SAINT FRANCIS NAMED AS PRESEASON FAVORITES IN CL MEN’S BASKETBALL
JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League announced its 2021-2022 Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll and Preseason All-League Team on Wednesday, as voted on by the league’s head coaches.
Saint Francis was selected as the preseason favorite, after returning four starters from a squad that made a run to the NAIA National Tournament Semifinals one year ago. The Cougars were followed closely by Indiana Wesleyan and Marian in the poll, with Grace and Huntington picked to round out the top-five.
IWU’s Seth Maxwell was chosen as the Crossroads League Preseason Player of the Year and was joined by fellow returning NAIA All-American Antwaan Cushingberry (USF) on the CL Preseason All-League Team. Maxwell and Cushingberry headlined a group that also included Christian Stewart (MU), Jason Hubbard (TU), Zach Goodline (HU), David Ejah (USF), Clay Hilliard (MVNU), Jared DeHart (BU), Caleb Middlesworth (HU), Christian Harvey (MU) and Cade Gibbs (GRA).
The 2021-2022 season is set to open on Tuesday, October 26, with the first league games slated for Saturday, November 20.
2021-2022 Crossroads League Preseason Poll
1-Saint Francis, 94
2-Indiana Wesleyan, 89
3-Marian, 87
4-Grace, 61
5-Huntington, 58
6-Bethel, 54
7-Mount Vernon Nazarene, 47
8-Taylor, 30
9-Spring Arbor, 17
10-Goshen, 13
2021-2022 Crossroads League Preseason All-League
-Seth Maxwell, Indiana Wesleyan
-Antwaan Cushingberry, Saint Francis
-Christian Stewart, Marian
-Jason Hubbard, Taylor
-Zach Goodline, Huntington
-David Ejah, Saint Francis
-Clay Hilliard, Mount Vernon Nazarene
-Jared DeHart, Bethel
-Caleb Middlesworth, Huntington
-Christian Harvey, Marian
-Cade Gibbs, Grace