Monmouth Basketball

NEC Coaches Pick Long Island to Defend Conference Championship

Press Release — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:39:08 -0400

Somerset, NJ -- Following a thrilling run to the 2011 Northeast Conference (NEC) men's basketball title, head coaches have picked Long Island to repeat as NEC champion. The announcement was made on Wednesday morning during a media teleconference to promote the tipoff of the 2011-12 season, the 31st in the league's history. The Blackbirds, who won the 2011 NEC Tournament crown with an 85-82 overtime victory over Robert Morris, claimed 10 of the possible 12 first-place votes.

The Colonials, who came within a whisker of winning a third straight NEC Championship, were tabbed second with the final two first-place votes, followed by Central Connecticut State in third. Wagner and Quinnipiac, last year's preseason favorite, rounded out the top-five.

Mount St. Mary's, Bryant, Sacred Heart, Saint Francis (PA) and Monmouth occupied spots six through ten, while St. Francis (NY) and Fairleigh Dickinson rounded out the preseason predictions ranked 11th and 12th, respectively.

Conducted annually, NEC coaches have failed to correctly forecast the eventual league champion since selecting Mount St. Mary's to win it all in 1998-99, and have proven inaccurate in 22 of the last 24 years. After its 1999 tourney win, Mount St. Mary's was the choice to repeat the following season, but Central Connecticut State, tabbed third, captured the championship. CCSU was then installed as the favorite in 2000-01, but the title went to Monmouth, picked sixth in the preseason. Monmouth received the nod in 2001-02, but it was CCSU, predicted fourth, which went on to win its second title in three years. In 2002-03, NEC coaches continued their trend of selecting the previous year's champion as preseason favorite when they went with CCSU, only to have Wagner earn its first-ever NEC Tournament crown.

Three years ago, it was Quinnipiac that was placed on the preseason perch, but the Bobcats struggled all season and finished in 10th place. Monmouth garnered its third league crown that year after being selected third in the preseason. In 2004-05, the Hawks were the logical choice to repeat, and even won the conference regular season title, but were eliminated in the NEC semifinals as Fairleigh Dickinson went on to claim the championship. Fairleigh Dickinson was then installed as the 2005-06 favorite, but dropped a one-point decision to Monmouth in the title contest. Monmouth was picked first in 2006-07, but became the first defending NEC champion to fail to qualify for the tournament the following year.

It was Sacred Heart's turn in 2007-08, and the Pioneers made it all the way to the title game for the second straight season, but came up short in a setback to Mount St. Mary's. The Mount nearly broke the streak in 2008-09, but the preseason favorites dropped a two-point decision to Robert Morris. Similarly, the Mount was again picked to win the prize in 2009-10, but suffered another semifinal loss to eventual champion Robert Morris. Finally, Quinnipiac was the unanimous pick in 2010-11 only to have its season cut short in a last-second loss to Robert Morris in the NEC semifinals.

In winning its first NEC title in 14 years and earning the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, Long Island (27-6, 16-2 NEC) proved to be the hottest team down the stretch, earning victories in 13 straight before bowing to North Carolina, 102-87, in the first round of the big dance. Led by 2011-12 NEC and NABC District 18 Coach of the Year Jim Ferry, the high-flying Blackbirds matched a league record with 27 wins and were a juggernaut on offense, averaging a NEC-high 82.7 points per game thanks to the talents of preseason All-NEC forwards Julian Boyd (San Antonio, TX/William H. Taft) and Jamal Olasewere (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook).

Boyd, a 6-7 native of San Antonio, TX, led the charge by averaging a team-high 13.0 ppg en-route to first team All-NEC honors. Along with leading the team in scoring, the junior also was dominant on the boards, finishing second on the circuit with 8.9 rebounds per game. Silver Spring, MD product Olasewere was just behind his classmate in lighting up the scoreboard with 12.9 ppg. He was brilliant during the NEC Tournament, earning MVP honors after registering three double-doubles, including a career-high 31 points to go along with 11 boards in the title game. One of Boyd and Olasewere's favorite teammates was NEC All-Rookie standout Jason Brickman (San Antonio, TX/Clark).

The 5-11 sophomore guard displayed a knack for finding the seams in opposing defenses with laser-beam passes both in transition and in traditional halfcourt sets. Brickman came off the bench in all 33 games and played just 23 minutes per game yet still led the NEC with 5.5 apg. He'll team in the backcourt with cat-quick junior guard CJ Garner (Silver Spring, MD/Springbroo (S. Alabama)) (9.5 ppg) and sharpshooting senior guard Michael Culpo (Pittsfield, MA/St. Andrew's (RI)) (7.8 ppg, 53 3PFG). Interestingly, the Blackbirds went to the line a staggering 999 times last season, the highest figure in the nation and over 300 opportunities more than their next closest NEC competitor.

Robert Morris (18-14, 12-6 NEC), fresh off back-to-back NEC championships in 2009 and 2010, had a solid year under first-year head coach Andy Toole. The Colonials found their groove down the stretch, winning eight straight to reach the NEC Title game, thanks in part to its stingy defense, a trademark of the program in recent years. RMU yielded just 65.5 ppg to lead the league and held seven league opponents under the 60-point mark. Junior guard Velton Jones (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast Catholic) emerged as a top all-around player, pacing the team in scoring (12.1 ppg) and assists (4.0). He also enhanced his reputation as a clutch performer, hitting the game-winning floater with just seconds to go to propel the Colonials past Quinnipiac and into the championship game.

Junior forward Russell Johnson (Chester, PA/Chester) took on a sixth-man role as the season wore on, an opportunity he embraced. With a terrific inside-outside game, Johnson led the Colonials with 6.7 rpg while averaging 11.0 ppg. There are few NEC players who improved as much as 6-7 junior forward Lijah Thompson (Philadelphia, PA/Monsignor Bonner) did a year ago. With a soft touch around the hoop, Thompson assumed a starting role and put up 8.6 ppg while shooting 55.5 percent from the floor. Sophomore guard Coron Williams (Midlothian, VA/Christchurch School) came on late in his freshman year and provided a needed spark from the outside. He shot a league-leading 46.6 percent from beyond the arc and averaged 14.3 ppg in the NEC Tournament.

Central Connecticut State (19-12, 11-7 NEC) comes off a 19-win season that saw the Blue Devils nearly knock off top-seeded Long Island in the NEC semifinals in Brooklyn. CCSU has the majority of its roster returning, including reigning NEC Player of the Year Ken Horton (Ossining, NY/Ossining). Horton, a lanky 6-6 senior forward and potential 2,000-point career scorer, anchored the Blue Devils and ranked near the top of the NEC in nearly every statistical category en-route to winning the league's top honor. The Ossining, NY native led the Conference with 19.5 points and 1.6 blocks per game, and also finished in the top-10 in rebounding (8.9, third), free throw percentage (.869, third), steals (1.4, eighth) and field goal percentage (.492, ninth). One of the premier mid-range shooters on the loop, senior guard Robby Ptacek (Bayport, NY/Blue Point) improved his scoring total from 12.1 ppg to 14.9 ppg per game, the seventh-best mark in the NEC, and was a lights-out free throw shooter, hitting at an 88.5 percent clip to rank second in the league.

While 16th year head coach Howie Dickenman must replace do-everything guard Shemik Thompson, he does return 6-5 sophomore De'Angelo Speech (Oak Park, IL/Lee Academy), who showed promise in his first year and could be the prototypical CCSU defensive stopper out on the perimeter. The Blue Devils look to be solid up front with the return of senior forward David Simmons (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) (6.6 ppg in 2009-10), junior forward Joe Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional) (5.1 ppg) and senior forward Chris Baskerville (Hartford, CT/Bulkeley) (4.9 ppg).

Picked fourth, Wagner (13-17, 9-9 NEC) will look to return to the top of the NEC ladder following a promising first year under head coach Dan Hurley, which saw an eight-win improvement for the Seahawks. The deep Wagner rotation starts in the backcourt with the return of senior Tyler Murray (Toronto, Ontario/Eastern Commerce) and sophomore Latif Rivers (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth (Avon Old Farms (CT))). As a junior, Murray was Hurley's top offensive option, averaging 16.9 PPG to rank third in the NEC. The first team All-NEC guard also connected on 41.5 percent (59-142) of his shots from beyond the arc, the third-best mark in the league. Rivers, a local product from Elizabeth, NJ, broke out in just his first season, ranking second on the team in scoring with 13.9 ppg. Rivers, who ranked second among all NEC freshman in point production, was the top-ranked free throw shooter in the Conference at 89.1 percent.

Rivers wasn't the only freshman starter for the Seahawks a year ago, as 6-8 Orlando Parker (Orlando, FL/Orlando Christian Prep) (7.5 ppg) and 6-11 Naofall Folahan (Cotonou, Republic of Benin/Wilbraham and Monson Academy (MA)) (1.5 bpg) gave the Wagner significant length up front and a shot blocking presence in the paint. Senior guard Chris Martin (Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Township (Apex Academies) (9.8 ppg, 50 3PFG) and junior forward Josh Thompson (Richland, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) (7.3 ppg) are a pair of veterans hands who have produced in big-game situations over the course of their careers.

Quinnipiac (22-10, 13-5 NEC) has been one of the NEC's brightest stars in recent years, having won a total of 45 games over the past two seasons. In 2011-12, after a narrow semifinal playoff loss, the Bobcats advanced to the postseason for the second straight year, earning an invite to the CIT. Tom Moore has been the architect of the Quinnipiac basketball renaissance, but in his fifth season must contemplate life in the paint without Justin Rutty, the NEC's all-time leading rebounder and a former NEC Player of the Year. While Rutty may have to be replaced up front by a committee approach, Moore can count on the veteran leadership of senior guard James Johnson (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin), a preseason All-NEC pick.

Named a first team NEC all-star a year ago, the battle-tested Johnson led the league with 84 three-pointers and averaged 16.1 ppg to rank fifth in the Conference. He enters his final year with 1,218 career points, second among active NEC players. His counterpart in the backcourt, junior Dave Johnson (Jackson, NJ/St. Mark's (MA) School), is a steadying hand who was fourth in the league with a 2.27:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Sophomore forward Ike Azotam (Boston, MA/O'Bryant (Marianapolis Prep)) isn't afraid to throw around his 6'7", 230 lb. frame, and as a freshman was the team's second-leading rebounder with 5.4 per game in just over 17 minutes of action. Junior forward Jamee Jackson (Newark, NJ/St. Anthony's) (6.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg) continued to improve last season, and brings an athletic presence to the front line. Look for Vermont transfer Garvey Young (Washington, DC/Georgetown Prep (Vermont)), a 6-5 swingman, to become a key member of the rotation.

Stung by losses to graduation, Mount St. Mary's (11-21, 9-9 NEC) suffered its first sub-.500 season since 2006-07 a year ago. Second year head coach Robert Burke still managed to guide the Mountaineers to a .500 season in league play and a sixth straight NEC Tournament berth. The calling card of Mount St. Mary's teams in recent years has been its defense and that did not change under Burke. The Mount permitted just 66.4 ppg, but in league play that number dipped even further to 63.1 ppg, the best mark in the Conference. Looking to increase the team's efficiency on the offensive end of the court, Burke will once again hand the keys to senior floor general Lamar Trice (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter), the 2010-11 NEC Most Improved Player award winner.

Trice averaged just 1.9 ppg as a sophomore, but boosted that number to a team-best 13.3 ppg last season. A Philly native who measures just 5-11, Trice has a non-stop motor and deep range on his shot (62 3PFG). He was paired in the backcourt last season with newcomer Julian Norfleet (Virginia Beach, VA/Landstown), a sweet shooter who started 31 games and led all NEC freshman with 60 three-pointers. There is experience up front in the way of senior forward Danny Thompson (Springdale, MD/C.H. Flowers) and junior Raven Barber (Edgewood, MD/Paul VI (VA)). The 6-7 Thompson was the NEC's 10th-leading rebounder with 6.0 per game, while the 6-8 Barber shot a scorching 63.2 percent from the field and averaged 7.3 ppg.

