Three in Top Ten of Sporting News Poll

R-MC, EMU and VWC Among Nation's Best

FOREST, Va. --- Randolph-Macon College heads three ODAC schools listed in the Sporting News 2010-11 College Basketball Preview magazine preseason poll, on newsstands now.  The Yellow Jackets are ranked #3 while Eastern Mennonite University sits sixth and Virginia Wesleyan College ranks 10th.

All three schools joined Guilford College in the 2010 NCAA Division III Tournament, giving the ODAC the most representation of any conference with teams in the field.  Guilford and Randolph-Macon both made the national semifinals in Salem, Va.  Eastern Mennonite fell to Guilford in the sectional finals.

Randolph-Macon finished the 2009-10 season with 26 wins, third-most in program history.  The Yellow Jackets return their top 12 scorers, including seven seniors that averaged at least eight minutes of playing time under head coach Nathan Davis.  One of those seniors, center Brandon Braxton, was named a Preseason Honorable Mention All-American by the Sporting News.

Eastern Mennonite and head coach Kirby Dean welcome back four starters and 12 letterman from its school record-setting team in 2009-10.  Guard Todd Phillips was named a Preseason First Team All-American by the Sporting News after posting 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.  Also back are starters George Johnson, D.J. Hinson and Orie Pancione, as well as sixth man and postseason starter Eli Crawford .

Virginia Wesleyan and head coach Dave Macedo have boasted large freshman classes the past few season that see the 2010-11 Marlins loaded with sophomore and junior talent.  Preseason Honorable Mention All-American Donald Vaughn heads the group.  He receive plenty of support from players like Chris Astorga and Ed Roberts as VWC welcomes back four of its top six scorers.

For more information on ODAC basketball, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's website at www.odaconline.com.