Men's Basketball

West Chester, Gannon voted No. 1 in 2025-26 PSAC Men's Basketball Preseason Polls

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The West Chester Golden Rams and Gannon Golden Knights have been voted as the top teams in the Eastern and Western conferences, respectively, in the 2025-26 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason Polls.

The polls are voted on by the conference’s head coaches.

In the East, West Chester collected the maximum possible eight first-place votes, with the only other going to second-place East Stroudsburg. Gannon led the Western Division poll with six first-place votes, while second-place IUP and third-place California each received a single first-place vote.

Find the complete polls as well as team-by-team capsules below.
 
Eastern Division (# of first-place votes in parentheses)
 
1. West Chester (8)
2. East Stroudsburg (1)
3. Millersville
4. Shepherd
5. Shippensburg
6. Lock Haven
7. Mansfield
8. Kutztown
9. Bloomsburg
 
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Western Division (# of first-place votes in parentheses)
 
1. Gannon (6)
2. IUP (1)
3. California (1)
4. Slippery Rock
5. Seton Hill
6. Edinboro
7. Pitt-Johnstown
8. Clarion
 

PSAC WESTERN DIVISION




#1 Gannon (27-7 overall, 17-3 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Easton Bazzoli begins his second season as head coach after leading Gannon to a 27-7 record and a second straight PSAC championship. Bazzoli was an assistant the year before as Jordan Fee led Gannon to a 32-3 record and a berth in the Elite Eight in his lone season at the helm. Fee set the Gannon record for wins by a first-year coach and Bazzoli followed up with the second-most wins in his first season as coach as the Golden Knights advanced to the Atlantic Regional final.
  • After leading Division II in scoring in 2023-24 at 100.4 ppg. the Golden Knights dipped to a “pedestrian” 90.8 ppg. That was good for seventh in Division II. They scored 100-or-more points in seven games. In addition, Gannon ranked second in the country in turnovers forced per game (20.9), third in steals per game (11.8), 12th in turnover margin (5.3), and 14th in assists per game (17.4).
  • For the second straight year Gannon suffered key losses to the transfer portal with All-PSAC West and All-Atlantic Region honorees Ernest Shelton (Merrimack) and Tasman Goodrick (Siena) departing. But Bazzoli also made good use of the portal to replenish his roster. Most noteworthy are a pair of twins from Sydney, Australia. Lucas Morgan transferred from St. Cloud State while Mackenzie Morgan previously played at West Texas A&M. Both are 6-foot-4 swingmen known for their shooting. Lucas started 56 games in two seasons at St. Cloud State, finishing as the third-leading scorer at 11.4 ppg. Mackenzie appeared in 67 games at West Texas A&M and was part of a Final Four squad as a freshman.
  • What will Pace Prosser do after an incredible freshman year? The 6-foot-2 guard earned second team All-PSAC West honors while starting all 34 games. He finished as the third-leading scorer at 14.3 ppg. and was even second in rebounding at 5.6 per game. In addition, Prosser led the Golden Knights in assists (151) and steals (65) while making 73-of-178 3-pointers. Prosser was named the MVP of the PSAC Tournament.
 

#2 IUP (14-16 overall, 8-12 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • The Crimson Hawks are coming off the only season in their history to have double-digit losses in conference play under head coach Joe Lombardi (8-12 in 2024-25).
  • IUP returns four players that started over 25 games, including leading scoring Christian Moore (29 Starts/ 33.6 mpg/16.8 ppg), Damir Brooks (25 starts/27.9 mpg/10.3 ppg/team-high 7.2 rpg), Sarp Furtun (28 Starts/27.0 mpg), and Tyler Grove (30 Starts/27.9 mpg/11.1 ppg).
  • IUP opens the season on Nov. 14 at home against Concorn University. PSAC play begins on Saturday, Dec. 6 on the road at Kutztown.
 
