BLUE DRAGONS OPEN AT NO. 15 IN NJCAA PRESEASON MBB POLL

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team opened the new season as a nationally ranked team on Monday, returning to the preseason NJCAA Men's Division I national preseason poll after a one-season-hiatus.

The Blue Dragons open the 2024-25 season ranked No. 15. The Blue Dragons are one of four Jayhawk Conference teams ranked in the Top 25 and 1 of 5 teams receiving mention in the national rankings.

Last week, the Dragons were picked to finish second in the KJCCC preseason coaches' poll.

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The Blue Dragons were 29-7 last season and went 20-4 in the KJCCC to place third in the league. The Dragons reached the Region 6 Tournament championship game and earned an at-large bid for the 2024 NJCAA Tournament. Hutchinson advanced to the national tournament quarterfinals after wins against USC-Salkehatchie and Chipola before falling to Connors State.

Hutchinson has just one player returning from last year, guard Kobe Smith 6.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists last season.

South Plains received 14 of the 16 first-place votes in the preseason rankings and is No. 1 to start the season. Defending national champion Barton received the other two first-place votes and starts the season ranked No. 2.

Daytona State is No. 3, Triton is No. 4 and Trinity Valley is No. 5.

The Blue Dragons are the second-highest-ranked KJCCC team in the national poll at No. 15. Garden City is No. 19 and Cowley is No. 25. Coffeyville is receiving votes in the preseason poll.

Before the Blue Dragons officially open the season, they have one more one preseason scrimmage at 4 p.m. on Monday when they play host to Newman University in a home scrimmage on Monday at the Sports Arena.

The Dragons officially open the Kyle Fisher era on Tuesday, November 5 against Hesston College.