The Heartland Conference announced late last week several preseason conference honors, and the St. Mary’s Rattlers men’s basketball team dominated both lists that were unveiled.

Heartland Conference head coaches and sports information directors selected St. Mary’s (45 points) as the preseason favorite to win the conference title, edging Montana State-Billings University by one point for the top spot.

St. Mary’s, which advanced to the first round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament last season, shared the conference crown a year ago with a 23-7 overall record.

Also receiving individual honors were senior wing Steve Goff and sophomore post Joe Allen, both of whom were named to the Men’s Preseason All-Conference Team. The Rattlers are the only team with multiple players represented.

Allen ranked second on the Rattlers last season with 12.6 points per game and was named the Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year. Goff started two games in his debut with the Rattlers last season, finishing second on the team in three-point shooting percentage (33.1 percent).

The Rattlers open regular season play at home against Texas A&M University-Kingsville at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16.

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