The Mountain East Conference released the preseason men's basketball poll on Friday morning and the defending MEC Tournament Champion Notre Dame College Falcons were picked to finish fourth in the poll that was voted on by fellow Mountain East Conference coaches. NDC will be led by first year head coach Mark Richmond, who spoke briefly about the culture at NDC and the situation he came into:
" It did not take long to realize that Notre Dame College is a very special place. I was put into a very unique situation, but I would to thank our athletic director Scott Swain for everything that he does and former coach Tim Koenig for his help in the process as well. I also would like to thank the Mountain East Conference and everyone for being here today." Richmond stated."
West Liberty was picked as the top team in the preseason poll and received nine first place votes. Charleston was picked second and received a pair of first place votes- while Fairmont State was picked third and received the other first place vote. NDC and West Virginia State were tabbed in a tie for fourth- while Concord is picked sixth in the preseason. West Virginia Wesleyan is picked seventh- Glenville State eighth- Frostburg State ninth-Davis and Elkins is tabbed 10th- while Urbana and Wheeling were picked 11th and 12th respectively in the MEC preseason poll.
NDC senior Bruce Hodges talked about proving people wrong:
" I would rather be picked fourth than first- as a competitor it makes me wanna go out and prove people wrong! I love to prove people wrong!" Hodges said.
Richmond talked briefly about the upcoming season:
" We will have our challenges, but I like our team and our setup."
MEC Poll:
1. West Liberty 119 (9)
2. Charleston 106 (2)
3. Fairmont State 103 (1)
4T. NDC 78
4T. West Virginia State 78
6. Concord 63
7. West Virginia Wesleyan 63
8. Glenville State 59
9. Frostburg State 38
10. Davis & Elkins 26
11. Urbana 25
12. Wheeling 24
NDC will play an exhibition game on 10/30 @ Cleveland State, before opening the season in the Conference Challenge at Fairmont State. The Falcons for the second straight season will open the regular season against Slippery Rock (the game will be played on 11/8.) The Falcons will then battle Millersville on the following day.
Σχόλια