Men's Basketball Earns First-Ever National Ranking
MEN'S BASKETBALL RANKED 25TH IN D3HOOPS.COM TOP 25 PRESEASON POLL
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Oct. 23, 2008 - Elms College earned its first-ever national ranking as it was voted 25th in the preseason men's basketball D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll announced on Thursday, October 23.
The Blazers received a total of 94 votes among the national panel of 25 coaches, sports information directors and media members.
The Blazers, who won a school-record 23 games (23-7) and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship last season, return five starters, including guards Juan Galdon (Holyoke, MA) and Aswad Thomas (Hartford, CT), who combined to average 28.3 points and 6.6 assists in 2007-08.
In all, Elms College returns 82-percent of its scoring offense and 78-percent of its total rebounding from a record-setting season in which the Blazers became the first team in any sport in school-history to win a NCAA Championship tournament game following a 71-53 win over Scranton.
Under eighth-year head coach Ed Silva, the Blazers have enjoyed unprecedented success. In his first seven seasons, Coach Silva has guided the program to a record of 118-77 (.608 winning percentage), including four consecutive conference tournament titles and NCAA Division III Championship berths.
Elms College opens its 11th season when it hosts Regis in the first round of the Blazers Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, November 15 at 4:00 p.m.