PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Keene State College men’s basketball team was named the favorite to once again win the Little East Conference title this season, according to the results of the 2024-25 LEC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Owls totaled 62 points and garnered six first-place votes.
 
The Owls return the majority of their lineup from last season’s team that went 26-4 on its way to winning the LEC regular season and tournament titles, and advancing to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament Sweet 16. Octavio Brito was named a Third-Team All-America selection by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and D3hoops.com, while Nate Siow earned Second Team All-LEC Honors and Wesley Odiase was named the LEC Rookie of the Year. Spencer Aronson and Mason Jean Baptiste are also back this season after finishing among the team’s top-six contributors last year.
 
Western Connecticut State University secured second-place in the preseason poll with 55 points and two first-place votes, edging out the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (52 points, one first-place vote). The Wolves return a pair of All-LEC performers in Cam Gallon and Melo Williams, while their incoming class includes a pair of junior college All-Americans in Nick Boyce and Tayjon Lynch. The Corsairs will return four of their five starters from last season in Nic Boyd, Jayquan Leonad, Josh Lopes and Isaac Percy.
 
Rhode Island College was picked to finish fourth with 43 points, while the University of Massachusetts Boston (31 points) and University of Southern Maine (29 points) round out the projected six-team LEC Championship Tournament field.
 
2024-25 LEC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
 
Institution - Points (First Place Votes)
1. Keene State - 62 (6)
2. Western Connecticut - 55 (2)
3. UMass Dartmouth - 52 (1)
4. Rhode Island College - 43
5. UMass Boston - 31
6. Southern Maine - 29 
7. Eastern Connecticut - 23
8. Plymouth State - 21
9. Vermont State Castleton - 8