Lehigh picked third as Patriot League holds media day
10/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
“It’s very exciting to be here for this event,” said Olivero. “
Also on Thursday, the preseason poll and all-league team were announced. Lehigh, which finished fourth a season ago and returns three starters and eight letterwinners, is picked to finish third this time around, as the Mountain Hawks received 65 points. Olivero will be joined in the backcourt by senior tri-captain Joe Knight, who led the Patriot League in assists a season ago, and torched Colgate for a Patriot League Tournament record 45 points in the first round contest. Junior Jason Mgebroff also returns at center, while seniors Mike Fischman, Mitch Gilfillan and James Anderson, along with junior Kyle Neptune and sophomore Bryan White also return to form a solid nucleus.
“We’re very excited about the upcoming season, with three out of five starters returning,” said Taylor, who is entering his fourth season. “We have good leadership and the team is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead this season with a very competitive schedule.”
Reigning champion Bucknell was selected to repeat, as the Bison return all five starters, including junior center Chris McNaughton, the Preseason Player of the Year. Holy Cross was picked second, followed by the Mountain Hawks, Colgate and American rounding out the top five.
Lehigh has been hard at work in practice for nearly two weeks now, in anticipation of the season opener on Sunday, November 13 versus Big Ten member Northwestern in the BCA Invitational, which will be held at the
Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Bucknell (14) 98
2. Holy Cross (2) 86
3. LEHIGH 65
4. Colgate 59
5. American 55
6. Navy 42
7.
8. Army 17
Preseason All-League Team
Chris McNaughton, Bucknell, Jr., C, Bucknell (Player of the Year)
Andre Ingram, Jr., G, American
Kevin Hamilton, Sr., G, Holy Cross
Charles Lee, Sr., G, Bucknell
Keith Simmons, Jr., G, Holy Cross
