November 15, 2007
From The Office of the Middle Atlantic Conferences
KING’S FAVORED IN FREEDOM CONFERENCE PRE-SEASON POLL
Annville, PA – King’s has been chosen as the favorite to win the Freedom Conference championship in a pre-season poll of conference coaches. Led by seventh-year head coach J.P. Andrejko (left), King’s received a total of 36 points and six of the seven first place votes.
Last year’s Freedom Conference Tournament Champion, King’s went on to the NCAA Division III National Tournament where the Monarchs were eliminated after losing to Widener. They finished their season at 19-9 (11-3 Freedom).
This year’s veteran squad has high aspirations as King's returns four starters. The Monarchs are led by first team all-conference selection Jamie Cousart (senior, 13.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 124 assists) and second team all conference player, senior Vince Scalzo (12.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg). Fellow returning starters Kofi Dwebeng (10.0 ppg) and John Soboleski (9.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg) are also back at guard and center respectively.
DeSales received 26 points and one first place votes. Entering last year's conference tournament as the #3 seed with a 22-8 (9-5) record, the Bulldogs lost to King’s in the Conference Championship game. They went on to win the ECAC Southern Region Championship over Penn State-Behrend.
Key to DeSales’ success is last year’s first team all-conference selection Phil Stricker (senior, 15.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and Eddie Ohlson, the conference leader in assists with 225.
Wilkes placed third in the poll with 24 total points. Finishing in sixth place at 12-11(4-10), the Colonels have only two seniors on their roster and look to 2007 Rookie of the Year Tom Kresge (14.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and a strong core of returning players to pave the way to contend for the title this year.
Manhatanville received 23 points in the poll for fourth place. Following their Skyline Conference Championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1979, the Valiants enter their first season of competition in the Freedom Conference poised to make a run at the championship. Behind the leadership of first-team All-Skyline Conference selections Donte Chisolm and Cody Moffet, expect the Valiants to make another strong debut in the Freedom this year.
FDU-Florham received 15 total points for the fifth spot. The Devils finished fourth in regular season play in 2006 at 17-10(9-5). Following their first round loss to King’s in the conference tournament, Coach of the Year Peter Marion’s squad went on to the ECAC Metro Region Championship. They were knocked out of the tournament by New Jersey City in the first round. With the loss of four starters and only one senior on the roster, Coach Marion will look for his young squad to create some surprises this season.
Arcadia (11-14) came in sixth in this year’s poll with 10 points. Entering their first year in the Freedom Conference, the Knights look to make some noise in the conference this year. They look to Eric Elliot and Kevin Brown to head the attack.
Delaware Valley (5-20, 3-11) received 8 points for seventh place. The Aggies hope to improve on last year’s eighth place finish and make a run for the playoffs.
Freedom Conference Pre-season Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
1. King’s.....................36 pts. (6)
2. DeSales..................26 pts. (1)
3. Wilkes....................24 pts.
4. Manhattanville.........23 pts.
5. FDU-Florham..........15 pts.
6. Arcadia................. 10 pts.
7. Delaware Valley...... 8 pts.1st Place Votes in ( )
King's College
133 North River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
1 (888) KINGS PA
Questions or comments to: Bob Ziadie, King's College Sports Information Director
Best if viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher.