SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Delhi, Husson top pre-season polls for 2023-24 NAC men's basketball
WATERVILLE, Maine – Husson University has been selected to finish atop the North Atlantic Conference’s Men's Basketball East Division while SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Delhi were tied for the selection to finish first in the West Division, in preseason voting among the NAC’s men’s basketball coaches.
In the East, Husson received 45 points with five of the first-place votes, while the UMaine-Presque Isle was selected second with 35 points and received the other two first-place votes. Maine Maritime Academy was third with 33 points, and VTSU Lyndon was fourth with 29 points, one ahead of fifth place UMaine-Farmington with 28 points. Thomas was sixth (17 points) and Lesley was seventh (9 points).
In the West, SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Delhi tallied 42 points each in the voting, with SUNY Delhi receiving five first-place votes and Cobleskill garnering one. SUNY Poly was third and received 33 points. SUNY Morrisville was fourth (29 points with a first-place vote) followed by VTSU Johnson and SUNY Canton tied for fifth (21 points each) and Eastern Nazarene in seventh with eight points.
The 2023-24 regular season starts on Wednesday, Nov. 8, with the first North Atlantic Conference matches slated for Tuesday, November 28.
The 2024 NAC Tournament opens with divisional quarterfinal games on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 and concludes in the championship game on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.
Complete poll results and capsule previews for the North Atlantic Conference’s 14 teams are below:
WEST DIVISION
T-1. SUNY Cobleskill – 42 points (1 first place vote)
Head Coach: Justin Maxwell (78-95 / 7 seasons overall, 21-29 / Two seasons at SUNY Cobleskill)
2022-23 Record: 18-9 overall, 6-4 / T-2nd in NAC West
Top Returning Players:
Andre Starks - G, SR Rochester, NY: 14.6 PPG, 3.3 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.9 SPG-Third Team All-NAC
Iziah Pigott - G, SR Brooklyn, NY: 11.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.3 SPG
Markel Jenkins - C, SR Elmira, NY: 10.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.9 SPG
Jeremy Rosario - G/F, SO Colonie, NY: 8.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 0.6 APG
Chace Peterson - F, SO Troy, NY: 3.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG
Quanire Greene - G, SO Albany, NY: 3.3 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.1 APG
Top Newcomers:
Chalik Oxley - F, JR, Manhattan, NY-Transfer Mohawk Valley CC 8.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG
Devin Dennard - G, SR Elmira, NY: -Transfer Cazenovia College 10.6 PPG
Kobe Long - G, SO Rochester, NY-All-Conference performer at McQuade Jesuit High School
T-1. SUNY Delhi – 42 points (5 first-place votes)
Head Coach: Jonathan Annon (0-0 / First season, 0-0 overall)
2022-23 Record: 20-9 overall, 8-2 / 1st in NAC West
Top Returning Players:
Lester McCarthey - F, Jr., 15.8 PPG, 5 RPG, Second Team
Isiah Barnes - G, Jr., 12 PPG, 3.6 RPG, Third Team
Top Newcomer:
Hudson Idzi - F, Fr., Oriskany Falls, NY, Class D First Team NYSSWA
3. SUNY Poly – 33 points
Head Coach: Rob Schoener (125-88 / 8 seasons at SUNY Poly, 280-158 / 15 seasons overall)
2022-23 Record: 13-13 overall, 8-6 / T-2nd in NAC West
Top Returning Players:
Cheickne Toure - G, Jr., Bronx, NY, 12.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.7 APG
LJ Randle - G, Gr., Rotterdam, NY, 9.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.7 APG
Anthony Rose - F, So. Bronx, NY, 5.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG
Top Newcomers:
Majesty Johnson - G, Jr., Harlem, NY
Kamryn Comstock - F, Fr., Dolgeville, NY
Alex Schmidt - G, Fr, Stuyvesant, NY
4. SUNY Morrisville – 29 points (1 first place vote)
Head Coach: Joseph Smith (213-138 / 13 seasons at Morrisville and overall)
2022-23 Record: 11-14 overall / 6th in United East (2023-24 is first season in NAC)
Top Returning Players:
Jordan Coard - F, Jr., 14.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg, United East All-Conference
Brandon Kulakowski - G, Jr., 11.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg
Shykell Brown - PG, Sr., 14.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Top Newcomers:
A large incoming class of 13 will provide the Mustangs with depth.
