LATHAM, N.Y.- The Keystone College men's basketball team tied for eighth in the United East Men's Basketball Preseason Poll, announced Tuesday morning.

Penn State Harrisburg was picked first with eight first place votes. Lancaster Bible followed behind in second with five first place votes and Notre Dame of Maryland in third with one first place vote. The Gators finished as last season's runner-up in the conference championship. 

St. Mary's College of Maryland claimed the fourth spot while Cairn was chosen fifth. Penn State Abington were tabbed sixth followed by Wilson in seventh. Keystone and Penn College were both picked eighth and Penn State Berks was selected tenth. Penn State Brandywine, Valley Forge, Gallaudet, and Rosemont round out the preseason poll. 

The United East Championship will see 10 teams earn a spot in the postseason with the first round commencing on Feb. 18. The quarterfinal round is slated for Feb. 21 and the semifinal will take place on Feb. 24. The top two teams remaining will play in the conference title game on Feb. 28.

Justin Stern embarks on his first season as the head coach of the Giants. Keystone returns four players from last year's team which includes senior guard Kamdyn Ayers (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Western).

The team opens the 2025-26 season this Saturday as they face Vermont State University Lyndon in the first game of the Vermont State University Tip-Off Classic on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. Keystone kicks off United East Conference action at Cairn University on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m.

Click HERE for the full schedule. 

United East Men's Basketball Preseason Poll

1. Penn State Harrisburg (8)

2. Lancaster Bible College (5)

3. Notre Dame of Maryland University (1)

4. St. Mary's College of Maryland

5. Cairn University

6. Penn State Abington

7. Wilson College

T8. Penn College

T8. Keystone College

10. Penn State Berks

11. Penn State Brandywine

12. University of Valley Forge

13. Gallaudet University

14. Rosemont College

*(#) denotes first place votes