Panthers predicted 3rd
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has been voted as the frontrunner in the 2018-19 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball championship race. The Fightin' Engineers received seven first place votes in the coaches' preseason poll, and garnered 96 points overall in the poll. Transylvania University received 86 points and the one first place vote to follow behind Rose-Hulman.
Hanover College has been forecasted as the third place team by receiving 80 points and the final two first place votes in the poll. Anderson's 62 points placed the Ravens fourth and were followed by Mount St. Joseph University (61 points) in fifth position. Franklin College (50), Bluffton University (39), Earlham College (36), Defiance College and Manchester University (20) round out the poll.
Rose-Hulman will be looking to capture its second-straight HCAC title this winter. The Fightin' Engineers posted a 17-10 overall record and a 14-4 mark in the HCAC. Rose-Hulman was defeated by Hanover with a score of 80-70 in the HCAC Tournament Championship last season.
Hanover has won the last two HCAC Post Season Tournaments going to the NCAA Division III tournament.