October 23, 2012

For Immediate Release

Fort Wayne, Ind. – For the second straight season, the Indiana Tech men’s basketball team will enter the new campaign ranked in the top 25 in the country, coming in at No. 25 in the 2012-13 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll announced by the national office on Tuesday.

The Warriors are one of four teams from the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) ranked or receiving votes. The other schools are Davenport University at No. 11, Cornerstone University at No. 20, and Madonna University receiving votes.

Indiana Tech returns four veterans, including Preseason All-Conference selection Jordan Hickman (Bardstown, KY/Vincennes), from last year’s squad that posted an overall record of 23-8 and reached the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since 2008. Hickman, the floor general for the Warriors, was Tech’s third leading scorer a season ago and was the team’s top three-point shooter. The 6-3 guard also ranked among the league leaders in assists.

Head Coach Al Grushkin enters his third year at the helm after leading his team to one of its most successful seasons in recent years. During his time on the bench at Tech, Grushkin has rejuvenated the program, compiling a record of 45-19. He has also turned Indiana Tech into one of the toughest defensive teams in the nation. Over the past two seasons, the Warriors have ranked in the top-10 in scoring defense per game and field goal percent defense allowing just 58 points per game while limiting opponents to 40 percent shooting.

The Warriors open their season with three straight home games beginning with Indiana Dabney University on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m.

To see the complete NAIA Preseason Top 25 click here

For more information on Indiana Tech athletics please call the Athletic Office at 260-422-5561 ext. 2492 or visit our website at http://www.indianatech.edu/athletics