Photo Credit: Michigan Tech

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Division II Bulletin has tabbed Michigan Tech as the national favorite in women’s basketball in its season preview issue released today. The Huskies, led by seventh-year head coach John Barnes, return all five starters from last year’s team that went 27-7 and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight.

The No. 1 ranking is the highest in program’s storied history that includes nine Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and two trips to the national quarterfinals.

“It’s a great honor for our program and all the players from past and present who have worked so hard to make this program what it is today,” said Barnes, who was the 2008-09 GLIAC Coach of the Year. “I’m happy that our program has garnered this type of national recognition.

“That said, it doesn’t give us any wins. We have a lot of work to do in the preseason to try to live up to the expectations.”

Three other Elite Eight teams from a year ago are ranked in the top five in No. 2 Franklin Pierce (N.H.), No. 3 Delta State (Miss.) and No. 5 California (Pa.). Indianapolis, the team Tech defeated in the Midwest Regional Final, comes in at No. 4.

Grand Valley State is the only other GLIAC team in the top 25 at No. 13.

Tech’s 2009-10 basketball season will officially begin Nov. 15 with a trip to Minnesota Duluth. The Huskies will start preseason practice on the national start date of Oct. 15.

The full Division II Bulletin Preseason Poll is below. Copies of the publication can be ordered at smallcollegehoops.com.

1. Michigan Tech
2. Franklin Pierce (N.H.)
3. Delta State (Miss.)
4. Indianapolis
5. California (Pa.)
6. Stonehill (Pa.)
7. Emporia State (Kan.)
8. Fort Lewis (Colo.)
9. Holy Family (Pa.)
10. UC San Diego
11. Central Oklahoma
12. Minnesota State Mankato
13. Grand Valley State (Mich.)
14. Alaska Anchorage
15. West Texas A&M
16. Clayton State (Ga.)
17. Tampa (Fla.)
18. Northern Kentucky
19. Indiana (Pa.)
20. Philadelphia (Pa.)
21. Gannon (Pa.)
22. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.)
23. West Liberty (W.Va.)
24. Seattle Pacific (Wash.)
25. Columbus State (Ga.)