2024-25 NEC Preview: CCSU and Wagner are the teams to beat

Issues haven’t been going properly for the NEC as of late. The league has misplaced 5 packages since 2020. Perennial contenders Merrimack, who threw the league considerably of a lifeline with how properly it adjusted from the Division II to Division I degree, left the league together with Sacred Coronary heart this previous offseason.

The league added Chicago State and Mercyhurst, extending its footprint additional west than the normal base.

Right here’s a take a look at my preseason NEC Energy Rankings:

Central Connecticut

Patrick Sellers’ rebuild job at Central Connecticut will get some extra consideration this yr if the Blue Devils are in a position to dwell as much as expectations. A roster stacked with six seniors, together with preseason participant of the yr Jordan Jones, has an opportunity to win the league as soon as once more. Jones is a small guard who can take over video games along with his lightning-quick shot creation, making him among the finest mid-range scorers within the NEC. Down low, Jayden Brown is again for yr 4, and is among the greatest inside defenders within the convention with an rising offensive sport. Division II switch Jaelen McGlone shot 39% from deep final yr, and can shore up the world of the sport that value the Blue Devils in key video games final yr. CCSU additionally has among the finest freshman courses within the convention, headlined by redshirt freshman Darin Smith Jr. and Worcester Academy star James Jones.

Wagner

Following a surprising run within the 2023-24 NEC Event, which noticed Wagner defeat the highest three seeds on the street, the Seahawks return a bunch of key contributors and get some lacking items again from damage. Javier Ezquerra emerged as a very good level guard regardless of capturing below-average percentages due to his injection of creativity into the Seahawk offense and transition sport. Former Inexperienced Bay guard Zae Blake didn’t play in any respect final yr, however brings a component of velocity that may assist Wagner’s offense. Key guards Zaire Williams and Rahmir Moore performed a mixed 12 video games final season, however each have the power to be close to double-digit scorers within the NEC and defend rather well. Division II switch Ja’Kair Sanchez had a robust second half of his season, and will rating out of the backcourt as properly. Tyje Kelton and Keyontae Lewis stayed wholesome final yr, and return within the frontcourt subsequent to Rob Taylor II and LIU switch RJ Greene for a bodily punch.

Le Moyne

The Dolphins burst onto the NEC scene final yr, ending fourth after being projected to complete final. Regardless of dropping stars Kaiyem Cleary, Luke Sutherland, and Isaiah Salter to commencement, the Dolphins didn’t lose any contributors to the switch portal. This allowed Nate Champion to construct his roster round returning starter Darrick Jones Jr, rising sophomore guard AJ Dancler, and athletic large Ocypher Owens. UT Arlington switch Freds Pauls Bagatskis can have the bright-green mild from behind the arc, whereas Dwayne Koroma provides measurement and switchability on the inside. If he can keep wholesome, Will Amica will likely be a beneficial defensive piece within the backcourt, and Robby Carmody brings extra expertise and capturing. If Dancler takes the leap that I anticipate him to, the Dolphins can have one of many prime level guards within the league surrounded by loads of capturing and submit measurement. Le Moyne additionally wants consistency from junior Trent Mosquera, and brings in two thrilling freshmen, Jakob Blakley and Isaac Nyakundi.

FDU

The Knights have been unable to comply with up the miracle 2022-23 season, however Jack Castleberry has an intriguing group in Hackensack as soon as once more. After a breakout sophomore season, Jo’el Emanuel is poised to take one other step ahead, taking up an even bigger position with Ansley Almonor and Sean Moore leaving. Emanuel can have the ball in his fingers extra, and has to enhance from past the arc, however the instruments are all there. Bismark Nsiah and Ahmed Barba-Bey every are available in from Division II Jefferson College, the place Nsiah was among the finest rebounders and defenders within the convention, and Barba-Bey advanced as a ball-handling guard. Terrence Brown had a robust freshman yr, and JUCO switch Dylan Jones is a superb outdoors shooter. FDU’s switch class together with the continued progress of the roster items needs to be sufficient to get them a house sport within the match.

