Men's Basketball Tabbed 6th in Pre-Season Poll
BENNINGTON, Vt.- After a semi-final appearance a year ago, the Southern Vermont College Men’s basketball team was chosen to finish sixth in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) pre-season poll. Last year’s regular season champions, Becker College Hawks were chosen as the top team, followed by Elms College.
The Mountaineers will open its season on November 15th at home against Lakes Region Community College at 7:00PM. A season ago Southern Vermont went 16-11, and hosted a NECC quarter-final game. After a win over Daniel Webster in the first round the Mountaineers fell to Elms College in the semi-final.
Southern Vermont will return its second scorer from a year ago in Taeshon Johnson (Charlotte, NC). Johnson scored 16.6 points per game in 2010-11. The junior guard also pulled down 6.9 rebounds a year ago.
SVC lost two key starters in Ben Naaktgeboren and Lance Spratling, due to graduation. Spratling a 2010-11 D3 News Honorable Mention All-American led SVC with 21 points per game. Spratling also was named the NECC Player of the Year last season. Naaktgeboren led SVC in rebounds with 317 boards.
Head Coach Michael McDonough brought in a quality incoming class to offset the losses of Spratling and Naaktgeboren. Sophomore transfer, Robert McQueen (Los Angeles, CA) comes to SVC after a year at Glendale Community College. McQueen a 6’5 forward will give the Mountaineers another threat at the offensive end.
Cory Christensen (Sharon, CT) will give the Mountaineers height in the front court to go along with fellow freshman Brandon Johnson (Chatham, NY). Freshman guards Jordan Santiago (Westfield, MA) and Bennington native Travis Severs will control the back court for SVC.
After the opener on the 15th, SVC will play in the annual Williams Tournament that weekend on the 19th and 20th. Southern Vermont will host the Tri-State shootout this year which will be December 2nd and 3rd.
