SPEARFISH, S.D. – For the first time since the culmination of back-to-back final four runs at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, the Black Hills State University men's basketball team finds themselves ranked inside of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) NCAA Division II Top-25 Poll, appearing at No. 17 in the preseason rankings released on Tuesday morning. It marks just the second time in program history that the Yellow Jackets have been ranked to start the season, also occurring in the 2022-23 season when they began the year at No. 10.

Black Hills State has played a total of 40 games as a ranked team during their NCAA Division II era, all under head coach Ryan Thompson during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, accumulating a 33-7 record during that time span. The Yellow Jackets are one of three teams from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) to be ranked or receiving votes, joining No. 10 Colorado School of Mines and (RV) Colorado Mesa. Additionally, they are one of seven ranked or receiving votes in the South Central Region, as Lone Star Conference foes Dallas Baptist appears at No. 3, Lubbock Christian is No. 25, St. Mary's (Texas) is receiving votes, and West Texas A&M is receiving votes.

The Green & Gold are set to tip-off the season in Denver, Colorado, on Sunday, November 16, and Monday, November 17, as they face Sul Ross State and Texas A&M International. The schedule sets up for four games against teams ranked or receiving votes in the preseason top-25, including non-conference opponent MSU Moorhead who is receiving votes.