Westfield, Mass. — The MCLA Trailblazers have been chosen as the pre-season pick to win the 2013-14 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Basketball championship as voted on by the league's coaches.

Falling just short of the conference title last season, the Trailblazers bring back two key players from last year's squad in forward John Jones and 2012-13 MASCAC Rookie of the Year Paul Maurice. MCLA head coach Jamie Morrison was named the 2012-13 Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 9-3 conference record.

The Trailblazers received five first place votes and 47 points in the poll. Worcester State with a first place vote and 38 points was picked to finish second this season. Last year, the Lancers finished sixth in the conference with a 5-7 conference record.

Getting the final first place vote and 37 points is Salem State who finished third overall last season. Bridgewater State lands in the four slot with 30 points and returns junior forward Michael Lofton who was second team MASCAC All-Conference in 2012-13.

Picked to finish fifth in the conference is last year's regular season champion Westfield State with 23 points.  The Owls look to rebound after losing 2012-13 MASCAC Player of the Year Lee Vazquez and  All-Conference center Matt Devine to graduation.

Rounding out the poll are Framingham State and Fitchburg State in sixth and seventh with 11 and 10 points, respectively. During last season's conference tournament, Fitchburg State upset MCLA to earn their first ever conference title.

All seven MASCAC men's basketball teams start their 2013-2014 schedule with trips to various tournaments on November 15.