Falcons Predicted Sixth in MASCAC Preseason Poll
The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) has released the 2014-15 preseason rankings for men’s basketball and Fitchburg State is forecasted to place sixth in a poll by the league’s coaches.
WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) has released the 2014-15 preseason rankings for men's basketball and Fitchburg State is forecasted to place sixth in a poll by the league's coaches.
After winning the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Championship last season, the Bridgewater State Bears have been selected to win the 2014 MASCAC Men's Basketball title as voted on by the coaches around the conference.
Earning three first place votes for 32 points, the Bears return several players from last season's squad, including All-Conference honorees Michael Lofton and Kyle Gibson. Lofton averaged 16.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and had a field goal percentage of 64 percent while Gibson averaged 13.2 points and 6.3 rebounds last season for Bridgewater State.
Sitting in a tie for second place are Salem State and Westfield State who each had two first place votes to tally 30 points. Last season's regular season champions, the Vikings bring back All-Conference honoree Bryan Ortiz who finished the season with 16 points per game and 2.5 assists. The Owls look to Grant Cooper to have another strong year after leading the team with 17 points per game, 9.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
Worcester State lands in fourth with 21 points. The Lancers lost 2013-14 MASCAC Player of the Year Dane Jobst to graduation, but they bring back MASCAC Rookie of the Year Paul Brooks who averaged 7.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and two blocks per game while having a 50.6 field goal percentage.
Coming in fifth with 14 points is MCLA. The Trailblazers duo of Jeremic Bennett and Ruben Delrosario come back for the squad after averaging 11.5 and 9.7 points per game, respectively last season.
Rounding out the preseason poll are Fitchburg State and Framingham State with 13 points and seven points, respectively. The Falcons return Anthony Muccioli who averaged 14.3 points and teammate Josh Imadiyi who tallied 12.7 per game. The Rams return Daniel Gould who averaged 9.8 points per game while finishing the season fourth in the league with a 36.9 three point percentage.
The Falcons will kick off the year this weekend as they travel to Roger Williams University for the RWU Courtyard Marriot Tournament. On Friday in the opening night Fitchburg will take on Suffolk at 6:00 pm.