LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Oct. 27) – The California (PA) men's basketball team was selected third in the preseason Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West poll released from the league office on Thursday morning.

The Vulcans concluded last season with a 23-10 overall record and a 15-7 mark in league play while making their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2008. Cal also advanced to the quarterfinals of the PSAC Tournament for a consecutive season under head coach Danny Sancomb, who beings his fifth year with the program.

Tthree-time, defending league champion IUP received eight first-place votes and Mercyhurst earned the remaining vote to place second in the poll. Cal obtained the third spot and Pitt-Johnstown was slotted fourth. Slippery Rock and Gannon were positioned fifth and sixth, respectively, while Clarion, Edinboro and Seton Hill rounded out the Western Division.

In the PSAC East, East Stroudsburg earned the top spot in the poll with seven first-place votes followed by Shippensburg in the second spot with one first-place vote. West Chester was slotted in third position and Millersville earned fourth place while receiving the remaining first-place vote. Shepherd and Kutztown were positioned fifth and sixth, respectively, while Lock Haven, Bloomsburg and Mansfield rounded out the Eastern Division.

The Vulcans begin the season by facing Wheeling and national-power West Liberty in the Mountain East Conference (MEC)/PSAC Tip-off Challenge hosted by West Liberty on Nov. 11-12.