tThe University of Minnesota men's golf team is ranked ninth in the nation according to the Precept Coaches Poll released Feb. 12. The defending national champs are the top-ranked northern school and the highest ranked Big Ten team, with four others in the top-25: Illinois (14), Northwestern (24) and Michigan State (25).

The Golden Gophers begin their spring season Feb. 23-25 at the NCAA Shootout in Rio Mar, P.R.

Univ. (First-place Votes) No. of Points 1. Clemson (26) 840 2. Augusta State (2) 736 3. Florida (1) 679 4. Wake Forest 671 5. Arizona (1) 615 6. Texas Christian 577 7. Texas-Austin 561 8. Nevada-Las Vegas (1) 528 9. Minnesota 475 10. Georgia 440 11. Oklahoma State (1) 434 12. Duke 431 13. North Carolina 402 14. Illinois 380 15. Georgia Tech (2) 370 16. New Mexico (1) 326 17. Fresno State 196 18. Washington 186 19. NC State 178 20. Auburn 176 21. Tennessee 173 22. UCLA 162 23. College of Charleston 157 24. Northwestern 151 25. Michigan State 149