WINONA LAKE – The Grace College Lancers will start the 2012-2013 season ranked in the top 10 of the NAIA Division II men’s basketball poll. The Lancers, who finished last season with a 24-8 record and a 12-6 mark in conference play, are No. 8 in the preseason poll, which was announced by the NAIA’s national office Tuesday. Grace tied Indiana Wesleyan for the regular season title last season in the Crossroads League (formerly the Mid-Central Conference) and won the tournament title, receiving an automatic bid to the national tournament in Branson, Mo. The Lancers have played in the national tournament in four of the past five seasons, advancing to the Sweet 16 twice. Indiana Wesleyan is the only other Crossroads League team in the preseason top 25, as the Wildcats are ranked fourth. Three other teams from the Hoosier State are in the top 25 poll – IU-Southeast (6th), IU-East (22nd) and Indiana Tech (25th). Northwood (Fla.) will start the season No. 1, while defending national champion Oregon Tech is No. 2. Both teams were 34-4 last season. Rouding out the top five are Dordt (Iowa), Indiana Wesleyan and Cardinal Stritch (Wis.). The Lancers officially open their season Nov. 3 with their 3 p.m. homecoming game against Northland International. Grace’s alumni game is tonight at 7 p.m. at the Orthopaedic Capital Center, while the annual intrasquad game is scheduled for 7 p.m. next Wednesday.
