LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The IUP men's basketball team enters the 2025-26 season aiming to continue its tradition of PSAC success under 20th-year head coach Joe Lombardi. Last season, Lombardi reached the 400-win milestone, cementing his place among the winningest active Division II coaches.
The Crimson Hawks were picked second in the PSAC West in the preseason coaches' poll, receiving one first-place vote. Gannon leads the West with six first-place votes, while Cal also received a first-place vote. In the East, West Chester is No. 1 with eight votes, followed by East Stroudsburg.
IUP returns a strong core of experienced players, including captains Damir Brooks and Dallis Dillard, both redshirt seniors, and redshirt junior Anthony Watson. Three returning players averaged double figures in scoring last season, highlighted by senior Christian Moore sophomore Kymani Merraro, who averaged more than 16 and 15 points per game respectively.
Brooks will once again anchor the interior, aiming to improve his rim protection and surpass the 52 blocks he recorded in 2024-25. Along with Merraro and sophomore Tyler Grove, the trio combines for 85 games of experience from last season. Dillard, returning from a redshirt year due to injury, averaged 15.8 points, 2.4 assists, and 13 steals in 2023-24 and is expected to provide a spark off the bench.
IUP will open the season Nov. 14 against Concord inside Memorial Field House.
The 2025-26 PSAC Preseason Ranks:
EAST
1. West Chester (8)
2. East Stroudsburg (1)
3. Millersville
4. Shepherd
5. Shippensburg
6. Lock Haven
7. Mansfield
8. Kutztown
9. Bloomsburg
WEST
1. Gannon (6)
2. IUP (1)
3. California (1)
4. Slippery Rock
5. Seton Hill
6. Edinboro
7. Pitt-Johnstown
8. Clarion
