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The Illinois Springfield men's basketball team has been voted to finish second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) in the preseason poll released by the league office on Tuesday. This mirrors last season's prediction, where the Prairie Stars also secured the second spot in the preseason rankings.

Truman State topped the poll with 172 points and six first-place votes, while UIS followed closely with 162 points and two first-place votes. Reigning tournament champion William Jewell rounded out the top three with 161 points and four first-place votes, highlighting the competitive landscape in the conference.

Last season, UIS entered the postseason as the sixth seed in the GLVC tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals before losing to the third-seed Lewis. This year, with a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, the Prairie Stars are determined to capitalize on their favorable preseason ranking and aim for an deep tournament run.

UIS will kick off its season by hosting the Midwest Regional Crossover, facing Roosevelt on Saturday, Nov. 9, and Parkside on Sunday, Nov. 10. GLVC play will begin at TRAC on Saturday, Nov. 30 when the Prairie Stars host Missouri-St. Louis.