NEC MEN'S BASKETBALL CO-PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Jordan Derkack, Merrimack
6’5”, 205 lbs.
So., G, Colonia, NJ/Colonia (Spire Academy)
Derkack is back in the winner’s circle for the second straight week and league-leading fifth time this season. The sophomore guard from Colonia contributed 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals in a Merrimack sweep that extended the Warriors’ win streak to six and keep them tied for first in the conference with a 9-2 mark. Derkack was spectacular in Merrimack’s 82-79 comeback win in overtime at LIU on Thursday, scoring 20 of his career-high 34 points in the second half, including 11 in the last five minutes of regulation. He put pressure on the LIU defense to the tune of 25 free throw attempts, the most in an NEC game in over 38 years and the third most all-time. He went on to record 13 points on 5-10 shooting, and added four rebounds, three assists and two steals in a 66-50 home victory over Le Moyne on Saturday. Derkack paces the NEC with 17.8 ppg, and also ranks in the conference top-10 in rebounding (6.1), assists (3.7), steals (2.0) and FG percentage (.505). His five Player of the Week honors tied him for second on the NEC’s single-season list.
Jordan Jones, CCSU
6’0”, 180 lbs.
Sr., G, Florence, SC/Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School (Coker)
Jones served as the offensive catalyst for CCSU in a home sweep that pushed the Blue Devils’ conference record to 9-2 and solidified their grip on (a share of) first place. In collecting his second NEC Player of the Week award, he shot an efficient 61.5 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from three-point range on his way to averaging 22.0 points per outing. He added 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. In a huge game against Sacred Heart at Detrick on Thursday, Jones served up a career-high 33 points with 22 coming in the second half. His triple with 3:39 to play gave CCSU a seven-point lead and he sealed the 77-70 win with two late free throws to enable the Blue Devils to snap a 15-game losing streak to the Pioneers. On Saturday, the Florence, SC product battled early foul trouble before finishing with 11 points on 5-10 shooting to go along with five rebounds and a pair of assists in a 71-62 victory over FDU. Jones is now ninth in the NEC with 13.5 ppg. He also ranks third in FT percentage (.795), second in steals (2.0) and eighth in assists (3.5).
NEC MEN'S BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Adam “Budd” Clark, Merrimack
5’10”, 155 lbs.
Fr., G, Philadelphia, PA/West Catholic
Clark assumed the league lead with his fifth NEC Rookie of the Year honor after playing a pivotal role in a pair of Merrimack wins. The Warriors stretched their win streak to six games and, most importantly, remained in a first place tie at 9-2 in conference play. Clark posted 21.0 points, 4.0 assists and 4.0 steals per game, while shooting 47.2 percent from the field. The Philly native was terrific on Thursday, helping spark a double-digit comeback in a rousing 82-79 overtime triumph at LIU. He racked up 27 points - three off his career-high - including seven in the extra session, where he was unstoppable off the dribble. Clark went on to contribute 15 points, five dimes and a career-high tying six steals as the Warriors cruised to a 66-50 win over Le Moyne on Saturday. He leads the NEC and ranks eighth nationally in steals (2.5), and also sits second among NEC freshmen in scoring (12.0) and assists (3.7). Clark’s five weekly rookie honors tied him for 13th on the NEC’s all-time list.
NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
Jordan Jones (CCSU, Sr, G)
Last week: 22.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 spg, 61.5 FG%, 54.5 3P%
- Exploded for a career-high 33 points and a personal-best 5 3P in CCSU’s 77-70 win over SHU in a battle of NEC contenders on Thursday.
- Scored 22 of his 33 points in the second half.
- Has boosted his season average to 13.5 ppg, ranking him ninth on the circuit. He also ranks third in FT% (.795), second in steals (2.0) and eighth in assists (3.5).
Ansley Almonor (FDU, Jr, G)
Last week: 16.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, 50.0 3P%
- Drilled 6-12 from downtown at CCSU on Saturday in a game-high 18-point effort.
- Has hit 17-34 (.500) from outside the arc over his last four contests.
- Ranks 23rd nationally in made 3P/game.
- Leads the NEC with 3.0 three-pointers per outing, and ranks second in scoring (16.5), and third in 3P accuracy (.396).