T-5. SUNY Canton – 21 points
Head Coach: Dylan Seikel (6-18, 1 season at SUNY Canton and overall)
2022-23 Record: 6-18 overall, 2-8 / 6th in NAC West
Top Returning Players:
Terrence Fields - G, Sr. - Chicago, IL - averaged 9.0 PPG & 3.2 RPG last season - lone returning starter
Brennan Harmer - G, Sr. - Madrid, NY - averaged 7.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.3 APG
Eli Larson - F, Jr. - Greenville, NY - averaged 4.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG
Top Newcomers:
Jevonte Williams – G, Jr. – Rochester, NY (17.5 PPG at Finger Lakes Community College)
Kevin Goode Jr. – G, Jr. – Rochester, NY (9.5 PPG, 4 APG, 4 RPG at Genesee Community College)
Bryon Streb – F, Fr. – Rochester, NY (All-Section 5 Honoree, All-State Honoree)
Hansen Bagdonas – F, Fr. – Stormville, NY (All-Conference)
Malaki Smith – G, Fr. – Poughkeepsie, NY (All-Section I Class AAA, All-Conference)
T-5. VTSU Johnson (21 points)
Head Coach: Alfred Johnson (276-320 / 23 seasons overall, 21-27 / 2 seasons at VTSU Johnson)
2022-23 Record: 11-12 overall, 3-7 / 5th in NAC West
Top Returning Players:
Raymond Baka - F, Jr., Atlanta, GA 12.8ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.9 blk
Top Newcomers:
Nazir Gossett - F, Sr., Philadelphia, PA
Malik Clark G - Jr., Philadelphia, PA
Travis Baker - G Jr., Miami, FL
David Greer - C, Sr., Ocean Springs, MS
Darone Frierson - F, Fr. Baltimore, MD
Gerald Pitt - Jr. G, Fr., Melfa, VA
7. Eastern Nazarene (8 points)
Head Coach: Aaron Loredo (0-0 / First season, 0-0 overall)
2022-23 Record: 11-15 overall, First season in NAC
Top Returning Players:
Kobe Jones - G, Jr., Picayune, Miss., 9.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG
Top Newcomers:
N/A
EAST DIVISION
1. Husson - 45 points (5 first place votes)
Head Coach: Warren Caruso (538-262 / 29 seasons at Husson and overall)
2022-23 Record: 13-13 overall, 11-3 / 2nd in NAC East
Top Returning Players:
Jeremy Moronta - G, Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y., 14.8 peg, 7.1 rpg, NAC All-Conference Third Team.
Scott Lewis - F, Sr., South Portland, Maine, 12.7 mpg, 5.8 mpg
Eric Ahlers - G, So., St. Pete, Fla., 5.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Derek Collin - G, Gr., Trenton, Maine, 5.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Luke Caruso - G, Sr., Bangor, Maine, 3.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg
Top Newcomers:
Riles Neff - G, Jr. Camarillo, Calif.
Kyle O'Hare - F, Fr. Tampa, Fla.
Andre McCauley - G, Fr., Upper Marlboro, Md.
