Men's Basketball | 10/25/2018 11:50:00 AM

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University men's basketball team was voted third in the 2018-19 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Preseason Coaches' Poll released Thursday morning by the league office.
 
Shippensburg returns two starters from a squad that posted a 25-8 overall record and reached the NCAA Atlantic Region Championship game ("Sweet Sixteen") for the first time in school history. The Raiders made their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and fourth overall in school history in 2017-18.
 
"I'm cautiously optimistic and think we can be pretty competitive again," head coach Chris Fite said of this year's prospects. "Our conference is always super competitive, and we have enough guys that have been through it and have had some success here. We understand what needs to be done."
 
SU must account for the departure of its 2017-18 senior class (two-time All-American Dustin Sleva, school-record holder for career three-pointers Justin McCarthur, and point guard Clay Conner). The three seniors combined for 4,332 points, 1,534 rebounds, 953 assists, 574 three-pointers, 1,028 free throws and a combined 80.6 free-throw percentage.
 
"I'm looking forward to this year," Fite said. "I think it presents an interesting challenge for us just because we relied so heavily on some of the seniors that graduated from last year's team. It's an opportunity for our upperclassmen that are returning, and we've got some newcomers that we think can help us as well."
 
The 2018-19 roster breakdown features two seniors, five juniors, two sophomores and six freshmen. The Raiders have 10 returning players and five newcomers. Of the five newcomers, two are JUCO transfers. In addition to returning starters Antonio Kellem and John Castello, returning contributors Jake Biss, Manny Span, Dom Sleva and Lamar Talley are among those expected to have significantly expanded roles this season.
 
"We've had a great preseason and we're working very hard," Fite said. "I like our focus and I'm excited that we are able to practice now every day and start working toward something."
 
Shippensburg opens the season by hosting the 2018 Wolf's Bus Lines Classic on Saturday, Nov. 10 and Sunday, Nov. 11. The Raiders will face Virginia Union and Lincoln.
 
PSAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll

East (# of first-place votes)
1) West Chester (6)
2) East Stroudsburg (1)
3) Shippensburg (1)
4) Kutztown
5) Millersville
6) Bloomsburg
T-7) Lock Haven
T-7) Mansfield
 
West (# of first-place votes)
1) IUP (8)
2) Slippery Rock
3) Gannon
4) Mercyhurst (1)
5) California
6) Pitt-Johnstown
7) Edinboro
8) Seton Hill
9) Clarion