ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Sporting News 2014-15 College Basketball Yearbook has hit the newsstands and Coach Grey Giovanine's Augustana squad checks in at number three in the publication's preseason Top 10. Amherst (27-4, final four in 2014), who adds a pair of Division I transfers this year, holds down the top spot in the rankings. Reigning national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater (29-4), which defeated the Vikings in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Division III tournament, is ranked second. The Warhawks visit Carver Center on December 10, 2014.
 
"It is always nice to generate national recognition for our program," said Giovanine. "We aspire to be a top-20 nationally ranked team every year. That is where we want our team to be consistently."

Augustana finished 20-8 a year ago and defeated St. Thomas in the first round of the NCAA tournament before being eliminated by UW-Whitewater. The Vikings return all 15 letter winners from that club, including 11 players who started at least one contest.
 
2014 national runner-up Williams (28-5) and Cabrini (26-2) rounded out TSN's top five
 
In addition, Augustana junior point guard Hunter Hill (Byron HS, Byron, Ill.), who won team MVP honors last year, earned honorable mention on The Sporting News' 2014-15 preseason All-America team.
 
The Vikings open the 2014-15 season with an exhibition contest at Bradley on November 6 at 7:00 p.m.
  
2014-15 The Sporting News Division III Top Ten
1. Amherst (27-4)
2. UW-Whitewater (29-4)
3. AUGUSTANA (20-8)
4. Williams (28-5)
5. Cabrini (26-2)
6. Albertus Magnus (28-3)
7. Dickinson (24-7)
8. Randolph-Macon (20-7)
9. Virginia Wesleyan (24-7)
10. Rhode Island College (20-9)