William Jessup mens basketball puts Warriors third in CALPAC Sub: Preseason preview

The William Jessup University mens basketball team was picked third in the California Pacific Conference's annual preseason coaches' poll for the 2011-12 season.Holy Names University received 45 votes, including five first-place votes. Defending conference champion Menlo College was selected second with 38 points, including one first-place vote. William Jessup University was selected a close third with 37 points, while receiving one first-place vote. CSU-Maritime was right behind the Warriors with 34 points. Simpson University (19), Pacific Union College (16), and UC Merced (7) rounded out the conference. "Once again, our conference is balanced from top-to-bottom," stated head coach Aaron Muhic. "Coaches' polls are great, but we continue to focus daily on becoming the best team we can become. We have a hungry team and they keep improving every day. We are taking this journey one step and one game at a time." The Warriors return two starters and eight lettermen from last year's club that went 12-17 overall and 8-4 in conference. Seniors Anthony Anderson (CALPAC Second Team) and Preston Bramow (CALPAC Second Team) are back to lead the Warriors after a solid junior season. Anderson, a 6-6 guard from Roseville, averaged 10 points per game, while shooting 42 percent from behind the arc. Bramow, 6-3 and also a guard from Roseville, averaged 10 points and four rebounds per contest. Senior Nikita Evdokimov (6-9, C, Novy Urengoy , Russia ) will look to fill the void left in the middle by graduate Damal Neil (CALPAC First Team). Senior Patrick Adelman (5-8, G, Portland, Ore.) and junior Jordan Wilson (6-4, F, Rocklin) will look to step into bigger roles this season. Redshirt sophomore Sterling Shells (6-1, G, Galt) looks to make a big return this season. The Warriors will look to a solid group of transfers to add depth and skill to this year's team. Kevin Stanley (6-5, G, Grays Harbor), Marqus Crawford (CALPAC Second Team, Bethany University), Julius Smith (5-8, G, Barstow) and Nick Barnhart (6-6, C, San Diego Mesa) will all look to make an immediate impact. Freshman Christoph Fahrensohn (6-6, G, Auckland , New Zealand ) will be called upon to provide some energy and toughness right away. The Warriors opened up the regular season at home against Southern Oregon University, Wednesday. _ Jeff Bussell is the Sports Information Director for William Jessup UniversityCalifornia Pacific Conference Basketball2011-2012 Preseason Coaches' PollHoly Names 45 (5, first place)Menlo 38 (1)William Jessup 37 (1)CSU Maritime 34Simpson 19Pacific Union 16UC Merced 7