CCC RELEASE 

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Ushering in a new era for the program after arguably its most successful stretch in program history in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC), the Suffolk men's basketball program made its first-ever appearance in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Coaches' Preseason Poll on Friday. The Rams were selected third to finish in the conference after a vote by the league's 10 head coaches.  

Three teams split the 10 first-place votes available, with Nichols leading the pack. The Bison took home five tallies for a share of the top spot along with Endicott, who collected four first-place picks. Roger Williams received on first place nod, but finished in the lower half of the poll in eighth.  

The Rams' 65 points edged out the Seahawks of Salve Regina by one point to land in third and fourth, respectively. Gordon rounded out the top five with 55 points.  

Head coach Jeff Juron, who embarks on his seventh season, will lead Suffolk into its first CCC campaign. The Rams had the chance to face some new conference counterparts in last year's COVID shortened season and the blue-and-gold held its own with a 6-2 record. Both of its setbacks were by a combined six points, which shows the competitive drive Juron's roster boasts. 

Nate Hale (21.5 ppg), earned the program's first-ever D3Hoops.com All-Region honoree last season, returned for his fifth year and will look to lead Suffolk on the court in 2021-22. Also returning to the hardwood is William Rowe (8.9 rpg, 11.4 ppg) and Aidan Sullivan (7.8 ppg, 5.4 apg). 

Suffolk's 71st season commences at the Babson Invitational Nov. 6-7. The Rams will first take on Coast Guard Saturday at 2 p.m., before battling the host Babson  the following day at 6 p.m.