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Somerset, NJ -- Like they did most recently in 2016 and 2019, Fairleigh Dickinson will look to make the 2021 Northeast Conference (NEC) final a Knight to remember.
FDU was chosen by the league’s head coaches as the NEC men’s basketball favorite for the first time since the 2016-17 season, edging out LIU in the voting. The Knights, who have won six conference titles, received six first place votes. The Sharks earned the remaining four first place nods.
The announcement of the annual preseason poll was made Thursday during the NEC Basketball Virtual Media Day broadcast on NEC Front Row and ESPN3.
Bryant and Mount St. Mary’s tied for third in the poll, followed by St. Francis Brooklyn and Saint Francis U in the fifth and sixth spots, respectively. Defending NEC regular season champion Merrimack was picked seventh. Wagner, Central Connecticut and Sacred Heart rounded out the field in that order.
Conducted annually, NEC coaches have only managed to correctly forecast the eventual league champion two times in the last 21 years. Over the last 33 years, the coaches have proven inaccurate on 29 occasions or 88 percent of the time.
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2020-21 NEC Men’s Basketball
Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Fairleigh Dickinson (6)
2. LIU (4)
3. (tie) Bryant
Mount St. Mary’s
5. St. Francis Brooklyn
6. Saint Francis U
7. Merrimack
8. Wagner
9. Central Connecticut
10. Sacred Heart
First place votes in parentheses |
Fairleigh Dickinson
Predicted NEC Finish: 1st
2019-20 Overall Record: 11-19
2019-20 NEC Record/NEC Finish: 9-9/Tie-5th
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/3
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Players to Watch:
Jahlil Jenkins (Sr, G, 6’0”, 160 lbs.): 16.0 ppg, 3.9 apg, 53 3PFG
Elyjah Williams (Sr, F, 6’7”, 220 lbs.): 11.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 55.3 FG%
Driving eighth year head coach Greg Herenda and his FDU squad is the memory of how last season ended: with a last second setback in the NEC quarterfinals following a strong finish to the regular season. With an eye on the program’s seventh NEC crown and the third of his tenure, the Knights return nearly every key player, including perhaps the league’s most dynamic talent in senior point guard Jahlil Jenkins (Ranson, WV/Virginia Academy). Herenda will lean heavily on the battle tested Ranson, WV native this season, who checks off all the boxes: creative playmaker, mid-range maestro, solid shooter from distance and quarterback of FDU’s lethal transition game. A year ago, the preseason All-NEC pick averaged 16.0 ppg, 3.9 apg (fifth) and 1.8 spg (third), and ranked in the NEC top-10 in six key statistical categories. Fellow NEC preseason honoree Elyjah Williams (Evanston, IL/Evanston) is one of the NEC’s best at attacking and playing above the rim. The uber-athletic Williams posted career-highs in scoring (11.8), rebounding (7.3) and blocks (1.3) last season. A deep, talented backcourt includes redshirt senior Xzavier Malone-Key (Philadelphia, PA/Plymouth Whitemarsh (Rider)) (12.3 ppg, 48.1 FG%), junior guard Brandon Powell (Middletown, NY/Pine Bush) (8.3 ppg, 41.1 3PFG%) and sophomore Devon Dunn (Washington, D.C./St. John’s College) (7.6 ppg, 41.8 3PFG%), who was named to the NEC All-Rookie team a year ago.
