Mahwah, NJ: The Ramapo College men's basketball team have been picked to finish third in the 2018-2019 NJAC Preseason Poll announced today by the league office. The poll is voted on by the ten league coaches.
 
The Roadrunners enter the 2018-2019 season as the defending NJAC Champions, winning their second consecutive conference title last season and their fifth overall. Ramapo had one of the most successful seasons in program history finishing 25-7 overall and advancing to the NCAA Division III Final Four. Head Coach Chuck McBreen, who enters his 21st season at the helm of the Roadrunners, will have to replace a very strong senior class, including all five from the starting lineup.
 
Power forward Rob Lewis returns for his senior season as he averaged 14.3 minutes on the court last year. He grabbed 105 rebounds and scored 141 points while recording eight assists, nine steals and five blocks. Juniors Matt Latka and Rob McWilliams also return to Coach McBreen's team. Latka saw action in 24 games last season while he posted 54 points. He also recorded 41 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and one block. McWilliams played in all 32 games last year while he posted 144 points, 68 rebounds, 19 assists, 19 steals and four blocks.
 
Newcomers to the squad include senior transfer Kashaun Barnes who played the last three seasons at Stockton University. Barnes was third leading scorer in the NJAC last season. Coach McBreen will also look to rookie Jason Battle who comes to the Roadrunners from Roselle Catholic High School. Battle helped lead his team to a NJ State Championship and the NJ Tournament of Champions last season.
 
Ramapo received votes in the D3hoops.com Top 25 Preseason Poll. The Roadrunners open the 2018-2019 season tomorrow night when they host Western Connecticut State University in a non-conference game at 7:30pm at the Bradley Center.
 
NJAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. NJCU (9)
2. Montclair State (1)
3. Ramapo
4. Rowan
5. TCNJ
6. Stockton
7. Rutgers-Newark (dark horse)
8. William Paterson
9. Kean
10. Rutgers-Camden