GREAT DANES SELECTED THIRD: The Northeast Conference preseason poll was released on Wednesday and the University at Albany has been chosen to finish third in the 2010 standings.

Central Connecticut State was selected to capture the NEC championship with four first-place votes. Robert Morris had three first-place votes and was picked second.

The Great Danes, who have won or shared four NEC championships, reached the seven-win mark for the fourth consecutive season in 2009. For the first time, the NEC winner will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

"We graduated 17 seniors and many of the best we have had in the program," said UAlbany coach Bob Ford. "The cupboard is not bare. We have untested talent and only time will tell. The offensive and defensive lines are competent, and that's a good place to start."