Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh picked second, McCollum named preseason POY at PL Media Day
10/27/2011 7:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh men's basketball team was picked second in the Patriot League preseason poll while junior C.J. McCollum was named Preseason Player of the Year, as announced at the league's Men's Basketball Media Day on Thursday at ArtsQuest Center at Steel Stacks. Murray H. Goodman '48 Head Coach Brett Reed was joined by McCollum as Lehigh's representatives at the event as all eight Patriot League head coaches were in attendance.
“I'm really excited about this team because of the experience that was gained last year,” said Reed. “Coming off a championship season, we were young, starting three sophomores and a freshman the majority of the year. Hopefully, those experiences gained and the added level of maturity can make a big difference in our consistency and focus going into this year, because we've been able to go to battle together.”
Overall, it marks McCollum second straight Preseason Player of the Year honor and Lehigh's third straight overall (Marquis Hall garnered the honor in 2009). McCollum enters as the nation's leading returning scoring following a 21.8 scoring average a year ago. He became the nation's first sophomore to reach 1,000 points in January and enters his junior campaign with 1,308 career points, over halfway to the Patriot League record of 2,224 and nearly halfway to Lehigh's career points leader in Daren Queenan (2,703).
McCollum was joined by Devin Brown (Holy Cross), Tony Johnson (Lafayette), Mike Muscala (Bucknell) and Jordan Sugars (Navy) on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
Lehigh garnered 82 points and two first-place votes in the preseason poll, good for second place behind defending champion Bucknell with 98 (14 first-place votes). Following the Mountain Hawks are Holy Cross (73 points), Lafayette (55), American (47), Colgate (44), Navy (34) and Army (15).
Each coach addressed the crowd, including the Patriot League's two new head coaches – Matt Langel of Colgate and Ed Dechellis of Navy.
“The ultimate message you heard from each and every coach was the anticipation of the year and the privilege that we have to coach such wonderful students and athletes,” said Reed.
The Mountain Hawks kick off their season in less than two weeks when they face St. John's on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. That game will air live on ESPN2. Lehigh then hits the road only three days later for a showdown at Iowa State out of the Big 12.
“I'm definitely looking forward to our nonleague schedule,” said McCollum. “We have 12 games on the road out of our first 15, which will be big for us. If you want to win a championship in this league, you have to win on the road. It showed last year going into Bucknell for the semifinals. You never know what's going to happen, so you have to be ready to win away from home.”
2011-12 Patriot League Preseason Poll
1. Bucknell (14 first-place votes): 98 points
2. Lehigh (2 first-place votes): 82 points
3. Holy Cross: 73 points
4. Lafayette: 55 points
5. American: 47 points
6. Colgate: 44 points
7. Navy: 34 points
8. Army: 15 points
Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year: C.J.?McCollum, Lehigh (Jr.,?G)
Patriot League Preseason All-League Team
Devin Brown, Holy Cross (Sr., G)
Tony Johnson, Lafayette (Jr., G)
C.J. McCollum, Lehigh (Jr., G)
Mike Muscala, Bucknell (Jr., F/C)
Jordan Sugars, Navy (Sr., G)
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