The odds are long for Navy?s men?s basketball team this season. At least, that?s what Patriot League coaches and sports information directors said Thursday during media day at the ESPN Zone in downtown Baltimore.
The Midshipmen were picked to finish seventh in the eight-team conference that includes favorite Bucknell, which finished last season ranked No. 25 in the country.
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Bucknell will be led by preseason conference player of the year Chris McNaughton. The 6-foot-11 center averaged 12.8 points last season and is the league?s career leader in field-goal percentage (60.1).
Bucknell coach Pat Flannery said his two-time defending league championship team is ready for the challenge. Holy Cross is the only team to win three straight league titles.
“I think the seniors have really have taken ownership and said, ?You guys, this is our time. This is our chance,?” Flannery said.
Bucknell received 12 of the 16 votes. Holy Cross, picked second, received three votes. American received a vote, as well.
Navy coach Billy Lange said he had no qualms with where his team was placed among the conference?s teams.
“I think it?s a legitimate selection,” Lange said. “In all preseason rankings, no one can judge the chemistry of a team or the character of a team. We just pay no attention to that. We respect that coaches feel we?re there, but we?re just going to go out and do our job.”
Navy is coming off a 10-18 record, but Lange said the 2006-07 team should be a harbinger of good times.
“I know things are headed in the right direction,” Lange said. “But there are a lot of new faces.”
Lange is trying to mesh 10 freshmen and sophomores with a team that returns Greg Sprink, the conference?s third leading scorer in 2005-06. Sprink, a guard, averaged 14.9 points a game in a high-tempo offense.
“I think this season is going to be the one where we take strides forward,” Sprink said. “We?re putting things together. The freshmen are coming in; they are kind of understanding what we?re trying to do now. We were kind of rebuilding. Now it?s time to take over.”
PRESEASON HONORS
Player of the Year
Chris McNaughton, Bucknell, Sr., C
All-Patriot
Keith Simmons, Holy Cross, Sr., G
Jose Olivero, Lehigh, Sr., G
Torey Thomas, Holy Cross, Sr., G
Andre Ingram, American, Sr., G
