The Cowboys coming off a 26-5 record and three consecutive Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference championships returns three starters.
The Cowboys under Muses tutelage has posted a 127-31 record over the past three years averaging 27.5 victories.
Connors backcourt will be handled by seasoned veterans Chris Crawford, transfer from Oral Roberts University at point guard and Bill Muse Jr., at shooting guard.
The front line will be tall and talented which includes Adarius Avery, 6-7, Zaph Bobb, 6-7, Braydon Powell 6-7 (transfer from Mississippi Valley State) Daniel Melifonwu 6-9 transfer from Southern Utah and 6-10 Kingsley Nwagoso, who played on Great Britains U-20 team this summer.
Northwest Florida State sits atop the poll followed by Georgia Highlands, Lee, Texas, Hutchinson, Kan., and Salt Lake City is fifth.
Sixth through 10th are Trinity Valley, Texas, Cape Fear, N.C., Eastern Florida State, Connors State and Vincennes, Ind. Is No. 10.
No other Region II team is among the top 25 in the Sporting News preseason basketball rankings.