Entering its final year of NCAA Division I reclassification, Bryant (9-21, 7-11 NEC) fourth year head coach Tim O'Shea has begun to assemble the building blocks of his program, most notably in cornerstone players Alex Francis (Harlem, NY/Holderness Prep (NH)) and Frankie Dobbs (Berea, OH/Saint Edward). If there was a player to inherit the franchise tag in Smithfield, it would be Francis, who is coming off a sensational NEC Rookie of the Year campaign. Armed with a diverse offensive repertoire, the 6'6" forward seemed unfazed by the adjustment to the collegiate game and proceeded to lead all league freshman with 14.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

He placed an exclamation point on his year by breaking out for 43 points in the final game of the season against LIU, which set an NEC freshman mark and was the highest total by a player in the Conference in nine years. A transfer from Ohio University, Dobbs eased right into the playmaker role for the Bulldogs. Whether it was hitting game-winners, easing the load on Francis (12.4 ppg) or setting up his teammates (5.3 apg, second in the NEC), the Berea, OH native did it all. Junior forward Vlad Kondratyev (Nikolayev, Ukraine/The Rock School (FL)) is a versatile player who can tussle in the paint, but at 6-8, also step back and stroke it from three-point range.

Sacred Heart (11-18, 6-12 NEC) could be a much improved team after taking the trial-by-fire approach last season. Dave Bike, now entering his 35th year at the controls, started up to three freshman at times, a move that could pay dividends in 2011-12. The backcourt is solid with junior shooting guard Shane Gibson (Killingly, CT/Killingly) flanked by sophomore Evan Kelley (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk). Gibson had a breakthrough season a year ago, finishing second in the league with 17.2 ppg to earn second team All-NEC honors. Explosive off the dribble and deadly from the outside, Gibson drained 75 three-pointers on the year and scored 26 points in a tight loss to Providence last December. Kelley averaged 7.3 ppg as a freshman and could be given the shot to replace Jerrell Thompson at the point.

The Pioneers fielded an undersized frontcourt last season with athletic 6-5 forward Stan Dulaire (Bloomfield, CT/Watkinson School) (7.4 ppg, team-leading 5.3 rpg) often joined by 6-3 Chris Evans (Stamford, CT/Stamford (Taft School)) (9.1 ppg) and 6-4 Louis Montes (Brockton, MA/Brockton) (7.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg), a pair of hard-as-nails freshmen who should see even more playing time in 2011-12. Justin Swidowski (Cinnaminson, NJ/Holy Cross (Holy Family)), a 6-9 forward/center with a soft touch, will challenge for a starting role after transferring from Division II Holy Family.

With a strong midseason push, Saint Francis (PA) (9-21, 7-11 NEC) put itself in position to make a run at the upper half of the standings, but a number of close loses in the latter portion of the schedule forced the Red Flash to settle for the eighth and final playoff spot and a first round battle with eventual champion Long Island. In making its second straight NEC Tournament appearance under fourth year head coach Don Friday, Saint Francis found itself a go-to player in junior guard Umar Shannon (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City). Shannon displayed a flair for the dramatic throughout the 2010-11 campaign, hitting big shot after big shot for the Red Flash in a variety of ways. Possessing deep range on his jumper, Shannon converted 68 opportunities from three-point territory, but also used his quickness to get to the line 142 times. On the year, the second team All-NEC performer ranked sixth in the NEC in scoring with 11 games of 20+ points.

A solid guard core also includes juniors Chris Johnson (Newport News, VA/Denbigh) and Anthony Ervin (Chesterfield, VA/Fork Union Military Academy). Johnson (8.3 ppg) ran the point and finished the season fourth in the NEC with 4.4 apg, while Ervin primarily gave a spark off the bench, averaging 7.2 ppg. Senior Jon Taylor (Bowie, MD/Montgomery College-Germantown) (4.1 ppg) and sophomore Scott Eatherton (Hershey, PA/Hershey) (3.9 ppg) - who came on strong down the stretch of his freshman campaign - will anchor the frontcourt.

Its the start of a new era at Monmouth (9-21, 5-13 NEC) with the arrival of King Rice, a former standout guard at North Carolina who takes over as the fifth head coach in program history. Upon setting foot onto the West Long Branch campus, Rice indicated a change in the team's style of play would be forthcoming, namely a more up-and-down approach to take advantage of some of his team's athleticism. Senior Mike Myers-Keitt (Waterbury, CT/Fairfield Prep (Marianapolis Prep)) enjoyed somewhat of a career rebirth last season when he led the Hawks in both scoring (10.1 ppg) and make three-pointers (39). Long, lanky and with the ability to get out on the break, Myers-Keitt will likely be a beneficiary of the team's new offensive approach.

Burly junior forward Ed Waite (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Pine Crest) is one the NEC's strongest and most physical players. Waite, at 6-3 and 215 lbs., is the team's leading returning rebounder (5.9 ppg) and second-leading scorer (9.2 ppg). Junior forward Marcus Ware (Vineland, NJ/Vineland) missed the 2009-10 season with an injury, but was healthy enough last season to average 7.6 ppg and 4.3 rpg to claim NEC All-Rookie accolades. Senior Will Campbell (Willingboro, NJ/Paul VI) (8.6 ppg) and Jesse Steele (Milford, NJ/Oak Hill Academy (Army)) (8.9 ppg) are a pair of outside shooting threats.

St. Francis (NY) (15-15, 10-8 NEC) was a team no one wanted to face last season. With the one-two scoring punch of backcourt tandem Ricky Cadell (16.2 ppg) and Akeem Bennett (14.0 ppg) - both of whom were named second team All-NEC - the Terriers could knock off anyone on a given night as evidenced by big wins over Robert Morris and CCSU over the course of the regular season. The program's fifth place finish was its best since 2003-04, but if the Terriers are to match or exceed their 2010-11 showing, second year head coach Glenn Braica must find a way to replace his two all-stars lost to graduation. Senior guard Dre Calloway (Harlem, NY/Abraham Lincoln (CO) (Northeastern JC)) slipped right in to the starting role at the point in Braica's three-guard alignment last season and led the team with 3.6 apg. Local product Akeem Johnson (Brooklyn, NY/Susan S. McKinney) made great strides in 2010-11, emerging as one of the NEC's better post players.

The 6-6 junior forward is the team's leading returning scorer (8.9 ppg) and rebounder (5.0 rpg), and ranked sixth in the league in field goal accuracy (.512) a year ago. Long distance bomber Stefan Perunicic (Belgrade, Serbia/Dimitrije Tucovic) is back for his senior campaign. Perunicic (8.6 ppg) has hit 207 trifectas in his three years, the most among returning NEC players. Junior forward Travis Nichols (Brooklyn, NY/Food & Finance) showed great promise last season, averaging 7.3 ppg, while sophomore forward Matt Milk (Wantagh, NY/Pine Crest (FL)) (2.9 ppg) earned 16 starts as a freshman.

Fairleigh Dickinson (5-24, 3-15 NEC) fans will no doubt take a close look at the game program at the team's home opener as the new-look Knights will feature no less than ten newcomers as part of a completely overhauled roster following the graduation of four starters. Now in his third year, head coach Greg Vetrone must go without Mike Scott, one of the best point guards in recent NEC vintage. To his credit, Vetrone had Duquesne transfer Melquan Bolding (Mt. Vernon, NY/Bishop Stepinac) waiting in the wings. Bolding, a 6-3 guard, played two seasons for the Dukes, earning Atlantic-10 All-Rookie honors as a freshman before averaging 11.8 ppg as a sophomore. Of FDU's five returnees, look for senior guard Briahn Smith (Detroit, MI/Madison) and sophomore forward Mathias Seilund (Dragoer, Denmark/Falkonergaardens Gymnasium) to make the most impact.

Smith is the top returning scorer for the Knights, having contributed 6.1 ppg and 35 three-pointers in 2010-11, while the 6-7 Seilund chipped in with 4.6 ppg in his first year of collegiate ball. A number of high impact transfers will take the court this year including 6-9 forward George Goode (Raytown, MD/Raytown South) (Louisville) and 6-7 forward Mouhamed Lo (Port Chester, NY/Port Chester) (Toledo), both of whom are graduate students. Junior guard Lonnie Hayes (Cincinnati, OH/Harmony Prep (Missouri State-West Plains JC)) was a junior college All-American last season.

Northeast Conference 2011-12 Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Long Island (10)
2. Robert Morris (2)
3. CCSU
4. Wagner
5. Quinnipiac
6. Mount St. Mary's
7. Bryant
8. Sacred Heart
9. Saint Francis (PA)
10. Monmouth
11. St. Francis (NY)
12. Fairleigh Dickinson

First-place votes in parentheses

NYC Metro Hoops

Reigning Player of the Year Ken Horton Leads Preseason All-NEC Team

Press Release — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:36:09 -0400

Somerset, NJ -- In conjunction with the release of the Northeast Conference (NEC) men's basketball preseason coaches poll, the league's head coaches also selected the 2011-12 preseason All-NEC team, revealing the individuals who are expected to make the biggest impact this coming season. Reigning NEC Player of the Year Ken Horton (Ossining, NY/Ossining), a senior forward for Central Connecticut State, leads the five-man team.

Horton is joined by a pair of Long Island junior forwards in Julian Boyd (San Antonio, TX/William H. Taft) and Jamal Olasewere (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook). Quinnipiac senior guard James Johnson (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin) and Wagner senior guard Tyler Murray (Toronto, Ontario/Eastern Commerce) round out the squad.

Horton, a 6-6 forward from Ossining, NY, was the heart and soul of the Blue Devils last season, leading CCSU to a 19-12 record and a spot in the NEC semifinals. The fifth Player of the Year in CCSU's 14-year history in the Conference, Horton was undeterred by a hip injury that forced him to miss the 2009-10 campaign, coming back stronger than ever. A five-time Choice Hotels NEC Player of the Week, he seemed to be at or near the top of every statistical category, a true testament to his versatility. As if posting 14 games of 20+ points and leading the league in scoring (19.5 ppg) wasn't enough, he also ranked first in blocked shots (1.6 bpg) and double-doubles (12).

For a player who excels down on the block, Horton also led the Blue Devils with 59 three-pointers. Throw in top-10 NEC finishes in rebounding (8.9, third), free throw percentage (.869, third), steals (1.4, eighth) and field goal percentage (.492, ninth), and it is easy to see why opposition coaches will be happy to see the graduate student finally pack his bags following the 2011-12 campaign. Horton, a two-time All-Conference honoree, is the NEC's leading active scorer with 1,435 points and has a chance to become only the fifth player in league annals to finish with 2,000 career points. Just recently, he was recognized by SI.com as one of the nation's "Most Valuable Players."

There are few better athletes around the nation than Boyd, a 6-7, 240 lb. first team All-NEC forward whose rim-rattling dunks provided highlight reel material all season long for the Blackbirds. The San Antonio native and former NEC Rookie of the Year helped propel the Blackbirds to their first NEC title since 1997, and like CCSU's Horton, he did it after sitting out the 2009-10 season recovering from a heart ailment. Boyd led the team with 13.0 points per game and was workmanlike on the boards, wrapping his sophomore campaign ranked second on the circuit with 9.0 rebounds per outing. His 12 double-doubles matched Horton for most in the Conference, while his 51.8 percent accuracy from the field placed him fifth.

Few can match Boyd's ability to attack the basket and finish above the rim, and his reliable stroke from the outside keeps defenders honest. He shined for LIU down the stretch, especially in the postseason, when he was named to the NEC All-Tournament team and posted a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds against North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament. Boyd enters his junior season with 746 points and 486 rebounds in just two seasons in Brooklyn.

Olasewere, a 6-7 forward, did his best to become a household name last March, picking the perfect time to play two of the best games of his career. The Silver Spring, MD product was unstoppable in LIU's 85-82 title game victory over Robert Morris, establishing a new career-high with 31 points to go with 11 boards en-route to NEC Tournament MVP honors. Nine days later, he scored 15 points against North Carolina, repeatedly beating the bigger and longer Tarheel defenders off the dribble.