LIU
Predicted NEC Finish: 2nd
2019-20 Overall Record: 15-18
2019-20 NEC Record/NEC Finish: 9-9/Tie-5th
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Players to Watch:
Ty Flowers (R-Sr, F, 6’9”, 200 lbs.): 14.3 ppg, 9.6 apg, 61 3PFG
Jermaine Jackson Jr. (Jr, G, 5’10”, 172 lbs.): 11.6 ppg, 3.1 apg, 66.3 FG%
NEC teams may be swimming through some shark infested waters this year as LIU appears primed to make a run at a seventh conference championship. Under fourth year head coach Derek Kellogg, LIU sports a wealth of returning talent, most notably an NEC Player of the Year candidate in redshirt senior forward Ty Flowers (Waterbury, CT/Sacred Heart HS (UMass)). A preseason All-NEC selection and two-time All-NEC performer, Flowers has both the athleticism and inside-out skills that make him a matchup nightmare for opposing coaches. The stretch four finished ninth in the circuit in scoring (14.3), second in rebounding (9.6) and double-doubles (14), third in blocks (1.79), and 11th in made three-pointers (1.85) and steals (1.24). Following the graduation of all-time great and 2,000+ point producer Raiquan Clark, look for junior guards Jermaine Jackson Jr. (Shelby Township, MI/Dakota (Detroit Mercy)) and Virshon Cotton (Milwaukee, WI/Hillcrest Prep (Akron)) to fill up some of the scoring slack. Jackson can light it up from downtown, hitting a team-high 66 triples last season while averaging 11.6 ppg, and the versatile Cotton put up 8.6 ppg and drilled 46 from outside the arc. After missing the 2019-20 season with an injury, Kellogg will welcome the return of high flying 6’7” redshirt junior Eral Penn (Brooklyn, NY/St. Francis Academy (MD)) (6.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg in 2018-19) to the lineup.
Bryant
Predicted NEC Finish: 3rd-tie
2019-20 Overall Record: 15-17
2019-20 NEC Record/NEC Finish: 7-11/Tie-7th
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 4/8
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Players to Watch:
Michael Green III (So., G, 5’11”, 155 lbs.): 9.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.1 apg
Charles Pride (So, G, 6’4”, 185 lbs.): 8.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.7 spg
The Jared Grasso regime is in full swing, and after a second straight season of eye-opening improvements, optimism is running high in Smithfield. Having engineered a 12-win turnaround from when he started back in 2018-19, Grasso now has his thoughts squarely set on contending for an NEC title. It’s often said that elite guards are paramount to a team’s success, and it that’s the case, then Bryant is in good shape. Cat-quick and a fearless playmaker, reigning NEC Rookie of the Year Michael Green III (Bronx, NY/Mount St. Michael Academy) is a foundational piece for the Bulldogs, having paced NEC freshman with 3.1 apg while averaging 9.3 ppg. Versatile backcourt mate Charles Pride (Syracuse, NY/Putnam Science (CT)) picked up a league-high four NEC Rookie of the Week awards, supplied 8.2 ppg, and at 6’4”, ranked second on Bryant with 5.0 rpg. With the addition of a pair of proven talents in 6’5” Rutgers transfer guard Peter Kiss (New York, NY/Notre Dame Prep) and 6’8” Arkansas State transfer guard Melo Eggleston (Suitland, MD/Notre Dame Prep), the Bulldogs will present matchup problems galore for opposing teams. Bryant also sports 6’8” redshirt senior center Hall Elisias (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South (New Mexico JC)), the league’s top rim protector (2.6 bpg, 15th nationally) and a key to Bryant’s pick-and-roll success.
