Westfield, Mass.— Reigning MASCAC Champions Westfield State have been tabbed to repeat as the 2022-23 MASCAC Men's Basketball Championship as voted on by the seven coaches from around the league. 

The Owls received six of the seven first place votes for 36 points. They were 10-2 during the MASCAC campaign last season. Brendon Hamilton returns after finishing second in the country in rebounding (14.6) rebounds per game and has set a school record with 393 rebounds. He also averaged 15 points per game with a league-best 57 blocks and 53 assists to guide the Owls to a share of the MASCAC Regular Season crown and tournament title.  

Worcester State sits in the second slot with 31 points and the final first place vote. The Lancers were 9-3 during the conference clip in 2021-22. Ryan Rubenskas was the 2021-22 MASCAC Rookie of the Year the 2021-22 MASCAC Rookie of the Year after averaging 11.6 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 50.4 percent from the field with 49 assists, 32 steals and 32 blocks.

Salem State is next in third with  26 points. The Vikings had the other share of the MASCAC Regular Season title last season with a 10-2 mark. All-Conference honoree Connor Byrne is back for the team after averaging 13 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, shooting 52.4 from the field and the second-most blocks in the league with 42.

Landing in fourth with 19 points is Fitchburg State. The Falcons had four wins in league play in 2019-20. During the 2021-22 season, Quincy Taylor led the Falcons in scoring with 220 points on 89-of-166 shooting from the field (53.6%) to go along with 262 rebounds, 15 steals, 25 assists and 14 blocked shots to earn a spot on the All-Conference team. 

Up next in fifth is Bridgewater State with 14 points. The Bears had two wins at the end of the MASCAC schedule. In his first season with the Bears, Quinton Champagne collected 195 points, 66 rebounds, 39 assists and 24 steals. 

Rounding out the 2022-23 preseason poll are MCLA and Framingham State in sixth and seventh with 11 and 10 points, respectively. The Trailblazers were 5-6 in conference action in 2021-22. Noah Yearsley returns for the team after averaging 15.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game along with 29 assists, 22 steals and 20 blocks to earn All-Conference honors. For the Rams, Joshua-Daniel Okafor is back after leading the team with 11.5 points per game  with 114 rebounds, 13 steals, 12 assists and nine blocks.  

The MASCAC men's basketball teams return to the hardwood over the next few weeks with their opening non-conference contests with the conference schedule starting in January. Follow all the games at mascac.com

 

 

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

 

1. Westfield State (6) - 36 points

2. Worcester State (1) - 31 points

3. Salem State - 26 points

4. Fitchburg State - 19 points

5. Bridgewater State - 14 points

6. MCLA - 11 points

7. Framingham State - 10 points