Men's Basketball

PSAC Men's Basketball Preseason Polls: Gannon, West Chester voted No. 1 in 2026-27

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The West Chester Golden Rams and Gannon Golden Knights have been voted as the top teams in the Eastern and Western divisions, respectively, in the 2026-27 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 received four first-place votes, while second-place East Stroudsburg collected three and third-place Shepherd received one. Gannon, the reigning NCAA Division II national champion, led the Western Division poll with the maximum possible eight first-place votes, with the only other going to third-place California, the defending PSAC champion.

Find the complete polls as well as team-by-team capsules below.

Eastern Division (# of first-place votes in parentheses)

  1. West Chester (4)
  2. East Stroudsburg (3)
  3. Shepherd (1)
  4. Millersville
  5. Shippensburg
  6. Bloomsburg
  7. Kutztown
  8. Mansfield

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Western Division (# of first-place votes in parentheses)

  1. Gannon (8)
  2. IUP
  3. California (1)
  4. Slippery Rock
  5. Seton Hill
  6. Pitt-Johnstown
  7. Edinboro
  8. Clarion
  9. Lock Haven
 


PSAC WESTERN DIVISION

 
 

#1 Gannon (34-3 overall, 19-1 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • Gannon begins defense of its 2026 NCAA Division II National Championship after a 34-3 season, the most wins in school history. Easton Bazzoli enters his third season as head coach with a 61-10 record, having led the Golden Knights to the Sweet 16 in 2024-25 and the national title in 2025-26. He became the fastest GU coach to reach 50 wins last season.
  • For the second straight year, Gannon lost several players to Division I, including first team All-PSAC West selection Pace Prosser (Siena) and second team honorees Lucas Sekasi (Quinnipiac) and Precious Idiaru (IU Indy). But the Morgan twins return after each started 36 games: Lucas, a 6-foot-4 senior swingman, averaged 13.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg with 57 steals, while Mackenzie added 10.0 ppg, made 67-of-183 3-pointers and recorded 76 steals.
  • Sophomore guard Jaden Calloway (5.1 ppg, 61 steals) and junior forward Mason Kemp (4.8 ppg, 58% FG) also return. Key newcomers include 6-foot-8 senior Parker Applegate, who played at Central Arkansas, and junior guard Derek Fairley, who averaged 23.1 ppg at Lourdes.
  • Gannon opens the season Nov. 7-8 at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Fla., against NCAA Tournament teams Central Missouri and Point Loma Nazarene. The Golden Knights' schedule features 11 games against 20-win teams and seven against NCAA Tournament participants.
 
 

#2 IUP (24-8 overall, 15-5 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • IUP advanced to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region championship game last season and was one of only two teams to hold a halftime lead against eventual national champion Gannon at that point in the season.
  • The Crimson Hawks feature a new-look roster in 2026-27, blending a strong group of returners with nine newcomers.
  • Two-time All-PSAC point guard Kymani Merraro, the 2025 PSAC Freshman of the Year, leads the returners after starting 26 games and averaging 11.8 ppg with 108 assists. Ian Herring (31 games, 50% FG) and junior Bautista Rodriguez (22 starts, 24 mpg) also return.
  • IUP opens the season at home in the Hilton Garden Inn Tip-Off Classic against Concord on Nov. 13 and Point Park on Nov. 14. PSAC play begins Dec. 4 with a crossover weekend against Shippensburg and Bloomsburg.
 
 

#3 California (23-9 overall, 16-4 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • The Vulcans captured their first PSAC Championship since 2008 last season, earning an 80-79 win at No. 5 Gannon in the PSAC title game after converting three free throws with 2.1 seconds left.
  • California replaces its entire starting lineup and two of its top reserves. Junior Keondre DeShields, who also plays wide receiver for the Vulcans' football team, is the lone returner who averaged more than 12 minutes per game. He averaged a career-high 10.1 ppg after joining the team in December.
  • Head coach Danny Sancomb became the fifth coach in school history to lead the Vulcans to a PSAC Championship. He holds a 135-80 record in seven seasons at Cal with five 18-win seasons, and enters the year with more than 350 career wins and a .643 career winning percentage.
 