Tana Kopa (LIU, Jr, G/F)
Last week: 18.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.5 bpg. 53.3 3P%
- Posted his fourth 20+ point game during conference play with 20 points in LIU’s 75-58 home win over SHU on Saturday. He hit 4-8 from out
- His 16.5 ppg ranks fourth in the NEC in league games. He is also second in made 3P (3.0/game) and eighth in 3P percentage (.413) against conference rivals.
- Overall, Kopa is averaging 13.0 ppg and sits third in the NEC with 2.4 3P/game.
Tai Strickland (LIU, Gr, G)
Last week: 14.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 5.0 apg, 3.5 spg
- Stuffed the stat sheet against league leader Merrimack on Thursday with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals.
- Narrowly misses his first career double-double on Saturday, recording 16 points and 9 boards.
- Ranks fifth in the NEC in scoring (15.0), fifth in steals (1.9) and fourth in FT percentage (.787),
Adam “Budd” Clark (MC, Fr, G)
Last week: 21.0 ppg, 4.0 apg. 4.0 spg
- In a scintillating performance, scored seven of his 27 points in OT during Thursday’s comeback victory at LIU.
- Averaging 20.5 ppg, 3.8 apg and 4.0 spg over his last four games.
- Leads NEC and ranks eighth nationally with 2.5 spg.
Jordan Derkack (MC, So, G)
Last week: 23.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.5 spg
- Dropped a career-high 34 points in Thursday’s 82-79 OT win at LIU.
- Went to the line an astronomical 30 times in two games last week, making 20.
- Leads the NEC with 17.8 ppg, and also ranks in the conference top-10 in rebounding (6.1), assists (3.7), steals (2.0) and FG percentage (.505).
Bobby Rosenberger III (SFU, Fr, G)
Last week: 22 points. 9 rebounds, 8-15 FG vs. Stonehill
- His 22 points marked a career-high and was his second 20+ point game in NEC play.
- Has averaged 19.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg in his last two outings.
- Contributes 8.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg on the season.
Aaron “Ace” Talbert (SFU, Fr, G)
Last week: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 8-11 FG, 5-7 3P vs. Stonehill
- Established new career-high in points, field goals and 3P in a nine-point win vs. Stonehill.
- Had made just 2-21 from deep in his previous seven games before drilling 5-7 on Saturday.
- Averaging 8.3 ppg in his freshman season.
Tahron Allen (WC, Jr, G)
Last week: 22 points, 4 rebounds, 7-13 FG, 3-4 3P vs. FDU
- His 22 points in Wagner’s 66-62 win was a personal-best as a member of the Seahawks and one off his career-high.
- His putback with 25 seconds to play gave Wagner a five-point lead.
- Ranks second on the Seahawks with 10.1 ppg and 5.0 rpg, and is shooting a scalding 54.5 percent (18-33) from three-point range on the year.
TOP STORYLINES FROM #NECMBB WEEK 14
Here’s all you need to know from the 14th week of the 2023-24 season...
>> LOGJAM!
With just three weeks remaining in the NEC regular season, there are plenty of questions but very few answers.
Here’s what we do know.
While it was a foregone conclusion, CCSU and Merrimack both punched their tickets to the NEC’s version of March Madness last week. That leaves six more reservations to be confirmed for the eight-team event that begins on March 6 with quarterfinal round play at host sites.
CCSU and Merrimack have been in lockstep at the top of the standings the last two weeks, and at 9-2, are on the verge of locking up a quarterfinal home game.
The Blue Devils and Warriors have also broken from the pack, holding a 2 1/2 game lead over third place Sacred Heart. CCSU and Merrimack split their season series.
An absolute logjam has formed in the middle of the standings with the 6-5 Pioneers up a half-game over FDU, Le Moyne and Wagner, all currently knotted in fourth place with 5-5 records. At 5-6, LIU is in seventh, but just a game out of third place.
With just two top-four spots potentially up for grabs, it’s shaping up to be a wild scramble these last three weeks as a pack of teams vie for the privilege of hosting a quarterfinal round game.
Saint Francis U took a huge step toward solidifying their NEC Tournament status with a win over Stonehill on Saturday. The victory gave the Red Flash a two-game cushion over the Skyhawks for the eighth and final berth.
