SAN ANGELO – Sporting News awards Angelo State basketball the No. 5 national ranking in its preseason top 10 poll.

The Rams, who will be returning all but three of its 2015-16 team members, joins fellow Lone Star Conference member No. 9 West Texas A&M, as well as fellow South Central Regional members No. 4 Arkansas – Fort Smith and No. 7 Colorado School of the Mines in the top 10. Also making the cut is No.1 West Liberty, No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas, No. 3 Alaska- Anchorage, No. 6 Queens University, No. 8 Saginaw Valley State and No. 10 St. Cloud State.

"I think it's a good thing for the program and the University," commented ASU Head Basketball Coach Cinco Boone. "I also believe that with teams like West Texas A&M, Colorado School of Mines and Arkansas – Forth Smith in the mix it speaks highly of both the conference and the South Central Region that we play in.  Having said that, we know that it's not about where you start the year, but where you finish it."

ASU will be seeking to make its third straight NCAA tournament berth as it looks to maintain its strong defense that held opponents to 42.4 percent shooting from the field last season. The Rams will look to the experience of returning starters Thomas Tshikaya, Quay King and Prince Foster to lead them back.   Boone will have a different look inside this season, adding size from DI transfers Justin Hollins and Brandon Williams.

The Rams tip-off its 2016-17 season on November 2 with an exhibition against NCAA Division I contender University of Texas in Austin. ASU will then continue the road trip with an exhibition against Division I University of Houston on November 11.  The team will then host Houston-Tillotson College in its home opener for the Ed Messbarger Classic. With the Lone Star Conference adding members Western New Mexico and UT- Permian Basin in 2016, the Rams will begin its LSC slate prior to the Christmas Break with 2015-16 LSC Champions Midwestern State University on December 8 in Wichita Falls.          

Sporting News

2016-17 Preseason Poll

1.       West Liberty

2.        St. Thomas Aquinas

3.       Alaska- Anchorage

4.       Arkansas – Fort Smith

5.       Angelo State

6.       Queens University

7.       Colorado School of the Mines

8.       Saginaw Valley State

9.       West Texas A&M

10.   St. Cloud Stat