November 14, 2008

Husson University Chosen as Front-Runner for NAC Men’s Basketball Title

Husson University was selected as the men’s basketball preseason favorite of the North Atlantic Conference in a vote conducted by the league’s coaches. The Eagles were a unanimous choice for the top spot receiving all eight first place votes and a total of 64 points in the NAC men’s basketball preseason poll. Husson returns six of their top eight players from a squad which posted a 10-3 mark in conference play and were 18-11 overall. Leading Husson will be junior guard Brock Bradford, a first-team all-conference selection, who averaged 17 points and four assists a season ago.

Thomas College, which finished second with 37 points, will be led by returning NAC Rookie of the Year Andrew Duncanson, who averaged 18 points last year as the point guard for the Terriers.

Third choice Johnson State will be keyed by four seniors and their veteran frontcourt led by senior Bobby Shedd. Green Mountain, who competed last season as an independent, ranked fourth in the coaches poll with 33 points. The Eagles will attempt to replace last season’s Association of Division III independents Player of the Year Doug Hammond who averaged 23 points and 14.7 rebounds on his way to earning D3hoops.com 2nd-team all-northeast honors.

2008-09 North Atlantic Conference Men’s Basketball Pre-Season Poll

Order Team 2007-08 NAC/Overall 2007-08 NAC Finish Points
1. Husson 10-3/18-11 1st East 64 (8)
2. Thomas 2-11/12-16 5th East 37
3. Johnson State 4-9/8-18 4th West 36
4. Green Mountain na/ 21-5 na 33
5. Castleton 8-5/15-11 T-2nd West 32
6. Maine-Farmington 7-6/11-15 T-3rd East 31
Maine Maritime 7-6/10-14 T-3rd East 31
8. Lyndon State na/ 7-18 na 24

Note: Points in are awarded in descending order with first-place votes (in parentheses) earning 8 points through eighth-place votes which are worth one point. Records shown are 2007-08 conference and overall records with last season’s regular season conference finish. Green Mountain College and Lyndon State College are beginning their first year as members of the North Atlantic Conference.