Westfield, Mass.— Reigning MASCAC Champions Worcester State have been tabbed to repeat as the 2023-24 MASCAC Men’s Basketball Championship as voted on by the seven coaches from around the league. 

The Lancers received five of the seven first place votes for 35 points. They were a perfect 12-0 during the MASCAC campaign last season. Reigning MASCAC Player of the Year Aaron Nkrumah returns after he closed out the regular season first in total points with 431 and steals with 66, third in points per game at 17.2 and seventh in blocks with 22. He also averaged 7.8 rebounds per game with a total of 195, a 43.1 field goal percentage and 53 assists on the year. 

Bridgewater State sits in the second slot with 31 points and the final first place vote. The Bears were 8-4 during the conference clip in 2022-23. Reigning MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year Emerson Halbleib is back after he rocked the stat sheet last season with 14.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game (267 total), 68 blocks, 42 steals, 43 assists, a 68.2 field goal percentage and 72.3 free throw percentage all which are in the top six of the MASCAC. 

Westfield State is next in third with  29 points. The Owls were also 8-4 in league competition last season. Brendon Hamilton averaged 13.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game this season.  He averaged 16.2 points per game in 12 games against conference foes.  He finished eighth in the league in rebounding and fifth in blocked shots to grab a spot on the All-Conference team. 

 

Landing in fourth with 21 points is Salem State. The Vikings had five wins in league play in 2022-23. Jaden Castillo averaged 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and a 72.4 field throw percentage. He also tallied 84 assists, 45 steals and 10 blocks.

Up next in fifth is Fitchburg State with 14 points. The Falcons had four wins at the end of the MASCAC schedule and  return Javon Taylor who tallied 189 points, 105 rebounds, 52 assists, 30 steals and 11 blocks last season.

 

Rounding out the 2023-34 preseason poll are Framingham State and MCLA in sixth and seventh with 12 and seven points, respectively. The Rams bring back Jahden Erold who averaged 7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds while collecting 31 assists, 34 steals and five blocks. The Trailblazers return Dylan Morris-Gray who tallied 12 points per game with 24 assists and 10 steals last season.

The MASCAC men’s basketball teams return to the hardwood over the next few weeks with their opening non-conference contests with the conference schedule starting in January. Follow all the games at mascac.com

 

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

 

1. Worcester State (5) 35 points

2. Bridgewater State (2) 29 points

3. Westfield State 29 points

4. Salem State 21 points

5. Fitchburg State 14 points

6. Framingham State 12 points

7. MCLA 7 points