VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State men’s basketball team will begin one of the most anticipated seasons in school history next month.

With four returning starters, including an All-American, and several highly-touted recruits joining the team, expectations are high. Earlier this month, those expectations rose even higher.

The Sporting News has ranked VSU No. 4 in the country in its preseason poll. Only Bellarmine (Louisville, Ky.), BYU-Hawaii and Central Missouri are ranked higher.

“I think any time a preseason poll comes out, it’s a reflection of two things: The success of last year and how many returning players you have,” VSU head coach Mike Helfer said. “Although (the preseason ranking) is nice, it’s the poll at the end of the year you want to be at the top of.”

After earning All-American honors at the end of last season, forward Tyrone Curnell was named a first-team preseason All-American by The Sporting News.

“Tyrone has worked very hard,” Helfer said. “He’s an unbelievable talent, but he’s brought his work ethic to same level, I believe. His preseason accolade is a reflection of last year. He’s trying to go to another level.”

The Blazers finished last season with a 24-7 record, including only one loss at home. The season ended on a sour note when the team lost in the Gulf South Conference championship game, then lost the following week in a mistake-filled game against Claflin in the first round of the national tournament.

Despite suffering their only two-game losing streak at the worst possible time, the Blazers headed into the offseason knowing they had a chance to do something special in 2009-10.

Along with Curnell, the Blazers return regular starters Ricardo Lewis, Christian Hunter, Ryan Nelson and B.J. Dibble. Key reserves Tristan Crawford, Marquis Robinson and Charles Belton also return.

In the offseason, the Blazers added Billy McShepard, a 6-foot-10 small forward from Louisburg (N.C.) Community College who is known for his shot making, and 6-foot-8, 255-pound Josh Williams, a center who is expected to provide rebounding and toughness in the post, one of the few areas of weakness on last year’s team.

VSU also added Quinn Brownfield, a 6-foot-6 guard from VMI, and James Jackson, a 5-foot-10 guard from Truett-McConnell Community College.

Helfer said he definitely believes the additions of the transfers helped his team earn the No. 4 preseason ranking.

With an abundance of talent, Helfer’s biggest challenge as a coach this year might not be making his players better, but managing personalities and making sure the team develops chemistry. He doesn’t think that will be an issue.

“I think every year, coaches have issues of getting guys on the same page,” Helfer said. “I don’t see that as a problem, because we recruited good people. When you have good people, that allows you to fit into the team structure, and makes the team better.”

The Blazers will begin their season in mid-November.