BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Mercyhurst was picked to finish fourth in the NEC men's basketball preseason poll, the league office announced Monday. Graduate guard Bernie Blunt III earned a spot on the 2025-26 Preseason All-NEC Team.

Blunt, a guard from Morgantown, Pennsylvania, transferred to Mercyhurst after previous stops at Edinboro and Quinnipiac. He made an immediate impact last season, starting in 27 games and averaging 12.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. Blunt set season highs with 27 points and 39 minutes played in a standout win over LIU. He enters the season just 68 points shy of 1,000 for his collegiate career.

Head coach Gary Manchel, entering his 23rd season leading the program, guides Mercyhurst into its first full season as an NEC member. The Lakers quickly gained respect across the conference last season after finishing third overall with a 9-7 record in league play.

Blunt becomes the second Mercyhurst player to earn Preseason All-NEC honors, following Jeff Planutis, who was recognized prior to the 2024-25 season.

Ringing in the season with some new faces, the Lakers are welcoming four standout transfers on top of three incoming freshmen.

Mercyhurst opens the 2025-26 campaign next Monday, November 3, at Northwestern, which ended its 2024-25 season with a loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament.