East Stroudsburg, IUP Selected Favorites in 2019-20 PSAC Men's Basketball Preseason Polls
2019-20 PSAC Men's Basketball Preseason Information Packet
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- East Stroudsburg and IUP have been selected to win the Eastern and Western Division, respectively, in the 2019-20 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll, the league office announced Thursday afternoon.
Preseason polls were determined by a vote of the league’s head coaches.
Shepherd University joined the PSAC in July of 2019 and will be a participant in the Eastern Division.
EASTERN DIVISION
East Stroudsburg claimed four of the nine possible first-place votes and were selected as the favorites in the division. The Warriors offense paced the league after producing 87.3 points per game. East Stroudsburg appeared in the NCAA DII Championship before falling in the first round to West Liberty, 107-99. Coach Jeff Wilson became the ninth coach in PSAC history to reach 300 career wins and has led East Stroudsburg to at least 16 wins in each of the last 14 seasons. Wilson claimed the East Coach of the Year for the fourth time in the last 10 seasons. The Warriors will be a young squad while consisting of seven freshman and five sophomores.
Shippensburg was voted second and received three first-place votes. The Raiders have won at least 20 games in four consecutive seasons. Coach Chris Fite’s squad ranked third in the nation in offensive rebounds per game (15.07) and 12th in rebounding margin (+6.8). Shippensburg returns junior Jacob Biss, who averaged 15.8 points and 4.4 assists per game.
West Chester was tabbed third and claimed a first-place vote. The Golden Rams paced the league in rebounds (45.3) and rebound margin (+10.5) during the 2018-19 campaign. West Chester appeared in the NCAA DII Championship before falling to IUP. Senior Malik Jackson will look to duplicate last season’s success after he averaged 14.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Coach Damien Blair enters his 12th season at the helm and has accumulated over 200 career wins.
Millersville was slated fourth after producing a 16-13 record. The Marauders have increased their win totals in each of Casey Stitzel’s first three seasons. Millersville returns four starters, including Jaden Faulkner. Faulker produced 14.3 points and 4.4 points per contest during his freshman campaign.
Kutztown grabbed fifth and a first-place vote. The Golden Bears have won at least 16 wins in each of the last five seasons. Kutztown’s offense ranked in the top five in most major categories, including second in points (84.9).
Lock Haven claimed sixth and advanced to the PSAC Championship for the first time since the 2016-17 season. Junior Matt Cerruti finished fourth in the PSAC at 20.0 points per game. The Bald Eagles paced the PSAC in free-throw percentage with a 72.7% mark.
Shepherd was picked seventh and enters its first year of PSAC play. The Rams went 3-0 against PSAC opponents last year. Shepherd senior guard Thomas Lang seeks to pace the offense after averaging 18.0 points per game.
Bloomsburg and Mansfield rounded out the poll, respectively.
Bloomsburg will lean on sophomore Travis Elmore, who finished third in the PSAC in field goal percentage (57.0%). Mansfield’s Garrett Cook finished 13th in NCAA DII in three-point percentage (45.0%).
WESTERN DIVISION
IUP claimed seven first-place votes and were tabbed the favorites in the West. The Crimson Hawks are coming off another impressive season after posting a 30-3 record. IUP won its 10th PSAC Championship while its defense was the best in the league, allowing only opponents to shoot 39.4% from the field. Coach Joe Lombardi was the fastest coach in PSAC history to reach 300 career wins and sits 10th all-time with 305. IUP senior Malik Miller will spearhead the offense after dishing out 106 assists and averaging 16.4 points.
Slippery Rock was voted second and returns eight players from a team that went 19-10. The Rock has recorded winning seasons in 10 of their last 11, while averaging 18.8 wins per year. Redshirt senior Micah Till claimed all-conference accolades during the 2018-19 campaign after averaging a double-double (21 pts/10 rebs).
Pitt-Johnstown swiped a pair of first-place votes and was selected third. The Mountain Cats paced the league in shooting percentage (50.5%) while John Paul Kromka was named the West Freshman and Defensive Athlete of the Year. The freshman sensation averaged 14.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Coach Bob Rukavina was named West Coach of the Year and is 15 wins shy of 500 in his career.
Mercyhurst was picked fourth after winning the NCAA DII Atlantic Region and advancing to the NCAA DII Sweet 16. The Lakers had the best defense in the PSAC after allowing only 60.7 points per game. Coach Gary Manchel’s squad paced the league in assist/turnover ratio (1.27). Mercyhurst returns one starter in MiyKah McIntosh. McIntosh averaged 7.9 points per game.
Cal U was slated fifth and returns three starters who averaged double figures. Junior Brent Pegram paced the team at 18.5 points per game. Sophomore Zyan Collins claimed three West Freshman of the Week accolades while averaging 16.3 points. The Vulcans led the PSAC with the fewest turnovers (220).
Gannon was slated sixth and will be under first-year head coach Kelvin Jefferson. The Golden Knights returns 10 players, including sophomore Victor Olawoye. Olawoye averaged 10.4 points.
Edinboro and Seton Hill tied for seventh while Clarion was picked ninth.
Edinboro returns all five of its starters, including Jaryn Simpson. Simpson earned all-conference recognition in 2018-19.
Seton Hill returns all-conference performer Nathan Davis. Davis averaged 19.2 points and 7.4 rebounds.
Clarion will be under the direction Damian Pitts, who enters his first year at Clarion. He is in his third season and has a 19-33 record.
The 2019-20 regular season commences Friday, November 8th. PSAC play begins Saturday, November 23.
PSAC Men’s Basketball East Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
1) East Stroudsburg (4)
2) Shippensburg (3)
3) West Chester (1)
4) Millersville
5) Kutztown (1)
6) Lock Haven
7) Shepherd
8) Bloomsburg
9) Mansfield
PSAC Men’s Basketball West Preseason Poll
1) IUP (7)
2) Slippery Rock
3) Pitt-Johnstown (2)
4) Mercyhurst
5) Cal U
6) Gannon
T7) Edinboro
T7) Seton Hill
9) Clarion