Grinnell lost in the Midwest Conference semifinals after a 13-game winning streak and did not get in the NCAA Tournament at 17-7. Can the Pioneers return to the playoffs for the first time since 2001? The conference coaches think so, as they have picked Grinnell over another set of Pioneers, Carroll, which reached the Sweet 16. Carroll was the third MWC team to reach the sectional semifinals in four seasons. Read more

It might not be much of a surprise to see where Augustana ranks -- at the top of the CCIW men's preseason poll, but it is certainly interesting to see where the rest of the conference shakes out. Illinois Wesleyan isn't the only CCIW team in an unfamiliar position. Check out the CCIW men's preseason poll, from top to bottom.

The WIAC women's race appears to be fairly wide open after a great senior class departed from UW-Stout. The three-time defending champs return six players who saw time in all 29 games last year but lost two-time conference MVP Kelsey Duoss and got just one first-place vote. Who got the nod in the preseason poll? It's a tight race.

Elsewhere, expect familiar faces on top of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference, especially in the women's race. The men's race doesn't have one clear favorite, however. The Northern Athletics Conference, in its second season, won't have an automatic bid in basketball until 2009 but picks Aurora and Concordia (Wis.) on top.

Also, check out season previews, posted by schools.