to No. 16?

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Let the confusion begin.

Remember last week when the USD men’s basketball team was ranked No. 1 in The Sporting News magazine preseason Division II poll?

Remember how surprised we all were upon hearing the news?

Well, apparently the Division II Bulletin sees things a little differently.

In the publication’s 2007 preseason top 25 ranking, USD was ranked No. 16.

SIXTEENTH.

Wait a second, how does one publication rank the Coyotes No. 1 while another puts them at No. 16? That’s a huge gap.

So, where exactly does USD belong? In the top 5 or in the middle of the pack? I was confused when Sporting News ranked No. 1, but now I’ve even more confused.

Here’s my (brief) view: The Coyotes are definitely worthy of a top 5 preseason ranking. They return all five starters from last year, and with the exception of one transfer, they return everybody off their bench. There’ll be a few modifications, but in essence, it’ll be the same USD team we see this year that won the North Central Conference title last year. I see possibly 24-26 wins for this team and a deep run in the playoffs.

But The Volante will have more on the basketball teams in November.

- - Jeremy Hoeck

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