 

#4 Slippery Rock (17-12 overall, 10-10 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • SRU brings back five athletes from last year's PSAC Tournament team, including four key rotation pieces: forward Elijah Hill (11.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg), guard Brady Mayo (10.8 ppg, 1.2 spg), guard RJ Sledge (7.5 ppg, 2.9 apg, 1.4 spg) and guard Braylon Littlejohn (6.6 ppg, 1.2 spg).
  • Key newcomers include Pitt-Johnstown transfer Jay Rose, who averaged 15.2 ppg in 41 career games with the Mountain Cats, and Marlon Barnes Jr., a former three-star signee at Pitt who most recently played at Evansville.
  • Ninth-year head coach Ian Grady will look to lead the program to its ninth consecutive winning season and 10th straight PSAC Tournament. Grady is the only active PSAC coach to start his head coaching career with seven consecutive 15-win seasons.
  • The Rock ranked in the PSAC's top five last season in 3-point percentage defense (second, .285), rebounds per game (third, 39.97), rebounding margin (fourth, +4.9) and field goal percentage defense (fifth, .431).
 
 

#5 Seton Hill (18-13 overall, 10-10 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • Ben Wilkins returns for his fifth season after leading the Griffins to their first PSAC Semifinals appearance last season.
  • SHU lost its top three scorers to the transfer portal. Senior guard Camden Brewer is the leading returning scorer at 11.3 ppg.
  • It will be a young Griffins squad with nine freshmen on the roster.
  • Seton Hill opens the season Nov. 9 at home against Waynesburg and begins PSAC play at home against Shepherd on Dec. 4.

Key Returnees –

  • Camden Brewer, Guard, Senior (York, Pa./Blue Ridge School) – 11.3 PPG
  • Dean Simos, Forward, Redshirt Sophomore (Melbourne, Australia/Mazenod College) – 9.8 PPG
 
 

#6 Pitt-Johnstown (12-16 overall, 6-14 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • Patrick Grubbs takes over as the 12th head coach in school history following the retirement of Bob Rukavina after 37 seasons.
  • The Mountain Cats return All-Region performer Baden Forup, who averaged 20 ppg and 12 rpg in 2025-26.
  • UPJ opens the season Nov. 13 at nationally ranked Atlantic Region power West Liberty.
 
 

#7 Edinboro (13-15 overall, 9-11 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • Josh Gross takes over as the 13th head coach in program history after being hired in July. Gross was most recently an assistant at UNC Greensboro and previously coached at Elon and Belmont Abbey. As head coach at Johnson & Wales, he led the Wildcats to the USCAA National Championship game in 2021-22. A former UNC Greensboro standout, he also played in the NBA D-League and overseas.
  • Sophomore guard Rowan Carmichael returns after being named PSAC West Freshman of the Year and second team All-PSAC West. Carmichael led the Fighting Scots at 16.5 ppg and ranked 16th in Division II in 3-point percentage (42.6%) and ninth in 3-pointers per game (3.29), making 92 triples.
  • Junior guard Evan Berger also returns after starting 27 games and averaging 14.0 ppg. Edinboro must replace second team All-PSAC West forward Bryce Baez (14.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg), and newcomers include 6-foot-8 Clark Atlanta transfer Fray Nguimbi.
  • Edinboro reached the PSAC Tournament for the second straight season before falling to IUP in the opening round. The Fighting Scots open PSAC play at home against East Stroudsburg on Dec. 4.

Key Returnees –

  • Rowan Carmichael, Guard, Sophomore (Avonworth, Pa./Avonworth) – 16.5 PPG, 92 3PT FG
  • Evan Berger, Guard, Junior (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) – 14.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG
 
 

#8 Clarion (12-16 overall, 7-13 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • The Golden Eagles must replace all five starters from last year's team but bring back two of their most important pieces off the bench in Aydan Cunningham (20.0 mpg) and Ricky Goode-Wright (14.3 mpg).
  • Clarion welcomes eight newcomers and will also have Yassine Idrissa back after he missed the 2025-26 season due to injury.
  • The 2026-27 season tips off at IUP's tournament with games against Concord and Point Park. The Golden Eagles' first home game is Dec. 1 against Penn State Greater Allegheny.
 



