Bearcat men start at No. 19 in Bulletin Poll

The Northwest Missouri State men's basketball team is ranked No. 19 in the Division II Bulletin Preseason Poll for the upcoming 2012-13 season.

The Bearcats are the defending MIAA Champions after going 22-7 a season ago and 15-5 in the MIAA.

Northwest also claimed the program's 13th trip to the NCAA tournament, losing in the first round to Washburn.

Division II National Coach of the Year Ben McCollum is in his fourth year at the helm of the Bearcats who return a trio of seniors led by preseason All-American DeShaun Cooper.

A First Team All-MIAA selection a year ago, Cooper led Northwest in scoring with 14.7 points per game and was in the top three in free-throw percentage.

Along with Cooper, the Bearcats return seniors Alex Sullivan, DeAngelo Hailey and Bryston Williams. Hailey averaged over 10 points per game off the bench and joined Sullivan near the MIAA leaders in three-point percentage. Williams was among the league leaders in free throw percentage.

Junior Dillon Starzl returns in the post for Northwest as the other lone starter to return with Cooper.

The Bearcats will hold their annual Bearcat Bash Thursday at 8 p.m. inside Bearcat Arena. Fans can get their first look at the 2012-13 basketball teams and meet the players and coaches.

Northwest opens its season Oct. 29 in exhibition action at the University of Missouri. Game time from Mizzou Arena is set for 7 p.m.