Cal men picked 3rd in PSAC West’s preseason poll
If the men’s basketball team at Penn West California is to successfully defend its PSAC championship this winter, then it appears the Vulcans will have to pull off a few upsets along the way.
The conference released its men’s and women’s preseason basketball polls Thursday. The polls were a vote of the conference’s head coaches.
On the men’s side, California was picked to finish in third place in the West Division.
Defending NCAA Division II national champion Gannon is the preseason favorite in the West. The Golden Knights received eight of nine first-place votes. Indiana was picked to finish second followed by California. The Vulcans received the remaining first-place vote.
Rounding out the West poll were Slippery Rock at No. 4 followed by Seton Hill, Pitt-Johnstown, Edinboro, Clarion and Lock Haven.
West Chester edged East Stroudsburg for the top spot in the East. West Chester received four first-place and East Stoudsburg three. Shepherd was in the third slot and received the remaining first-place vote.
Last season, California won the PSAC tournament, beating Gannon on its home court in the title game.
The Vulcans must replace its entire starting lineup this season along with two of their top reserves. Junior Keondre DeShields is the lone returner but he is currently playing wide receiver on the football team.
Head coach Danny Sancomb has a 135-80 record in seven sevens with the Vulcans.
The California women were picked to finish fourth in the West. Indiana is the preseason favorite, garnering seven first-place votes. Gannon was second and received two first-place votes.
Just ahead of California is Edinboro in the No. 3 spot. Lock Haven was picked fifth followed by Clarion, Pitt-Johnstown, Slippery Rock and Seton Hill.
California had a 13-18 record last season ,snapping a string of 26 consecutive winning seasons.
Head coach Jess Strom enters her 16th season and has a school-record 310 wins, the fourth-most among active PSAC women’s basketball coaches.
The Vulcans return three starters, including second-team All-PSAC West pick Kennedy Bankett, who averaged 15.7 points per game last year.