>> KRIMMEL’S MILESTONE WIN
You may as well call him Mr. NEC.
Rob Krimmel has been associated with Saint Francis U and the NEC in some way, shape or form since 1996.
He started as a Red Flash student-athlete, then moved directly into the coaching ranks as an SFU assistant. He assumed the head coaching role at his alma mater in 2012, and has since built an impressive resume.
On Saturday, the current dean of NEC coaches unlocked his latest milestone.
Saint Francis U’s 72-63 win over Stonehill was the 100th regular season NEC victory of Krimmel’s career, putting him in elite company. He became just the 12th coach in league annals to reach the century mark.
NEC Coaching Regular Season Wins Leaders
Tom Green (FDU) 263
Howie Dickenman (CCSU) 187
Ron Ganulin (SFBK) 129
Dave Calloway (MU) 127
Dave Magarity (SFU/MARI) 117
Glenn Braica (SFBK) 116
Jim Phelan (MSM) 116
Andy Toole (RMU) 115
Bashir Mason (WC) 111
Wayne Szoke (MU) 109
Dave Bike (SHU) 105
Rob Krimmel (SFU) 100
Krimmel also became the second SFU grad to reach 100 conference wins, joining Dave Magarity, who combined for 117 in stints with the Red Flash and at Marist.
This season, Krimmel won his 150th career game (at Lehigh, November 29), coached his 350th career game (at Wagner, January 6) and 200th NEC regular season game (at Le Moyne, January 21). His 100th win came on the six-year anniversary of his 50th NEC win at St. Francis Brooklyn on February 10, 2018.
>> BLUE DEVIL FLASHBACK
CCSU’s 9-2 start now ranks as the program’s best since its 2006-07 title season, when the Blue Devils started 14-1 on their way to a 16-2 league mark.
>> SEEING RED NO LONGER: STREAK BUSTED!
For CCSU, it was a sweet sixteen.
After 15 consecutive losses to in-state rival Sacred Heart dating back to February 21, 2015, the Blue Devils finally turned the tables last Thursday, knocking off the Pioneers, 77-70, at Detrick Gymnasium.
Junior guard Jordan Jones (Florence, SC/Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School (Coker)) provided the offensive firepower in the win, erupting for a career-high 33 points on 11-16 shooting from the field and a 5-8 mark from downtown. He scored 22 points in the second half alone.
Jones canned a triple with 3:39 to play that pushed CCSU’s lead to seven points, then hit two free throws to put the game on ice in the final seconds.
The 33 points is the fifth-most in an NEC game this season.
>> DOLPHINS SPLASHING 3S (AGAIN!)
18 seems to be the magic number for Le Moyne’s crew of sharpshooters.
On January 21, the Dolphins started dropping 3s and didn’t stop until they had made 18 in 34 attempts during a 94-57 win over Saint Francis U.
The 18 three-pointers were the most in an NEC game in nearly 26 years and one shy of the conference record.
Fast forward 18 days.
Taking on former NE10 rival Stonehill in Easton, Le Moyne put on another historic, and almost identical, long range bombing exhibition.
The Dolphins splashed 18 three-pointers once again, finishing with an 18-33 mark from beyond the arc en route to a runaway 88-57 victory.
Saint Francis U set the initial record with 19 triples against LIU on February 25, 1989 and the standard was matched by Monmouth on February 21, 1998, also against LIU.
Since that time, no team had hit more than 17 three-pointers in a league game, the last time coming on December 31, 2021 courtesy of Merrimack in a win over LIU.
In Thursday’s win, four Le Moyne players hit at least three trifectas, led by four from grad student Nate McClure (Houston, TX/Concordia Lutheran (Texas State/State Fair CC/IUPUI)).
The Dolphins’ 54.5 percent success rate from deep was the highest in an NEC game with at least 15 makes since Merrimack shot 17-26 (.654) in the aforementioned victory over the Sharks in 2021.
Le Moyne remains the runaway NEC leader with 10.25 three-pointers per game, a mark that ranks the Dolphins 12th nationally. The Dolphins also lead the NEC in both overall (.362) and conference (.398) three-point percentage.
