The GLVC will be divided into three divisions for the second consecutive year. Bellarmine has been selected as the favorite to win the GLVC East Division, Drury was tabbed as the GLVC West Division favorite, and last season’s NCAA Midwest Regional Champion Saint Joseph’s has been selected as the top team in the GLVC North Division.

Bellarmine, who won the GLVC men’s basketball championship last year for the first time since the 1990-91 season, received 66 total points and 14 first-place votes in the GLVC East Division voting. The Knights posted a 23-9 overall mark last season and placed third in its division with a 12-6 conference record.

The Knights were followed in the divisional poll by Kentucky Wesleyan who finished the voting with 41 total points. Southern Indiana placed third in the voting with 39 total points and was followed closely by Northern Kentucky who garnered 38 total points and the final first-place vote. UIndy rounded out the GLVC East Division voting with 16 total points.

Drury was tabbed as the top team in the GLVC West Division with 66 total points and 14 first-place votes. The Panthers were 23-7 overall last season and recorded a 15-3 mark against GLVC competition. Drury advanced to the semifinal of the GLVC Tournament and earned a berth to the NCAA Midwest Regional a year ago.

Rockhurst placed second in the GLVC West Division voting with 45 total points, while Missouri-St. Louis was selected to finish third after picking up 42 total points and the final first-place vote. Missouri S&T and Maryville rounded out the divisional voting with 33 and 14 points, respectively.

Saint Joseph’s received 56 total points and seven first-place votes to top the GLVC North Division poll. The Pumas posted a 20-12 overall record last season and became the first No. 8 seed to advance to the Elite Eight. Saint Joseph’s tied with Quincy atop the GLVC North Division last year with an 11-7 league mark.

Lewis has been picked to finish second in the GLVC North Division, placing just behind Saint Joseph’s with 53 total points and five first-place votes. Quincy finished third in the divisional poll with 50 total points and the final three first-place votes. Missouri S& T (33) and Maryville (14) rounded out the poll.

The 2010-11 GLVC schedule will begin on Dec. 2 and will culminate with the 2011 GLVC Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament that will conclude at Maryville’s Moloney Arena on Mar. 4-6. Each team will play the teams in its division twice and each team in the other two divisions once for an 18-game slate. The top three teams from each division and three wild card teams will advance to the tournament which will be held over two weekends.

The top six teams will host first-round games on Feb. 27. The teams will be re-seeded following first round action with the four lower seeded teams competing in the second round on Mar. 4. The top two remaining seeds following the first round will earn a bye into the semifinal round on Mar. 5.

The complete 2010-11 GLVC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll follows…