By Corey J. Corbin

Allied News Sports Editor

PITTSBURGH — The key to winning the Presidents’ Athletic Conference men’s basketball title may have nothing to do with play on the hardwood in 2007-08.

It was noted at the PAC’s winter media day at Mellon Arena that over the past several years the coach of the eventual men’s champion became a father at some point during that calendar year.

That may be good news for Bethany College coach Aaron Huffman, and not so good news for the rest of the conference. But the coaches, sports information directors and media in attendance didn’t buy it, naming Grove City College, which received 12 first-place votes as the preseason favorite.

Fourteen points separated the top four teams. The rest of the preseason picks were: Bethany (215), Westminster (205), Washington and Jefferson (204), Thiel (127), Waynesburg (102) and Thomas More (73). Bethany (7), Westminster (11), W&J (7) and Thiel (2) all received 1st-place votes.

“It’s anybody’s league, as the PAC is extremely balanced,” Grove City College coach Steve Lamie said. “Every night will be a challenge for us and every team in the league.”

 In the women’s voting for the preseason pecking order was: Washington & Jefferson (306), Thomas More (296), Westminster (278), Bethany (170), Waynesburg (170), Thiel (127), Grove City (112) and Chatham (80).

“I think our kids are definitely ready for the challenge,” W&J coach Gena DeRubbo said. “It’s a different mind-set coming in favored to win the conference. We have a group that works very hard and is a little more balanced than in past years.”

After winning their 6th PAC title since 1989, the Wolverines return 3 double-digit scoring guards in seniors Ryan Carr (11 points, 5.7 rebounds and a school record 65 three-pointers) and Ryan Gerber (10.5 ppg. and 38 three-pointers) and junior Ryan Gibson (11.9 ppg. and 122 assists), but in need of a post presence.

“On the plus side, we return three backcourt players,” Lamie said. “Our inside game will be a question mark. We lost our ‘four’ man and our ‘five’ man. Their key back-up is out with a back injury. We’re not sure what we’re going to do, except maybe start five guards. We will rely on our outside game, but that can come and go.”

Up in Greenville, the Tomcats welcome a bevy of new faces.

“Last year at this time, I didn’t know what to say, because I was just learning names,” Thiel men’s coach Tim Loomis said. “Not much has changed. We have 18 new players. Right now, we’re trying to figure out where they’re from and if they’re any good.”

Thiel does return preseason All-American Joe Herrmann (Jamestown High), who led the conference in scoring (18.6), rebounding (9.1) and blocked shots (41) while posting his 1,000th career point. Also returning are guards senior Gary Gates, junior Brandon Mirizio (12.4 ppg., 4.1 assists, Kennedy Catholic High) and sophomore Wes Siko.