Men’s Basketball Picked Seventh In Pre-Season Poll

Falcons finish with 10 points in MASCAC’s Pre-Season Coaches Poll

FITCHBURG, Mass. (November 1, 2013) – The Fitchburg State men’s basketball team was recently selected seventh in the 2013-14 MASCAC Men’s Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll as announced by the league officer this morning.

The MCLA Trailblazers have been chosen as the pre-season pick to win the 2013-14 MASCAC Men’s Basketball championship as voted on by the league’s coaches, receiving five first place votes. Falling just short of the conference title last season, the Trailblazers bring back two key players from last year’s squad in forward John Jones and 2012-13 MASCAC Rookie of the Year Paul Maurice.

Worcester State with a first place vote and 38 points was picked to finish second this season after finishing sixth overall in the conference with a 5-7 mark. Salem State received the final first place vote with 37 points after finishing third overall last season as well.

Bridgewater State lands in the four slot with 30 points, while last year’s regular season champion, Westfield State placed fifth overall with 23 points. Rounding out the poll are Framingham State and Fitchburg State in sixth and seventh with 11 points and 10 points, respectively. During last season’s conference tournament, Fitchburg State upset MCLA to earn their first ever conference title.

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the nation’s first Division III men’s and women’s playing conference, has a rich and storied tradition of competitive success while celebrating excellence in the classroom. MASCAC core member schools include Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University. Two other institutions, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Plymouth State University, are affiliate members of the conference in the sports of football and men’s ice hockey, while Western Connecticut State University joined the conference as an affiliate member in football beginning in 2013-14.