Shippensburg, IUP Claim Top Spots in PSAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
2017-18 PSAC Men's Basketball Preseason Information Packet
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- Shippensburg and IUP have been tabbed to win the Eastern and Western Divisions, respectively, for the 2017-18 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball season. The favorites were announced by the league office Thursday morning along with the preseason coaches’ poll.
PSAC East Preview
EASTERN DIVISION
The Shippensburg Raiders earned eight first-place votes and the No. 1 slot in the East after claiming their second PSAC title in school history in the 2016-17 season. Chris Fite’s team posted a 27-4 (19-3 PSAC) record and defeated Kutztown in the title game and went on to win its first NCAA postseason game after defeating Virginia Union. Fite was named the National Association of Basketball Coaches Atlantic Region Coach of the Year and PSAC East Coach of the Year.
The Raiders return four starters from last season, including senior Dustin Sleva. Sleva was named the PSAC East Athlete of the Year and a NABC First-Team All-American. He amassed 20 double-doubles and was the only player in all levels of the NCAA to average 21 points. Sleva has been named to the 2017-18 Street & Smith’s Preseason Division II All-America First Team.
Kutztown claimed the No. 2 spot following a 26-4 campaign and claiming the PSAC East regular season title. Coach Bernie Driscoll is 14 wins shy of 300 on his career while the Golden Bears paced the PSAC in points (89.2) and field goal percentage (49.9). KU returns three starters in the form of Anthony Lee, Ethan Ridgeway and Dan Cuevas. All three players averaged more than 14 points per contest, with Lee pacing the trio (15.9). The Golden Bears set a school record with an 18-game win streak in the season and advanced to the NCAA DII Atlantic Region quarterfinals.
East Stroudsburg was selected third and earned a first-place vote after finishing in the top 10 in all offensive statistical categories. The Warriors posted an 18-11 (15-7) mark and return junior Kitt Najee Walls. Walls averaged 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4 assists per contest.
West Chester was picked fourth and return four starters. Senior Terrell Long will lead the charge for the Golden Rams after averaging 17.8 points an 9.7 rebounds per game. Coach Damien Blair’s team led the conference in rebounding (41.1).
The Lock Haven Bald Eagles claimed fifth in the poll and return reigning PSAC East Freshman of the Year, Amir Hinton. Hinton dominated after leading the PSAC with 23.8 points per game. LHU produced the fifth-most points in the league at an 82.2 clip.
Mansfield earned sixth and returns four starters, including second-team all-conference member Matt Tamanosky. The senior averaged 17.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per contests while the Mountaineers posted an 11-15 record.
Bloomsburg was slated seventh and returns senior star Christian Mortellite. He averaged 22.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest while the Huskies finished fourth (15-12, 11-11). Mortellite broke the single-season school record for points (613).
Millersville was tabbed eights and returns four starters, in which three averaged double figures. Junior guard Marcus Adkinson led all players with 15.4 points per game.
Cheyney rounded out the poll.
PSAC West Preview
WESTERN DIVISION
IUP grabbed eight first-places votes and the No. 1 slot in the west after producing a 28-4, 21-1 campaign. The Crimson Hawks advanced to the NCAA Atlantic Region semifinals. Junior Jacobo Diaz, the reigning PSAC West Athlete of the Year, averaged a double-double (14.4 ppg, 10.0 rpg) while head coach Joe Lombardi grabbed his 250th career win. IUP returns four starters and was picked third in the Street & Smith’s preseason top 10.
Gannon was slotted second and returns three of its top four scorers from a year ago. Senior guard Zay Jackson posted 17.1 points per contest while the Golden Knights boasted an 18-10, 15-7 record. Coach John Reilly is nine wins shy of 450 for his career. GU finished second in the PSAC in three-point percentage (39.4) and has recorded winning seasons in 40 of the last 45.
Mercyhurst earned third and a first-place vote following a 14-14, 11-11 season. The Lakers defense held the opposition to 68.8 points per game, which was third-best in the league. MU returns senior Lorenzo Collier, who averaged 13.2 points per game.
Slippery Rock swiped fourth and returns a trio of starters. Coach Kevin Reynolds and The Rock defense paced the PSAC after allowing 65 points per game. Junior guard Merdic Green will pace the offense after averaging 10.8 points and 4 rebounds.
California was slated fifth and ranked fourth in the league with 9.1 three pointers per game. The Vulcans defense ranked in the top 10 in most statistical categories.
Pitt-Johnstown grabbed sixth and return a pair of seniors who averaged at least 14 points per game. Forward Isaac Vescovi went for 15.5 while guard Dale Clancy produced 14.0 and added 6.2 assists per game. Clancy earned all-conference first-team recognition. Coach Bob Rukavina is 13 wins shy of 500 on his storied career.
Seton Hill earned seventh and return four starters. Senior Spencer Casson was named PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year after swatting 108 shots. Casson averaged 11.2 points and 8 rebounds per game. Coach Tony Morocco is nine wins shy of 200 on his career.
Edinboro was picked eighth while Jaymon Mason has been named a DII Bulletin preseason All-American for the second consecutive season.
Clarion completed the poll while returning senior Cameron Grumley. He averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season. Coach Marcess Williams is 11 wins shy of 200 for his career.
The regular season commences on Friday, November 10.
PSAC Men’s Basketball East Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
1) Shippensburg (8)
2) Kutztown
3) East Stroudsburg (1)
4) West Chester
5) Lock Haven
6) Mansfield
7) Bloomsburg
8) Millersville
9) Cheyney
PSAC Men’s Basketball West Preseason Poll
1) IUP (8)
2) Gannon
3) Mercyhurst (1)
4) Slippery Rock
5) California
6) Pitt-Johnstown
7) Seton Hill
8) Edinboro
9) Clarion