It is that ability to blow by defenders using either hand that makes Olasewere such a matchup nightmare for opposing coaches. With an improving mid-range game, Olasewere could see his numbers swell in 2011-12. A year ago he ranked second on the Blackbirds with 12.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting a healthy 48.2 percent from the floor. Olasewere also went to the line a league-best 209 times. Now a junior, he steps on the floor this season with career totals of 693 points and 434 rebounds.

Johnson is the straw that stirs the drink for Quinnipiac - a fierce competitor who leaves it all on the floor for the Bobcats. While the Brooklyn native has piled up individual accolades throughout the course of his career in Hamden, it is his desire to win the coveted NEC title that keeps driving him to new heights. Johnson ranked in the NEC top-15 in seven categories a year ago, including a league-high 84 makes from beyond the arc. He can certainly heat up in a hurry, like the night last January when he exploded for a career-high 38 points and hit 7-13 from three-point territory in a win over Robert Morris.

Johnson ended his junior year as the NEC's fifth-leading scorer (16.1 ppg), and was third in steals (1.6 spg) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.33), seventh in free throw percentage (.814) and tenth in three-point proficiency (.385). Not surprisingly, he was tabbed to the All-NEC first team. Johnson enters his senior campaign with 1,218 career points and 149 makes from long distance.

Murray's year-to-year improvement did not go unnoticed around the NEC last season and was one of the key factors in Wagner's resurgence. The 6-5 senior combo guard lifted all facets of his game, and one would be hard-pressed to find a chink in his armor. A silky smooth performer, he nearly doubled his scoring average to 16.9 points per game to rank third in the league. Murray was deadly from beyond the arc, hitting 59 shots at a 41.5 percent clip on the year, also the third-best mark on the loop.

He shot 82.8 percent from the charity stripe (sixth in NEC) and pulled down 4.6 rebounds per game. Murray came up big in Wagner's narrow NEC quarterfinal setback to second-seeded Robert Morris, leading a late Seahawk charge by scoring 17 of his 19 points in the second half. Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Murray has amassed 844 career points.

2011-12 Northeast Conference Preseason All-Conference Team

Name School Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/High School
Julian Boyd Long Island F 6-7 240 Jr San Antonio, TX/William H. Taft
Ken Horton CCSU F 6-6 198 Sr Ossining, NY/Ossining
James Johnson Quinnipiac G 6-0 195 Sr Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin
Tyler Murray Wagner G 6-5 200 Sr Toronto, Ontario/Eastern Commerce
Jamal Olasewere Long Island F 6-7 215 Jr Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook

NYC Metro Hoops

NEC Thursday Night Recap: Wagner Alone in First

Raphielle Johnson — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:02:43 -0500

First-year head coach Dan Hurley has done quite the job with the Wagner Seahawks, a team that won all of five games in 2009-10. Going into Thursday's game against two-time defending NEC champion Robert Morris the Seahawks were in a three-way tie for first place with a 2-0 league play. The player who has benefitted the most with the coaching change? Junior guard Tyler Murray, who has eclipsed the 20-point plateau five times and has failed to reach double figures just once this season. The Toronto native has increased his scoring average (17.6 ppg) by almost nine points per game from a season ago and scored 28 points in Wagner's 73-68 win at preseason favorite Quinnipiac on Monday. Shooting over 50% from beyond the arc, the 6 foot 5 Murray is a tough matchup for just about any team in the NEC due to his size and skill versatility. Murray paired up with freshman Latif Rivers has made Wagner a better team in a hurry despite their overall youth, and the potency of these two was on full display on Thursday night in Staten Island.

Murray (26 points, four assists) and Rivers (22 points, four assists) combined to score 15 of the Seahawks' 20 points in overtime, leading the way in an 83-78 victory to remain atop the NEC standings. Robert Morris (1-2, 5-9) was led by the superlative Karon Abraham, who finished with a season-high 32 points in defeat. Russell Johnson and Lijah Thompson added 10 points apiece for the Colonials but the point separation proved to be too much, especially with Velton Jones scoring just two points on 1-for-3 shooting and fouling out after 23 minutes of action. Orlando Parker added 13 points for the home team while Chris Martin tallied nine points and five assists as Wagner is now the lone undefeated team in league play. Next up for the Seahawks is Saint Francis (PA) while the Colonials head south to take on Mount St. Mary's. Both games are on Saturday. Three teams went into play on Thursday undefeated in league play and only Wagner moves forward unblemished.

Thursday's Results

Quinnipiac 72, Monmouth 70
Another game and another heartbreaker for the Hawks (1-2, 5-10), who were unable to knock off the defending regular season co-champions in West Long Branch despite 21 points from Mike Myers-Keitt. Ed Waite added 18 points and seven rebounds but it wasn't enough to prevent the home team from losing their fifth game out of their last six. Jamee Jackson scored a team-high 20 points (8-12 FG) for the Bobcats (10-3, 2-1), who had five players reach double figures to make up for the absence of preseason Player of the Year Justin Rutty (right elbow). Jackson's free throw with 14 seconds to go gave the Bobcats their first lead of the game since late in the first half as QU fought back from a 14-point second half deficit. Quinnipiac out-rebounded the Hawks 39-26, grabbing 20 offensive rebounds, resulting in a field goal attempt difference of 21 (65 to 44) to combat the Hawks shooting 56.8% from the field.

Sacred Heart 67, Fairleigh Dickinson 50
Dave Bike's Pioneers (1-2, 6-8) picked up their fourth win in the last five games in Teaneck, handing FDU its first conference loss behind 18 points from Jerrell Thompson and 13 off the bench from Chris Evans. But the story for Sacred Heart was their defense, limiting the Knights to 30.6% shooting from the field and 21 turnovers. Kamil Svrdlik led FDU (2-1, 3-9) with 13 points but the Knights' ability to get to the foul line (19-24) was nullified by a 1-for-16 performance from beyond the arc. Shooting has been the main problem for Greg Vetrone's team this season and it reared its ugly head in the second half as FDU shot 25% from the field and missed all eight three point attempts. FDU shoots just 38.6% from the field on the season, something that has to change if they're to be a factor in the NEC race as the season wears on. Next up for FDU is Quinnipiac while the Pioneers take the short trek to West Long Branch to take on Monmouth.

Central Connecticut State 61, St. Francis (NY) 43
Robbie Ptacek led the Blue Devils (9-5, 2-1) out of the gate with 12 early points, and Central was rarely challenged after getting off to a 20-7 start in their home victory. Ptacek scored a game-high 25 points while Ken Horton added 10 and 14 rebounds in moving the Blue Devils' win streak to five games. Ricky Cadell led the Terriers (7-7, 2-1) with nine points but SFNY shot a horrid 23.4% from the field, and the starting backcourt of Cadell, Dre Calloway and Akeem Bennett combined to shoot 7-for-32. CCSU also out-rebounded SFNY 46-35 in winning by a comfortable margin despite turning the ball over twenty times. Next up for CCSU is Long Island at home while the Terriers head east to take on Bryant.

Mount St. Mary's 63, Saint Francis (PA) 56
Julian Norfleet led all scorers with 18 points while Josh Castellanos and Danny Thompson scored ten points apiece off the bench in helping the Mountaineers (1-1, 4-12) end their eight-game skid while moving the Red Flash's losing streak to ten. The Mount out-rebounded SFPA 34-25 and exercised judicious shot selection (4-6 3PT) in taking care of Saint Francis, who was led by Mislav Jukic (19 points) and Umar Shannon (16) but shot just 35.6% from the field. Outside of those two the Red Flash (0-2, 2-12) shot 6-for-24 from the field and made just 25% of their three pointers (removing Shannon SFPA was 1-for-7) as a team. Next up for the Mountaineers is Robert Morris in what's become one of the more important rivalries in the NEC given the recent success of both programs, and the Red Flash head north to take on Wagner.

Long Island 75, Bryant 55
Jim Ferry's club won its fourth straight game in routine fashion, taking care of the struggling Bulldogs by 20 in Smithfield thanks to four starters reaching double figures led by Jamal Olasewere's 17. LIU (2-1, 10-4) got out quickly, leading by 19 at the half by making seven three pointers while limiting Bryant to 29.4% shooting on the other end. Alex Francis led the home team with 18 points but it wasn't enough to make up for the Bulldogs (0-3, 2-13) shooting 36.9% and being outscored by 18 points from behind the arc. Long Island next takes on CCSU in a matchup of 2-1 teams while the Bulldogs welcome St. Francis (NY) to Rhode Island.

Weekly Honors (announced Monday)
Player of the Week: Sacred Heart guard Shane Gibson
Rookies of the Week: LIU guard Jason Brickman and Bryant forward Alex Francis

Saturday's Schedule
1 PM Robert Morris at Mount St. Mary's
3:30 PM LIU at CCSU
4 PM Quinnipiac at FDU
4 PM St. Francis (NY) at Bryant
7 PM Sacred Heart at Monmouth
7 PM Saint Francis (PA) at Wagner

NYC Metro Hoops

NEC Update: Opening Week Yields Surprises

Raphielle Johnson — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:26:46 -0500

The first weekend of December traditionally means the start of conference play in the NEC, with many of the teams playing a pair of games before returning to non-conference action for the remainder of the month. But while it comes as no surprise to the casual observer that preseason favorite Quinnipiac is one of the four remaining undefeated teams (1-0), the other three teams may cause a second glance. Tied atop the league with 2-0 marks are Fairleigh Dickinson and St. Francis (NY), both of whom beat an expected contender over the weekend. Greg Vetrone's Knights slugged one out with Central Connecticut State on Saturday, winning by the final of 48-46, a score that is all the more amazing given the line NEC Co-Player of the Week Kamil Svrdlik put up.

The senior put up 20 points and 10 rebounds and also scored the game-winning points with 40 seconds remaining. That capped a comeback from a 14-point deficit, and after losing their first three games of the season FDU is 3-3. As for St. Francis (NY), they put up more points than the Knights while beating defending NEC champion Robert Morris 65-63 thanks in large part to senior guard Akeem Bennett. Bennett scored 26 points in the win over the Colonials, which also featured his game-winning free throws and a block of a three pointer on the other end. First-year head coach Glen Braica's team has won all three of their home games to date this season and hosts Colgate tonight.

The other team without a loss in conference play is Dan Hurley's Wagner club, a young outfit that is one of the four teams in the NEC with a winning overall record. One of the standouts for the Seahawks has been freshman guard Latif Rivers, who scored 24 points in Wagner's 73-68 overtime win at Sacred Heart. His three pointer drew Wagner to within one point late in regulation of a game that they actually led throughout much of the contest. Rivers has been named NEC Rookie (or Co-Rookie) of the Week three times in the first four weeks of the season, making him the early frontrunner for postseason honors. The combo of Rivers and junior Tyler Murray (who leads the NEC in scoring) is one of the primary reasons why the Seahawks have played as well as they have thus far.

Overall the first weekend of NEC play was more than entertaining, as in addition to the aforementioned heroics there was James Johnson scoring Quinnipiac's final eight points in the Bobcats' come from behind win over Mount St. Mary's on Thursday night. Monmouth, who played their league opener the week prior, went 2-2 in a four-game week that included a 2-1 showing at the Basketball Travelers Invitational with the lone defeat coming a the hands of host Idaho. In terms of losing skids Bryant and Saint Francis (PA) are both looking to end four-game runs while CCSU and Sacred Heart have both lost two in a row. But Howie Dickenman's Blue Devils have played arguably the toughest non-conference slate in the league, and with Ken Horton and Shemik Thompson leading the way they should round into form by the time league play rolls around.

NEC Co-Players of the Week
St. Francis (NY) G Akeem Bennett: 24.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game in the Terriers' wins over Saint Francis (PA) and Robert Morris.
FDU F Kamil Svrdlik: 18.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in a 3-0 week for the Knights.

Honorees to date
11/15 Quinnipiac F Justin Rutty
11/22 CCSU F Ken Horton
11/29 Sacred Heart G Jerrell Thompson
12/6 Bennett and Svrdlik

NEC Rookie of the Week
Wagner G Latif Rivers: 17.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in a 2-1 week for the Seahawks, who played all three on the road.

