Men’s Basketball Tabbed Ninth in GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll

BOSTON – With one of its youngest rosters in recent history, the Suffolk men's basketball team was voted to finish ninth in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference office announced Monday afternoon. 

The Rams garnered 26 points to place ahead of Rivier (15). At the top with 96 points was Albertus Magnus, who picked up six first-place nodes, while defending GNAC Championship Johnson &W ales collected three first-place votes for 91 points and second-place. Lasell's 74 points on one first-place vote put the Lancers in third whit Mount Ida (61) and St. Joseph's (Maine) (55) rounding out the top five.

Jeff Juron, who enters his second season as Suffolk's head coach, brings back just seven letter winners from last season's squad that went 8-18 overall and 6-12 against conference competition. Out of the seven returners just four played significant minutes including sophomore Michael Hagopian, who played in all 26 games, starting 25 in the Rams' backcourt in his collegiate debut. Senior Quinn McCartney, junior Matt McLean and sophomore Steven DiPrizio are also prominent returners, while classmate Jim Djema will called upon to make an immediate contribution. The Rams eight rookies will also be looked upon to make an immediate impact. 

Suffolk makes its 2016-17 debut Tuesday, Nov. 15 at Brandeis with tip-off between the Rams and Judges set for 7 p.m.