Men's basketball picked eighth in SAC

After posting a 13-19 record in 2015-16 and making an appearance in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals, the John Brown University men's basketball team was selected to finish eighth in 2016-17 according to the SAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll, the conference offices announced Tuesday afternoon.

The Golden Eagles earned 39 points, including seven coaches casting eighth-place ballots. Reigning national champion Mid-America Christian topped the poll with 85 points and six first-place votes, while Oklahoma City was voted second with 78 points, highlighted by two first-place votes and three second-place ballots.

Texas Wesleyan (76), Southwestern A.G. (61) and Science & Arts (54) rounded out the top five while Southwestern Christian (53) was selected sixth, followed by Wayland Baptist (50), John Brown (39), St. Gregory's (25) and Bacone (17).

Last season, JBU was selected to finish fourth and finished in eighth place, with a 5-13 (.278) record in league play.

Each Sooner Athletic Conference team will play an 18-game league schedule, with each team taking on every other team in a home and away matchup during the conference slate.

The conference season kicks off on Thursday (Dec. 1) as the Golden Eagles welcome Oklahoma City to Bill George Arena for 8 p.m. tip.

The SAC season will conclude with the conference tournament that features the top eight teams from the regular season, competing in a single-elimination format, with the quarterfinals set to begin on Feb. 28, 2017. The winners will move on to Oklahoma City University for semifinal and championship action from March 2-4, 2017.

The Sooner Athletic tournament champion will receive an automatic bid to the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Championships to be held in Kansas City, Mo., at the historic Municipal Auditorium from March 15-21, 2017.

JBU returns 11 letter winners from last season and have added one transfer and two freshman for the upcoming 2016-17 campaign. The Golden Eagles open the season at 7 p.m. Saturday at Bill George Arena when it welcomes Central Baptist in the 36th annual Toilet Paper Game.

Sports on 10/23/2016