Richard Bland Ranked No. 2 In NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Richard Bland College has been ranked No. 2 in the 2017-18 NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Preseason Poll, released Thursday afternoon.  The Statesmen won the Region X (10) Tournament Championship and advanced to the Final Four a year ago, finishing 30-6 overall, including 17-2 in Region 10, and return five lettermen for the upcoming campaign.  Richard Bland will open its season at home against NJCAA Division I Clinton (S.C.) College on Wednesday, November 1, at 7 p.m. at Statesman Hall.

"It's always an honor to be recognized by the national poll committee," said fifth-year head coach Chuck Moore.  "To be ranked preseason number two is exciting for our school, the athletics department and our men's basketball team.  It puts a little extra pressure on us, as teams will play a little harder, and hopefully our guys will rise to that expectation."

It's the highest-ever preseason ranking for Richard Bland, who received a preseason ranking of No. 3 for 2015-16 after winning the 2015 NJCAA Division II National Championship.  The Statesmen were ranked No. 14 in the preseason poll last year.  Richard Bland has attained an outstanding four-year record of 104-31 (.770) under the guidance of Coach Moore, including 57-18 (.760) in Region 10.  The Statesmen are an even more impressive 51-8 (.864) at home over the past four seasons.

Southwestern (Iowa) Community College, the defending 2017 NJCAA Division II National Champion, is ranked No. 1 in this year's preseason poll that also includes Region 10 member Louisburg (N.C.) College, last year's national runners-up, at No. 4.  Richard Bland fell in a close game to Southwestern 70-62 in a national semifinal contest last March 24 in Danville, Illinois.  Louisburg dropped the title contest to Southwestern by a score of 77-53.

The complete NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll can be found below.