Honorees to Date
11/15 Bryant G Alex Francis & Rivers
11/22 Francis and Mount St. Mary's G Julian Norfleet
11/29 Quinnipiac F Ike Azotam and Rivers
12/6 Rivers

The Week Ahead (Wednesday thru Sunday)

12/8 7 PM Yale at BRYANT
Princeton at MONMOUTH
Hartford at SACRED HEART
7:30 PM FDU at (6) Connecticut
8 PM Iona at LIU

12/10 7 PM ST. FRANCIS (NY) at Canisius

12/11 2 PM FDU at Iona
Lafayette at LIU
SACRED HEART at Stony Brook
3 PM Rhode Island at QUINNIPIAC
4 PM BRYANT at Columbia
Hartford at MONMOUTH
MOUNT ST. MARY'S at Loyola (MD)
7 PM CCSU at Albany
Youngstown St. at ROBERT MORRIS
Saint Peter's at WAGNER

Games of the Week

- Iona at LIU (Wednesday) The Gaels make the trek from New Rochelle to Brooklyn and with them will be one of the best forwards you'll see in Michael Glover. The much-traveled Glover, who very nearly was an NEC player at St. Francis (NY) before going the junior college route last year, was named National Player of the Week by the United States Basketball Writers Association due to dominant showings against Niagara and Canisius. But the Blackbirds boast one of the NEC's best frontlines, which should make for an entertaining matchup.

- St. Francis (NY) at Canisius (Friday) Another NEC vs. MAAC matchup with this one featuring a Terriers squad that's yet to win on the road this season. The Golden Griffins have a pair of solid perimeter threats in Julius Coles and Elton Frazier to combat the play of Akeem Bennett and Ricky Cadell, but this is a winnable road game for SFNY.

- Rhode Island at Quinnipiac (Saturday) It's a golden opportunity for the Bobcats to steal some New England print as the Rams visit Hamden. Delroy James leads the way for URI, who will want to play at a high tempo but that's of little concern for a QU squad that also likes to run when the opportunity presents itself. If Justin Rutty can control the boards while James Johnson gets the job done on the perimeter, look out. And it wouldn't be a huge upset either if Quinnipiac were to win.

- Saint Peter's at Wagner (Saturday) This will be a good test for Coach Hurley's team, especially the backcourt. Seniors Nick Leon and Wesley Jenkins lead the way for the Peacocks, who also make you earn every scoring opportunity on the other end as well. Jeron Belin and Ryan Bacon are two of the better forwards that they Seahawks will face in their non-conference schedule, and they should be a good litmus test to see where the Wagner bigs stand in regards to their development.

Tuesday's Scores
Dayton 63, CCSU 61
QUINNIPIAC 84, Lehigh 78
West Virginia 82, ROBERT MORRIS 49
ST. FRANCIS (NY) 68, Colgate 57
Columbia 77, WAGNER 71
Penn State 57, MOUNT ST. MARY'S 53

NYC Metro Hoops

Ranking the NEC Backcourts 1-6

Raphielle Johnson — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:39:34 -0400

With the start of the season right around the corner (and the preseason NEC Coaches Teleconference coming up on Wednesday morning), this is a good time to rank the backcourts and frontcourts of the Northeast Conference. First up are the top six backcourts in my opinion. Teams 7-12 will follow shortly, with the frontcourt rankings on deck. Feel free to comment below; I welcome solid hoops discussion.

1. Robert Morris
Losses
Jimmy Langhurst (7.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg), Mezie Newigwe (8.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
The Colonials lost Langhurst due to injury just eleven games into the season, so they've already had to deal with his absence (the NCAA denied an appeal for a sixth year). Newigwe was third on the team in scoring and also grabbed four rebounds per game. He'll be missed on the defensive end of the floor, where he completed his four-year progression with the NEC Defensive Player of the Year award.

Returnees
Karon Abraham (13.6 ppg, 44.3% 3PT), Velton Jones (8.0 ppg, 2.8 apg), Shane Mahoney (DNP), Gary Wallace (5.3 ppg, 38.6% 3PT), Coron Williams (DNP- redshirt)
The combo of Abraham and Jones, plus their roles in the Colonials making their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, are what push RMU to the top of the NEC in regards to backcourt play. Abraham won Rookie of the Year honors and led the team in scoring with an average of 13.6 points per game, shooting a higher percentage from beyond the arc (44.3%) than inside of it (43.0%). His big-play capabilities were a huge factor in the Colonials' win at Quinnipiac in the tournament final, resulting in his being named MVP of the NEC Tournament. Jones actually had six more starts to his credit than Abraham and averaged eight points per game, and if there's anyone on the roster who can make up for Newigwe's departure on the defensive end it would be him. Wallace and Williams will be called upon to add depth and long-distance shooting, with Wallace averaging 5.3 points per game with more than a third of his field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc (38.6% 3PT). Williams sat out last season as a redshirt, and Shane Mahoney didn't see any action either.

Newcomers
Anthony Myers, Elton Roy
Both Myers and Roy had solid senior campaigns in respected programs last year. Myers, the cousin of former RMU guard Derek Coleman, ran the show for Charis (NC) Prep and averaged more than five assists per game last season. Roy was a member of the Yates (TX) HS team that finished the year ranked #1 nationally by multiple outlets during the season and is a wing who has the ability to attack the basket, averaging more than 15 points per game as a senior. Both will have ample opportunities to contribute.

2. St. Francis (NY)
Losses
None

Returnees
Akeem Bennett (14.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg), Ricky Cadell (15.9 ppg, 35.6% 3PT), Justin Newton (3.5 apg, 1.9 spg)
First-year head coach Glen Braica lucks out with the backcourt that returns to Brooklyn this season. Bennett was a Second Team All-NEC selection is his first season on campus (junior college), ranking second on the team in scoring and leading the way in rebounds and assists. Bennett was the only player in the NEC to finish the season ranked in the Top 10 in four statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists and steals).The one area in which the playmaker will need to improve is the turnover department, where he tallied more than a quarter (123) of the Terriers' 449 in 2009-10. Cadell was the team's leading scorer a season ago, and he shot 35.6% from beyond the arc with more than half (202) of his 370 shots coming from downtown. Tying it all together is the junior Newton, who had an assist-to-turnover ratio of nearly 2.0 (1.98) and is in charge of getting the ball to the Terriers' offensive threats while also giving teams fits on the defensive end.

Newcomers
Dre Calloway, Adam Chmielewski, Travis Nichols
Coach Braica will need this triumvirate to help out this season more in terms of minutes that scoring; their time will come in that department once seniors Bennett and Cadell depart. The three returnees for the Terriers all averaged more than thirty minutes per game in 2009-10, with Bennett (36.0) and Cadell (35.5) leading the way. Calloway and Nichols are both returning home to New York City after playing two years at the junior college level, with Calloway having played the point at Northeastern (CO) JC and Nichols a one-time All-PSAL performer who has three years of eligibility. Chmielewski is a solid perimeter shooter who averaged 16 points and eight assists per game at Champaign St. Lambert in Montreal. Iona transfer Ben Mockford, who won't play this season per NCAA transfer rules, will help in practice.

3. Central Connecticut State
Losses
Joe Seymore (8.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
Seymore was the resident bomber for the Blue Devils, knocking down 36.6% of his shot from beyond the arc in NEC play last season. But with him being the only player in their top nine in regards to scoring gone CCSU is more than equipped to make up for Seymore's departure.

Returnees
Devan Bailey (2.5 ppg, 2.5 apg), Robbie Ptacek (12.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Vince Rosario (5.9 ppg, 41 3PM), Shemik Thompson (13.0 ppg, 3.3 apg)
The return of Thompson and Ptacek is one reason why so many expect Central to be in the thick of the NEC title race. Shemik led the Blue Devils in minutes, scoring and assists last season, and he increased his scoring output by nearly two points per game in NEC play. Ptacek, who missed eight conference games due to injury, was second on the team in points per game over the course of the entire season. His health (or lack thereof) opened the door for Devan Bailey to make 14 starts in conference play. Bailey wasn't a major threat in terms of scoring but he took care of the basketball, boasting the team's best assist-to-turnover ratio in league play (1.64). Moving into the role of sharpshooter will likely be Vince Rosario, who attempted 151 of his 177 shots from beyond the arc. But the accuracy (27.2% 3PT, 32.8% FG) must improve if Rosario hopes to increase his production from a season ago.

Newcomers
Daquan Brickhouse, DeAngelo Speech
Both newcomers have the ability to push for playing time, especially the 5'8" Brickhouse, a quick point guard who offers added scoring punch that they don't necessarily get from Devan Bailey. Speech is a 6'5" wing that may be further along as a defender at this point in the season. At the least these two will be expected to push the incumbents in practice, but it's hard to see them both not earning minutes.

4. Quinnipiac
Losses
Jeremy Baker (8.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg), James Feldeine (16.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
Of a possible 65 games combined these two started 65, and Feldeine joined teammate and NEC Player of the Year Justin Rutty as a member of the All-NEC first team. Baker wasn't the most accurate of shooters but his ability to hit the boards (3rd on the team with 98 defensive rebounds) helped QU immensely. These are major losses for the Bobcats, who hope to take the next step and earn their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth.

Returnees
Dave Johnson (3.8 ppg, 2.0 apg), James Johnson (12.1 ppg, 4.0 apg), Sean Light (12 GP), Kevin Tarca (12 GP), Deontay Twyman (7.1 ppg, 37.2% 3PT)
The three players who will be key factors in regards to whether or not Quinnipiac can remain atop the NEC standings are the two Johnsons (not related) and Twyman, will all having roles in last season's rotation. James Johnson ranks among the top point guards in the NEC, and he's got the ability to create for himself in addition to the other options on the team. Dave Johnson came off the bench as his backup a season ago and did a solid job of taking care of the basketball in almost 17 minutes of action per game. Twyman may be the best candidate to move into the starting lineup given his ability to score. The junior raised his scoring four points per game in the NEC tournament, and he should consistently reach double figures in an expanded role. Light and Tarca are seldom-used walk-ons who will be called upon to give the Bobcats a good look in practice.

Newcomers
Williams Harrison, Dominique Langston
The Bobcats actually welcome five guards into the program but three (Lance Brown, Garvey Young and Austin Alecxih) will site out this season per NCAA transfer rules. All three, especially Brown (Fordham) and Young (Vermont) will test the eligible guards on a daily basis. Langston is a local product who averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds and six assists per game in his last year at Kolbe Cathedral (2008-09) before playing a year at St. Thomas More. Harrison is another athletic wing who averaged a shade less than 14 points and six rebounds per game at Western Texas College last year. Both will be called upon to contribute this season, and it wouldn't be a surprise if one made his way onto the NEC All-Rookie Team.

5. Long Island
Losses
Jaytornah Wisseh (17.6 ppg, 5.7 apg, 4.2 rpg), Corey Wright, Jr. (7.8 mpg, 1.5 ppg)
To say the least the Blackbirds have a large hole to fill in the backcourt with the departure of Wisseh, who will go down as one of the greatest players in LIU history. But in talking with head coach Jim Ferry a couple weeks ago he acknowledged that "you don't replace a kid like Jay". Wright played in 30 games last season but had a minimal impact for LIU, averaging less than eight minutes and two points per game. How LIU distributes the workload left by Wisseh will determine whether or not they win the NEC.

Returnees
Michael Culpo (7.7 ppg, 46.3% 3PT), David Hicks (9.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg), Kyle Johnson (11.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg), Kurt Joseph (5 GP)
LIU has three very good perimeter players back this season and seniors Hicks and Johnson will be relied upon to provide steady leadership this season. Johnson, a versatile wing, is the leading returning scorer and Hicks is their best perimeter defender. Coach Ferry said that these two need to become more consistent in their roles this season if the Blackbirds are to accomplish their goals. And Michael Culpo, who's one of the best long distance shooters in the NEC, has expanded his game in the offseason and should be ready for more scoring responsibility. He'll likely remain in his sixth man role, and given his ability to catch fire at a moment's notice Michael is a good fit.

