Fresno Pacific third-year coach Jim Saia predicted this summer he'd have a men's basketball team that might challenge for the NAIA championship. He's not the only one.

The Sunbirds were ranked No. 3 in the preseason poll released today. Saia's team received fourth first-place votes, more than any other team. Robert Morris (Ill.) was No. 1 with 301 votes, Mountain State University (West Va.) was second with 297 votes and Fresno Pacific had 287 points.

Fresno Pacific is coming off a 26-8 season and a Golden State Athletic Conference championship. The Sunbirds open the season at 7 p.m. against Holy Names at home Friday. Check our their full schedule.