LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced their preseason men's basketball coaches' polls on Thursday. The Clarion Golden Eagles were predicted to finish eighth in the PSAC West division in 2026-27.
 
Entering this season, head coach Damian Pitts – now in his eighth season – will need to replace all five starters from last year's team. The Golden Eagles bring back two of their most important pieces off the bench in Aydan Cunningham (20.0 mpg) and Ricky Goode-Wright (14.3 mpg). Cunningham was the first forward off the bench, averaging 8.7 points per game on a 46.2 field goal percentage. Goode-Wright flashed off the bench at guard, logging 23 steals and dishing out 32 assists.
 
Clarion welcomes eight newcomers to the fold this year and will also get Yassine Idrissa back after he missed the 2025-26 season due to injury.
 
The 2025-26 season will kick off at a tip-off tournament hosted by IUP with games against Concord and Point Park, with the Golden Eagles' first home game coming on Dec. 1 against Penn State Greater Allegheny.
 

EAST

1. West Chester (4)
2. East Stroudsburg (3)
3. Shepherd (1)
4. Millersville
5. Shippensburg
6. Bloomsburg
7. Kutztown
8. Mansfield
  
WEST

1. Gannon (8)
2. IUP
3. California (1)
4. Slippery Rock
5. Seton Hill
6. Pitt-Johnstown
7. Edinboro
8. Clarion
9. Lock Haven