MBB Picked Seventh in NECC Preseason Poll

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Mitchell College men's basketball team was selected seventh in the NECC's preseason coaches poll released on Thursday.

The Becker College Hawks have been tabbed as the preseason favorite to capture the New England Collegiate Conference men's basketball championship. Voting for the preseason poll was conducted among the NECC's head men's basketball coaches.

Men's basketball is sponsored by eight of the nine member institutions.

The Becker Hawks (19-11, 13-1 NECC) received six of the eight first-place votes in the 2010 NECC preseason poll. The Hawks are led by head coach Brian Gorman who will return all five starters, including senior forward Rajai Leggett. Leggett was an All NECC First Team member. He led the Hawks averaging 15.4 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game.

Becker is also returning two All NECC Second Team members in junior guard Terrance Favors and senior center Trae Jacobs. Gorman, with three years under his belt, has a 54-32 overall coaching record.

The 2008 & 2009 NECC Champions' the Elms College Blazers were picked as the runner-up receiving two of the first place votes. The Wildcats of Wheelock College grabbed the number three spot with 49 points. The Daniel Webster College Eagles were fourth with 45 points, while the Mountaineers of Southern Vermont College rounded out the top five with 39 points.

The Lesley University Lynx were awarded 36 points for sixth place. The Mariners and the Nighthawks of Newbury College rounded out the field with the Mariners in seventh place and the Nighthawks finishing in eighth place.

Teams received nine points for every first place vote received, eight points for second place votes, seven points for third place votes, down to two points for a last place vote. First place votes are shown in parentheses.

2010 NECC PRESEASON MEN'S BASKETBALL POLL

TEAM, POINTS(1st Place votes)
1-Becker, 68 (6)
2-Elms, 66 (2)
3-Wheelock, 49
4-Daniel Webster, 45
5-Southern Vermont, 39
6-Lesley, 36
7-Mitchell, 28
8-Newbury, 21