Latham, N.Y. – The Notre Dame of Maryland men's basketball team was picked to finish fourth in the United East Preseason Poll, the conference announced this morning.

The Gators earned 85 points, slightly behind St. Mary's in third place (87 points).

Defending champions Penn State Harrisburg topped the poll with 118 points, receiving eight of a possible 12 first-place votes.

Lancaster Bible followed closely behind in second with 114 points and the remaining four first-place votes.

The Gators start a new era under first-year head coach Kyle McGee, who are coming off a 16-10 overall and 10-3 in conference play.

NDMU returns five players from last season's team, led by first team all-conference Ricardo Ross, who averaged 15.1 points last season.

The Gators open the regular season this weekend, competing at the Rotary Club of Frederick Tip-Off Classic where they face the nation's third-ranked team, Hood, on Friday evening.