With six of its top seven scorers returning from last season, the St. Ambrose men's basketball team is getting respect from within the conference and across the country.

The Bees were picked as Midwest Collegiate Conference favorites in a preseason poll of conference coaches. The team is also ranked #23 in the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll, the first national ranking for the Bees since the team was #15 on Oct. 26, 2005.

SAU finished 18-13 overall and 9-7 in the MCC last season. First team all-conference forward Mike Kennedy returns for his junior season after averaging a team-best 16.5 points and 7.1 rebounds a year ago. Reigning MCC Newcomer of the Year Justin Tiner is also back after averaging 13.8 points, 3.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game in the backcourt.

Junior guard/forward Chris Donnelly also hit for double digits last year, averaging 10.6 points to go along with 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks.

The Bees do need to replace the post production of Alex Burkle, who graduated after surpassing the 1,000-point plateau last season. SAU has options with seniors Bryce Davis and Joe Speth both back in the fold. Davis averaged 7.3 points and 5.3 rebounds while Speth put up 2.5 points and 2.0 boards.

Along with Tiner, the Bees return other experience in the backcourt in senior Bren Gillespie (4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds), junior Matt Coakley (3.5 points, 2.1 assists, 1.8 rebounds) and sophomore Justin Blondell (2.9 points, 1.5 assists, 1.2 rebounds).

With the returning talent and a promising group of newcomers, SAU hopes to return to the NAIA National Championships for the first time since 2005.

The Bees tip off the 2010-11 season at home against Graceland at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2.