FITCHBURG, MA:  The MASCAC released today the coach's votes for the 2024-25 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll. The Falcons were voted to place sixth this coming season, with Bridgewater State getting the first place nod. 

The Bears received four first place votes to secure the top spot in the poll. The team tied for second with a 9-3 league mark last season. Back for Bridgewater State is Dante Kikuba after he led the MASCAC with 4.8 assists and 2.8 steals per game and ranked fourth in 3-point shooting percentage (37.8) and eighth in scoring (14.3 points per game) to earn All-Conference accolades.

Westfield State sits in the second slot with a first place vote. The Owls were also 9-3 during the conference clip in 2023-24. Lid Moreland is back after averaging 13.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while tallying 49 assists, 21 steals, and five blocks while shooting 76.1 percent from the free throw line.

Worcester State is next in third with a first place vote. The Lancers were 10-2 last season to earn the MASCAC Regular Season and Tournament crowns. Under new head coach Al Pettway, the Lancers return Brandon Goris, who collected 195 points last season along with 57 rebounds, 48 assists, and 32 steals.

Grabbing the final first place vote is Salem State in fourth. The Vikings collected five MASCAC wins last season. All-Conference honoree Michael Makiej returned after tallying 449 points, which was fourth in the MASCAC with an 18.0 ppg average. His 7.8 rebounds per game average was second on Salem State and ranked fourth overall in the MASCAC.

Up next in fifth is MCLA. The Trailblazers were 7-5 during the league slate in 2023-24. In his first season with MCLA, Hayden Morris-Gray tallied 200 points with 69 rebounds, 33 assists, 11 steals, and seven blocks with a 79.1 free throw percentage.

Rounding out the 2024-25 preseason poll are Fitchburg State and Framingham State in sixth and seventh, respectively. The Falcons return Matthew Drayton, who, in his first year with the squad, scored 227 points with 80 rebounds, 23 assists, 17 steals, and four blocks. For the Rams, Joshua St. Jean is back after his first season, where he averaged 10.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while collecting 12 assists, 12 steals, and six blocks.

The MASCAC men's basketball teams return to the hardwood over the next few weeks with their opening non-conference contests, with the conference schedule starting in January.

2024-25 MASCAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

1. Bridgewater State (4) 33 points
2. Westfield State (1) 29 points
3. Worcester State (1) 26 points
4. Salem State (1) 23 points
5. MCLA 19 points
6. Fitchburg State 9 points
7. Framingham State 8 points

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