LATROBE, Pa. - The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference released its annual coaches poll, placing the Mount Aloysius men's basketball team seventh heading into the 2025-26 season.
Head Coach Marcus Thomas enters his fifth season at the helm, looking to build momentum for a program in transition.
The Mounties are coming off a 7-18 overall record (5-11 AMCC) and will feature a much different roster after losing 10 players from a year ago. Among the departures are major contributors Will Hagwood (17.4 ppg), De'Von Haggans (18.9 ppg), and BJ Busbee (12.9 ppg), all of whom averaged double figures in scoring and played significant roles in the Mounties' offensive production.
Despite the turnover, Thomas and his staff are excited about the incoming group. Sophomore's Fin Hutchison (Murrysville, Pa., Franklin Regional) and Senique Jenkins (Columbus, Ohio, Imani Christian ), juniors Donovan Bass-Briscoe (Alexandria, Va., Hayfield), and Ignacio Nascimento-Zschaeck (Barcelona, Spain, Springfield Commonwealth Academy (Mass.) are expected to compete for immediate playing time and step into key roles as the Mounties build their new rotation.
Mount Aloysius returns six players, led by junior guard Troy Tinch (Baltimore, Md., Calvert Hall), the program's lone AMCC "Player to Watch." Tinch started 19 of the team's 25 games last season and averaged 10.1 points per game. He finished the year ranked 31st in the conference in scoring (10.1 ppg), 24th in rebounding (4.2 rpg), and 16th in field-goal percentage (47.9%).
Other returners include junior Cam Keyser (Jamestown, Pa., Jamestown), sophomore's Dylan McCullough (North Huntingdon, Pa., Norwin), Brandon Waters (Clear Brook, Va., James Wood), and Jase Becker (Granville, Ohio, Granville) and senior leader Jordon Nelson (Charlotte, N.C., Hickory Grove), who brings veteran experience to an otherwise young roster.
With a strong incoming class and a core of returners ready to take on expanded roles, the Mounties look to exceed the preseason projection and climb the AMCC standings.
The Mounties will begin their season on the road Friday at Juniata College. Tip off will be at 7 PM inside Memorial Gymnasium.
