(Courtesy Bellarmine Athletics)

LOUISVILLE, Ky.–The Division II Bulletin has ranked the Bellarmine University men’s basketball team as the preseason No. 1 team in the country, and the publication gave Braydon Hobbs and Jeremy Kendle preseason accolades as well.

Hobbs was named as the preseason Player of the Year in the conference and one of the “Super 16” DII Bulletin names to its list of top players in the nation (two players from each of the eight regions).  Kendle was named as an honorable mention for the “Super 16.”

This marks the second publication to rank Bellarmine in the top spot nationally, as The Sporting News has already picked the Knights to repeat as national champions in 2011-12.

The GLVC and Midwest Region are well represented as regional foe Findlay checks in at No. 5, with conference opponents Southern Indiana (No. 13) and Kentucky Wesleyan (No. 20) also in the poll. Drury and Grand Valley State are among, “others to watch.”

Bellarmine will kick of their preseason schedule at Duke University on Oct.  29 in Durham, N.C., with the regular season opener at Knights Hall set for Nov. 12.

Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25
1. Bellarmine
2. Alabama-Huntsville
3. BYU-Hawaii
4. Missouri Southern State
5. Findlay
6. Lincoln Memorial
7. Tarleton State
8. Bowie State
9. Colorado Mines
10. St. Rose
11. Central Oklahoma
12. Alaska Anchorage
13. Southern Indiana
14. West Liberty
15. Queens
16. Indiana (PA)
17. Benedict
18. Georgia Southwestern
19. Metro State
20. Kentucky Wesleyan
21. Humboldt State
22. Augustana
23. C.W. Post
24. Seattle Pacific
25. Winona State

Others to watch: Anderson, Bloomfield State, Dixie State, Drury, Grand Valley State, Limestone, Minnesota State, Pitt-Johnstown, USC Aiken, Stonehill, Texas A&M International.

–Courtesy Bellarmine Athletics