ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference and the men's basketball coaches have selected the Cougars to finish fifth in the 2012-13 season. Minnesota Morris received 24 points just three behind Crown. Bethany Lutheran was selected as pre-season favorites. RELEASE
 
The Vikings received 48 points and six first place votes finishing just four points ahead of Northwestern who had 44 and two first place votes. St. Scholastica finished with 37, followed by Crown and UMM. The poll rounded out with North Central - 18 votes, Northland -11 and Martin Luther -10.
 
Minnesota Morris kicks of their season on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. as they will host Concordia Moorhead. The next day they travel to take on Minnesota State Moorhead at 8:00 p.m. The next week the Cougars will take on Jamestown on Tuesday November 20^th as their last game prior to Thanksgiving.
 
The Cougars played an exhibition game against the Augustana Vikings falling by just seven 70-63. The Cougars were led by RJ Dean and Steve Birman, two players that were not on the roster in 2011-12. Dean was the UMAC Freshman of the Year in 2011 for Northland and Birman was the Cougars leading scorer in 2010-11.
 
Morris also welcomes back Brendon Foss was named to the UMAC All-Defensive Team last season. Starter Logan Orazem returns as well after starting all 26 last season averaging 7.0 points per game and led the team with 31 made three pointers. Ben Hoidal also returns after starting in 23 games in 2011-12.
 
Off the bench Evan Reller, Jeremy Burns and Brodie Raymond all return after playing in at least 24 games. The three combined for about 18 points and seven rebounds per game.
 
Listen to Paul Grove talk about his 2012-13 squad which he said should be more guard oriented and the team will be hungry to reach their goals.