Mount St. Mary’s
Predicted NEC Finish: 3rd-tie
2019-20 Overall Record: 11-21
2019-20 NEC Record/NEC Finish: 7-11/Tie-8th
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Players to Watch:
Damian Chong Qui (Jr, G, 5’8”, 155 lbs.): 12.2 ppg, 3.9 apg, 84.0 FG%
Nana Opoku (R-Jr, F, 6’9”, 210 lbs.): 9.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Entering his third year, Dan Engelstad has assembled the requisite pieces for a special season - and bright future - in Emmitsburg. Engelstad has restocked the talent pool with size, athleticism and depth, and with the NEC’s Most Improved Player serving as floor general, Mount fans have every right to be excited about what could come in 2020-21. Junior point guard Damian Chong Qui’s (Baltimore, MD/McDonogh) transformation from walk-on to NEC MIP is one of the great stories in recent conference memory. The diminutive 5’8” guard with a non-stop motor and elite court vision and playmaking ability was named to the preseason All-NEC team after he improved his numbers across the board from his freshman season. Chong Qui lifted his scoring average from 6.8 to 12.2, his rebounding from 2.8 to 3.9, and his assists from 3.7 to 3.8 per game. Experienced guard Jalen Gibbs (Waldorf, MD/North Point (Drake)), the team’s lone rotation senior, will provide scoring punch (11.2 ppg, 52 3PFG), while 6’9” junior bigs Nana Opoku (Woodbridge, VA/Potomac) and Malik Jefferson (Hopewell, VA/Hopewell) may be primed for next level seasons. Known for his rim-rattling dunks and highlight reel blocks, the springy Opoku registered 9.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg and ranked fourth on the circuit with 1.6 bpg. The rugged Jefferson supplied 9.7 ppg and led the Mount with 7.1 rpg and 54.0 percent shooting from the floor to rank among league leaders in both categories.
St. Francis Brooklyn
Predicted NEC Finish: 5th
2019-20 Overall Record: 13-18
2019-20 NEC Record/NEC Finish: 7-11/Tie-7th
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 8/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Players to Watch:
Chauncey Hawkins (Sr, G, 5’8”, 165 lbs.): 15.1 ppg, 3.2 apg, 1.8 spg
Unique McLean (Gr, G, 6’2”, 175 lbs.): 11.4 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.9 apg
How good can St. Francis Brooklyn be? That’s the question on everyone’s mind in Brooklyn Heights, including 11th-year head coach Glenn Braica. Leaning heavily on his deep and prolific backcourt, Braica returns four of his top five scorers with an eye on returning to the top of the NEC standings. Gunslinging senior guard Chauncey Hawkins (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional) is the best of the bunch, having earned preseason All-Conference recognition following his appointment to the All-NEC third team as a junior. A combo guard with undeniable confidence and a penchant for making big shots, Hawkins can flat out score for anywhere and everywhere on the court. A year ago, he ranked eighth in the NEC in scoring (15.1) and assists (3.2), fourth in steals (1.8) and seventh in free throw percentage (.817). High flying grad student Unique McLean (Brooklyn, NY/The MacDuffie School (UMass)) was a huge addition for the Terriers a year ago, contributing 11.4 ppg, and at just 6’2”, he ranked sixth in the conference with 8.0 rpg. Sharpshooting guard Rob Higgins (Middletown, NJ/Middletown North) led all NEC freshman with 11.1 ppg and 43 three-pointers, while junior Larry Moreno (Brooklyn, NY/Brooklyn High School for Law & Technology) shook off injuries and showed glimpses of his unlimited potential as a scoring guard.
Saint Francis U
Predicted NEC Finish: 6th
2019-20 Overall Record: 22-10
2019-20 NEC Record/NEC Finish: 13-5/Tie-2nd
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 1/4
Players to Watch:
Myles Thompson (Jr, G, 6’6”, 230 lbs.): 10.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 46.9 FG%
Tyler Stewart (R-Jr, G/F, 6’8”, 195 lbs.): 8.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 85.0 FT%
In recent years Saint Francis U reached new heights in what can aptly be termed the “B&B Era.” With Keith Braxton and Isaiah Blackmon as the headliners, the Red Flash won 75 games over the last four years, reached the NEC title game three times over that span and left an indelible mark on a program that has morphed into a perennial contender. Braxton, the 2018-19 NEC Player of the Year and lone competitor in league history to finish with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, and Blackmon, the 2019-20 NEC Player of the Year, have moved on, but the cupboard isn’t exactly bare for ninth-year head coach Rob Krimmel. Krimmel has a host of weapons in his arsenal, including junior forwards Myles Thompson (Camden, NJ/Camden) and Tyler Stewart (Silver Spring, MD/St. Andrew’s Episcopal (Binghamton)). Thompson, at a bruising 6’6”, 230 lb., sports an inside-outside game and a blue-collar mentality that directly impacts the team’s success. Last year, he tallied 10.2 ppg and 5.0 rpg. The silky-smooth Stewart supplied instant offense off the bench with 8.2 ppg. Senior forward Mark Flagg (Fairless Hills, PA/Pennsbury) (6.7 ppg) is a smooth operator in the paint, who converted at a 53.9 percent clip from the floor a year ago. Look for big things from junior point guard Ramiir Dixon-Conover (Newark, NJ/South Kent), who started to come into his own last season as he broke through in the Red Flash’s crowded backcourt. The Newark, NJ native shot 58.7 percent from two-point range and ranked second on the team with 2.1 apg.
