Press Release

Oct. 15, 2007

Bearcats Ranked Fourth By Sporting News Magazine

MARYVILLE, Mo.-Northwest Missouri State men's basketball is the preseason fourth-ranked team in the nation according to Sporting News magazine. The October issue of the publication has the Bearcats listed behind South Dakota, last year's national runner-up Winona State and Grand Valley State. Northwest is the only MIAA team represented in the poll.

In addition, reigning MIAA Most Valuable Player Hunter Henry was named to the publication's preseason All-America Team. The junior from Lenexa, Kan., is a second-team selection. Henry averaged 17.6 points and 7.5 rebounds in 31 games last season.

The Bearcats were 24-7 last year and were the co-champions of the MIAA. Northwest made its seventh NCAA tournament appearance in the last eight years and beat Pittsburg State in the first round before falling in the round of 32.

Head Coach Steve Tappmeyer enters his 20th season at Northwest with 372 wins, the most in program history. He earned his fourth MIAA Coach of the Year award in 2006-07 and returns his four leading scorers and seven letterwinners total in 2007-08.

A full listing of the Sporting News' preseason rankings and All-America teams follows:

Division II Top 10
1. South Dakota
2. Winona State (Minn.)
3. Grand Valley State (Mich.)
4. Northwest Missouri State
5. Metropolitan State (Colo.)
6. Augusta State (Ga.)
7. Southern Indiana
8. West Virginia State
9. Christian Brothers (Tenn.)
10. Alaska-Anchorage

All-America Team
First Team
Tyrekus "A.J." Bowman, Augusta State (Ga.)
Steve Dagostino, Saint Rose (N.Y.)
Callistus Eziukwu, Grand Valley State (Mich.)
Jonte Flowers, Winona State (Minn.)
John Smith, Winona State (Minn.)

Second Team
Sean Barnette, Wingate (N.C.)
Brad Byerson, Virginia Union
Dylan Grimsley, South Dakota
Hunter Henry, Northwest Missouri State
Ted Scott, West Virginia State