>> SHARKS & WARRIORS BY THE NUMBERS
Whistles echoed frequently throughout the Steinberg Wellness Center during Merrimack’s wild 82-79 overtime win at LIU on Thursday.
The two teams combined for 57 fouls, the most in an NEC game since Saint Francis U and Sacred Heart recorded 59 in the Pios’ 94-84 win on March 2, 2019.
Most Combined Fouls in NEC Game (2010 to present)
66 LIU-SFBK 2/26/15
60 Wagner-Quinnipiac 1/20/11
59 Saint Francis U-Sacred Heart 3/2/19
59 Wagner-SFBK 12/31/17
59 FDU-LIU 1/24/15
59 Wagner-RMU 3/4/12
58 CCSU-SFBK 12/31/16
58 Wagner-SFBK 1/13/11
58 SFBK-Bryant 1/25/14
57 LIU-SHU 2/6/16
57 Merrimack-LIU 2/8/24
56 FDU-Wagner 2/14/15
56 Monmouth-RMU 12/3/11
LIU and Merrimack also totaled 79 free throw attempts (45 for MC, 34 for LIU), the most in an NEC game since LIU and St. Francis Brooklyn combined to take 97 free throws in the Terriers’ 74-69 win on February 26, 2015.
The NEC record for fouls in a game is 80, which occurred during Sacred Heart’s wild 133-130 quadruple OT win over FDU on December 1, 2001. In that game, the Pios picked up 44 fouls, FDU was whistled for 36 infractions and 11 players fouled out. The two teams took 111 free throws in the contest.
>> DERKACK’S DAY AT THE STRIPE
Merrimack sophomore guard Jordan Derkack (Colonia, NJ/Colonia (Spire Academy)) seemingly squeezed in a lifetime of free throw shooting in one game last Thursday.
The Colonia, NJ native went to the line an astounding 25 times in an overtime win at LIU.
Not only were the 25 free throw attempts the most in the nation this season, but the most in an NEC game in over 38 years and third on the league’s all-time list. Wagner’s Terrance Bailey, an NEC Hall of Famer, took 26 free throws against Marist on February 1, 1986. The league record is held by LIU’s Robert Cole, who fired up 28 free throws against Siena on March 4, 1982 in the semifinal round of the inaugural NEC Tournament.
Derkack’s 17 makes tied him for fifth in on the DI single-game list this season and 10th on the NEC’s all-time chart.
>> TAI’S STAT LINE IN PERSPECTIVE
LIU graduate student Tai Strickland (Tampa, FL/St. Petersburg (Wisconsin/Temple/Georgia Southern)) pulled off one unique stat line against Merrimack on Thursday.
In a terrific all-around effort, Strickland finished with 13 points, seven boards, six assists and six steals.
In doing so, he became the first player in the nation this season with at least 13p/7r/6a/6s in a game, joining Tulane’s Kevin Cross, who finished with 25 points, 12 boards, 12 assists and six steals in an incredible effort against Furman on December 14.
Going back to five years, only 19 players nationwide have hit the minimums in those four categories in a game.
>> 20/20 VISION FOR SFU FRESHMEN
Saint Francis U freshmen guards Bobby Rosenberger III (Quakertown, PA/Perkiomen School) and Aaron “Ace” Talbert (Wyandanch, NY/Scotland Campus (PA)) were a true dynamic duo in the Red Flash’s conquest of Stonehill on Saturday.
Both players secured career-highs after Rosenberger dropped 22 points and Talbert netted 21 points.
It’s a rare feat for two freshmen on the same team score 20 points in a game. Going back, it hadn’t been done in an NEC game since the Mount’s Vado Morse (23) and Malik Jefferson (20) turned the trick against SFBK on March 2, 2019.
It was also the first time two SFU players netted 20 points in a game since the 2023 NEC quarterfinals. It was also the first time under head coach Rob Krimmel that a pair of freshmen reached 20 points in the same game.
>> DOLPHIN DID YOU KNOW?
With its 88-57 win at Stonehill on Thursday, Le Moyne became...
...the first team to compile two 30+ point win margins in NEC play during the same season since Mount St. Mary’s beat Sacred Heart by 39 and St. Francis Brooklyn by 30 during the 2021-22 season
...the first NEC team to post a 30+-point conference win on the road since Wagner knocked off Saint Francis U, 91-61, in Loretto on January 26, 2018.
