Men's Hoops Selected Second in NECC Preseason Poll
The Regis (Mass.) men's basketball team received two first-place votes, but finished second behind defending champion Southern Vermont College in the NECC Preseason Coaches Poll released Friday afternoon.
ATTLEBORO, Mass. - The Regis (Mass.) men's basketball team received two first-place votes, but finished second behind defending champion Southern Vermont College in the New England Collegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released Friday afternoon.
The Mountaineers were picked to repeat as NECC Champions. Southern Vermont graduated some vital starters so they will look to junior Daemond Carter and the other eight returners from the 2015-16 season to lead them this year.
Landing in second in the polls was Regis with 63 points and two first-place votes. The Pride returns key starter Sam Jean-Gilles (Melrose, Mass.) who was on the 2016 All-NECC First Team. Regis returns eight players from last years’ roster and hope to get back to the NECC Championship as they did in 2015.
Daniel Webster College and Becker College both finished with 59 total points. The Eagles received two first place votes as they return 10 players and two of there starters from last season. The Hawks will rely on their three returning starters two of which earned 2016 All-NECC honors.
Finishing fifth was Elms College with 51 points. The Blazers will have to replace the reigning NECC Player of the Year, Jerry Buchanon, who led the entire conference in both points and steals last season.
Mitchell College was sixth in the overall rankings with 37 points. The Mariners will have a young returning team led by the 2016 NECC Rookie of the Year Domenico Santiago.
Closing out the polls is Lesley University (24 points), Wheelock College (22 points), and Newbury College (14 points).
The Pride opens its 2016-17 season next Tuesday night with a road game against Lasell College. Tip-off in the season opener is slated for 8:00 p.m.
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Release courtesy of the New England Collegiate Conference.