<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=16j0Lq_0wNTlV0700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=16j0Lq_0wNTlV0700" width="1210" height="806" ></figure>Things have not been going well for the NEC as of late. The league has lost five programs since 2020. Perennial contenders Merrimack, who threw the league somewhat of a lifeline with how well it adjusted from the Division II to Division I level, left the league along with Sacred Heart this past offseason.The league added Chicago State and Mercyhurst, extending its footprint further west than the traditional base.<h2>Here’s a look at my preseason NEC Power Rankings:</h2>Central ConnecticutPatrick Sellers’ rebuild job at Central Connecticut will get some more attention this year if the Blue Devils are able to live up to expectations. A roster stacked with six seniors, including preseason player of the year Jordan Jones, has a chance to win the league once again. Jones is a small guard who can take over games with his lightning-quick shot creation, making him one of the best mid-range scorers in the NEC. Down low, Jayden Brown is back for year four, and is one of the best interior defenders in the conference with an emerging offensive game. Division II transfer Jaelen McGlone shot 39% from deep last year, and will shore up the area of the game that cost the Blue Devils in key games last year. CCSU also has one of the best freshman classes in the conference, headlined by redshirt freshman Darin Smith Jr. and Worcester Academy star James Jones.WagnerFollowing a shocking run in the 2023-24 NEC Tournament, which saw Wagner defeat the top three seeds on the road, the Seahawks return a bunch of key contributors and get some missing pieces back from injury. Javier Ezquerra emerged as a good point guard despite shooting below-average percentages thanks to his injection of creativity into the Seahawk offense and transition game. Former Green Bay guard Zae Blake didn’t play at all last year, but brings an element of speed that will help Wagner’s offense. Key guards Zaire Williams and Rahmir Moore played a combined 12 games last season, but both have the ability to be near double-digit scorers in the NEC and defend really well. Division II transfer Ja’Kair Sanchez had a strong second half of his season, and should score out of the backcourt as well. Tyje Kelton and Keyontae Lewis stayed healthy last year, and return in the frontcourt next to Rob Taylor II and LIU transfer RJ Greene for a physical punch.Le MoyneThe Dolphins burst onto the NEC scene last year, finishing fourth after being projected to finish last. Despite losing stars Kaiyem Cleary, Luke Sutherland, and Isaiah Salter to graduation, the Dolphins didn’t lose any contributors to the transfer portal. This allowed Nate Champion to build his roster around returning starter Darrick Jones Jr, emerging sophomore guard AJ Dancler, and athletic big Ocypher Owens. UT Arlington transfer Freds Pauls Bagatskis will have the bright-green light from behind the arc, while Dwayne Koroma adds size and switchability on the interior. If he can stay healthy, Will Amica will be a valuable defensive piece in the backcourt, and Robby Carmody brings more experience and shooting. If Dancler takes the leap that I expect him to, the Dolphins will have one of the top point guards in the league surrounded by plenty of shooting and post size. Le Moyne also needs consistency from junior Trent Mosquera, and brings in two exciting freshmen, Jakob Blakley and Isaac Nyakundi.FDUThe Knights were unable to follow up the miracle 2022-23 season, but Jack Castleberry has an intriguing group in Hackensack once again. After a breakout sophomore season, Jo’el Emanuel is poised to take another step forward, taking on a bigger role with Ansley Almonor and Sean Moore leaving. Emanuel will have the ball in his hands more, and has to improve from beyond the arc, but the tools are all there. Bismark Nsiah and Ahmed Barba-Bey each come in from Division II Jefferson University, where Nsiah was one of the best rebounders and defenders in the conference, and Barba-Bey evolved as a ball-handling guard. Terrence Brown had a strong freshman year, and JUCO transfer Dylan Jones is an excellent outside shooter. FDU’s transfer class along with the continued growth of the roster pieces should be enough to get them a home game in the tournament. Chicago StateThe Cougars were blindsided by head coach Gerald Gillion leaving the program for an assistant job at LIU this offseason, but Scott Spinelli has an athletic roster that will be difficult to play against in the NEC. Noble Crawford is a transition marvel and should be one of the best defenders in