James Lewis, an All-American last season, is a key player for No. 3-ranked Fresno Pacific men's basketball.
Sunbirds receive four first-place votes in pre-season poll
By Ken Robison
10/27/2009
Fresno Pacific's conference-winning run of last season in men's basketball has obviously caught the attention of the NAIA pollsters.
The Sunbirds open their season ranked No. 3 in the first NAIA national preseason poll released Tuesday. Jim Saia's team received four first-place votes, more than any team in the poll.
Robert Morris of Illinois garnered three first-place votes and leads the rankings with 301 points. Mountain State University of West Virgnia is second with 297 points and two first-place votes. Fresno Pacific has 287 points.
The Sunbirds won the Golden State Athletic Conference last season, finishing with a 26-8 record and a berth in the NAIA tournament.
The GSAC is considered one of the NAIA's best conferences. In addition to Fresno Pacific, Concordia is No. 8, Biola is No. 17 and Azusa Pacific is No. 24 in the national poll.
"It's pretty remarkable," said Saia, in his third year at the Sunbirds' helm. "We're breaking historic ground." Fresno Pacific also has been predicted to win its second straight GSAC title.
Saia said the high ranking was based on last season's success, when the Sunbirds rose as high as No. 6 in the NAIA poll and finished at No. 9. They return several key players, including All-American guard James Lewis and All-GSAC forward Todd Brown.
Tuesday's ranking continued the growth and success of Sunbirds basketball since the hiring of Saia, who has made coaching stops at Fresno State, UCLA and Southern Cal.
"I didn't think we would arrive [at such a high ranking] this soon," Saia said Tuesday. "As we build this program, to be recognized so soon is a tribute to our kids."
"To be considered a 'Final Four' NAIA team is pretty remarkable, but we have a long ways to go to get there. Now we have a target on our chests, we're not coming up on anyone. We're a top dog; no one is going to fall asleep on us."
Fresno Pacific opens its 2009-10 season Oct. 30 against Holy Names in the Special Events Center.
The Sunbirds face cross-town rival Fresno State on Nov. 4 in the Save Mart Center.