Both The Sporting News and DIII News recognized the John Carroll University men's basketball team as a top ten program according to preseason polls released this week.

According to the poll published by The Sporting News, the Blue Streaks are the seventh ranked team in the nation. DIII News tabbed John Carroll as the ninth best team in its annual top 25 ranking. Two-time defending Division III national champion Washington university (MO) was picked first in both polls.

John Carroll is coming off a 25-5 campaign in which it captured both the regular season and tournament titles in the Ohio Athletic Conference. As part of a school-record 21-game winning streak, JCU advanced to the round of 16 in the 2009 NCAA Division III Championship.

The Blue Streaks return all five starters and its top 11 scorers from a year ago. Among the returning players is senior Rudy Kirbus, who was tabbed by The Sporting News as a preseason Division III honorable mention All-America.

JCU opens its 2009-2010 campaign with an exhibition contest at Cleveland State on November 9, and starts its regular season at Olivet College on November 15.