Kutztown and IUP Top PSAC Men's Basketball Preseason Polls
PSAC MEN'S BASKETBALL 2016-17 MEDIA PACKET
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- Kutztown and IUP have been tabbed as the favorites to win the Eastern and Western Divisions, respectively, for the 2016-17 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball campaign. The annual preseason coaches’ poll was announced by the league Thursday morning.
EASTERN DIVISION
After earning a pair of wins in the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship, Kutztown tops the Eastern Division poll following a 23-7 campaign.
The Golden Bears return four starters to the floor, including All-PSAC First Team senior forward Josh Johnson. Johnson averaged 14.4 points and 8.5 rebounds while the team boasted an 18-4 mark in conference play.
West Chester (23-7, 17-5 East) came in second in the poll. The Golden Rams return the PSAC Freshman of the Year Malik Jackson, who averaged 15.7 points and 2.8 rebounds. WCU will also rely on another successful season from Matt Penecale, who set a freshman school record in assists with 143.
East Stroudsburg grabs third following a 21-7 season with a 16-6 record in PSAC play. The Warriors ranked in the top five in several statistical categories while leading the conference in scoring with 88.0 points per game. ESU returns three starters, including PSAC First Team representative Rasheed Moore. Moore averaged 13.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest.
Shippensburg is slated fourth after concluding the season with a 20-9 record. The Raiders return three starters, including Dustin Sleva, who earned PSAC First Team merits, when he averaged 15.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.
Bloomsburg ranks fifth, followed by Mansfield and Lock Haven. Millersville and Cheyney round out the selections in the East.
WESTERN DIVISION
IUP earns the top pick in the West following a 21-8 mark and boasts four returning starters. Led by Anthony Glover, the Crimson Hawks offense knocked down 48.2% of their shots, which was third best in the league.
Mercyhurst claims second after winning the PSAC Men’s Basketball Championship for the first time in school history. Only two players on the 2016-17 roster played in all 31 games last season. The Lakers led the league in defense, allowing only 60.3 points per game.
Pitt-Johnstown and two-time first-team all-conference selection A.J. Leahey grab third after pacing the league in three-point percentage (40.6), free-throw percentage (76.3) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.28).
Gannon returns six letterwinners, including one starter and are fourth in the poll. The Golden Knights own the 10th-highest all-time winning percentage (.638) in the history of NCAA Division II.
First-team all-conference player Jaymon Mason will lead Edinboro, which comes in fifth. Mason, who averaged 20.8 points per game and is a Division II Bulletin Preseason All-American, will play alongside four key transfers added to the roster.
Seton Hill, Slippery Rock, Clarion and California round out the poll.
PSAC Men’s Basketball East Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
- Kutztown (6)
- West Chester (2)
- East Stroudsburg
- Shippensburg (1)
- Bloomsburg
- Mansfield
- Lock Haven
- Millersville
- Cheyney
PSAC Men’s Basketball East Preseason All-Conference Team
G Malik Jackson So. West Chester
F Josh Johnson Sr. Kutztown
F Rasheed Moore Sr. East Stroudsburg
G/F Christian Mortellite R.-Jr. Bloomsburg
G Matt Penecale Sr. West Chester
F Dustin Sleva Jr. Shippensburg
PSAC Men’s Basketball West Preseason Poll
- IUP (5)
- Mercyhurst (3)
- Pitt-Johnstown (1)
- Gannon
- Edinboro
- Seton Hill
- Slippery Rock
- Clarion
- California
PSAC Men’s Basketball West Preseason All-Conference
G BJ Andrews Sr. Clarion
G Dale Clancy Jr. Pitt.-Johnstown
F Noah Davis Sr. Seton Hill
F Jacobo Diaz So. IUP
F A.J. Leahey Sr. Pitt.-Johnstown
G Jaymon Mason R-Jr. Edinboro