Newcomers
Jason Brickman, C.J. Garner, Robinson Odoch-Opong
Brickman and Garner are the two players competing in practice to see who takes over for Wisseh at the point. Garner actually is a returnee to the program, having sat out last season as a transfer from South Alabama, and he's the more explosive of the two in regards to athleticism. Coach Ferry described Brickman, a freshman from San Antonio, as a "mini-John Stockton" due to his style as a traditional point guard and ability to see the entire game. Odoch-Opong is a combo guard who will also have his chance to earn playing time, and the hope is that these three add depth to a backcourt that saw both Hicks and Johnson play more than 30 minutes per game in 2009-10.

6. Fairleigh Dickinson
Losses
Sean Baptiste (16.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
Just one loss for head coach Greg Vetrone in the backcourt and boy is it a big one. Baptiste left FDU with more than 1,500 career points and led the team in scoring while also ranking second in rebounding. Newcomers and returnees alike will be given the chance to help make up for the scoring void left in Sean's wake.

Returnees
DeShawn Dockery (4.3 ppg, 20 GP), Sam Fernley (1.4 ppg, 16 GP), Terence Grier (10.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Louis Larizza (1.7 ppg, 21 GP), Mike Scott (12.6 ppg, 5.4 apg, 4.0 rpg)
Grier and Scott will be the leaders in the backcourt for the Knights this season, and in his first season at FDU Mike Scott proved to be one of the best floor generals in the NEC. Scott finished the year second on the team in scoring and second in the NEC in assists, but the dependable senior needs to improve at avoiding foul trouble as he picked up a team-worst 102 fouls and fouled out of six games. Grier, in regards to scoring mentality, may be the best option to pick up the slack as a primary scoring option this season. Not the greatest shooter from either beyond the arc (28.6%) or the charity stripe (51.5%), Grier is adept at finishing with contact in the paint. If he's going to shoulder more scoring responsibility however he must get better at the foul line. Dockery missed much of the non-conference portion of the season but he showed promise, and it isn't too much to expect the sophomore from Chicago to earn more playing time.

Newcomers
Marco Porcher, Tyler Reynolds, Brianh Smith
Of the three newcomers Smith, a junior college transfer from Detroit, could be the one best equipped to make a major contribution immediately. He averaged 19.3 points per game at Miles CC and has the ability to either knock down the perimeter jumper or penetrate to the basket. Reynolds is a capable perimeter shooter, and while he didn't see as much playing time as stars such as Pe'Shon Howard (now at Maryland) the experience of playing at Oak Hill Academy should benefit Spaniard Marco Porcher. All three will be given the chance to step into the rotation in hopes of helping the Knights offset the points lost with Baptiste's graduation.

Next: Backcourts 7-12

NYC Metro Hoops

2010-11 NEC Team-by-Team Schedules

Raphielle Johnson — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 02:41:08 -0400

Bryant
November
Fri 12 vs. Cleveland St. (World Vision Basketball Classic) 7:00 PM
Sat 13 vs. Kent St. (World Vision Basketball Classic) 3:30 PM
Sun 14 vs. Iona (World Vision Basketball Classic) 3:00 PM
Wed 17 Salve Regina (exhibition) 7:00 PM
Sat 20 Army 3:30 PM
Wed 24 Harvard 4:00 PM
Sun 28 at Lehigh 7:00 PM
December
Thu 2 at Fairleigh Dickinson * TBA
Wed 8 Yale 7:00 PM
Sat 11 at Columbia TBA
Sun 19 at Boston College TBA
Thu 23 at Michigan 7:00 PM
Tue 28 Oberlin 7:00 PM
Fri 31 at Brown 12:05 PM
January
Mon 3 at Monmouth * 7:00 PM
Thu 6 Long Island * 7:00 PM
Sat 8 St. Francis (N.Y.) * 4:00 PM
Thu 13 at Quinnipiac * TBA
Sat 15 at Sacred Heart * 3:30 PM
Thu 20 Fairleigh Dickinson * 7:00 PM
Sat 22 Monmouth * 4:00 PM
Thu 27 Wagner * 7:00 PM
Sat 29 Mt. St. Mary's * 4:00 PM
February
Thu 3 at Robert Morris * TBA
Sat 5 at St. Francis (Pa.) * 3:00 PM
Wed 9 at Central Conn. St. * 7:00 PM
Sat 12 Central Conn. St. * 4:00 PM
Thu 17 Quinnipiac * 7:00 PM
Sat 19 Sacred Heart * 4:00 PM
Thu 24 at Long Island * TBA
Sat 26 at St. Francis (N.Y.) *

Central Connecticut State
Sat, Nov 13 Hartford at Mohegan Sun Arena (Connecticut 6 Classic) 6:00 p.m.
Mon, Nov 15 at Army 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov 20 at UMBC 7:00 p.m.
Mon, Nov 22 at Penn State 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov 27 Monmouth * 2:00 p.m.
Mon, Nov 29 at Providence 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Dec 04 at Fairleigh Dickinson * 4:00 p.m.
Tue, Dec 07 at Dayton TBA
Sat, Dec 11 at Albany 7:00 p.m.
Sun, Dec 19 Niagara 3:30 p.m.
Wed, Dec 22 New Hampshire 7:00 p.m.
Wed, Dec 29 Brown 7:00 p.m.
Mon, Jan 03 Massachusetts 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 06 St. Francis (NY) * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 08 Long Island * 3:30 p.m.
Thu, Jan 13 at Sacred Heart * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 15 at Quinnipiac * 3:00 p.m.
Wed, Jan 19 at Monmouth * 7:45 p.m.
Sat, Jan 22 Fairleigh Dickinson * 3:30 p.m.
Thu, Jan 27 Mount St Mary's * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 29 Wagner * 3:30 p.m.
Thu, Feb 03 at St. Francis (PA) * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 05 at Robert Morris * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 10 Bryant * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 12 at Bryant * 4:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 17 Sacred Heart * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 19 Quinnipiac * 3:30 p.m.
Thu, Feb 24 at St. Francis (NY) * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 26 at Long Island * 4:30 p.m.

Fairleigh Dickinson
Fri, Nov 12 Mt. St. Vincent (Exhibition) 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Nov 18 Stony Brook 7:00 pm
Sat, Nov 20 Albany 7:00 pm
Sat, Nov 27 at NC State 6:00 pm
Mon, Nov 29 at Longwood 7:00 pm
Thu, Dec 02 Bryant * 7:00 pm
Sat, Dec 04 Central Conn. * 4:00 pm
Wed, Dec 08 at UConn TBA
Sat, Dec 11 at Iona 2:00 pm
Tue, Dec 14 at Rutgers 7:30 pm
Sat, Dec 18 at St. Peter's TBA
Sun, Jan 02 Lafayette 4:00 pm
Thu, Jan 06 Sacred Heart * 7:00 pm
Sat, Jan 08 Quinnipiac * 4:00 pm
Thu, Jan 13 at Robert Morris * 7:00 pm
Sat, Jan 15 at Saint Francis (PA) * 7:00 pm
Mon, Jan 17 Houston Baptist 7:00 pm
Thu, Jan 20 at Bryant * 7:00 pm
Sat, Jan 22 at Central Conn. * 3:30 pm
Thu, Jan 27 Long Island * 7:00 pm
Sat, Jan 29 St. Francis (NY) * 7:00 pm
Tue, Feb 01 NJIT 7:00 pm
Thu, Feb 03 at Wagner * 7:00 pm
Sat, Feb 05 at Mount St. Mary's * 7:00 pm
Wed, Feb 09 at Monmouth * 7:45 p.m.
Sat, Feb 12 Monmouth * 7:45 pm
Thu, Feb 17 Robert Morris * 7:00 pm
Sat, Feb 19 Saint Francis (PA) * 7:00 pm
Thu, Feb 24 at Sacred Heart * 7:00 pm
Sat, Feb 26 at Quinnipiac * 3:00 pm

Long Island
11/5/2010 Molloy College 7:00 p.m.
11/12/2010 Norfolk State 7:00 p.m.
11/16/2010 at Texas State 7:00 p.m.
11/20/2010 at Manhattan 2:00 p.m.
11/23/2010 at Fordham 7:00 p.m.
11/27/2010 at Saint Peter's 2:00 p.m.
12/2/2010 Robert Morris 7:00 p.m.
12/4/2010 Saint Francis (Pa.) 2:00 p.m.
12/8/2010 Iona 8:00 p.m.
12/11/2010 Lafayette 2:00 p.m.
12/13/2010 at Northwestern 7:00 p.m.
12/19/2010 Army 4:00 p.m.
12/28/2010 at NJIT 7:00 p.m.
12/30/2010 at Navy 7:00 p.m.
1/6/2011 at Bryant 7:00 p.m.
1/8/2011 at Central Connecticut State 3:30 p.m.
1/13/2011 Mount St. Mary's 7:00 p.m.
1/15/2011 Wagner 4:30 p.m.
1/20/2011 at Robert Morris 7:00 p.m.
1/22/2011 at Saint Francis (Pa.) 7:00 p.m.
1/27/2011 at Fairleigh Dickinson 7:00 p.m.
1/29/2011 at Monmouth 7:00 p.m.
2/3/2011 Sacred Heart 7:00 p.m.
2/5/2011 Quinnipiac 4:30 p.m.
2/9/2011 St. Francis (N.Y.) 7:00 p.m.
2/12/2011 at St. Francis (N.Y.) 4:00 p.m.
2/17/2011 at Mount St. Mary's 7:00 p.m.
2/19/2011 at Wagner 7:00 p.m.
2/24/2011 Bryant 7:00 p.m.
2/26/2011 Central Connecticut State 4:30 p.m.

Monmouth
Sat, Nov 06 Dominican College 5:00 p.m.
Tue, Nov 16 Stony Brook 6:00 a.m. (ESPN)
Fri, Nov 19 Lehigh 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov 27 at Central Connecticut State * 2:00 p.m.
Mon, Nov 29 at Davidson tba
Basketball Travelers Invitational (Moscow, ID, December 3-5)
Fri, Dec 03 Eastern Michigan 8:30 p.m.
Sat, Dec 04 Idaho 11:00 p.m.
Sun, Dec 05 North Dakota 6:30 p.m.
Wed, Dec 08 Princeton 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Dec 11 Hartford 4:00 p.m.
Wed, Dec 15 at Rider 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Dec 18 Rutgers 7:00 p.m.
Wed, Dec 22 Villanova 7:00 p.m.
Wed, Dec 29 at Harvard tba
Mon, Jan 03 Bryant * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 06 Quinnipiac * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 08 Sacred Heart * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 13 at Saint Francis (Pa.) * tba
Sat, Jan 15 at Robert Morris * tba
Thu, Jan 20 Central Connecticut State * 7:45 p.m.
Sat, Jan 22 at Bryant * 4:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 27 St. Francis (N.Y.) * 7:45 p.m.
Sat, Jan 29 Long Island * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 03 at Mount St. Mary's * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 05 at Wagner * 7:00 p.m.
Wed, Feb 09 Fairleigh Dickinson * 7:45 p.m.
Sat, Feb 12 at Fairleigh Dickinson * tba
Thu, Feb 17 Saint Francis (Pa.) * 7:45 p.m.
Sat, Feb 19 Robert Morris * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 24 at Quinnipiac * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 26 at Sacred Heart * tba

Mount St. Mary's
Sat, Nov 13 at Dayton TBA
Mon, Nov 15 at Cincinnati 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov 20 Savannah St. 7:00 p.m.
Mon, Nov 22 at Niagara 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov 27 Florida A&M 1:00 p.m.
Mon, Nov 29 Navy 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Dec 02 at Sacred Heart * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Dec 04 at Quinnipiac * 2:00 p.m.
Tue, Dec 07 at Penn State TBA
Sat, Dec 11 at Loyola TBA
Sat, Dec 18 at Albany TBA
Mon, Dec 20 American 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Dec 23 at Northwestern 2:00 p.m.
Wed, Dec 29 at Vermont 7:00 p.m.
Sun, Jan 02 at Virginia Tech 2:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 06 Saint Francis (Pa.) * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 08 Robert Morris * 1:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 13 at Long Island * TBA
Sat, Jan 15 at St. Francis (N.Y.) * 4:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 20 Sacred Heart * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 22 Quinnipiac * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 27 at Central Connecticut St. * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 29 at Bryant * 4:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 03 Monmouth * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 05 Fairleigh Dickinson * 7:00 p.m.
Wed, Feb 09 Wagner * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 12 at Wagner * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 17 Long Island * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 19 St. Francis (N.Y.) * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 24 at Saint Francis (Pa.) * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 26 at Robert Morris * 7:00 p.m.

