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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Whits’ men, women in preseason top 25

The Whitworth Pirates men’s and women’s basketball teams both have been picked among the top 25 in the country.

D3hoops.com has the Whitworth men ranked 17th and the women ranked 20th in the preseason poll after both schools advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament last year.

The men posted a 23-6 record and lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament. They won the Northwest Conference with a 14-2 mark and won the NWC tournament for the eighth consecutive time.

The women posted a record of 21-8 and won the NWC tournament for the second time when they knocked off league champion Whitman, which eventually lost the national championship game to Fairleigh Dickinson.

D3hoops.com has Whitman ranked second behind Fairleigh Dickinson. Conference member George Fox is ranked No. 24, giving the Northwest Conference three teams ranked in the preseason women’s poll.

The Whitworth men’s team opens the season at home on Nov. 15 against D’Youville and plays No. 13 St. Thomas University at home on Nov. 22. The women open the season at home on Nov. 15 against Eastern Oregon.