SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. — Richard Bland College has been ranked No. 14 in the 2016-17 NJCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll, released Monday afternoon. The Statesmen finished 15-17 overall a year ago, including 8-10 in Region X, and return five lettermen for the upcoming campaign. Richard Bland will open its season at home against No. 18 Northern Virginia Community College on Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. at Statesman Hall.

It’s the first time that Richard Bland has been ranked among the Top 20 since last year’s preseason ranking of No. 3, that followed the Statesmen winning the 2015 NJCAA Division II National Championship. Fourth-year head coach Chuck Moore’s 2014-15 squad finished a school-record 32-4 while winning the national title that year. Coach Moore is 74-25 overall through three years at the helm of the Statesmen, including 40-16 in Region X contests.

Kirkwood (Iowa) Community College, the 2016 NJCAA Division II National Champion, is ranked No. 1 in this year’s preseason poll that also includes Region X member Louisburg (N.C.) College at No. 10, as well as opening-game opponent NOVA at No. 18. Cape Fear (N.C.) Community College, who the Statesmen will host on Nov. 19 during the Richard Bland Classic, is ranked No. 18 in the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll.

The complete NJCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll can also be found below.

Glen Thomas