LHU Men’s Basketball picked fifth in PSAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
LOCK HAVEN – The defending the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division champion Lock Haven men’s basketball team was picked to reach the postseason for the sixth consecutive season when the PSAC Preseason Coaches Poll was announced on Thursday (Oct. 24).
Lock Haven, who won the Eastern Division for the first time in program history in 2023-24, received one first-place vote and was slated to finish fifth. East Stroudsburg received seven first place votes to earn the top spot, and West Chester followed after receiving one first place vote. Shepherd and Lock Haven rounded out the top-5. Kutztown was picked to finish sixth and were followed by Shippensburg, Mansfield and Bloomsburg.
In the West, California (Pa.) earned the top spot after receiving five first-place votes, while Slippery Rock (3) and Gannon rounded out the top-three. IUP was slated fourth and was followed by Seton Hill, Pitt-Johnstown, Clarion and Edinboro.
The Bald Eagles are fresh off an impressive campaign that featured a 20-7 overall record and 18-4 mark in the PSAC East to earn the program’s first Eastern Division title in program history. The 18 conference victories were a program best and the 20 overall victories was the most since the 1989-90 season.
Following the regular season, the Bald Eagles won their first PSAC Championship quarterfinal game since 1990 by downing fourth-seeded West Chester in a dominant 100-76 performance.
The Bald Eagles return three starters, highlighted by fifth-year veteran Eli Washington and sharp shooter Isaiah Stewart.
Washington has started 83 games in his career and is 93 points away from joining the elite group of 1,000-point scorers in program history.
Returning for his third season as the Bald Eagles’ starting two guard, Stewart finished second in the PSAC in 3-point percentage (.439) and 13th in 3-pointers made (54).
Mike Knouse is slated to return as the Bald Eagles’ starting small forward after starting 27 games in 2024-25 and finishing third on the team with 34 made 3-pointers.
Dyllon Scott and Byrson Scott also return after providing a major contributions off the bench as part of one of the deepest units in the PSAC.
Incoming transfer Idris Ali brings with him three seasons as a starter in the PSAC East and will provide a dynamic trifecta with Washington and Stewart.
All-time men’s basketball coaching wins leader Mike Nestor returns for his 13th season after earning his second PSAC East Coach of the Year honor in 2024-25.
Lock Haven opens the 2024-25 regular season by competing in the Bowie State Tip-Off Classic, hosted by Bowie State in Maryland on Friday and Saturday (Nov. 8-9). The Bald Eagles take on Fayetteville State on Friday (Nov. 8), before rounding out the weekend vs. the host Bowie State on Saturday (Nov. 9).
Lock Haven, who dominated at home last season with a 12-1 record, opens its home schedule on Tuesday, Nov. 19 by hosting Goldey-Beacom at 6 p.m. in Thomas Fieldhouse.
The Bald Eagles kick off PSAC East-West crossover action by traveling to Pitt-Johnstown on Friday (Nov. 22).
The Haven will begin Eastern Division play on Friday (Jan. 3) when it hosts Kutztown at 7:30 p.m. in Thomas Fieldhouse.
To view the entire 2024-25 men’s basketball schedule, click here.
2024-25 PSAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll (# of first place votes in parentheses)
EAST
1. East Stroudsburg (7)
2. West Chester (1)
3. Millersville
4. Shepherd
5. Lock Haven (1)
6. Kutztown
7. Shippensburg
8. Mansfield
9. Bloomsburg
WEST
1. California (5)
2. Slippery Rock (3)
3. Gannon
4. IUP
5. Seton Hill
6. Pitt-Johnstown
7. Clarion
8. Edinboro
