College Basketball Conference Preview #2 - Northeast Conference

The Northeast Conference will be a war once again this season. Will a new Champion emerge or will Wagner repeat as NEC Conference Champions? The Seahawks then proceeded to lose to the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament but they had a great season nonetheless. Wagner will set the pace as they return two starters in senior guard Javier Ezquerra and junior forward Keyontae Lewis while junior guard R.J. Greene (LIU transfer) is a candidate for NEC Player of the Year. A pair of senior guards in Rahmir Moore and Zaire Williams will aid in scoring as both can light it up from the outside. Fairleigh Dickinson is deep as well with several key reserves back along with a few solid returning starters in junior forward Jo'el Emanuel and sophomore guard Terrence Brown. The Knights need to fare better against the upper echelon teams in the Conference to have a shot come March. Look for contributions from senior forward Cameron Tweedy and junior guard Braden Reynolds - both returning reserves - this season as well. I predict the Knights to finish in 2nd place in the Conference. Lemoyne hopes to finish in the top half of the NEC Standings in 2024-25 after a 5th place finish last season. The Dolphins only bring back one starter in senior guard Darrick Jones, Jr. and will need several returning reserves to play bigger roles this season - most notably senior forward Ocypher Owens and sophomore guard AJ Dancler. A pair of newcomers - junior forward Dwayne Koroma (UT Arlington transfer) and junior guard Zek Tekin (Siena transfer) - will both be impact players this season. Lemoyne is a dark horse in the NEC and could make some noise if they get hot late in the season. Central Connecticut will be one of the most experienced teams in the Conference with two starters returning in senior guard Jordan Jones and senior forward Jayden Brown. Senior guards Jay Rodgers and Joe Ostrowsky - both returning reserves - will both provide additional scoring and rebounding along with several newcomers - most notably sophomore forward Max Frazier (Siena transfer). Look for Central Connecticut to come up short on certain nights but give each team they play a battle until the end. I predict the Blue Devils to finish in 4th place this season.

Long Island University will still suffer some growing pains as they look to build on last season's 6th place finish in the NEC. The Sharks only return one starter in senior guard Terrell Strickland - who could be NEC Player of the Year this season. Look for sophomore forward Jason Steele - the lone returning reserve - and a pair of freshmen - forwards Tre'shawn Sheppard and Jalen "Roc" Lee to all have big impacts this season. It may take more time than usual for the Sharks to get up to speed but they will be a very dangerous team come NEC Tournament time. Stonehill only brings back one starter in sophomore forward Todd Brogna. The Skyhawks also bring back senior guard Shane O'Dell, junior guard Chas Stinson, and sophomore forward Louie Senoma - all returning reserves. The Skyhawks may take their fair share of lumps again this season but will get better in the process. I predict Stonehill to finish in 6th place in the Conference. St. Francis (PA.) has their work cut out for them this season. The Red Flash do return three starters including sophomore guards Bobby Rosenberger III and Ace Talbert along with sophomore forward Aidan Harris. Several newcomers could play prominent roles including sophomore guard Daemar Kelly (Quinnipiac transfer), junior forward Valentino Pinedo (East Carolina transfer), and junior guard Riley Parker (Junior College transfer). St. Francis (PA.) will make some noise in the NEC this season and could finish in the middle of the pack when all is said and done. Mercyhurst faces an uphill climb this season. The Lakers return three starters and will be led by senior forwards Jeff Planutis and Aidan Reichert. Several transfers could play big roles this season as well - most notably senior guard Jesse Hafemeister (Division III transfer) and senior guard Shemar Rathan-Mayes (UNC Wilmington transfer). Head Coach Gary Manchel enters his 1st season at the helm needing some time to adjust his Team to the rigors of Division 1 Basketball. Chicago State returns two starters in senior forwards Noble Crawford and Cameron Jernigan. The Cougars will need several newcomers to play big roles this season. If the Cougars can get solid contributions from several key returnees including senior guard Alex Raiford, junior guard Deshawn Jean-Charles, and sophomore guard Greg Spate they can challenge for a spot in the middle of the Conference Standings. The Cougars will be a fun team to watch all season long. I predict they will finish in 9th place in the final Conference Standings. Regardless of which team wins the Conference Tournament it will be a great season in the Northeast Conference. Enjoy all of the games!

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