MINNEAPOLIS -- The Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference has always been a power in the MCLA Division II landscape and that will be no different this year. Leading the league into the 2016 campaign will be North Dakota State University, as the Bison grabbed five first place votes and the top spot in the conference's preseason coaches poll.

NDSU will have plenty of competitors, however. There are three team stacked up behind the Bison that all have serious postseason aspirations.

Tied for second are long-time rivals St. Thomas and St. John's. The Tommies have a lone first-place vote to their credit, but the Johnnies are still running neck and neck. Just a point behind is Minnesota-Duluth, a new addition to Division II after making its name in UMLC Division I.

2016 UMLC Preseason Coaches Poll