#9 Lock Haven (10-19 overall, 6-15 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • Lock Haven moves to the PSAC West this season after going 10-19 overall and 6-15 in PSAC play as a member of the Eastern Division last year.
  • The Bald Eagles open the 2026-27 season on Monday, Nov. 9 when they host Penn State Scranton at 7 p.m. at Thomas Fieldhouse.
  • The PSAC slate begins for Lock Haven on Friday, Dec. 4 when Mansfield comes to town.

Key Returnees –

  • Dean Coleman-Newsome, Guard, Senior (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) – 11.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.1 APG
  • Blake Deegan, Guard, Senior (Malvern, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) – 10.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG


PSAC EASTERN DIVISION


 

#1 West Chester (21-8 overall, 15-6 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • West Chester went 21-8 overall, 15-6 in league play and 11-4 at home en route to a share of the PSAC East regular-season title for the third time in four seasons. The Golden Rams fell to IUP, 71-70, in the PSAC Quarterfinals.
  • West Chester ranked third in the PSAC in scoring (85.4 ppg) and once again led the league in rebounding margin (+10.1), averaging 40.4 rebounds per game, including 16.0 on the offensive glass.
  • Senior guard Ruben Rodriguez Jr. is the lone returning first team All-PSAC East selection after scoring in double figures in 23 of 25 games. Davante Dennis, an All-Conference performer in 2024-25, is expected back after missing last season due to injury.
  • West Chester opens the season Nov. 10 at home against St. Thomas Aquinas at 7 p.m., the first of six straight home games, before opening PSAC crossover play Dec. 4 at Slippery Rock. East play begins Jan. 6 at home against Bloomsburg.

Key Returnees –

  • Ruben Rodriguez Jr., Guard, Senior – 14.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.5 APG
  • Dylan Blair, Guard, Senior – 9.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.9 APG
  • Davante Dennis, Forward, Redshirt Senior – 10.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG in 2024-25 (missed 2025-26 due to injury)
 
 

#2 East Stroudsburg (21-9 overall, 14-7 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • ESU finished one game out of a tie for first in the PSAC East last season. The Warriors have posted a .700 or better winning percentage every season since 2017-18 and have won 20-plus games in each of the last four seasons, going a combined 90-30, the program's best four-year stretch since 1939-43.
  • Sophomore forward Adrian Brito was named PSAC East Freshman of the Year and All-PSAC East after leading the Warriors in scoring. His .604 field goal percentage tied for the best by a freshman in program history. Brito and guard Keni Williams became the first pair of ESU freshmen to each score 300-plus points in the same season.
  • Fifth-year forward Kevin Coleman returns healthy after missing the final 26 games last season due to injury. The Lock Haven and Wheeling transfer averaged 13.0 ppg in four starts and is poised to anchor the paint for a deep frontcourt.
  • With starters Nasir Griffin and Ethan Maynard gone, building chemistry within head coach Jeff Wilson's two-unit rotation will be the top task in six nonconference games before the PSAC opener at Edinboro on Dec. 4.

Key Returnees –

  • Adrian Brito, Forward, Sophomore (Bronx, N.Y./Pocono Mountain West) – 12.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.0 APG
  • Keni Williams, Guard, Sophomore (Philadelphia, Pa./Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) – 10.2 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 3.1 APG
  • Kevin Coleman, Forward, Fifth-Year (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township) – 13.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 APG (4 games)
 
 

#3 Shepherd (20-10 overall, 15-6 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • Shepherd is coming off a 20-10 overall mark and a 15-6 record in PSAC play, earning a share of the PSAC East regular-season title.
  • The Rams led the PSAC in scoring defense (69.9 ppg) last season while ranking second in defensive rebounds (28.23 per game).
  • Shepherd opens the 2026-27 season on Friday, Nov. 13 at Virginia State at 7 p.m. in the first round of the Conference Challenge.
  • The PSAC schedule begins for the Rams on Friday, Dec. 4 at Seton Hill at 5 p.m.

