The Ohio Northern men's basketball team has been picked to finish sixth in the 2017-18 Ohio Athletic Conference coaches poll, voted on by league coaches.
Northern received 46 points in the poll and is seeking its third consecutive upper division finish under second-year head coach Rich Bensman.
Marietta was selected to repeat as conference champions with 80 points and eight first place votes, Baldwin Wallace was picked to finish second with 63 points and John Carroll was picked to finish third with 62 points and one first place vote.
Bensman returns two starters and 14 lettermen from last year's squad that finished 16-10 overall and was second in the OAC with a 14-4 league mark.
The Polar Bears will play at Toledo on Nov. 14 in an exhibition game and will open the 2017-18 season Nov. 20 at area-rival Defiance.