>> MC’S DYNAMIC DUO STRIKES
While they are both underclassmen, Merrimack guards Jordan Derkack (Colonia, NJ/Colonia (Spire Academy)) and Adam “Budd” Clark (Philadelphia, PA/West Catholic) are playing like seasoned veterans for the first place Warriors.
On Thursday, the duo combined for 61 of Merrimack’s 82 points in its overtime win at LIU. Derkack dropped a career-high 34 points, while Clark added 27, including seven in the extra session.
The 61 points by the duo marked the most in an NEC contest since Bryant’s Peter Kiss (37) and Charles Pride (34) amassed 71 points against SHU on February 10, 2022.
>> MORE ON JORDAN & BUDD
The Merrimack duo of Jordan Derkack (Colonia, NJ/Colonia (Spire Academy)) and Adam “Budd” Clark (Philadelphia, PA/West Catholic) have been banking weekly honors at a prolific rate. ‘
In fact, both now rank among the all-time NEC single-season leaders in their respective awards.
Derkack has won or shared five NEC Player of the Week accoldaes this season, one shy of the conference record.
Most NEC Player of the Week Awards - Single Season
6 - Tyler Kohl (CCSU): 11/12/18, 11/19/18, 12/24/18, 1/14/19, 2/4/19, 2/11/19
5 - Jordan Derkack (MC): 12/4/23, 12/26/23, 1/8/24, 2/5/24, 2/12/24
5 - Josh Cohen (SFU): 11/28/22, 12/12/22, 1/9/23, 2/13/23, 2/27/23
5 - Alex Morales (WC): 11/15/21, 12/27/21, 1/10/22, 1/25/22, 2/1/22
5 - E.J. Anosike (SHU): 11/25/19, 12/9/19, 12/23/19, 2/17/20, 3/2/20
5 - Jalen Cannon (SFBK): 12/1/14, 12/29/14, 1/6/15, 2/9/15, 2/23/15
5 - Ken Horton (CCSU): 11/22/10, 1/24/11, 2/7/11, 2/14/11, 2/21/11
5 - Jermaine Hall (WC): 12/2/03, 1/6/03, 1/13/03, 1/27/03, 2/3/03
5 - Charles Jones (LIU) : 12/2/96, 12/15/96, 1/6/97, 2/3/97, 2/10/97
5 - Alex Blackwell (MU): 12/8/90, 1/19/91, 2/3/91, 2/9/91, 2/23/91
5 - Desi Wilson (FDU): 12/2/89, 12/9/89, 1/20/90, 2/17/90, 2/24/90
5 - Rik Smits (MAR): 12/5/87, 1/16/88, 2/13/88, 2/20/88, 2/27/88
Clark is now a five-time NEC Rookie of the Week award winner, tying him for 13th in the conference recordbook.
Most NEC Rookie of the Week Awards
8 - Kyle Vinales (CCSU): 11/14/11, 11/21/11, 11/28/11, 12/12/11, 12/19/11, 1/9/12, 2/20/12, 2/27/12
8 - Darshan Luckey (SFU): 11/25/02, 12/16/02, 1/6/03, 1/27/03, 2/3/03, 2/10/03, 2/17/03, 2/24/03
8 - Charles Smith (RID): 12/5/93, 12/12/93, 1/2/94, 1/23/94, 1/31/94, 2/13/94, 2/20/94, 2/27/94
8 - Alex Blackwell (MU): 12/26/89, 1/6/90, 1/13/90, 1/20/90, 1/27/90, 2/3/90, 2/10/90, 2/24/90
7 - Landon Moore (SFU): 11/14/22, 11/21/22, 12/19/22, 12/26/22, 1/2/23, 1/9/23, 1/18/23
7 - Keith Braxton (SFU): 11/28/16, 12/5/16, 1/2/17, 1/16/17, 1/23/17, 2/6/17, 2/20/17
6 - Julian Boyd (LIU): 12/15/08, 1/5/09, 1/12/09, 2/2/09, 2/16/09, 3/2/09
6 - Alex Francis (BRY): 11/15/10, 11/22/10, 1/3/11, 1/17/11, 1/31/11, 2/28/11
6 - Latif Rivers (WC): 11/15/10, 11/29/10, 12/6/10, 1/10/11, 1/24/11, 2/7/11
