PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Plymouth State University men's basketball team was picked to finish eighth as the Little East Conference (LEC) released its Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday.
 
Plymouth State earned 17 points, three behind the University of Massachusetts Boston (20) in the poll. WestConn and Keene State College split the nine first-place votes to rank first and second, respectively. WestConn earned five first-place votes for 61 points, while the Owls received four first-place votes and 60 points.
 
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed third with 47 points, ahead of the University of Southern Maine (43), Rhode Island College (35) and Eastern Connecticut State University (30). Vermont State University Castleton rounded out the poll in ninth with 11 points.
 
Head coach Andrew Novick begins 16th season patrolling the sidelines. The Panthers went 7-18 last winter after winning 12 games the previous season. PSU is seeking its first postseason appearance since the 2021-22 season, when the Panthers finished fourth in the league and advanced to the semifinal round.
 
Novick will rely on a mix of veteran returners, upperclassmen transfers and true freshmen this winter. Junior Brady Hulland (Amston, Conn.) is the team's top returning scorer after averaging 10.5 points and a team-high 4.6 rebounds per game last season. Senior captain Eli Pockette (Rutland, Vt.) provides an experienced ball-handler and floor general after recording 67 assists and 31 steals last winter. Junior Will Mollica (Stratham, N.H.) adds an interior presence, while senior Ivan Yen (Concord, N.H.) also returns for his final season.
 
Novick also welcomes 11 newcomers to the roster, including five senior or graduate student transfers.
 
Plymouth State opens the season at Framingham State University on Nov. 7 before hosting MIT in its home opener on Nov. 10. Conference play begins Dec. 5 at Rhode Island College, with the top six teams in the final regular-season standings advancing to the LEC Tournament in late February.