The Iowa Lakes Community College men's basketball team has been recognized by the NJCAA as the Division II preseason favorite in the top 25 national poll. Iowa Lakes is ranked No. 1 on the list, which includes two other Region XI teams ranked in the top 25.

The Laker men will return four starters and seven overall players from the 2008-09 season in which they finished third in Region XI and had a 20-11 overall record.

Returning leaders for the Lakers last season are Darryl Davis, Robert Burns and Armon Boston. Davis led the Lakers in scoring last season, averaging 17 points per contest and also contributing five rebounds per game. Burns added 14.5 points and seven rebounds per game; while Boston averaged 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and almost two assists per game.

"It is a great honor for our program to be ranked first in the country," said Laker coach Troy Larson. "It is a result of returning some good players and our players working hard. We wouldn't be able to recruit the type of players we have if we didn't get great support from our administration. Our players are excited, but they know that we will be seeing our opponents' best with the high ranking."

Season tickets sales have begun for the 2009-10 season. For more information or to purchase tickets can contact Troy Larson, Athletics Director, at 721-362-7915 or tlarson@iowalakes.edu.

Monroe Community College (N.Y.) takes the No. 2 spot in the preseason rankings. The Tribunes welcome back four starters and six total players from last year's 30-6 team that won the Region 3 and District 2 Championship and finished sixth at the national tournament. Top returners for Monroe include Raheem Singleton (6', 180 lbs., 8.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and Jashon Mixon (6'5", 175 lbs., 7.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg).

Brandon Coleman (6'5", 220 lbs.) leads MCC Penn Valley (Mo.) at No. 3 in the rankings. Coleman helped lead the Scouts to a 28-5 record and the Region 16 title last year with 13.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists as a freshman. MCC Penn Valley returns two starters, including Coleman, and six players overall.