The 2009-10 Midwest Collegiate Conference men's basketball preseason poll has been released, and the vote of league coaches has projected Grand View as a heavy favorite in the conference this season.

The Vikings received eight of nine first-place votes and with 79 points overall easily outdistanced second-place William Penn. The Statesmen finished with 62 points and the other first-place vote in the poll.

Grand View finished 26-9 last season and won the MCC regular season title with a 14-2 league mark. The Vikings advanced to the second round of the NAIA Division II national tourney, where they gave top seed Oklahoma Wesleyan a battle before losing 74-68 to the eventual national champions.

"We are honored and flattered to have been chosen to finish in first place," said GVU Head Coach Denis Schaefer. "It is a compliment to last year's team and our returning players. Being picked first doesn't make us win games (and) we are working hard with the ultimate goal of returning to the national tournament in March."

MCC Men's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Grand View - 79 points (8 first-place votes)
2. William Penn - 62 points (1 first-place vote)
3. Mount Mercy - 55 points
4. Viterbo - 53 points
5. St. Ambrose - 52 points
6. Ashford - 40 points
7. Iowa Wesleyan - 35 points
8. Waldorf - 15 points
9. Clarke - 14 points