Oct. 28, 2010
EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette men's basketball team has been selected to finish third in the Patriot League Preseason Poll it was announced on Thursday at the League's annual media day. Senior forward Jared Mintz (Toronto, Ontario/Vaughn Academy), the team's leading scorer and rebounder in 2009-10, earned a spot on the preseason All-Patriot League Team.
The Leopards, who received two first-place votes and 73 points overall, were selected behind American (seven first-place votes, 79 points) and Bucknell (three first-place votes, 76 points) but ahead of Holy Cross (two first-place votes, 70 points), Lehigh (two first-place votes, 69 points), Navy (35 points), Colgate (31 points) and Army (15 points). In the history of the poll that has included eight teams with American (since 2001-02), it is the first time that more than four teams have received first-place votes and the first time that more than three teams have earned multiple first-place votes.
A team co-captain, Mintz was one of six players to garner preseason laurels, the first time the team has featured six players (due to a tie in voting). Mintz, arguably the most improved player in the Patriot League in 2009-10, was the first-ever player to lead the conference in field-goal percentage (53.7) and free-throw percentage (87.3) in the same season. All-Patriot League First-Team honors followed.
Mintz joined Holy Cross senior forward Andrew Keister, American senior forward Vlad Moldoveanu, Bucknell sophomore center Mike Muscala, Navy junior guard Jordan Sugars and Lehigh sophomore guard C.J. McCollum on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team. McCollum was tabbed as the Preseason Player of the Year.
Lafayette returns four starters from a 19-13 squad that advanced to the Patriot League championship game, including Mintz, 2009-10 All-Patriot League Second-Team honoree Ryan Willen (Jr. F), all-conference caliber shooter Jim Mower (Jr. G) and senior co-captain Ben Wheeler. Sophomore guard Tony Johnson is expected to take over the point guard role vacated by the graduation of Mike Gruner.
The Leopards, who opened practice on Oct. 15, begin the season on Nov. 12 at Wagner.