6 - Marcquise Reed (RMU): 11/17/14, 12/29/14, 1/6/15, 1/19/15, 2/2/15, 2/9/15
6 - Vado Morse (MSM): 12/31/18, 1/7/19, 1/21/19, 1/28/19, 2/11/19, 2/18/19
6 - Andre Snoddy (CCSU): 12/6/21, 1/10/22, 1/19/22, 2/1/22, 2/7/22, 2/21/22
5 - Adam “Budd” Clark (MC): 11/13/23, 11/27/23, 1/17/24, 1/29/24, 2/12/24
5 - Shivaughn Wiggins (MSM): 12/10/12, 1/21/13, 2/4/13, 2/12/13, 3/4/13
5 - Jeremy Chappell (RMU): 12/12/05, 12/19/05, 1/3/06, 1/30/06, 2/13/06
5 - Peter Mulligan (UMBC): 11/20/00, 1/2/01, 1/29/01, 2/19/01, 2/26/01
5 - Desi Wilson (FDU): 12/10/88, 1/7/89, 1/21/89, 2/4/89, 2/11/89
5 - Cane Broome (SHU): 12/8/14, 12/22/14, 1/26/15, 2/23/15, 3/2/15
5 - Quincy McKnight (SHU): 11/16/15, 11/23/15, 12/7/15, 2/16/16, 2/22/16
5 - Marcel Pettway (BRY): 11/30/15, 12/14/15, 12/28/15, 1/5/16, 1/18/16
>> DEPERSIA’S HISTORIC A/TO NUMBERS
When it comes to taking care of the ball, Le Moyne graduate guard Mike DePersia (Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Memorial (IUPUI)) is in a league of his own.
The Cherry Hill, NJ native has committed just 25 turnovers in over 24 games covering 615 minutes of court time this season.
Throw those turnover numbers in a pot and stir in his healthy 3.8 assists per game, and DePersia is cooking up some historic assist-to-turnover ratio numbers.
His current 3.64 assist/TO ratio would stand as the best in the conference over the last 25 years and it isn’t even close. No other NEC player the last quarter century has even reached a 3.0 assist/TO ratio. It also ranks sixth in the nation.
NEC Assist/TO Ratio Single-Season Leaders (min. 3.0 apg; last 25 years)
Grant Singleton (FDU) 2.95 2022-23
Marcus Whitaker (FDU) 2.88 2003-04
Glenn Sanabria (SFBK) 2.87 2017-18
Jason Brickman (LIU) 2.84 2013-14
Jason Brickman (LIU) 2.81 2010-11
Brent Jones (SFBK) 2.67 2013-14
Rob Monroe (QU) 2.62 2001-02
Chase Freeman (WC) 2.58 2019-20
Rob Monroe (QU) 2.58 2003-04
Dedrick Dye (WC) 2.57 2000-01
Malcolm McMillan (CCSU) 2.52 2012-13
>> DID YOU KNOW?
Even the most die hard NEC hoops fans would have a hard time guessing who the NEC leader in defensive rebounding is this season.
(take a guess!)
The surprising answer is LIU sophomore guard RJ Greene (Bronx, NY/Iona Prep), who is somewhat quietly pulling down 5.74 defensive boards per game, well ahead of Sacred Heart’s Nico Galette (Rahway, NJ/Rutgers Prep), who is averaging 5.16 per contest.
Greene is third in the NEC in defensive rebound percentage (21.3) and 154th nationally in the category.
>> QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Saint Francis U honored Jorden “J-Money” McClure with a pregame ceremony before its game against Stonehill on Saturday for his 10th anniversary with the team. McClure signed a National Letter of Intent with SFU men’s basketball on February 10, 2014 as part of the program’s participation with Team IMPACT.
