LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) today announced its 2026-27 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll, with defending NCAA Division II National Champion Gannon selected as the preseason favorite in the Western Division.
The Golden Knights received eight of nine first-place votes, with coaches unable to vote for their own team. Indiana (Pa.) was picked second, followed by California (Pa.), which received the remaining first-place vote. Slippery Rock and Seton Hill rounded out the top five.
Gannon enters the 2026-27 campaign following a historic season that saw the Golden Knights capture the first NCAA Division II men's basketball national championship in program history and the first team national championship in Gannon Athletics history.
Earlier this week, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) released its Division II Preseason Poll, with Gannon ranked No. 3 nationally, marking the highest preseason ranking in program history.
The Golden Knights finished with a program-record 34 victories, posting a 34-3 overall record and a 19-1 mark in PSAC play. Gannon advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the second time in three seasons before defeating Lander 84-61 in the national championship game on April 5 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Head coach
Easton Bazzoli enters his third season at the helm of the Golden Knights and fourth with the program. After guiding Gannon to a 27-7 record and an appearance in the NCAA Atlantic Regional championship game in his first season, Bazzoli led the Golden Knights to the national title in his second year.
Under Bazzoli, Gannon has compiled a 61-10 record over the past two seasons, winning a PSAC championship in 2024-25 before capturing the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2025-26. Along the way, Bazzoli became the fastest head coach in Gannon men's basketball history to reach 50 career victories.
GOLDEN KNIGHTS RETURN CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE
Gannon returns several key contributors from last year's national championship squad, led by twin brothers Lucas and
Mackenzie Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore).
Lucas Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore), a 6-foot-4 senior, finished as Gannon's second-leading scorer a season ago, averaging 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while starting all 36 games in which he appeared. He also totaled 59 assists and 57 steals while earning NCAA Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team honors.
Mackenzie Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore), also a 6-foot-4 senior, earned NCAA Division II Championship All-Tournament Team honors following the Golden Knights' national championship run. He averaged 10.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while appearing in all 37 contests, making 36 starts. Morgan connected on 67 three-pointers and finished second on the team with 76 steals.
The Golden Knights also welcome back
Jaden Calloway (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley), who averaged 5.1 points and 3.2 rebounds while appearing in 36 games. Calloway contributed 71 assists and 61 steals in his reserve role.
Mason Kemp (Shawnee, Kan./Mill Valley) appeared in 33 contests, averaging 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 58.2 percent from the field.
Carter Wamsley (York, Pa./Eastern York) added 4.0 points per game in 26 appearances, while
Julian Rivera (Gainesville, Va./Highland) averaged 2.3 points in 21 contests.
Bazzoli has also bolstered the roster with seven newcomers, including two transfers and five freshmen, as the Golden Knights prepare to defend their national championship.
GOLDEN KNIGHTS OPEN SEASON NOVEMBER 7
Gannon begins its national championship defense on Saturday, Nov. 7, when the Golden Knights face No. 19 Central Missouri in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Florida. Tip-off is scheduled for 11 a.m.
The Golden Knights return to action Sunday, Nov. 8, against No. 11 Point Loma at 3:30 p.m. Both opponents advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament last season.
Gannon opens the year with four consecutive games away from home before making its Highmark Events Center debut against Saint Anselm on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 11:30 a.m.
The Golden Knights begin PSAC play on Friday, Dec. 4, when they host Kutztown at 5 p.m.
2026-27 PSAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
WESTERN DIVISION
- No. 3 GANNON (8)
2. Indiana (Pa.)
3. California (Pa.) (1)
4. Slippery Rock
5. Seton Hill
6. Pitt-Johnstown
7. Edinboro
8. Clarion
9. Lock Haven
EASTERN DIVISION
- West Chester (4)
- East Stroudsburg (3)
- Shepherd (1)
- Millersville
- Shippensburg
- Bloomsburg
- Kutztown
- Mansfield
