Men's Basketball Tabbed Third in GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
WINTHROP, Mass.—The Anna Maria College Men's Basketball team has been selected third in the 2015 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league on Wednesday morning. The poll is voted on by the league's 10 head coaches.
Last year's regular season runner up, Johnson & Wales University (RI) was picked to finish first in this year's Preseason Coaches' Poll earning eight first place votes. The Wildcats downed Mount Ida in the GNAC Quarterfinals last season and went on to take a 77-43 victory over Emmanuel in the semifinal game before dropping to Albertus Magnus in the tournament finals. The Wildcats ended the 2014-15 season with an overall record of 22-6 and 15-3 in GNAC play.
Albertus Magnus, who earned last year's top seed in GNAC Tournament play and won last year's GNAC regular season title was selected to finish second in 2015 as they recorded two first place votes. The Falcons graduated standout center, Victor Ljuljdjuraj who was named to both the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) as well as the D3hoops.com All-America Second Team. Ljuljdjuraj was named the 2014-15 Player and Defensive Player of the Year. This marks the first time in seven years that the Falcons were not tabbed at the preseason favorite.
Anna Maria came in at number three in the preseason coaches' poll with a total of 73 points. The AMCATS finished the 2014-15 season with an overall record of 14-13 and 12-6 in conference play. They ended last season in the GNAC Quarterfinals when they fell to Emmanuel College 76-73. The team also competed in the first round of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament and dropped a 76-69 decision to Southern Vermont.
Finishing behind the AMCATS in the poll were Saint Joseph's Maine with 72 points and Lasell who rounded out the top-five with 61 points. Numbers six through 10 in the poll were Emmanuel (51 points), Norwich (33 points), Mount Ida (31 points), Suffolk (25 points) and Rivier (16 points).
The AMCATS open the 2015 campaign, competing in the Babson Tournament on Friday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. versus Bridgewater State University at Babson College.
2015 GNAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Johnson & Wales (8) - 98
2. Albertus Magnus (2) - 90
3. Anna Maria - 73
4. Saint Joseph's Maine - 72
5. Lasell - 61
6. Emmanuel - 51
7. Norwich - 33
8. Mount Ida - 31
9. Suffolk - 25
10. Rivier – 16
