Gwynedd Mercy the top pick in CSAC WBB preseason poll
ASTON, Pa. – Defending Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) champion Gwynedd Mercy University was picked to repeat as champions according to the 2017-18 CSAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll released Tuesday morning.
The Griffins received 131 points, and four first-place votes, finishing five points ahead of second-place Marywood University. The Pacers got 126 points and four first-place votes.
“Going into my 23rd year, I believe the CSAC is, top to bottom, the most balanced its ever been,” said Gwynedd Mercy University head coach
Keith Mondillo. “Several programs have recruited effectively over the last year and will be tremendously improved. Our team will have a different look than in years past.
“Our goal for the season is to incrementally improve throughout the year and try to peak entering the conference tournament. Our coaching staff and student-athletes cannot wait to begin play,” he added.
Cabrini University, which advanced to the CSAC title game last year, was third with 123 points and two first-place votes, while Neumann University was fourth with 120 points and two first-place votes.
Immaculata University was fifth with 87 points, followed by Rosemont College with 83, Centenary University in seventh at 80 and Cairn University in eighth with 52 points.
Keystone College was ninth with 45 points, followed by Notre Dame of Maryland University with 44 points, Cedar Crest College with 32 points and Clarks Summit University with 13 points.
The year will see the 12 teams split into two divisions. Cedar Crest, Centenary, Clarks Summit, Gwynedd Mercy, Keystone and Marywood will play in the North Division, while Cabrini, Cairn, Immaculata, Neumann, Notre Dame and Rosemont will play in the South Division. Each team will play teams in its own division twice, and teams in the opposite division once.
Nine of the 12 CSAC teams start play on Wednesday, November 15, with a full slate of games scheduled for Friday, November 17.
The CSAC schedule starts Wednesday, November 29 with five games. The CSAC postseason tournament starts Monday, February 19 with the championship scheduled for Saturday, February 24.
2017-18 CSAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
| School |
Points (First-place votes) |
2016-17 Record (CSAC) |
| Gwynedd Mercy |
131 (4) |
18-11 (13-3) |
| Marywood |
126 (4) |
18-8 (14-2) |
| Cabrini |
123 (2) |
15-12 (11-4) |
| Neumann |
120 (2) |
18-8 (13-3) |
| Immaculata |
87 |
8-18 (8-8) |
| Rosemont |
83 |
8-17 (6-10) |
| Centenary |
80 |
20-6 (13-3) |
| Cairn |
52 |
10-14 (6-10) |
| Keystone |
45 |
6-19 (5-11) |
| Notre Dame of Maryland |
44 |
8-15 (5-11) |
| Cedar Crest |
32 |
3-20 (1-15) |
| Clarks Summit |
13 |
0-23 (0-16) |