By Union Athletics

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. — Union College men’s basketball will open the 2019-20 season as the No. 17-ranked team in the land, according to the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll released on Wednesday.

The Bulldogs received a total of 147 total voting points to check in at No. 17. Union ended last season No. 9 in the final poll.

The favorite to win the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) championship in 2019-20, Union is coming off a 26-7 campaign. The Bulldogs won the 2018-19 AAC regular-season championship with an 18-4 league mark. Union went on to win the conference tournament, stretching its streak of claiming both titles in the same season to six years.

Two other AAC squads received votes. Montreat College (N.C.) collected 35 points to fall four spots outside the top 25, while Milligan College (Tenn.) garnered six to land tied for 35th.

Defending national champion Spring Arbor (Mich.) opens the year ranked No. 1. The Cougars went 30-7 last season, posting their first 30-win campaign in program history.

Union will open the season against two top-15 squads. Playing at the Caleb Dimmich Memorial Classic, Union will open up against No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan on Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. before facing No. 14 IU East on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Indiana Wesleyan is hosting the event.