Key Returnees –

  • Elwyne Wordlaw, Guard, Junior (Frederick, Md./Frederick) – 15.6 PPG, 58 3PT FG, .824 FT%
  • Colby White, Guard, Sophomore (Buckingham, Va./Blue Ridge) – 11.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 69 3PT FG
  • Brody Davis, Guard, Junior (Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown) – 9.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 68 3PT FG
  • Favor Okigweh, Forward, Junior (Edgewood, Md./Parkville/The Winchendon School) – 9.6 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 31 BLK
 
 

#4 Millersville (20-9 overall, 15-6 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • Millersville returns four players from last season's team, which earned the No. 1 seed in the PSAC East and a share of the division title. The Marauders have won at least 18 games in each of the last five seasons and at least a share of three of the last five PSAC East titles.
  • Millersville must replace PSAC East Athlete of the Year Day Waters and Defensive Athlete of the Year Aamir Hurst. Returners include Dante Weise, who led the PSAC in assist/turnover ratio (2.9), and sophomore Carnell Henderson, who started nine games and earned PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week honors as a freshman.
  • Several newcomers arrive with accomplished collegiate resumes. Veron Talla was a USCAA All-American and conference player of the year at Penn State Mont Alto, Josiah Rickards was named to the Mountain East Conference All-Tournament Team at Concord, and James Barlow posted double-doubles in the national semifinal and final to help Penn State York win a national championship.
 
 

#5 Shippensburg (14-15 overall, 9-12 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • Shippensburg is coming off a 14-15 campaign that included a 9-12 mark in PSAC East play and a trip to the PSAC Tournament.
  • The Raiders return their top three scorers, led by All-PSAC First Team honoree Markus Frank, who ranked fourth in the PSAC in scoring and fifth in field goal percentage (.520). Frank, All-PSAC Second Team selection Jaydon Smith and Michael Dickson combined for 46.2 ppg last season.
  • Shippensburg opens the season Nov. 9 at home against Wilson College. The PSAC East slate begins when the Raiders host West Chester on Jan. 9 at 3 p.m.

Key Returnees –

  • Markus Frank, Guard, Redshirt Senior (Sewickley, Pa./Quaker Valley) – 18.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG
  • Jaydon Smith, Guard, Junior (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) – 15.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.4 APG
  • Michael Dickson, Guard, Redshirt Senior (Dallastown, Pa./Dallastown Area) – 12.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.0 APG
 


#6 Bloomsburg (7-21 overall, 4-17 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • Bloomsburg is coming off a 7-21 campaign in 2025-26 with a 4-17 record in PSAC play.
  • The Huskies ranked third in the PSAC in blocked shots (4.21 per game) and fourth in bench scoring (26.1 ppg) last season.
  • Bloomsburg opens the season at home on Tuesday, Nov. 10 against Molloy and begins PSAC play Friday, Dec. 4 against Pitt-Johnstown.

Key Returnees –

  • Chase Smucker – 6.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 37.3 3P%
 


#7 Kutztown (6-20 overall, 3-18 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • Kutztown finished 6-20 overall and 3-18 in the PSAC last season in head coach Tom York's first year at the helm.
  • KU ranked third in the PSAC in defensive rebounds with 26.8 per game.
  • With Keystone Arena under renovation, the Golden Bears will play their home games at Penn State Berks.
  • Kutztown opens the season on the road at Jefferson and begins PSAC play at Gannon on Dec. 4.

Key Returnees –

  • Yahmir Satterfield, Guard, Senior (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) – 10.4 PPG
  • Kidd Brizek, Forward, Graduate Student (Greenville, S.C./Powdersville) – 7.8 PPG
  • Josh McKoy, Guard, Junior (Reading, Pa./Berks Catholic) – 5.9 PPG
  • Tobi Ogunbare, Center, Junior (Dublin, Ireland/Lawrence) – 3.9 PPG
 
 

#8 Mansfield (4-23 overall, 3-18 PSAC in 2025-26)

  • Mansfield returns Diarmid Stewart, Jackson Henry and Josh Franklin from its starting rotation, along with key reserve Ty Barrett.
  • The Mounties add eight newcomers, including impact transfers Amir Cunningham, Kelton Brown and Mekhi Shillingford.
  • Mansfield opens the 2026-27 season on Saturday, Nov. 21 when it hosts Roberts Wesleyan at 3 p.m.
  • The PSAC schedule begins Friday, Dec. 4 when the Mounties travel to Lock Haven for a crossover contest.

Key Returnees –

  • Diarmid Stewart, Forward, Senior (York, Pa./Blue Ridge) – 4.2 RPG, 109 rebounds, 7 blocks
  • Josh Franklin, Guard/Forward (Baltimore, Md./Susquehannock) – 59 assists, 22 steals, 40% FG