Merrimack
Predicted NEC Finish: 7th
2019-20 Overall Record: 20-11
2019-20 NEC Record/NEC Finish: 14-4/1st
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Players to Watch:
Devin Jensen (Sr, G/F, 6’5”, 225 lbs.): 7.5 ppg,64 3PFG, 43.5 3PFG%
Mikey Watkins (Jr, G, 5’11”, 175 lbs.): 7.5 ppg, 1.9 spg, 36.2 3PFG%
In building a DI program from the ground up, there are bound to be more valleys than peaks at the start of the transition. That wasn’t the case for a Merrimack team last season that defied expectations and became a national Cinderella story by winning the NEC regular season crown in its first year as both a DI member and part of the conference. Joe Gallo and the Warriors announced themselves in a big way with a win over Northwestern in just their second game and never looked back. The Warriors finished with 20 victories, setting an NCAA record for a first-year reclassifying program and became the first school to capture a conference regular season title in its initial DI campaign. Gallo, who was rewarded with a slew of honors at year’s end, including Jim Phelan Coach of the Year and John McLendon National Coach of the Year accolades, is the orchestrator of Merrimack’s morphing zone defense that has become the program’s calling card and ranks with the nation’s best. While NCAA all-time steals leader Juvaris Hayes has graduated, the Warriors still bring back a host of key pieces from an outfit that led the NEC in scoring defense (60.2), three-point defense (.302), steals (9.94), turnovers forced (17.4) and turnover margin (5.58). Lightning quick junior guard Mikey Watkins (Roselle, NJ/Linden) (7.5 ppg) will likely take on Hayes’ role at the top of the zone after he finished second on the circuit with 1.9 spg. The Warriors bring back perhaps the league’s top long distance threat in senior Devin Jensen (Brielle, NJ/Manasquan). Jensen led the NEC with a 43.5 percent mark from three-point territory, hitting 64 trifectas on his way to averaging 7.5 ppg. Sophomore forwards Jordan Minor (Kingston, MA/Brimmer & May) (6.1 ppg, 4.3. rpg) and Ziggy Reid (Baltimore, MD/St. Paul’s School) (5.2 ppg, 27 3PFG) look to be building blocks for the future following solid freshman campaigns.
Wagner
Predicted NEC Finish: 8th
2019-20 Overall Record: 8-21
2019-20 NEC Record/NEC Finish: 5-13/10th
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Players to Watch:
Alex Morales (Sr, G, 6’6”, 180 lbs.): 13.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.1 apg
Nigel Jackson (Sr, F, 6’7”, 215 lbs.): 9.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.2 spg
With four starters back in the fold for ninth-year head coach Bashir Mason, Wagner has all the makings of a much improved team this season, one that has its eyes set on a climb up the NEC standings. Mason returns an all-star talent in 6’6” senior guard Alex Morales (Paterson, NJ/Mainland Regional (Prince George’s CC)), a creative playmaker and one of the league’s most explosive talents off the dribble. Morales ranked second on the Seahawks with 13.6 ppg, and led the squad with 5.8 rpg and 3.1 apg. The backcourt is well stocked with the return of fellow seniors Elijah Ford (Newark, NJ/Weequahic (Barton CC)), Will Martinez (Bronx, NY/Wings Academy (Monroe CC)) and Chase Freeman (Gallatin, TN/Station Camp). Ford came on strong down the stretch, averaging 12.7 ppg and 6.2 rpg over his last 13 outings, while Martinez, a pinpoint passer, dished for 3.1 apg and chipped in 6.2 ppg. The offense will run through the 5’11” Freeman, a high-energy presence on both ends of the floor who is automatic from the line (.909) and can find the open man (3.1 apg).
