BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Augustana men's basketball team was tabbed second overall in the Preseason NSIC Coaches' Poll announced by the league Thursday morning. Junior Matt Cartwright was named a Player to Watch.
 
The Vikings, coming off an NSIC South Division Championship, were picked to finish second in both the overall NSIC poll and the south division. Augustana earned six first-place votes in the overall poll and three first-place votes in the south division-specific poll. Minnesota State, one of three teams along with the Vikings to earn a co-championship in the division last season, was named the preseason favorite.
 
Augustana is coming off an 18-11 campaign that saw it go 14-8 in NSIC action. The Vikings did not have a senior on last year's team and return Cartwright, the squad's top scorer at 16 points per game.
 
The Vikings also bring back Adam Dykman who played in just one game last year before injury but averaged 10.9 points per game as a sophomore in 2017-18. Other top returners include Tyler Riemersma and Michael Schaefer, who each scored 13.7 points per game.
 
Cartwright, picked as a player to watch, ranked 12^th in the NSIC a season ago with his points per game average while ranking fourth in the league hitting 42.5 percent of his 3-point field goal attempts.
 
Augustana opens the season with the Opening Weekend Conference Challenge Nov. 9-10 against Arkansas-Monticello and Central Missouri. The following weekend, the Vikings will play at the East/West Challenge against Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines in Spearfish, South Dakota.
 
The home opener is slated for Nov. 21 against Buena Vista in the Elmen Center while the Vikings make their much-anticipated debut at their new home, the Sanford Pentagon, on Dec. 6 hosting Winona State. An exhibition game against Concordia-Moorhead is scheduled for Nov. 1 inside the Pentagon, a night set to honor Sanford Health & a Legacy of Leadership.

Fans are also encouraged to support Augustana Athletics by joining the A-Club, helping to build champions in the classroom, in competition, and in the community. For more information on the A-Club and priority seating benefits for members, visit GoAugie.com/Aclub.
 
Season and single-game tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at GoAugie.com/tickets.


 
Full Preseason Poll
1.    Minnesota State (7)
2.    Augustana (6)
3.    Minnesota Duluth (3)
4.    Northern State
5.    MSU Moorhead
6.    Winona State
7.    Minnesota Crookston
8.    St. Cloud State
9.    Bemidji State
10.  Sioux Falls
       Wayne State
12.  Southwest Minnesota State
13.  Upper Iowa
14.  University of Mary
15.  Minot State
16.  Concordia-St. Paul
 
South Division
1.    Minnesota State (5)
2.    Augustana (3)
3.    Winona State
4.    Sioux Falls
5.    Wayne State
6.    Southwest Minnesota State
7.    Upper Iowa
8.    Concordia-St. Paul
 
North Division
1.    Minnesota Duluth (7)
2.    Northern State (1)
3.    Minnesota State Moorhead
4.    Minnesota Crookston
5.    Bemidji State
6.    St. Cloud State
7.    University of Mary
8.    Minot State