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.

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.

On Friday night at Copper Canyon HS in Glendale, AZ the Super 80 event hosted by Area Codes Basketball took place. It was a chance to check out some of the top prospects in the State of Arizona, with the 2013 and 2014 classes taking center stage. Recent Arizona State verbal Kodi Justice (2014) (Dobson HS, Mesa) took part in the Future Stars Freshman/Sophomore Showcase, and he showed flashes of the talent that landed him the offer from the Sun Devils. Justice was able to get things done on the wing, knocking down perimeter shots in addition to getting to the basket.

After the second week of conference play in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference this is a fair question to ask given the results. Three teams have either one or no league losses with preseason favorite Fairfield (5-0) leading the way. Ed Cooley's team had an impressive week, pasting Niagara (70-48), Marist (59-44) and Saint Peter's (70-43) to move their win streak to 11 games. PG Derek Needham may still lead the Stags in scoring but they've received solid contributions from a number of players, most notably F Ryan Olander and freshman forward Maurice Barrow.

Another weekend of Northeast Conference action tips off tonight with a full slate of games, highlighted by Central Connecticut State heading south to take on a Sacred Heart team that's won its last three games. The Blue Devils and Pioneers are two of the six teams with 2-2 records in league play, and with just eight spots available in the NEC Tournament games like these ultimately make all the difference. This season has been a bit of a departure for those used to watching the Pioneers, traditionally one of the higher scoring teams in the conference.

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 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.

If there was one question in particular that arose from the first weekend of MAAC play in regards to individual players it was who has the ability to slow down Michael Glover. Niagara and Canisius didn't have the horses to do so, and Glover's dominance is a major reason why Tim Cluess' Iona Gaels are currently on a five-game win streak. Michael went off against Canisius, tallying 39 points and 14 rebounds in the 94-85 victory.

While conference play in the MAAC traditionally begins with a pair of games the first weekend of December, Siena and Rider had to play their league opener on Friday due to a conflict with final exams. But thanks in large part to preseason MAAC Player of the Year Ryan Rossiter the Saints struck first blood in the conference standings, winning at Rider 73-60. Rossiter has more than lived up to the preseason hype for Mitch Buonaguro's team, boasting averages of 20.2 points and 14.5 rebounds per game.

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.