Central Connecticut
Predicted NEC Finish: 9th
2019-20 Overall Record: 4-27
2019-20 NEC Record/NEC Finish: 3-15/11th
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Players to Watch:
Ian Krishnan (Jr, G, 6’2”, 180 lbs.): 12.5 ppg, 42 3PFG, 45.2 3P%
Jamir Reed (So, G, 6’4”, 200 lbs.): 8.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 43 3PFG
Employing a trial-by-fire approach last season, fifth-year head coach Donyell Marshall may have set the stage for a dramatic turnaround in 2020-21. With CCSU bringing back seven of their top eight scorers - only one of whom is a senior - the future is now for a Blue Devil team determined to erase the memories of a challenging 2019-20 campaign. Perhaps the NEC’s most underrated offensive weapon, all signs point to a big year for junior guard and former NEC All-Rookie honoree Ian Krishnan (Boyds, MD/Proctor Academy (NH)). With one of the smoothest strokes on the circuit, Krishnan drained 45.2 percent of shots from downtown (42-of-93) and led CCSU with 12.5 ppg. Marshall entrusted court time to a quintet of freshman last season, and he’s hoping it will pay dividends moving forward. Swingman Greg Outlaw (Chicago, IL/Rezin Orr Academy) started a team-high 26 games in his first collegiate campaign and led the team with 1.1 spg while averaging 8.8 ppg. Sophomore guards Jamir Reed (Philadelphia, PA/Mastery Charter North) (8.3 ppg) and Myles Baker (Chicago, IL/Whitney Young) (8.6 ppg) filled it up from three-point range, hitting 43 and 37, respectively, on the year. Classmate Xavier Wilson (Spring Valley, NY/The Hotchkiss School (CT)) (5.0 ppg), a 6’7” forward with hops, is another intriguing prospect with undeniable upside.
Sacred Heart
Predicted NEC Finish: 10th
2019-20 Overall Record: 20-13
2019-20 NEC Record/NEC Finish: 12-6/4th
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 5/6
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Players to Watch:
Aaron Clarke (Jr, G, 6’1”, 185 lbs.): 11.3 ppg, 2.7 apg, 53 3PFG
Tyler Thomas (So, G, 6’3”, 195 lbs.): 5.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 34 3PFG
Sacred Heart is certainly feeling the winds of change following the loss of all-time great E.J. Anosike and five of the team’s top six point producers from last season’s NEC title contender. While conference coaches may be skeptical, always optimistic eighth-year head coach Anthony Latina isn’t conceding anything just yet. Latina brings back one of the league’s elite guards in junior Aaron Clarke (Parsippany, NJ/Pope John), who stepped into a starting role in late January and never looked back, emerging as one of the NEC’s most improved players. With a fearless, old school style of play, the ability to control the pace of the game and a reliable stroke from downtown (53 3PFG), Clarke is the team’s unquestioned leader. Last season he averaged 15.2 ppg over his last nine games to lift his season mark to 11.3, and also handed out 2.7 apg. Sophomore guard Tyler Thomas (Amity, CT/Amity Regional (Williston Northampton (MA))) was a two-time NEC Rookie of the Week who drained 34 shots from outside the arc and contributed 5.6 ppg. The Pioneers will benefit from the return of senior guard Zach Radz (Watervliet, NY/Troy (St. Thomas More (CT)), who missed the 2019-20 season with an injury after registering 5.1 ppg as a junior. Be on the lookout for 6’7” North Alabama transfer Cantavio Dutreil (Gonaives, Haiti/Trinity Catholic (Harcum CC, North Alabama)) to make an immediate impact in the frontcourt.