Quinnipiac
Sat, Nov 13 Yale (Connecticut 6 Classic at Mohegan Sun Arena) 8:00 p.m.
Tue, Nov 16 Hartford 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov 20 Vermont 1:00 p.m.
Tue, Nov 23 at Dartmouth 7:00 p.m.
Mon, Nov 29 Maine 7:00 p.m.
Wed, Dec 01 Massachusetts 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Dec 04 Mount St. Mary's * 2:00 p.m.
Tue, Dec 07 Lehigh 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Dec 11 Rhode Island 3:00 p.m.
Wed, Dec 22 at Niagara 7:00 p.m.
Wed, Dec 29 at Boston University 7:00 p.m.
Mon, Jan 03 Wagner * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 06 at Monmouth * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 08 at Fairleigh Dickinson * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 13 Bryant * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 15 Central Connecticut * 3:00 p.m.
Mon, Jan 17 at Brown 1:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 20 at Wagner * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 22 at Mount St. Mary's * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 27 Saint Francis (Pa.) * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 29 Robert Morris * 2:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 03 at St. Francis (N.Y.) * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 05 at Long Island * 3:00 p.m.
Wed, Feb 09 Sacred Heart * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 12 at Sacred Heart * 3:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 17 at Bryant * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 19 at Central Connecticut * 3:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 24 Monmouth * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 26 Fairleigh Dickinson * 3:00 p.m.

Robert Morris
Tue, Nov 02 McGILL (exhibition) 7:30 p.m.
Sat, Nov 13 SAINT PETER'S 4:00 p.m.
Tue, Nov 16 at Kent State 8:00 a.m. (ESPN)
Fri, Nov 19 DUQUESNE 7:00 p.m.
Tue, Nov 23 at Pittsburgh TBA
Mon, Nov 29 at Cleveland State 6:00 p.m.
Thu, Dec 02 at Long Island * TBA
Sat, Dec 04 at St. Francis (N.Y.) * 4:30 p.m.
Tue, Dec 07 at West Virginia TBA
Sat, Dec 11 YOUNGSTOWN STATE 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Dec 18 at Appalachian State TBA
Wed, Dec 22 at Arizona TBA
Thu, Dec 30 at Morgan State TBA
Sun, Jan 02 at Ohio TBA
Thu, Jan 06 at Wagner * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 08 at Mount St. Mary's * 1:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 13 FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 15 MONMOUTH * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 20 LONG ISLAND * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 22 ST. FRANCIS (N.Y.) * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Jan 27 at Sacred Heart * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 29 at Quinnipiac * 2:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 03 BRYANT * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 05 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE * 7:00 p.m.
Wed, Feb 09 SAINT FRANCIS (Pa.) * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 12 at Saint Francis (Pa.) * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 17 at Fairleigh Dickinson * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 19 at Monmouth * 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 24 WAGNER * 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 26 MOUNT ST. MARY'S * 7:00 p.m.

Sacred Heart
November
Sat 13 vs. Fairfield (Connecticut 6 - Mohegan Sun Arena) 4:00 PM
Mon 15 at Fordham 7:00 PM
Wed 17 at Massachusetts 7:00 PM
Sat 20 at Brown 7:00 PM
Tue 23 New Hampshire 7:00 PM
December
Thu 2 Mount St. Mary's * 7:00 PM
Sat 4 Wagner * 2:00 PM
Mon 6 at Lafayette 7:00 PM
Wed 8 Hartford 7:00 PM
Sat 11 at Stony Brook 2:00 PM
Sun 19 at Yale 2:00 PM
Tue 21 at Providence 7:00 PM
January
Sun 2 Holy Cross 2:00 PM
Thu 6 at Fairleigh Dickinson * TBA
Sat 8 at Monmouth * 7:00 PM
Thu 13 Central Connecticut State * 7:00 PM
Sat 15 Bryant * 3:30 PM
Thu 20 at Mount St. Mary's * 7:00 PM
Sat 22 at Wagner * 7:00 PM
Thu 27 Robert Morris * 7:00 PM
Sat 29 Saint Francis (PA) * 3:30 PM
February
Thu 3 at Long Island * TBA
Sat 5 at St. Francis (NY) * 4:30 PM
Wed 9 at Quinnipiac * 7:00 PM
Sat 12 Quinnipiac * 3:30 PM
Thu 17 at Central Connecticut State * 7:00 PM
Sat 19 at Bryant * 4:00 PM
Thu 24 Fairleigh Dickinson * 7:00 PM
Sat 26 Monmouth * 3:30 PM

St. Francis (NY)
11/12/2010 at Boston College 7:00 PM
11/15/2010 at USF 7:00 PM
11/21/2010 Howard 2:00 PM
11/24/2010 at Brown 4:00 PM
12/2/2010 St. Francis (PA) * 7:00 PM
12/4/2010 Robert Morris * 4:30 PM
12/7/2010 Colgate 7:00 PM
12/10/2010 at Canisius 7:00 PM
12/14/2010 Dartmouth 7:00 PM
2010 Madison Square Garden Holiday Festival
12/20/2010 Northwestern TBA
12/21/2010 Championship/Consolation Game TBA
12/30/2010 NJIT 7:00 PM
1/3/2011 at Hartford 7:00 PM
1/6/2011 at Central Connecticut State * 7:00 PM
1/8/2011 at Bryant * 4:00 PM
1/13/2011 Wagner * 7:00 PM
1/15/2011 Mount St. Mary's * 4:30 PM
1/20/2011 at St. Francis (PA) * 7:00 PM
1/22/2011 at Robert Morris * 7:00 PM
1/27/2011 at Monmouth * 7:45 PM
1/29/2011 at Fairleigh Dickinson * TBA
2/3/2011 Quinnipiac * 7:00 PM
2/5/2011 Sacred Heart * 4:30 PM
2/9/2011 at Long Island * 7:00 PM
2/12/2011 Long Island * 4:30 PM
2/17/2011 at Wagner * 7:00 PM
2/19/2011 at Mount St. Mary's * 2:00 PM
2/24/2011 Central Connecticut State * 7:00 PM
2/26/2011 Bryant * 4:30 PM

Saint Francis (PA)
Nov. 12 at American 7:30 PM
NOV. 15 COLGATE 7:00 PM
Nov. 17 at Lafayette 7:00 PM
NOV. 20 BUCKNELL 7:00 PM
Nov. 24 at Hartford 7:00 PM
Nov. 27 at Youngstown State 7:05 PM
Dec. 2 at St. Francis (NY) * 7:00 PM
Dec. 4 at Long Island * 2:00 PM
Dec. 13 at Lehigh 7:00 PM
Dec. 15 at Ohio 7:00 PM
DEC. 18 DREXEL 1:00 PM
Dec. 23 at Cincinnati 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 2 at North Carolina 3:30 PM
Jan. 6 at Mount St. Mary's * 7:00 PM
Jan. 8 at Wagner * 7:00 PM
JAN. 13 MONMOUTH * 7:00 PM
JAN. 15 FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON * 7:00 PM
JAN. 20 ST. FRANCIS (NY) * 7:00 PM
JAN. 22 LONG ISLAND * 7:00 PM
Jan. 27 at Quinnipiac * 7:00 PM
Jan. 29 at Sacred Heart * 3:30 PM
FEB. 3 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE * 7:00 PM
FEB. 5 BRYANT * TBA
Feb. 9 at Robert Morris * 7:00 PM
FEB. 12 ROBERT MORRIS * 7:00 PM
Feb. 17 at Monmouth * 7:45 PM
Feb. 19 at Fairleigh Dickinson * 7:00 PM
FEB. 24 MOUNT ST. MARY'S * 7:00 PM
FEB. 26 WAGNER * 7:00 PM

Wagner
11/12/2010 Lafayette 7:00 pm
11/15/2010 at Lehigh 7:00 pm
11/21/2010 at Stony Brook 2:00 pm
11/26/2010 at Hofstra 7:00 pm
11/29/2010 at Bucknell 7:00 pm
12/1/2010 at St. John's 7:00 pm
12/4/2010 at Sacred Heart * 2:00 pm
12/7/2010 at Columbia 7:00 pm
12/11/2010 Saint Peter's 7:00 pm
12/17/2010 Princeton 7:00 pm
12/21/2010 at Texas A&M 7:00 pm
12/30/2010 Albany 7:00 pm
1/3/2011 at Quinnipiac * 7:00 pm
1/6/2011 Robert Morris * 7:00 pm
1/8/2011 Saint Francis (PA) * 7:00 pm
1/13/2011 at St. Francis (NY) * 7:00 pm
1/15/2011 at Long Island * 4:30 pm
1/20/2011 Quinnipiac * 7:00 pm
1/22/2011 Sacred Heart * 7:00 pm
1/27/2011 at Bryant * 7:00 pm
1/29/2011 at Central Connecticut State * 3:30 pm
2/3/2011 Fairleigh Dickinson * 7:00 pm
2/5/2011 Monmouth * 7:00 pm
2/9/2011 at Mount St. Mary's * 7:00 pm
2/12/2011 Mount St. Mary's * 7:00 pm
2/17/2011 St. Francis (NY) * 7:00 pm
2/19/2011 Long Island * 7:00 pm
2/24/2011 at Robert Morris * 7:00 pm
2/26/2011 at Saint Francis (PA) * 7:00 pm

NYC Metro Hoops

Schedules for NYC Area Teams Released

Raphielle Johnson — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 02:44:10 -0400

An eventful offseason for New York metropolitan area college basketball is steadily transitioning into the 2010-11 season, with individual workouts and team lifting sessions leading into the start of practice in four weeks. That also means the official release of schedules for most of the team, and you can find them here.

MAAC Schedules
NEC Schedules

Columbia
Fri, Nov 12 at La Salle
Mon, Nov 15 MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE 7 p.m.
Wed, Nov 17 at St. John's
Sat, Nov 20 at Longwood
Tue, Nov 23 COLGATE 7 p.m.
Sun, Nov 28 at American 2 p.m.
Wed, Dec 1 at Bucknell 7 p.m.
Sat, Dec 4 STONY BROOK
Tue, Dec 7 WAGNER 7 p.m.
Sat, Dec 11 BRYANT
Thu, Dec 30 at Maine 7 p.m.
Sun, Jan 2 ELON 4 p.m.
Wed, Jan 5 at Lafayette 7 p.m.
Sat, Jan 8 UNION
Sat, Jan 15 CORNELL * 7 p.m.
Sat, Jan 22 at Cornell *
Fri, Jan 28 at Harvard * 7 p.m.
Sat, Jan 29 at Dartmouth * 7 p.m.
Fri, Feb 4 at Brown * 7 p.m.
Sat, Feb 5 at Yale * 6 p.m.
Fri, Feb 11 PRINCETON * 7 p.m.
Sat, Feb 12 PENN * 7 p.m.
Fri, Feb 18 DARTMOUTH * 7 p.m.
Sat, Feb 19 HARVARD * 7 p.m.
Fri, Feb 25 at Penn * 7 p.m.
Sat, Feb 26 at Princeton * 6 p.m.
Fri, Mar 4 YALE * 7 p.m.
Sat, Mar 5 BROWN * 7 p.m.
* Conference Games