2. UMaine-Presque Isle – 35 points (2 first place votes)
Head Coach: Dan Kane (68-70 / 6 seasons at UMPI and overall)
2022-23 Record: 13-14 overall, 7-3 / T-2nd in NAC East
Top Returning Players:
Dany Harris - F, Sr., Danbury/CT, 16.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 6th in scoring in the NAC, 4th in rpg in the NAC, 4th in fg% in the NAC (52.1%)
Gilbert Jean Mendez - G, Jr., Clearwater/FL, 12.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 8th in the NAC with assists (3.6 apg), Owls best overall defender
Charlie Mellick - G. Jr., Canberra/Australia,4.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg
Top Newcomers:
Doug McCalla - F, FY, West Palm Beach/FL
Aleix Moreno - F, So., Barcelona/Spain
3. Maine Maritime – 33 points
Head Coach: Dan McNeely (35-89 / 6 seasons at MMA and overall)
2022-23 Record: 10-15 overall, 2-8 / 5th in NAC East
Top Returning Players:
Curt Heinz - C, Jr., Stuttgart, Germany, 15.48 PPG, 15.44 RPG, NAC All Conference Third Team. Maine Men's Basketball Coaches and Writers Association (MMBCWA) Second Team All-State and All-Defensive Team
Top Newcomers:
C.J. Lilljeqvist - G, FY, Stockholm, Sweden. Played all three years in high school, Played season at a college prep in Italy and Won bronze in Swedish U19 Championships.
Jack Banks - F, FY, Gulf Breeze, Fla.,Played for Panhandle Prospect, Two years of varsity basketball, All-Area Second Team selection, Selected to Team Florida, Pensacola All-Star Game starter, and two-time district champion.
4. VTSU Lyndon – 29 points
Head Coach: David Pasiak (314-340 / 24 seasons overall, 31-104 / 6 seasons at VTSU Lyndon)
2022-23 Record: 6-20 overall, 3-7 / 4th in NAC East
Top Returning Players:
Peyton Olsen - Sr., Middleburgh, NY, 16.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3rd Team All-Conference
Gregory Gonyea - Jr., So., Dolgeville, NY, 12.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, NAC Rookie of the Year
Mondwell Bukle - Sr., Pyeongtaek, South Korea, 14.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Calder Horowitz - McCadden, Jr., South Burlington, VT, 2.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Tyrese Harris - Sr., Fort Benning, GA, 4.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Top Newcomers:
Levi Spina - Guard, Senior, Frankfort, NY, transfer from SUNY Poly
Matt Doyle - Forward, Sophomore, Whitesboro, NY, transfer from Cazenovia
Owen Traynor - Guard, Freshman, Rutland, VT, 21.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2-time Honorable Mention All-Conference
Tavarius Vance - Guard, Freshman, Barre, VT, 12.6 ppg, 5.4 ppg, 2nd Team All-Conference
Isaac Davis - Forward, Freshman, Barre, VT, 11.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg
5. UMaine- Farmington – 28 points
Head Coach: Sam Leal (35-16 / 2 seasons at UMF and overall)
2022-23 Record 19-8 overall, 10-0 / 1st in NAC East
Top Returning Players:
Zachary Mickle - G, Sr., Billerica, Mass. - 7.5 ppg, 1.6 apg, 2.5 rpg
Dylan Griffin - F/C, Jr., Saco, Maine - 3.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Will Harriman - F, Jr., Biddeford, Maine
Jordan Anthony - F, So., Farmington, Conn.
Top Newcomers:
Simon Chadbourne - G, Sr., Portland, Maine - 7.8 ppg, 1.4 apg, 3.7 rpg
Ethan Forrester - G/F, Jr., Colorado Springs, Colo.
6. Thomas – 17 points
Head Coach: Marquis Mason-Pollard (3-21 / 1 season at Thomas and overall)
2022-23 Record: 3-21 overall, 1-9 / 7th in NAC East
Top Returning Players:
Parker Desjardins - G, Jr., Jackman Maine, 13 ppg 4.8 rpg
James Phelan - G, So., Portlaoise, Ireland 10.3ppg , 2spg
Top Newcomers:
N/A
7. Lesley – 9 points
Head Coach: Devin Mayo (7-88 / 5 seasons at Lesley and overall)
2022-23 Record: 3-21 overall, 0-6 in NECC (First season in NAC)
Top Returning Players:
Christian Castro - G, Jr., Chesapeake, VA, 8 PPG, 354 points,
DJ Alexander - G, Jr., Toledo, OH, 5.7 PPG, 131 points
Top Newcomer:
Jason Habes - C, Fr. Netherlands (1st at Sparta Bertrang Luxembourg international U16. 3rd at Mulhouse MBA international tournament)