  #3 California (18-12 overall, 12-8 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • The Vulcans finished second in the PSAC West standings last year and advanced to the semifinals of the PSAC Tournament despite the loss of three starters before Thanksgiving due to season-ending injuries.
  • California ranked second in the league in three-pointers per game and led the conference in fewest turnovers per game. However, the Vulcans will have to replace two of the top perimeter shooters in the league, including PSAC West Athlete of the Year Donald Whitehead, Jr.
  • Sophomore Jordyn Buchanan returns as the team’s leading scorer at 11.5 points per game. He shifted into the starting lineup for the final 24 games of the season and scored a career-high 27 points in the quarterfinals of the PSAC Tournament.
  • California has won over 100 games over the last five seasons, marking its winningest streak in nearly two decades. The Vulcans won at least one game in the PSAC Tournament in each of their last five appearances.
 
#4 Slippery Rock (15-14 overall, 11-9 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • The Slippery Rock University men’s basketball team is coming off a season in which it went 15-14 overall and 11-9 inside the PSAC West on the way to qualifying for the PSAC Tournament. SRU won its final four games of the regular season before losing a 69-67 heartbreaker to IUP in the conference tournament.
  • Under the direction of eighth-year head coach Ian Grady, Slippery Rock will look record the program’s eighth consecutive winning season and ninth straight trip to the PSAC Tournament. 
  • SRU returns seven players from last year’s roster including the standout wing trio of Maceo Austin, Ike Herster and Sheick Samoura. One of the top all-around talents in the PSAC West, Austin has averaged 16.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game over his two-year SRU career. Herster averaged 14.1 ppg last season while Samoura is arguably one of the best pure athletes in the PSAC West.
  • The Rock brought in two talented transfer forwards over the offseason in former East Coast Conference Rookie of the Year Kerwin Prince, most recently of Division I New Orleans, and Isaac James, who averaged 10.5 points and 5.7 rebounds a year ago at Salem.
  • The Rock’s four-man freshmen class has the chance to go down as one of the school’s all-time best. Highlighting the group is three-star recruit Dame Givner, three-time state champion RJ Sledge, Ohio prep standout Kent Hairston and Brady Mayo, who was the WPIAL’s second-leading scorer a season ago.
 
#5 Seton Hill (16-14 overall, 8-12 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Head Coach Ben Wilkins returns for his fourth season with the Griffins.  He has led the program to three straight 16-win seasons and three trips to the PSAC Tournament.  The team earned its first ever PSAC Tourney win in 2025.
  • The team's rotation features eight players who have spent at least three seasons with the program.
  • All PSAC West performer Kedrick Curtis returns to lead the Griffins on the court this season.  Curtis averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest
  • SHU opens the season in the MEC/PSAC Challenge at Frostburg State.  PSAC West play begins on Jan 7 at California (PA). 
 
#6 Edinboro (15-13 overall, 11-9 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Edinboro returns sophomore Evan Berger (27 starts as a freshman, 10.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 64 three pointers) and senior Bryce Baez (27 starts, 8.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg) but will have three new starters in 2025-26.
  • Head Coach Justin Jennings begins his third season in charge of the Fighting Scots. Last season, Edinboro improved its overall record by eight wins after a 7-21 overall record in 23-24.
  • The Fighting Scots open the season on Friday, Nov. 14 against Salem University. The first conference action of the season finds Edinboro traveling to Lock Haven on Saturday, Dec. 6.
 
#7 Pitt-Johnstown (11-16 overall, 7-13 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • The Mountain Cats return six lettermen from a year ago, including second and third leading scorers Jay Rose (14.4 ppg) and Baden Forup (13.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 60% field goals.)
  • UPJ will feature the largest incoming class in head coach Bob Rukavina’s tenure with 9 true freshmen.
  • UPJ finished last season ranked fifth in the conference in PPG (80.1) and open the 2025-26 season with an exhibition vs. Pitt on October 27th.
 
#8 Clarion (12-14 overall, 7-13 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Clarion posted a 12-14 overall record and a 7-13 mark in PSAC play during the 2024-25 season, marking a one-game increase in both overall and conference victories from the previous season.
  • Key returners include Trey Nelson (9.6 ppg, 5.7 apg), Jeromy Thomas II (11.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg), and Gavin Cote (10.2 ppg, .333 3PT%).
  • The Golden Eagles tip off the 2025-26 campaign on November 14 at the West Liberty Tip-Off Tournament, facing host institution West Liberty, as well as Wheeling.
  • Clarion opens conference play on December 6, traveling to Millersville to take on the Marauders.
 
