PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Keene State College men’s basketball team was voted the unanimous favorite to claim the 2022-23 Little East Conference (LEC) Men’s Basketball Championship, it was announced by the conference office following a vote of the league’s head coaches.
 
The Owls totaled 64 points by receiving each of a possible eight first-place votes. The reigning LEC tournament champions posted an overall record of 21-7 last season after advaning to the Second Round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
 
Eastern Connecticut State University was picked to finished second in the LEC this season, accumulating 54 points. The Warriors tied for second in the conference standings last season, finishing with an overall record of 18-8 that included a 12-4 LEC record.
 
Western Connecticut State University was picked to finish third with 49 points, placing them just ahead of reigning LEC regular season champion UMass Dartmouth (46 points). The Wolves were 13-12 overall last season, while the Corsairs rode a senior-heavy group to a 26-5 record and made a run to the Sweet 16 after receiving an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament field.
 
The two remaining teams projected to make the six-team LEC Championship Tournament field are Rhode Island College (33 points) and UMass Boston (26 points). The complete ranking is as follows.  
 
2022 LEC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Keene State - 64 points (8 FPV)
2. Eastern Connecticut - 54 points (1 FPV)
3. Western Connecticut - 49 points
4. UMass Dartmouth - 46 points
5. Rhode Island College - 33 points
6. UMass Boston - 26 points
7. Plymouth State - 21 points
8. Southern Maine - 21 points
9. Castleton - 8 points
 
NOTE: Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own program.