“Ten years ago, Jorden signed the National Letter to participate in our program,” said SFU head coach Rob Krimmel. “The word “believe” has become the focal point of what we do in our basketball program. Believe in each other, but get them to believe in themselves. Without Jorden, his spirit and willingness to share his vision for life and his passion for impacting people in a way I don’t know that you can measure. Jorden has impacted the number of players that have come through this program exponentially because they take out into their world and do what Jorden has done for them and our program. What a way to end his night with a victory. And I thought his spirit of belief was on display tonight throughout the game.”
“I’d like to thank (Stonehill head coach) Chris (Kraus), his staff and his team for participating in the ceremony before the game today. It’s not something I think people that are here and witness things like that think that’s how everybody is, but it’s truly a reflection on Chris and the character of his kids. I’d like to thank him and his staff and his team for helping us celebrate Jorden’s 10th year.”
Click here for a feature the NEC produced on Jorden McClure back in 2015 on how one of Jorden’s words became a rallying point for the entire team.
>> UP NEXT ON NEC-TV
It’s another doubleheader Saturday upcoming on NEC-TV.
The day will start in Syracuse when Le Moyne plays host to former NE10 rival Stonehill for a 1:00 pm tip at Ted Grant Court. Paul Dottino (PxP) and Tim Capstraw (analyst) will bring you all the action on ESPN+ and YES Network.
The scene shifts to Staten Island at 3:00 pm when Sacred Heart visits Wagner on ESPN+. Craig D’Amico (PxP) and Joe DeSantis (analyst) have the call.
The 13-game men’s TV schedule includes linear telecasts on CBSSN, ESPNU and ESPN2. Seven regular season games are set to air on ESPN+ along with two one YES Network and one on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
The NEC semifinals will be carried on YES and ESPN+ on March 9, and the final on ESPN2 on March 12.
>> NEC NUGGETS
CCSU held FDU to just four first half field goals and 33.3 percent shooting for the game in Saturday’s nine-point win. It marked the lowest field goal percentage for a Blue Devil conference opponent since limiting LIU to 28.6 percent from the field in a 58-42 victory on January 22, 2023.
CCSU junior forward Jayden Brown (Providence, RI/Tilton School) has scored in double digits in three straight games. Last week, he averaged 10.5 ppg on 57.1 percent shooting, along with 3.0 rpg, 2.0 spg and 1.5 bpg.
FDU junior forward Ansley Almonor (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional (Montvale)) is now just 15 points shy of reaching 1,000 points for his career.
FDU freshman guard Terrence Brown (Minneapolis, MN/Columbia Heights) posted his fifth double-digit scoring game of the conference campaign with 11 points vs. Wagner on Thursday. He averaged 9.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg for the week.
Le Moyne freshman guard AJ Dancler (Indianapolis, IN/Southport) averaged 11.0 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including a 4-of-5 mark from three-point range, in Le Moyne’s 1-1 week. He tallied a career-high 14 points and grabbed two rebounds at Merrimack on Saturday.
It was another strong week for LIU freshman guard Eric Acker (East New York, NY/Eagle Academy for Young Men II). The local product put up 14.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 6.5 apg and 2.5 spg in the Sharks’ split. He posted his first career double-double against Merrimack on Thursday, compiling 18 points and a career-high 11 assists.
In his return from an injury, LIU redshirt junior guard Terell Strickland (Tampa, FL/St. Petersburg (James Madison)) tallied seven points and seven assists in his first NEC game of the season on Saturday against Sacred Heart.
Merrimack sophomore forward Bryan Etumnu (Sugar Land, TX/Kempner) compiled strong all-around numbers in the Warriors’ sweep. He averaged 10.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 3.0 bpg. He tallied a career-high 15 points, and added seven rebounds and four blocks, in Saturday’s victory over Le Moyne.
Over their last four weeks of two-game NEC play, Sacred Heart has alternated being swept and sweeping opponents.
Sacred Heart senior forward Alex Sobel (Setauket, NY/Ward Melville (Middlebury)) registered 13.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg and shot 58.8 percent from the field last week, while junior forward Nico Galette (Rahway, NJ/Rutgers Prep) put up similar numbers with 13.5 ppg and 7.0 rpg. He posted a career-high six steals and shot 3-4 from deep in a 16-point effort at CCSU on Thursday.
Sacred Heart grad student guard Raheem Solomon (Hartford, CT/Sacred Heart (Niagara)) scored his 500th career point as a member of the Pioneers in Thursday’s game at CCSU. He now has 511 points in an SHU uniform.