 
PSAC EASTERN DIVISION



#1 West Chester (23-7 overall, 18-3 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • In 2024-25, West Chester went 23-7 overall, 18-3 in league play, and 14-1 at home en route to its first outright PSAC East title since 2006. West Chester also matched its single-season win record of 23, which was last achieved in 2015-16.
  • West Chester made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019, falling to third seed Virginia State 80-64 at West Liberty.
  • In 2024-25, West Chester had the third-best defense in the league, limiting opponents to 72.5 points per game on 42.6 % shooting, which was second best in the league, while also leading the PSAC in rebounding margin at +7.7 (41.9 rebounds/gm vs 34.3/gm from its opponents).
  • West Chester returns three of its five starters, led by All-PSAC selection Davante Dennis and point guard Dylan Blair, who averaged 10.1 and 10.4 points per game last season, respectively.
  • West Chester returns 1,190 of its 2,335 points (50.9 %) from last season, led by 309 points from Davante Dennis.
  • West Chester will open the season at  Bowie State in the CIAA/PSAC Challenge against Fayetteville State on 11/14 at 5 p.m. before facing Bowie State on Saturday, 11/15 at 3 P.M.
  • West Chester will play its home opener on 11/19 vs Caldwell at 7 p.m. before opening league play at home vs Pitt-Johnstown at 3 P.M. on December 6.
 
#2 East Stroudsburg (21-9 overall, 15-6 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • ESU finished the 2024-25 season with a 21-9 overall record while boasting a 15-6 in-conference record, good for the second seed in the PSAC East in the PSAC Tournament. However, the Warriors were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the eventual runner-up Shepherd, 79-67.
  • As their record showed, the Warriors were one of the top teams in the PSAC last season, and the stats back up that claim as well. Offensively, they were second in the conference in scoring (85.9 PPG), FTA (732), FT% (75.7%), and APG (16.43), and in the top half of the PSAC in FG% (45.8%), 3PT% (34.7%), and offensive rebounds per game (11.7). ESU recorded two of the three highest scoring games in the conference last season, scoring 118 points against Mansfield on Jan. 25, and 116 at Dominican on Nov. 15. On the defensive side of the floor, the Warriors opportunistic defense held its opponents to 77.0 PPG, fueled by its 10.03 SPG.
  • It will be a new-look East Stroudsburg team this season, as the Warriors lost their three leading scorers in Lakeem McAliley, Evan Morton, and Cam Young. The trio accounted for 43.6 PPG for ESU in 2024-25.
  • The Warriors begin their season on the road at the PSAC/CIAA Conference Challenge, taking on Winston-Salem State and Virginia State in Petersburg, Va. Conference play for East Stroudsburg kicks off against Seton Hill on Dec. 6 at Koehler Fieldhouse.
 
#3 Millersville (19-12 overall, 13-8 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Casey Stitzel’s Marauders have been a fixture in the postseason in each of the last seven seasons, and the team has made a run to the PSAC Semifinals or deeper in three of the last four seasons. It is the only program in the East that can make that claim. Stitzel’s teams have posted an 86-37 (.699) record over the last four seasons for the program’s most successful four-year run since 1989-1993.
  • The 2024-25 Marauders won 19 games despite losing nine games by single-digits and going 0-3 in overtime games. The Marauders were the only team in the PSAC to rank in the top five in scoring offense and defense, led the PSAC in field goal percentage, and ranked second in margin of victory only to Gannon.
  • While Millersville lost PSAC East Athlete of the Year Drew Stover and three starters to graduation, it returns Saraj Ali, who is playing for his third All-PSAC East honor in 2025-26. Ali was the 2023 PSAC East Freshman of the Year at Mansfield in 2023, earned second team honors in 2024, and was named to the first team with Millersville in 2025. Ali ranked in the PSAC’s top 20 in both scoring and rebounding last season and enters his senior season with 1,032 points and 547 rebounds.
  • Day Waters makes his return to Millersville after spending the 2024-25 season at Slippery Rock. Waters started 29 games as a sophomore for a 25-win NCAA Tournament team in 2024 and averaged 12.9 points per game while hitting 42.1% of his threes. At Slippery Rock, Waters ranked 13th in the PSAC in 3-point shooting and averaged 21 points per game in the last four games of the season.
 
