LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The 2009-10 Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) Preseason Basketball Polls were released Wednesday (10/21). All sixteen coaches (eight men, eight women) participated in the polling on the regular season finish of the teams. The coaches could not vote for their own team, leading to 49 points and seven first place votes being possible.

IU Southeast is predicted first in KIAC men's basketball, winning all seven possible first place votes. 

IU East is selected to finish second with 38 points. Both IU Southeast and IU East teams squared off in 2009 at the KIAC Conference Tournament Final in Pippa Passes, Kentucky with the Grenadiers coming away with the conference title.

Brescia University joins the KIAC in basketball in 2009 and is projected third with 34 points by the voters. Berea College (31 points) is selected as fourth this year, which could prove crucial if it holds true because of the new postseason tournament format.

The top four teams host first round games in the KIAC postseason tournament this season, before moving to Frankfort for the semifinals and final. Asbury College (30), Alice Lloyd College (20), Cincinnati Christian University (15) and St. Louis College of Pharmacy (7) are predicted in that order to round out the poll.

1.   IU Southeast (49 Votes, 7 First Place Votes)

2.   IU East (38 Votes, 1 First Place Vote)

3.   Brescia University (34 Votes)

4.   Berea College (31 Votes)

5.   Asbury College (30 Votes)

6.   Alice Lloyd College (20 Votes)

7.   Cincinnati Christian (15 Votes)

8.   St. Louis Pharmacy (7 Votes)

The Grenadiers return all five starters from last season's team that finished first in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC). With seven seniors and a lot of experience returning the bench, this looks to be the most promising year for the Grenadier men's basketball program.

During his second year at the helm of the program, Brown led the Grenadiers to a 24-8 overall season record combined with a 10-1 conference record which earned the team a No. 16-ranking in the final NAIA Top-25 Coaches Poll.

Brown also guided the team to both a KIAC regular-season title and a KIAC tournament championship which earned the squad a bid to the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship in Point Lookout, Mo.

In Point Lookout, the Grenadiers accomplished something that had never been done before in school history by winning their first round game at the national tournament. Advancing to the Sweet Sixteen, the Grenadiers fell just short of advancing to the final round of eight teams, a mark they strive to achieve this year.

Check out the Quick Facts on this year's men's basketball team!