Oklahoma Baptist is picked to finish atop the Sooner Athletic Conference in men's basketball for 2012-13, according to the SAC Coaches' Poll released Thursday.

The Bison have no starters returning from last year's NAIA runner-up squad.

"It just shows how wide open the league really is this year," said OBU Head Coach Doug Tolin. "Every game is going to be difficult and every game is more important this year because there are so few conference games. We would be very happy to be there at the end."

OBU received seven of nine first-place votes and coaches were not permitted to include their teams in the ranking. The Bison had 63 points in the poll. Rogers State had the other two first-place votes and 56 points.

John Brown is third in the poll with 50 points and Lubbock Christian fourth at 40. Oklahoma City, with 39 points, is the middle team in the nine-team ranking at fifth.

USAO is ranked sixth with 28 points, followed by Wayland Baptist with 22, Mid-America Christian with 14 and St. Gregory's with 12.

The first games of the season are Oct. 30.

2012-13 SAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Oklahoma Baptist (7)         63

2. Rogers State (2)                 56

3. John Brown                        50

4. Lubbock Christian             40

5. Oklahoma City                   39

6. Science & Arts Oklahoma 28

7. Wayland Baptist                22

8. Mid-America Christian      14

9. St. Gregory's                      12