The IUP men’s basketball team is picked second in the PSAC West in the preseason coaches poll, behind defending national champion Gannon and ahead of number three Cal. Slippery Rock is fourth, with Seton Hill, UPJ, Edinboro, Clarion, and Lock Haven rounding out the top nine.
IUP returns junior playmaker Kymani Merraro along with Ian Herring and Bautista Rodriguez, and coach Joe Lombardi has added nine newcomers, including four transfers: senior guard Jeremiah Littlejohn (Robert Morris) , junior guard Tasso Sfanos (South Carolina Beaufort) and junior forward JJ Chapman (Seward Community College) and sophomore forward Ama Sow (Tennessee Martin).
Among the incoming freshman are guards Colin Simmons, Matt Johnson III, Amaree Gonzalez, and Kendyll Compton, and forward Griffin Straub. The freshman class also includes Marion Center graduate Kam Rozier.
Lombardi says this year’s group is less experienced, with only three returnees, compared to last year’s team, which had eight veterans.
Lombardi feels that teams that make it through the rugged PSAC schedule are equipped for a postseason run in the NCAA tournament.
The coach says no team can take a rest in the PSAC, because the coaching is so good, it can even out a talent advantage.
IUP starts the season with the Hilton Garden Inn Tip-Off Classic, November 13th against Concord at the KCAC.
