LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Rio Grande has been picked to finish eighth in the 2012-13 Mid-South Conference preseason men’s basketball coaches poll.

The RedStorm actually tied rival Shawnee State for the No. 8 position after both teams received 28 points in the balloting. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

Head coach Ken French returns three starters and seven lettermen from last year’s squad, which finished 14-18 overall and 4-12 in league play.

Georgetown College topped the poll, receiving 85 voting points from the conference coaches, including five of the 11 first-place votes.

The Tigers finished second during the Mid-South regular season race last season before making a run to the NAIA National Tournament quarterfinals—the best finish for a MSC team.

University of Pikeville was second in the preseason poll with 80 voting points and four first-place votes. The Bears finished 17-12 last season after winning the program’s first national title in 2010-11.

Defending regular season champion Lindsey Wilson College was third with 74 voting points and one first-place vote. The Blue Raiders captured their first outright MSC regular season title a year ago with a 12-4 league mark.

University of the Cumberlands—last season’s MSC Tournament champion—is fourth in the preseason poll with 68 voting points and the final first-place vote.

Campbellsville University (57 voting points) grabbed fifth place and was followed by St. Catharine College (52) and MSC newcomer Cumberland University (46).

Behind the tie for eighth between Rio and Shawnee was UVA-Wise in 10th place with 17 points and Bluefield College in 11th with 15 points. Bluefield is also in its first season as a member of the MSC.

The Mid-South Conference regular season tips-off on November 15, 2012 with the MSC Tournament set for March 1-3 in Frankfort, Ky.