AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta State is ranked the ninth-best team in the nation, according to the recently-released Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25 rankings.

Winona State is the top-ranked team in the nation. The Warriors (35-1) return four starters, including All-Americans John Smith and Jonte Flowers. Right behind at No. 2 is Bentley, which is coming off a 32-1 record and an Elite Eight appearance. Rounding out the top five are Grand Valley State , Northwest Missouri and Wingate. The second five includes Humboldt State , Findlay , defending national champion Barton, AUGUSTA STATE and Southern Indiana .

Division II Bulletin, founded in 1991, is the leading publication covering Division II men’s basketball. It is published by GSR Communications based in Beaverton , Ore.

More information is available at www.smallcollegehoops.com. 

The Jaguars, ranked No. 6 in the preseason by Sporting News, are led by senior All-American forward Tyrekus “AJ” Bowman. ASU returns all five starters and nine of its top 10 scorers from the 2006-07 squad that posted a 24-7 record, hosted the NCAA South Atlantic Regional as the region’s top seed and finished the season ranked No. 18 in the nation.

The Jags take on College of Charleston in an exhibition game on Thursday, Nov. 1 in Charleston , S.C. , and face Clemson in an exhibition at Littlejohn Coliseum on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

ASU officially opens the season on Friday, Nov. 16 at the Montevallo Coca-Cola Classic in Montevallo , Ala.

Division II Bulletin 
Preseason Top 25 
Rankings  

1.  Winona State 
2.  Bentley 
3.  Grand Valley State 
4.  Northwest Missouri 
5.  Wingate 
6.  Humboldt State 
7.  Findlay 
8.  Barton 
9.  AUGUSTA STATE 
10. Southern Indiana 
11. Alderson-Broaddus 
12. Virginia Union 
13. Alaska Anchorage 
14. St. Rose 
15. Montevallo 
16. South Dakota 
17. West Virginia State 
18. Central Oklahoma 
19. Drury 
20. Metro State 
21. California 
22. Henderson State 
23. West Texas A&M 
24. Rollins 
25. Emporia State