Hartwick Chosen to Repeat in Empire 8 Men's Basketball
ROCHESTER, NY – Hartwick College, which won its first Empire 8 title last year and advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship for the first time in 15 years, was selected to finish first in the Empire 8 Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Hawks, who received six first-place votes in the poll, return all five starters from last season’s championship squad. Senior forward Chris Ryder earned first-team all-conference honors last season, ranking in the top-10 in the Empire 8 in scoring, rebounding, blocks, and free throw percentage. Jared Suderley was named Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and Empire 8 Men’s Basketball Championship Most Valuable Player. He led the Hawks in scoring and finished second in scoring in the conference.
Nazareth College, which failed to qualify for the conference tournament in 2010-11, is the coaches’ selection to place second this season. The Golden Flyers return each of their top eight scorers from a year ago, including honorable mention all-conference players Jason Corletta and Phil Scaffidi. Corletta led the team in scoring and nearly set a school record for free throw percentage, while Scaffidi ranked second on the team in scoring.
The coaches’ pick to finish third this season is Stevens Institute of Technology, which recorded the second most wins in school history last year (22) and won its second ECAC Metro Championship title. The Ducks return senior forward Simon Smith, a first-team all-conference selection who ranked seventh in Division III in rebounds per game and double-doubles. Junior guard Sheldon Jones led the team in scoring and garnered second-team all-conference recognition.
Ithaca College, which returns three double-digit scorers and seeks its fourth consecutive 20-win campaign, has been picked by the coaches to finish fourth this year. Junior point guard Sean Rossi has led Division III in assists each of the past two seasons and the first-team all-conference player is on pace to be the all-time NCAA assist leader. Senior guard Jordan Marcus, a second-team all-conference selection a year ago, ranks second all-time at the school in three-pointers and ninth in scoring.
After earning a trip to the Empire 8 title game a year ago, St. John Fisher has been chosen by the coaches to finish fifth this season. The Cardinals return all-conference second-team selection Jordan Gettings, who led the team in scoring and assists.
Utica College, which finished 7-9 in conference play a year ago and recorded a sweep of Ithaca, is the coaches’ selection to finish sixth this season. Junior forward Jeff Ward led the Pioneers in rebounding last year and is the team’s top returning scorer.
Alfred University and Elmira College tied for seventh place in this year’s preseason poll. The Saxons will move from a three-guard lineup to a rotation with greater size and a post presence. The Soaring Eagles bring in seven new players and will feature 12 freshman and sophomores on their 15-player roster.
The last three Empire 8 champions were picked to finish third (Nazareth in 2009-10) or fourth (Hartwick in 2010-11 and Nazareth in 2007-08) in the preseason coaches’ poll.
2011-12 Empire 8 Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Hartwick College (6 first-place votes) 48 points
2. Nazareth College (1) 39
3. Stevens Institute of Technology (1) 38
4. Ithaca College 35
5. St. John Fisher College 25
6. Utica College 19
7. Alfred University 10
Elmira College 10