In Saturday’s win against Stonehill, Saint Francis U received 88.9 percent of its scoring from freshmen.
Stonehill freshman forward Louie Semona (Cincinnati, OH/St. Xavier (Saint Thomas More (CT))) is coming off the best week of his young career. He led the Skyhawks with 11.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg, while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor.
Wagner sophomore guard Julian Brown (Middletown, NY/Bergen Catholic) has averaged 13.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg and made 15-38 (.394) from downtown over the last five games. He netted 15 points in Thursday’s win at FDU.
>> NEC ANALYTICS ZONE WITH RYAN PETERS
Each week throughout the 2023-24 season, NEC Overtime! blogger and NEC on the Run podcast collaborator Ryan Peters (@pioneer_pride) will contribute a series of analytically based tidbits covering NEC hoops.
In Wagner’s pivotal road victory over FDU last Thursday, Tahron Allen (Brooklyn, NY/Brooklyn Collegiate (Monmouth)) guided the Seahawks with an efficient 22-point outing. Deemed the KenPom MVP for the second time this season, Allen’s effort yielded his best game offensive efficiency of the season (137) as he needed just 13 shots to generate those 22 points while committing a single turnover. Allen made 3-of-4 from deep vs. FDU and is now 18-of-32 versus DI competition this season for a splendid shooting percentage of 56.2 percent. All 18 of Allen’s 3s have been assisted per Synergy and he’s only attempted one three-pointer this year off the dribble.
According to Bart Torvik, the two most valuable rookies in the NEC when using Torvik’s player replacement metric has been the Saint Francis duo of Eli Wilborn (Middletown, CT/Middletown) and Bobby Rosenberger III (Quakertown, PA/Perkiomen School). Both rookies are tied for 12th overall in the PORPAGATU! metric and join Landon Moore (2022-23), Josh Cohen (2020-21), Keith Braxton (2016-17) and Isaiah Blackmon (2015-16) as the only Red Flash freshmen over the past decade that have registered at least a 1.0 in this metric. Rosenberger scored a career=high 22 points in Saint Francis U’s victory over Stonehill on Saturday, scoring in a variety of ways. Rosenberger scored in transition, registered two offensive putbacks, hit two driving lay-ups (one to each side of the basket) and received a dump off pass at the rim to lay it in.
Merrimack was in trouble on Thursday, trailing LIU 66-55 with less than seven minutes remaining in the game. According to KenPom, LIU was a 88.3% favorite to win the contest at that point. The Warriors, however, embarked on a 17-2 run - scoring 17 points on 9 straight possessions - before eventually overcoming the double-digit deficit to keep pace with CCSU at the top of the NEC standings. For the second half and overtime, Merrimack was particularly lethal from inside the arch, as Synergy calculated that the Warriors scored 1.37 points per possession when the possession ended with a two-point take. For the year, Merrimack rates above average in field goal percentage at the rim with a 58.2 percent mark.
LIU’s C.J. Delancy (Jonesboro, AR/Valley View) had a productive weekend as he got back into the swing of things coming back from injury. The sophomore scored 12 points by shooting a perfect 6-of-6 in 34 minutes in two home games versus Merrimack and Sacred Heart. The sample size is small, however Delancy has made 5-of-7 as the roller in ball screens and has converted 10-of-12 shots at the rim. Against the always difficult Merrimack zone last Thursday, Delancy registered two dunks in his threebuckets whereas against Sacred Heart he made three spot up shots within eight feet of the rim.
>> NEC IN NATIONAL LEADERS (TOP-25)
Team Category Rank Value
CCSU Blocks 21st 5.04
LEM 3P 12th 10.25
MC Steals 8th 10.12
TO Forced 10th 16.40
WC Scoring Defense 9th 62.8
Fewest Turnovers 24th 9.82
3P% Defense 24th .301
Individual Category Rank Value
Ansley Almonor, FDU Made 3P 23rd 3.04
Mike DePersia, LEM A/TO Ratio 6th 3.64
Adam “Budd” Clark, MC Steals 8th 2.52
Alex Sobel, SHU Blocks 6th 2.64