CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Defending American Mideast Conference co-champion Cedarville was voted to finish as the runner-up in the South Division this winter in a pre-season poll of the men's basketball coaches.

The league has moved the 12 men's basketball programs back to two divisions of six teams each. The Yellow Jackets, 27-4 overall and 12-1 AMC last year, were given two-of-six first-place votes and 32 total points among South Division coaches.

Edging CU in the poll was Walsh, who shared the 2008-09 AMC title with the Jackets. The Cavaliers took the other four first-place votes and had 33 points.

The rest of the South results in order of points included Northwestern Ohio, Mount Vernon Nazarene, Shawnee State, and Wilberforce.

Cedarville opens the season on Nov. 6 against Cumberlands (Ky.) at the Rio Grande Classic.

[2009-10 PRE-SEASON AMC MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES' POLL]