EAST STROUDSBURG – In the annual PSAC Coaches’ Poll, the East Stroudsburg University men’s basketball team was selected as the favorite to win the PSAC East, the conference announced on Thursday.
The Warriors, who produced a 19-8, 17-5 conference record a season ago, return four starters and 15 of its 18 members from the 2021-22 squad that earned a Co-PSAC East Regular Season Championship with Millersville.
In the front court, PSAC East Athlete of the Year Carlos Pepin (14.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 56.3 FG%, 1.9 spg) and All-PSAC East Second Team selection Lakeem McAliley (14.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg) return, along with guard Justin Paz (11.8 ppg, 40.7% 3-PT, 4.0 apg) and Marc Rodriguez (11.4 ppg).
The Warriors add a pair of freshmen in Nasir Griffin and Tyshawn Trail, while also landing a transfer from Rider in Jaelen McGlone. Shamir Johnson, who missed all of 2021-22 due to injury, is also back.
ESU provides strong depth with Mike Millsip, Davon Lee, Mike Ramos, Zach Sabol, David Duda Jr. and Zion Darby.
Fellow PSAC East coaches credited ESU with seven of eight possible first-place votes, with second-place Shippensburg and fourth place Millersville also earning a first-place vote. West Chester took third place, while Shepherd (5th), Kutztown (6th), Lock Haven (7th), Bloomsburg (8th) and Mansfield (9th) round out the East Division.
The Warriors open the season at the Bowie State Tipoff Classic against Fayetteville State (Nov. 11) and Bowie State (Nov. 12), before the home opener against D’Youville on Nov. 20.