Chicago State

The Cougars have been blindsided by head coach Gerald Gillion leaving this system for an assistant job at LIU this offseason, however Scott Spinelli has an athletic roster that will likely be troublesome to play in opposition to within the NEC. Noble Crawford is a transition marvel and needs to be among the finest defenders within the convention. His offensive sport developed over the course of final season, and he completed the yr averaging 11 factors per contest over his final 10. Presbyterian switch Jalen Forrest averaged double digits in his first yr at Division I, bringing extra energy on the wing at 6 foot 5, 230 kilos. Chicago State hopes for a couple of down-transfers to hit, together with former James Madison ahead Quincy Allen and former South Florida large Gerald Jones. Cameron Jernigan and Deshawn Jean-Charles are again, and the Cougars additionally added thrilling freshman Troy McKoy. Nevertheless, with the quantity of unproven items, together with their head coach, the Cougar’s flooring is perhaps the bottom within the NEC.

Mercyhurst

Because the NEC loses one complicated protection, one other comes into the equation. Head coach Gary Manchel is understood for lulling opponents into slow-paced video games, and his distinctive defensive system that led to 10 top-ten scoring defenses in Division II. A novel construction in a brand new league might assist Mercyhurst play above its expertise degree in yr one on the Division I degree, because it makes the Lakers extraordinarily troublesome to play in opposition to. Six foot 6 ahead Jeff Planutis will likely be one of many NEC’s greatest gamers due to his elite scoring potential. Second-leading scorer Aidan Reichert additionally returns, and former Youngstown State and UNCW level guard Shemar Rathan-Mayes will run the present. Most rankings have Mercyhurst at, or close to the underside, however I’d situation a warning in opposition to writing them off, given how properly the rising Division II groups have achieved in yr one within the NEC.

LIU

Rod Strickland revamped the Sharks roster however has but to show that betting on him is a brilliant endeavor. Arizona State switch Malachi Davis is among the most explosive gamers within the NEC. He didn’t play a ton for the Solar Devils, however beforehand starred at JUCO, averaging 17 factors per sport on 50% from the sphere. Davis can get within the lane with a flash, and can assist LIU’s perimeter gamers get photographs off. The opposite key offseason transfer for LIU was the addition of former Chicago State head coach Gerald Gillion to the employees, and bringing each Brent Davis and AJ Neal with him. Within the frontcourt, Division II switch Jamal Fuller and JUCO switch Tyrone Baker needs to be good items within the NEC. LIU is extra proficient than this rating, and if Gillion can assist Strickland enhance as a coach, then the ceiling is excessive.

Saint Francis

Final yr, Saint Francis had the second-fewest Division I expertise within the nation, and the Pink Flash are younger once more this yr, with no seniors on the roster. 6 foot 5 guard Bobby Rosenberger needs to be SFU’s star, as he averaged double digits in NEC play and might scale up positionally with physicality. Each sophomore Ace Talbert and JUCO switch Riley Parker can lead their very own unit, however taking part in them collectively would get loads of capturing and creation on the ground. Rob Krimmel additionally introduced in East Carolina switch Valentino Pinedo, who will slide into the frontcourt rotation with returners Miles Webb and Aidan Harris.

Stonehill

Stonehill misplaced their prime three scorers from final yr, however Todd Brogna and Louie Semona, who have been key items of the frontcourt as freshmen, return for his or her sophomore yr. Within the backcourt, Chas Stinson seems to be to take a step ahead, taking up an even bigger position and taking part in extra minutes as a score-first guard. Incarnate Phrase switch Josh Morgan has drained 157 threes in his school profession at a 38% price, a much-needed infusion of capturing to the backcourt. Head coach Chris Kraus additionally picked up JUCO level guard Eino Montin, a pass-first sophomore from Finland. With all however Morgan having a number of years of eligibility remaining, the Skyhawks have an opportunity to develop a bunch that would give them some long-term power