Posted: Nov 13, 2014

Men's Basketball Tabbed Second in NECC Preseason Poll

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College men's basketball squad has been selected to finish second in 2014-15 New England Collegiate Conference Men's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll, released by the league office Thursday morning.

The Blazers finished as conference runners up in 2013-14 after falling to pre-season favorite Mitchell College by one point in the championship game. Elms will be returning seven players from a 15-13 team, including senior forward Kenny Lockett (Atlanta, Ga.), who averaged nearly a double-double as a junior. The Blazers received three first-place votes, one second-place vote, and three third-place votes in the poll.

"I'm honored by the selection," said Elms Head Coach Rob Southall. "I think we have a lot of work to do to get to where we were last year. Last season we had a senior group that really worked hard and showed our young guys the leadership that is needed. This year, we have some incoming transfers, some good freshman, as well as some good returners, but we are a ways to get to where we were last year. I want the team to react as if they were selected last. I want us to be driven and hungry regardless of where we are selected, and play to with a chip on our shoulder that we don't get any respect."

Mitchell garnered 67 points with four first-place votes and five second-place votes to check in at the top spot in the poll. The Mariners finished with a 19-8 mark last season, and matched Elms with a 12-4 league record. After defeating Elms in the NECC Championship game, Mitchell lost to Williams College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship tournament.

Southern Vermont is slotted two points back of the Blazers in third place after receiving 52 points with a first-place vote. The Mountaineers posted a 16-10 record in 2013-14, and a 10-6 mark in the NECC with a pair of victories over Mitchell College.

Becker College came in at fourth with 48 points, trailed by Regis College in fifth, Daniel Webster College at sixth, Newbury College in seventh, Lesley University at eighth, and Wheelock College in ninth to round out the conference poll.

The Blazers will open the 2014-15 campaign by participating in the Rick Martin/Holiday Inn Express Tournament, hosted by Westfield State, this weekend. Elms will tip off against Bowdoin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night.

2014-15 NECC Men's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll

1. Mitchell College (67 points, 4 first-place votes)

2. Elms College (54 points, 3 first-place votes)

3. Southern Vermont College (52 points, 1 first-place vote)

4. Becker College (48 points)

5. Regis College (42 points, 1 first-place vote)

6. Daniel Webster College (27 points)

7. Newbury College (17 points)

8. Lesley University (10 points)

9. Wheelock College (7 points)

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