Led by 2016-17 PSAC Men's Basketball West Preseason All-Conference Team selections A.J. Leahey and Dale Clancy, Pitt-Johnstown has been picked to finish third in the conference's Western Division when this your preseason polls were released on Thursday... (2016-17 PSAC Men's Basketball Preseason Media Packet) ... (Full PSAC Release)
 
Pitt-Johnstown and two-time first-team all-conference selection Leahey (17.5 ppg., 8.1 rpg.) grab the third spot in the Western Division after pacing the league in three-point percentage (40.6), free-throw percentage (76.3) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.28).  Clancy, a junior guard, averaged 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game last season.
 
Along with Leahey and Clancy, Head Coach Bob Rukavina also returns senior guard Rasaun Mosley (2.9 ppg., 1.5 rpg.) and junior forward Isaac Vescovi (11.7 pts., 4.7 rpg., 2.2 apg.).  In all eight lettermen return from last year's squad that advanced to the PSAC Quarterfinals and finished with an 18-11 overall record and a 13-9 mark in conference-play.
 
Kutztown and IUP have been tabbed as the favorites to win the Eastern and Western Divisions, respectively, for the 2017-18 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Men's Basketball campaign.  The annual preseason coaches' poll was announced by the league Thursday morning.
 
 
WESTERN DIVISION
IUP earns the top pick in the West following a 21-8 mark and boasts four returning starters. Led by Anthony Glover, the Crimson Hawks offense knocked down 48.2% of their shots, which was third best in the league.
 
Mercyhurst claims second after winning the PSAC Men's Basketball Championship for the first time in school history. Only two players on the 2016-17 roster played in all 31 games last season. The Lakers led the league in defense, allowing only 60.3 points per game.
 
 
Gannon returns six letter-winners, including one starter and are fourth in the poll. The Golden Knights own the 10th-highest all-time winning percentage (.638) in the history of NCAA Division II.
 
First-team all-conference player Jaymon Mason will lead Edinboro, which comes in fifth. Mason, who averaged 20.8 points per game and is a Division II Bulletin Preseason All-American, will play alongside four key transfers added to the roster. 

Seton Hill, Slippery Rock, Clarion and California round out the poll.
 
PSAC Men's Basketball East Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)

1. Kutztown (6)
2. West Chester (2)
3. East Stroudsburg
4. Shippensburg (1)
5. Bloomsburg
6. Mansfield
7. Lock Haven
8. Millersville
9. Cheyney

 
PSAC Men's Basketball East Preseason All-Conference Team
G          Malik Jackson            So.       West Chester
F          Josh Johnson              Sr.        Kutztown
F          Rasheed Moore           Sr.        East Stroudsburg
G/F      Christian Mortellite       R.-Jr.     Bloomsburg
G          Matt Penecale            Sr.         West Chester
F          Dustin Sleva                Jr.         Shippensburg
 
PSAC Men's Basketball West Preseason Poll

1. IUP (5)
2. Mercyhurst (3)
3. Pitt-Johnstown (1)
4. Gannon
5. Edinboro
6. Seton Hill
7. Slippery Rock
8. Clarion
9. California

 
PSAC Men's Basketball West Preseason All-Conference
G          BJ Andrews                  Sr.        Clarion
G          Dale Clancy                 Jr.        Pitt.-Johnstown
F          Noah Davis                  Sr.        Seton Hill
F          Jacobo Diaz                 So.       IUP
F          A.J. Leahey                  Sr.        Pitt.-Johnstown
G          Jaymon Mason            R-Jr.     Edinboro