the conference. His offensive game developed over the course of last season, and he finished the year averaging 11 points per contest over his last 10. Presbyterian transfer Jalen Forrest averaged double digits in his first year at Division I, bringing more strength on the wing at 6 foot 5, 230 pounds. Chicago State hopes for a few down-transfers to hit, including former James Madison forward Quincy Allen and former South Florida big Gerald Jones. Cameron Jernigan and Deshawn Jean-Charles are back, and the Cougars also added exciting freshman Troy McKoy. However, with the amount of unproven pieces, including their head coach, the Cougar’s floor is maybe the lowest in the NEC.MercyhurstAs the NEC loses one confusing defense, another comes into the equation. Head coach Gary Manchel is known for lulling opponents into slow-paced games, and his unique defensive system that led to 10 top-ten scoring defenses in Division II. A unique structure in a new league could help Mercyhurst play above its talent level in year one at the Division I level, as it makes the Lakers extremely difficult to play against. Six foot 6 forward Jeff Planutis will be one of the NEC’s best players thanks to his elite scoring ability. Second-leading scorer Aidan Reichert also returns, and former Youngstown State and UNCW point guard Shemar Rathan-Mayes will run the show. Most rankings have Mercyhurst at, or near the bottom, but I’d issue a warning against writing them off, given how well the rising Division II teams have done in year one in the NEC.LIURod Strickland revamped the Sharks roster but has yet to prove that betting on him is a smart endeavor. Arizona State transfer Malachi Davis is one of the most explosive players in the NEC. He didn’t play a ton for the Sun Devils, but previously starred at JUCO, averaging 17 points per game on 50% from the field. Davis can get in the lane with a flash, and will help LIU’s perimeter players get shots off. The other key offseason move for LIU was the addition of former Chicago State head coach Gerald Gillion to the staff, and bringing both Brent Davis and AJ Neal with him. In the frontcourt, Division II transfer Jamal Fuller and JUCO transfer Tyrone Baker should be good pieces in the NEC. LIU is more talented than this ranking, and if Gillion can help Strickland improve as a coach, then the ceiling is high.Saint FrancisLast year, Saint Francis had the second-fewest Division I experience in the country, and the Red Flash are young again this year, with no seniors on the roster. 6 foot 5 guard Bobby Rosenberger should be SFU’s star, as he averaged double digits in NEC play and can scale up positionally with physicality. Both sophomore Ace Talbert and JUCO transfer Riley Parker can lead their own unit, but playing them together would get plenty of shooting and creation on the floor. Rob Krimmel also brought in East Carolina transfer Valentino Pinedo, who will slide into the frontcourt rotation with returners Miles Webb and Aidan Harris.StonehillStonehill lost their top three scorers from last year, but Todd Brogna and Louie Semona, who were key pieces of the frontcourt as freshmen, return for their sophomore year. In the backcourt, Chas Stinson looks to take a step forward, taking on a bigger role and playing more minutes as a score-first guard. Incarnate Word transfer Josh Morgan has drained 157 threes in his college career at a 38% rate, a much-needed infusion of shooting to the backcourt. Head coach Chris Kraus also picked up JUCO point guard Eino Montin, a pass-first sophomore from Finland. With all but Morgan having multiple years of eligibility remaining, the Skyhawks have a chance to develop a group that could give them some long-term energy<h2>Here are my projected first-teamers and honorees</h2><ul><li>Jordan Jones, Central Connecticut</li><li>Jeff Planutis, Mercyhurst</li><li>Noble Crawford, Chicago State</li><li>Malachi Davis, LIU</li><li>Jo’el Emanuel, FDU</li></ul>Newcomer of the Year: Malachi Davis, LIUDefensive Player of the Year: Noble Crawford, Chicago StateMost Improved Player: AJ Dancler, Le MoyneFreshman of the Year: Darin Smith Jr., Central ConnecticutPlayer of the Year: Jordan Jones, Central Connecticut</div></body>

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

Things have not been going well for the NEC as of late. The league has lost five programs since 2020. Perennial contenders Merrimack, who threw the league somewhat of a lifeline with how well it adjusted from the Division II to Division I level, left the league along with Sacred Heart this past offseason.

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

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