The Iowa Western men's basketball program will begin the 2009-2010 season having already been given the program's highest national ranking.  This week's NJCAA preseason poll placed the Reivers No. 2 behind Central Florida Community College.  Iowa Western's previously highest ranking was in the 2006-2007 season when they reached the No. 3 spot.

Head Coach Jim Morris believes that it is a good recognition, but quickly acknowledges that the 2005-2006 Reivers hold the "true" highest ranking in program history, when they reached the NJCAA Final Four in Hutchinson, Kansas and finished No.4 in the polls that year. "There are alot of very good basketball teams out there," commented Morris. "To pick teams this time of year is difficult, but it is nice people think we have a solid team.  The season will determine if those people were correct and that's the challenge."

Iowa Western begins the 2009-2010 campaign Wednesday, November 4, at Kanesville Arena against a strong Lee College (Texas) program.

NJCAA Preseason Top 30:
1) Central Florida
2) Iowa Western
3) Midland (TX)
4) Three Rivers (MO)
5) North Idaho
6) Southwestern Illinois
7) Tallahassee (FL)
8) Navarro (TX)
9) Wallace State – Hanceville (AL)
10) South Plains (TX)
11) Kankakee (IL)
12) Connors State (OK)
13) Chipola (FL)
14) Southeastern (IA)
15) North Platte (NE)
16) Salt Lake (UT)
17) Arizona Western
18) Harcum (PA)
19) Holmes (MS)
20) Monroe (NY)
21) North Dakota State College of Science
22) Chattanooga State (TN)
23) Allegany (MD)
24) Lon Morris (TX)
25) Coffeyville (KS)
26) Cochise (AZ)
27) John A. Logan (IL)
28) Highland (IL)
29) South Georgia Tech
30) Cape Fear (NC)