Fordham
Fri. Nov. 12 BROWN 8:00 p.m.
Mon. Nov. 15 SACRED HEART 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Nov. 19 HAMPTON 7:00 p.m.
Tues. Nov. 23 LONG ISLAND 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Nov. 27 HARTFORD 1:00 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 1 at Harvard 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 4 at Lehigh 7:30 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 8 MANHATTAN 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 11 ST. JOHN'S 7:00 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 22 KENNESAW STATE 7:00 p.m.
Mon. Dec. 27 at Georgia Tech 4:00 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 29 vs. American# 11:00 p.m.
Thurs. Dec. 30 vs. Santa Clara/Delaware# 9/11:00 p.m.
Wed. Jan. 5 TEMPLE * (Izod Center) CBSCR
Wed. Jan. 12 at George Washington*
Sat. Jan. 15 at Charlotte*
Wed. Jan. 19 SAINT LOUIS* (Izod Center)
Sat. Jan. 22 at Dayton*
Wed. Jan. 26 DUQUESNE* 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Jan. 29 ST. BONAVENTURE* 1:00 p.m.
Wed. Feb. 2 at Rhode Island*
Sat. Feb. 5 RICHMOND* 1:00 p.m.
Wed. Feb. 9 at Temple*
Sun. Feb. 13 SAINT JOSEPH'S* (Izod Center) CBSCR
Sat. Feb. 19 at Xavier*
Wed. Feb. 23 at St. Bonaventure*
Sat. Feb. 26 RHODE ISLAND* (Izod Center) CBSCR
Wed. Mar. 2 at La Salle*
Sat. Mar. 5 MASSACHUSETTS* 1:00 p.m.
Tues. Mar. 8 Atlantic 10 Championship - First Round TBA TBA
Fri. - Mar. 11- at Atlantic 10 Championship
Sun. Mar. 13 (Quarterfinals, Semifinals & Finals) Atlantic City, N.J. TBA
* - Atlantic 10 game

Hofstra
Sat, Nov 6 Molloy College (Exh.) 4:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov 13 Farmingdale State 4:00 p.m.
Puerto Rico Tip-Off
Thu, Nov 18 North Carolina 5:00 p.m. ESPN2
Fri, Nov 19 Minnesota/Western Kentucky
Sun, Nov 21 TBA
Fri, Nov 26 Wagner 7:00 p.m.
Mon, Nov 29 at Rider
Sat, Dec 4 Towson* 4:00 p.m.
Wed, Dec 8 at Binghamton 7 p.m.
Sat, Dec 11 Florida Atlantic 4 p.m.
Sat, Dec 18 at Manhattan
Wed, Dec 22 Holy Cross 7 p.m.
Wed, Dec 29 at Iona 7:30 p.m.
Mon, Jan 3 at Drexel*
Wed, Jan 5 George Mason*
Sat, Jan 8 at Northeastern*
Wed, Jan 12 at Towson*
Sat, Jan 15 Old Dominion*
Wed, Jan 19 North Carolina-Wilmington *
Sat, Jan 22 at William & Mary *
Mon, Jan 24 James Madison*
Wed, Jan 26 at Virginia Commonwealth *
Sat, Jan 29 Drexel*
Wed, Feb 2 at George Mason*
Sat, Feb 5 Northeastern*
Wed, Feb 9 at Georgia State*
Sat, Feb 12 at Delaware *
Tue, Feb 15 William & Mary *
Sat, Feb 19 ESPN Bracket Buster
Wed, Feb 23 at North Carolina-Wilmington *
Sat, Feb 26 Delaware *
Mar 4-7 CAA Tournament (Richmond, VA)
* Conference Games

NJIT
11/13/2010 Manhattan 2:00pm
11/15/2010 NYU-Poly 7:00pm
11/18/2010 Army 7:00pm
11/27/2010 at Vermont 1:00pm
12/1/2010 at Rutgers 7:30pm
12/4/2010 St. Joseph's (NY) 2:00pm
12/8/2010 at Lafayette 7:00pm
12/19/2010 at Seton Hall
12/22/2010 at Maryland 8:00pm
12/28/2010 Long Island
12/30/2010 at St. Francis (NY) 7:00pm
1/4/2011 Lehigh 7:00pm
1/8/2011 Marywood 2:00pm
1/12/2011 Texas-Pan American* 7:30pm
1/15/2011 Houston Baptist* 4:00pm
1/18/2011 at Longwood* 7:00pm
1/22/2011 at Chicago State*
1/24/2011 City Tech (NY) 5:00pm
1/29/2011 at Utah Valley*
2/1/2011 at Fairleigh Dickinson 7:30pm
2/5/2011 Longwood* 2:00pm
2/10/2011 North Dakota* 7:30pm
2/12/2011 South Dakota* 4:00pm
2/17/2011 at Houston Baptist*
2/19/2011 at Texas-Pan American*
2/24/2011 at South Dakota* 8:00pm (CT)
2/26/2011 at North Dakota*
3/3/2011 Utah Valley* 7:30pm
3/5/2011 Chicago State* 4:00pm
3/10-12/2011 Great West Conference Tournament (Orem, UT)
*- Conference game

Princeton
Fri, Nov 12 Rutgers 7 p.m.
CBE Classic
Sun, Nov 14 at Duke 5 p.m. ESPNU
Mon, Nov 22 at James Madison 7 p.m.
Tue, Nov 23 Bucknell (at JMU) 4:30 p.m.
Wed, Nov 24 Presbyterian (at JMU) 4:30 p.m.
Sun, Nov 28 Siena 2 p.m.
Tue, Nov 30 at Lafayette 7 p.m.
Sun, Dec 05 Saint Joseph's (PA) 5 p.m.
Wed, Dec 08 at Monmouth 7 p.m.
Sun, Dec 12 at Tulsa 1 p.m. CT
Fri, Dec 17 at Wagner 7 p.m.
Wed, Dec 22 at Towson
UCF Holiday Classic
Wed, Dec 29 Northeastern 5 p.m.
Thu, Dec 30 Furman/Central Florida 5 p.m./7:30 p.m.
Wed, Jan 05 Marist 7 p.m.
Sun, Jan 23 The College of New Jersey 3 p.m.
Fri, Jan 28 Brown * 7 p.m.
Sat, Jan 29 Yale * 6 p.m.
Fri, Feb 04 Harvard * 7 p.m. ESPNU
Sat, Feb 05 Dartmouth * 6 p.m.
Tue, Feb 08 Penn * 7 p.m.
Fri, Feb 11 at Columbia * 7 p.m.
Sat, Feb 12 at Cornell * 7 p.m.
Fri, Feb 18 at Yale * 7 p.m.
Sat, Feb 19 at Brown * 7 p.m.
Fri, Feb 25 Cornell * 7 p.m.
Sat, Feb 26 Columbia * 6 p.m.
Fri, Mar 04 at Dartmouth * 7 p.m.
Sat, Mar 05 at Harvard * 7 p.m.
Tue, Mar 08 at Penn *
* Conference Games

Rutgers
Mon. Nov. 1 McGill (exhibition) 7:30 p.m.
Fri. Nov. 12 at Princeton 7:00 p.m.
Mon. Nov. 15 Fairfield# 7:30 p.m.
Sun. Nov. 21 Miami (Fla.) 4:00 p.m.
Tue. Nov. 23 Norfolk State# 7:30 p.m.
Fri. Nov. 26 vs. St. Joseph's# (The Palestra)
Wed. Dec. 1 NJIT 7:30 p.m.
Tue. Dec. 7 Marist 7:30 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 11 vs. Auburn% (Consol Energy Center (Pittsburgh)) 12:30 p.m. ESPN2
Tue. Dec. 14 Fairleigh Dickinson 7:30 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 18 at Monmouth 7:00 p.m.
Thurs. Dec. 23 St. Peter's 7:30 p.m.
Tue. Dec. 28 vs. North Carolina (MSG) 9:00 p.m. ESPN2
Sun. Jan. 2 at Villanova* 1:00 p.m. ESPNU
Wed. Jan. 5 Marquette*
Sat. Jan. 8 Providence*
Tue. Jan. 11 at Connecticut*
Sat. Jan. 15 Georgetown* 12 noon ESPNU
Thu. Jan. 20 USF* 7:00 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2
Sat. Jan. 22 at Seton Hall*
Wed. Jan. 26 at Cincinnati*
Sat. Jan. 29 Pittsburgh* 8:00 p.m. ESPN2
Wed. Feb. 2 at St. John's*
Sun. Feb. 6 at Notre Dame*
Wed. Feb. 9 Villanova*
Sat. Feb. 12 Seton Hall* 7:00 p.m. ESPNU
Sat. Feb. 19 at Syracuse*
Tue. Feb. 22 Louisville* 9:00 p.m. ESPNU
Sun. Feb. 27 West Virginia*
Wed. March 2 at DePaul*
Sat. March 5 at Providence*
# - Philly Hoop Group Classic. % - DIRECTV SEC/BIG EAST Invitational. *-BIG EAST Conference game.

St. John's
Sat. Nov. 6 WESTMONT (Exh.) (Carnesecca Arena)
Tue. Nov. 16 at Saint Mary's 2 a.m. ESPN
Wed. Nov. 17 COLUMBIA (CA)
2010 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout
Thurs. Nov. 25 vs. Ball State
Fri. Nov. 26 vs. Southern Utah/Drake
Sat. Nov. 27 Championship
Wed. Dec. 1 WAGNER (CA)
Tues. Dec. 7 ST. BONAVENTURE (CA)
Sat. Dec. 11 at Fordham
Madison Square Garden Holiday Festival
Mon. Dec. 20 Northwestern vs. St. Francis
DAVIDSON
Tues. Dec. 21 Consolation
Championship
Wed. Dec. 29 at West Virginia*
Sat. Jan. 1 at Providence*
Mon. Jan. 3 GEORGETOWN* (MSG) 7 p.m. ESPN2
Sat. Jan. 8 at Notre Dame* 8 p.m. ESPNU
Wed. Jan. 12 SYRACUSE* (MSG) 7 p.m. ESPNU
Sun. Jan. 16 NOTRE DAME* (MSG)
Wed. Jan. 19 at Louisville*
Sat. Jan. 22 CINCINNATI* (CA)
Wed. Jan. 26 at Georgetown*
Sun. Jan. 30 DUKE (MSG) 1 p.m. CBS
Wed. Feb. 2 RUTGERS* (CA)
Sat. Feb. 5 at UCLA 1 p.m. CBS
Thurs. Feb. 10 CONNECTICUT* (MSG) 7 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2
Sun. Feb. 13 at Cincinnati*
Tues. Feb. 15 at Marquette* 9 p.m. ESPNU
Sat. Feb. 19 PITT* (MSG) Noon ESPN
Wed. Feb. 23 DEPAUL* (CA)
Sat. Feb. 26 at Villanova* 2 p.m. ESPN
Thurs. March 3 at Seton Hall* 7 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2
Sat. March 5 USF* (CA)

Seton Hall
Fri. Nov. 5 William Paterson (Exh. - Walsh Gym) 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Nov. 12 at Temple
Sun. Nov. 14 CORNELL
2010 Paradise Jam (US Virgin Islands)
Fri. Nov. 19 vs. Alabama ^ 6:00 p.m.
Sat/Sun Nov. 20/21 vs. Iowa or Xavier ^ TBD
Mon. Nov. 22 vs. TBD ^ TBD
Mon. Nov. 29 SAINT PETER'S
Wed. Dec. 8 vs. Arkansas # 7:00 p.m. ESPN2
Sat. Dec. 11 at Massachusetts
Mon. Dec. 13 LONGWOOD
Sun. Dec. 19 NJIT
Wed. Dec. 22 DAYTON
Sun. Dec. 26 RICHMOND
Tue. Dec. 28 USF*
Fri. Dec. 31 at Cincinnati* 8:00 p.m. ESPN2
Wed. Jan. 5 at Louisville* 7:00 p.m. ESPNU
Sat. Jan. 8 SYRACUSE*
Wed. Jan. 12 at DePaul*
Sat. Jan. 15 at Pittsburgh*
Tue. Jan. 18 GEORGETOWN*
Sat. Jan. 22 RUTGERS*
Tue. Jan. 25 at Syracuse*
Sun. Jan. 30 PROVIDENCE*
Wed. Feb. 2 at West Virginia*
Sat. Feb. 5 CONNECTICUT* 7:00 p.m. ESPNU
Sat. Feb. 12 at Rutgers* 7:00 p.m. ESPNU
Tue. Feb. 15 VILLANOVA*
Sat. Feb. 19 at Marquette*
Sat. Feb. 26 at Notre Dame* 5 or 7:00 p.m. ESPNU
Thu. Mar. 3 ST. JOHN'S* 7:00 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2
Sat. Mar. 5 MARQUETTE*
Tue.-Sat. Mar. 8-12 at BIG EAST Championship (Madison Square Garden)
* - BIG EAST game
^ - 2010 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam
# - 2010 DIRECTV SEC/BIG EAST Invitational in Louisville, Ky.