#4 Shepherd (21-11 overall, 14-7 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Shepherd is coming off a 21-11 campaign last season with a 14-7 mark in PSAC play. The Rams fell to Gannon in the finals of the PSAC Tournament.
  • Shepherd finished last season ranked fourth in the country in field goal percentage defense (.391) while placing ninth in scoring defense (64.3).
  • The Rams open the 2025-26 season on Friday, November 14 when they visit Virginia State at 7 p.m.
  • The PSAC schedule begins for the Rams on Saturday, December 6 when Gannon comes to town for a 3 p.m. contest.
 
#5 Shippensburg (10-19 overall, 7-14 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Shippensburg is coming off a 10-19 campaign in 2024-25, including a 7-14 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division.
  • Redshirt-Junior guard Markus Frank was an All-PSAC East First Team performer last season after pacing the conference in regular season points scored (565) and finishing fourth in the PSAC in points per game (19.6).
  • The senior backcourt duo of Timmy Conner and Trey Martin will provide steady leadership for the Raiders. Conner and Martin were the only two Raiders to start in all 29 games in 2024-25 and combined for 18.7 points per game.
  • Sophomore guard Jaydon Smith returns after a stellar freshman season. Smith was the Raiders’ third-leading scorer (11.2 ppg), top three-point marksman (40%) and led the team in assists (73) with a positive assist/turnover ratio (1.7).
 
#6 Lock Haven (15-13 overall, 12-9 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • The Haven is coming off another successful campaign, which saw the group finish 15-13 overall and 12-9 in the PSAC. The team earned a trip to the PSAC Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament, where The Haven fell in the opening round to Millersville on the road.
  • The Bald Eagles went an impressive 9-3 at home last season and finished in the top four in the conference in blocked shots (4.18).
  • The Bald Eagles open the 2025-26 season on Friday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. when they take on Davis & Elkins on day one of the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament.
  • The PSAC schedule begins for Lock Haven on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at home vs. Edinboro in an East vs. West crossover game.
 
#7 Mansfield (8-19 overall, 5-16 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Mansfield is coming off an 8-19 season with a 5-16 PSAC record but returns senior Sterling Scott (13.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 43.4 FG%, 9 blocks) in 2025-26.
  • Mansfield finished seventh in the PSAC in defensive rebounds with 718 and 10th in the PSAC in free throw percentage at 0.720.
  • Mansfield opens the 2025-26 season at the Ron Wilson Classic hosted by Millersville. On Saturday, November 19 the team plays Roberts Wesleyan University.
  • The PSAC schedule opens when the Mounties travel to Slippery Rock on Saturday, December 6.

#8 Kutztown (8-20 overall, 4-17 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Interim head coach Tom York will lead the Kutztown University men’s basketball team after serving 23 years as an assistant coach on the staff.
  • All-PSAC Second Team guard Jalen Bryant is returning for a fifth season with the Golden Bears after averaging 19.7 points per game last season.
  • The 2025-26 season will feature a new-look Golden Bears squad, as the team features five freshman and a pair of transfer sophomores to be mixed with seven returning players.
  • The Golden Bears will open their 2025-26 season on Wednesday, November 19, when they welcome Penn State Schuylkill to Keystone Arena at 7:30 p.m.

#9 Bloomsburg (6-22 overall, 5-16 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Bloomsburg is coming off of a 6-22 overall record, with a 5-16 record in PSAC competition.
  • Danny Bruce is a key returner from the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 8.4 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game. George Sabatini and Xion Nichols return for their sophomore campaigns, after posting impressive showings during their freshman season.
  • The Huskies open the season on Friday, November 14 against Fairmont State at the Atlantic Region Challenge.
  • Bloomsburg opens conference play on Saturday, December 6 against California (Pa.).