VALLEY CITY, ND (NewsDakota.com)  Both Viking basketball teams have been picked fourth in their respective preseason polls in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA).

Dakota State tops the women’s poll, while Bellevue grabs the top men’s spot.  Mayville State was picked second by the coaches in both polls.  Viterbo is picked third in the men’s poll, while Bellevue is picked third in the women’s race.

The Viking men advanced to the conference semi-finals a year ago.  The women were upset in the first round of the tournament.

Valley City State opens men’s play with Northwestern on Friday night.  The women take on Providence College on Saturday in their opener.