Yale
Nov. 13 vs. Quinnipiac @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Nov. 15 at Providence 7:00 PM
Nov. 18 at Boston College 7:00 PM
Nov. 23 at Illinois (ESPNU) 9:45 PM
Nov. 27 Army 2:00 PM
Nov. 30 Hartford 7:00 PM
Dec. 4 at Vermont 1:00 PM
Dec. 6 Albany 7:30 PM
Dec. 8 at Bryant 7:00 PM
Dec. 19 Sacred Heart 2:00 PM
Dec. 28 at Stanford
Dec. 31 Lehigh 2:00 PM
Jan. 5 at Holy Cross 7:00 PM
Jan. 8 Baruch 2:00 PM
Jan. 15 at Brown * 2:00 PM
Jan. 22 Brown * 2:00 PM
Jan. 28 at Penn *
Jan. 29 at Princeton * 6:00 PM
Feb. 4 Cornell * 7:00 PM
Feb. 5 Columbia * 6:00 PM
Feb. 11 at Harvard * 7:00 PM
Feb. 12 at Dartmouth * 7:00 PM
Feb. 18 Princeton * 7:00 PM
Feb. 19 Penn * 7:00 PM
Feb. 25 Dartmouth * 7:00 PM
Feb. 26 Harvard * 6:00 PM
Mar. 4 at Columbia * 7:00 PM
Mar. 5 at Cornell * 7:00 PM
* = Conference game

NYC Metro Hoops

NEC Season Review/Look Ahead to 2010-11

Raphielle Johnson — Sat, 08 May 2010 02:29:17 -0400

Given the number of players slated to return to Moon Township next season, it wouldn't have been too far-fetched to pick Robert Morris this early to earn their third consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. But that was before head coach Mike Rice decided to move on, accepting the same position at Rutgers. It's tough for an NEC school to compete with the allure of a Big East job, and now the questions for the Colonials are where they look for their next head coach and whether or not the new hire can keep players such as Karon Abraham, Velton Jones and Russell Johnson in town along with a very good recruiting class.

A few sources have assistant coach Andrew Toole possibly being promoted in the coming days, which would likely help in that department. But with the position still being open, Robert Morris is fourth in my ridiculously early prediction. The top team: Quinnipiac, who has to replace James Feldeine but with Justin Rutty and more than a few contributors due back Tom Moore's team has the ability to take that next step. Tied with Robert Morris for the regular season title, the Bobcats lost a heartbreaker to RMU at home in the NEC Tournament final.

Who are the other likely contenders? Look no further than LIU, Monmouth and even CCSU. Jim Ferry's Blackbirds lose Jaytornah Wisseh but the experience gained this season by Kenny Onyechi and Jamal Olasewere will pay dividends next season and Kyle Johnson returns as well. And if Julian Boyd, who missed all of this season due to a heart ailment, is cleared to play next year LIU becomes a team that should challenge for league supremacy. Monmouth and CCSU may be wild cards for the title, with both teams returning a number of key contributors.

Shemik Thompson (CCSU) is a likely Preseason All-NEC selection on either of the two teams announced, and the Blue Devils will also welcome back forward Ken Horton who missed the entire season due to injury. And just like LIU, a freshman forward received ample opportunities to improve as Joe Efese improved by leaps and bounds as conference play progressed. These two teams have the ability to at least earn a first round home game, as does Mount St. Mary's.

The Mountaineers also welcome a new head coach in Robert Burke, who has 22 years of collegiate coaching experience. Jean Cajou and Shawn Atupem will need to lead the way if The Mount is to remain a contender in the NEC next season. Wagner may be the one program to watch in regards to making a significant jump in the standings thanks to the hiring of Danny Hurley as head coach. And with his brother Bobby and former Drexel point guard Bashir Mason as two of his assistants, Coach Hurley has gotten the program headed in the right direction already given their recruiting haul.

The only other coaching move in the conference was St. Francis (NY) hiring Glen Braica as head coach following the resignation of Brian Nash. Akeem Bennett has the ability to be an all-conference player next season, and the addition of one-time Seton Hall commit Michael Glover should make the Terriers a more talented team. But will that translate into more wins for SFNY? It's not like they lacked talent under Nash; for some reason they simply were unable to put anything of consequence together during his time in Brooklyn. FDU loses their two most productive players in Sean Baptiste and Alvin Mofunanya, meaning that head coach Greg Vetrone will need to count on some key returnees for additional contributions.

Below is an insanely early projection of the NEC going into next season, and depending on late recruiting moves and possible defections things could change multiple times before mid-October. As more additions (and subtractions) occur they'll be updated here (verbal commitments in italics).

1. Quinnipiac
Personnel losses: G James Feldeine, G Steve Robinson, G Ryan Bogdan (transfer)
Personnel additions: F Ike Azotam (Boston, MA), G Dominique Langston (Bridgeport, CT), G/F William Harrison (Bronx, NY/Western Texas College), G Lance Brown (Fordham transfer; will be eligible 2011-12)

2. LIU
Personnel losses: G Jaytornah Wisseh, F Miguel Bocachica (transfer)
Personnel additions: F Joel Gierbolini (Carolina, PR/Lon Morris JC), G Jason Brickman (San Antonio, TX), Taquann Zimmerman (Waterbury, CT)

3. Monmouth
Personnel losses: F George Barbour, F Dutch Gaitley, G Whitney Coleman, G Yaniv Simpson, F Travis Taylor (transfer)
Personnel additions: G Jordan Davis (Tampa, FL), G/F Daniel James (Sheffield, England), G Matt Pritchett (Norwalk, CT/Eastern Wyoming College), G Dion Nesmith (Union,NJ/Northeastern; eligible immediately)

4. Robert Morris
Personnel losses: G Jimmy Langhurst, G Mezie Newigwe, F Dallas Green, F Rob Robinson, F Josiah Whitehead, G Khalif Foster (transfer), F Brad Piehl (transfer)
Personnel additions: G/F Yann Charles (Longueil, QC), F Lawrence Bridges (Detroit, MI/ Columbus State CC), G Antony Myers (Washington, D.C.), G Elton Roy (Houston, TX), F Bernard Webb (Bridgeport, CT/Barton CC)

5. Central Connecticut State
Personnel losses: G Joe Seymore
Personnel additions: G Daquan Brickhouse (Peekskill, NY), C Justin Alexander (San Antonio, TX), F Terrell Allen (Norfolk, VA), G/F DeAngelo Speech (Oak Park, IL/Lee (Maine) Academy)

6. Mount St. Mary's
Personnel losses: G Jeremy Goode, F Will Holland, F Kelly Beidler, G Kevin Jones
Personnel additions: G Jeff James (Bowie, MD), G John Castellanos (Orlando, FL), G Julian Norfleet (Virginia Beach, VA)

7. Wagner
Personnel losses: G T.J. Czeski, C Clifton Spiller
Personnel additions: G Latif Rivers (Elizabeth, NJ), F Orlando Parker (Orlando, FL), C Ming Folahan (Benin Republic), G Evan Pierce (Pittsburgh, PA), F Josh Daniell (Old Bridge, NJ), G Kenneth Ortiz (Southern Miss; will sit out 2010-11 per NCAA transfer rules)

8. Saint Francis (PA)
Personnel losses: G/F Devin Sweetney, F Kurt Hoffman, F Mislav Jukic, G Chris McFarland, F Ron Johnson (transfer), G Curtis Keys (transfer), F Cedric Latimer (transfer)
Personnel additions: G Kameron Ritter (Albany, NY), F Jon Taylor (Germantown, MD/Montgomery College-Germantown), G Anthony Goode (Randallstown, MD), C Scott Eatherton (Hershey, PA), C Storm Stanley (Lambertville, MI), G Kyheim Hall (Tobyhanna, PA)

9. Sacred Heart
Personnel losses: G Corey Hassan, G Ryan Litke, G Chauncey Hardy, G/F Josh Marshall, C Liam Potter
Personnel additions: F Chris Evans (Stamford, CT), G Steve Glowiak (New Britain, CT), G Evan Kelley (Norwalk, CT)

10. Fairleigh Dickinson
Personnel losses: G Sean Baptiste, F Alvin Mofunanya, C Lawrence Brown
Personnel additions: G Tyler Reynolds (Sheldon, OR), G Brianh Smith (Detroit, MI), F Nate Gibbs (Dallas, TX/Saddleback (CA) JC), F Mathias Seilund (Dragoer, Denmark), G Melquan Bolding (Duquesne; will sit out 2010-11 per NCAA transfer rules)

11. St. Francis (NY)
Personnel losses: G Tyri Coerbell, F Nigel Byam, G/F Kayode Ayeni, F Herman Wrice
Personnel additions: F Kenny Moore (Philadelphia, PA/Midland (TX) College), F Lowell Ulmer (Staten Island, NY), G Dre Calloway (Sterling, CO/Northeastern (CO) JC)

12. Bryant
Personnel losses: G Chris Birrell, G Anthony Thomas, C/F Nick Pontes, F Don Smith, G/F Cecil Gresham, G Adam Parzych, G Sam Leclerc (transfer)
Personnel additions: F Alex Francis (New York, NY), G Corey Maynard (Adelaide, Australia), F Troy Robinson (Roslindale, MA), G Matthew Lee (Bloomfield, NJ)

Monmouth Basketball

Met Basketball Writers Association Honors Announced

Raphielle Johnson — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:00:58 -0400

The Met Basketball Writers Association announced their annual honors on Wednesday, naming Hofstra junior guard Charles Jenkins the winner of the Haggerty Award (Player of the Year). Winning the award for the second consecutive year, Jenkins joins the following list of players to have won the Haggerty two or more times in their collegiate careers:

Dick McGuire, St. John's (1944, 1949)
Sid Tannenbaum, NYU (1946-47)
Ed Conlin, Fordham (1954-55)
Jim McMillan, Columbia (1968, 1969, 1970)
Phil Sellers, Rutgers (1975-76)
Chris Mullin, St. John's (1983, 1984, 1985)
Malik Sealy, St. John's (1991-92)
Luis Flores, Manhattan (2003-04)

The other individual winners were Stony Brook's Steve Pikiell (Peter A. Carlesimo Coach of the Year) and Fordham freshman forward Chris Gaston (Rookie of the Year). The three All-Met teams are (seniors in bold; NBA Draft early entrants in italics):

First Team
G Charles Jenkins (Hofstra)
G Jeremy Hazell (Seton Hall)
G/F D.J. Kennedy (St. John's)
G Ryan Thompson (Rider)
G Jaytornah Wisseh (LIU)
G Muhammad El-Amin (Stony Brook)

Second Team
C Hamady Ndiaye (Rutgers)
G Mike Rosario (Rutgers); transferring to Florida
F Anthony Johnson (Fairfield)
F Herb Pope (Seton Hall)
G Scott Machado (Iona)
F Chris Gaston (Fordham)

Third Team
G Rico Pickett (Manhattan)
G Derek Needham (Fairfield)
G Sean Baptiste (FDU)
G Norwua Agho (Columbia)
G Wesley Jenkins (Saint Peter's)
F Travis Taylor (Monmouth)

Thoughts: No real complaints. You can definitely make a case for Herb Pope being on the First Team. But I agree with the guys over at Gonzo Ball in the idea that Pope may have been penalized for his behavior in games at St. John's (backhanded slap to Malik Boothe's groin that was missed by officials) and against Texas Tech in the NIT (two punches to the groin of an opposing player that resulted in his ejection). Also, I'd swap Rosario with Needham; you could even swap the MAAC Rookie of the Year with Scott Machado but I would leave Scott due to his role in the team's overall success. And given how many of the players named All-Met are due to return next year should be a pretty good season.

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