NEC Preseason Coaches Poll History (last 33 years)
Year Preseason Favorite NEC Tournament Champion
(actual regular season finish) (preseason selection)
2019-20 LIU (tie 5th) Robert Morris (5th)
2018-19 Saint Francis U (1st) Fairleigh Dickinson (2nd)
2017-18 Saint Francis U (tie 2nd) LIU Brooklyn (6th)
2016-17 Fairleigh Dickinson (tie 5th Mount St. Mary's (4th)
2015-16 Mount St. Mary’s (5th) Fairleigh Dickinson (9th)
2014-15 St. Francis Brooklyn (1st) Robert Morris (3rd)
2013-14 Wagner (2nd) Mount St. Mary's (6th)
2012-13 LIU Brooklyn (3rd) LIU Brooklyn (1st)
2011-12 LIU Brooklyn (1st) LIU Brooklyn (1st)
2010-11 Quinnipiac (2nd) LIU Brooklyn (3rd)
2009-10 Mount St. Mary’s (3rd) Robert Morris (tie 3rd)
2008-09 Mount St. Mary’s (tie 2nd) Robert Morris (3rd)
2007-08 Sacred Heart (3rd) Mount St. Mary’s (4th)
2006-07 Monmouth (tie 8th) CCSU (tie 4th)
2005-06 Fairleigh Dickinson (1st) Monmouth (2nd)
2004-05 Monmouth (1st) Fairleigh Dickinson (2nd)
2003-04 Quinnipiac (10th) Monmouth (3rd)
2002-03 CCSU (3rd) Wagner (2nd)
2001-02 Monmouth (4th) CCSU (4th)
2000-01 CCSU (tie 5th) Monmouth (3rd)
1999-00 Mount St. Mary’s (tie 7th) CCSU (3rd)
1998-99 Mount St. Mary’s (tie 5th) Mount St. Mary’s (1st)
1997-98 LIU Brooklyn (1st) Fairleigh Dickinson (2nd)
1996-97 Monmouth (3rd) LIU Brooklyn (4th)
1995-96 Monmouth/Rider (tie 2nd/4th) Monmouth (tie 1st)
1994-95 Rider (1st) Mount St. Mary’s (3rd)
1993-94 Fairleigh Dickinson (tie 5th) Rider (3rd)
1992-93 Wagner (2nd) Rider (3rd)
1991-92 Monmouth (tie 2nd) Robert Morris (2nd)
1990-91 Monmouth (4th) Saint Francis U (3rd)
1989-90 Fairleigh Dickinson (6th) Robert Morris (3rd)
1988-89 Monmouth (3rd) Robert Morris (5th)
1987-88 *Marist (tie 1st) Fairleigh Dickinson (2nd)
* Marist was ineligible for the NEC Tournament in 1987-88
About The Northeast Conference
Now in its 40th anniversary season, the Northeast Conference is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of 10 institutions of higher learning located throughout seven states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to a number of the largest markets in the United States - New York (#1), Boston (#9), Baltimore (#26), Hartford/New Haven (#33) and Providence (#53). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 24 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic access to 16 different NCAA Championships. NEC member institutions include Bryant, Central Connecticut, Fairleigh Dickinson, LIU, Merrimack, Mount St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart, St. Francis Brooklyn, Saint Francis U and Wagner. For more information on the NEC, visit the league’s official website (www.northeastconference.org) and digital network (www.necfrontrow.com), or follow the league on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat, all @NECsports.