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NEC Player of the Week: Earl Brown, SFU
NEC Rookie of the Week: Cane Broome, SHU
Previous NEC Releases: December 15 | December 8 | December 1 | November 24 | November 17
FLASH FEVER HITS THE NEC
When Saint Francis U won at Duquesne last Wednesday for the first time since 1990 and the first time on the road since 1966, it certainly turned some heads.
When Saint Francis U went into the RAC and beat Rutgers three days later, the Red Flash made headlines.
The win over the Scarlet Knights was the first-ever win for SFU over a Big Ten opponent and first over a major conference opponent since beating Penn State in December, 1978. Similarly, it was the NEC’s first victory over the Big Ten in the 34-year history of the conference.
“To be able to come in and knock off a Big Ten opponent is certainly a statement win,” SFU coach Rob Krimmel said. “I think it sends a message to our guys that we can compete and we can play with the big boys.”
After trailing by 16 with five minutes remaining in the first half, the Red Flash battled back to within 39-34 at intermission. SFU then used a 23-6 run to take a 61-48 lead midway through the second stanza.
“They (Rutgers) were making some shots and making it difficult for us to defend, and our guys didn’t get rattled,” Krimmel said. “That’s what got us back in the game, and ultimately I think it’s what won the game.”
Rutgers battled back and with four minutes left on the clock the two teams were deadlocked at 63.
At this point, senior guard Ollie Jackson (Dallas, TX/Pinkston) took matters into his own hands.
Jackson nailed a three-pointer with 3:27 remaining, and after the Scarlet Knights tied the game with :51 seconds to play, the Dallas, TX native hit perhaps the biggest shot of his career when he pump faked, took one step to his left and drained a trifecta from the left wing at the 19 second mark. Jackson would ice the game with a free throw in the final seconds.
“I’m proud of where our guys came, come in here and battled, followed the scouting reports, stayed together and played with energy and passion for forty minutes,” said Krimmel.
“They believed that they were going to go into the game and they were going to win. They weren’t going to fear anybody.”
NEC Player of the Week Earl Brown (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) led the way with 23 points and six rebounds. Jackson added 15 points and sophomore guard Malik Harmon (Queens, NY/Christ the King) finished with 17 points and four assists. Junior forward Ronnie Drinnon (Jamestown, OH/Greenview) pulled down 16 boards as the Red Flash outrebounded the Scarlet Knights, 38-35.
“It’s a great accomplishment for us,” said Brown. “A lot of people probably didn’t expect us to beat Rutgers. It just shows that we can do it and people honestly believe.”
Saint Francis U earned its first back-to-back road non-conference wins since 2008 and has now posted its first three-game win streak in non-conference play since 2003.
“A lot of it has to do with experience and guys buying into what we believe in as a staff,” said Krimmel. “When you feel good when you put the uniform on, you know that you have a chance.”
For the NEC, it marked the league’s seventh win against a major conference opponent in the last three seasons.
NOTABLE NEC VICTORIES AGAINST MAJOR CONFERENCES
Saint Francis U 73, Rutgers 68 (12/20/14)
Robert Morris 89, St. John’s 78 (3/18/14, NIT)
Fairleigh Dickinson 58, Seton Hall 54 (12/1/13)
Fairleigh Dickinson 73, Rutgers 72 (11/25/13)
St. Francis Brooklyn 66, Miami 62 (OT) (11/8/13)
Robert Morris 59, Kentucky 57 (3/19/13, NIT)
Bryant 56, Boston College 54 (11/25/12)
Wagner 59, #15 Pittsburgh 54 (12/23/11)
Robert Morris 57, Boston College 51 (1/7/08)
Fairleigh Dickinson 76, Seton Hall 71 (11/18/06)
St. Francis Brooklyn 53, St. John’s 52 (11/23/04)
Monmouth 81, Vanderbilt 67 (11/24/01)
CCSU 54, Providence 50 (12/21/99)
Long Island 76, St. John’s 73 (11/23/96)
Mount St. Mary’s 71, #21 Georgia Tech 69 (12/18/95)
Wagner 80, Rutgers 78 (12/16/95)
Fairleigh Dickinson 55, Providence 53 (12/19/84)
Long Island 72, Providence 65 (12/23/83)
Wagner 84, Duke 77 (1/5/83)
NEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Earl Brown, Saint Francis U
6-6, 206 lbs.
Sr., F, Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter
In a historic week for Saint Francis U hoops, it was Brown who was the centerpiece of the Red Flash attack. The Philly native averaged 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and shot 57.1 percent from the field as SFU went on the road to beat Duquesne (67-52) on Wednesday and Rutgers (73-68) on Saturday. He tallied 16 points and six boards in the win over the Dukes and was at his best versus the Scarlet Knights as the Red Flash posted their first-ever win over a Big Ten program. Brown finished with 23 points on 9-15 from the floor, and added six rebounds and three assists. In the process, he became the 39th SFU player to reach 1,000 career points. Brown enters play this week with 1,016 points and 603 rebounds over his three-plus years in Loretto. He currently ranks fourth in the NEC in scoring (15.1) and rebounding (6.6), and second in field goal accuracy (.563).
NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Cane Broome, Sacred Heart
6-0, 150 lbs.
Fr., G, East Hartford, CT/East Hartford (St. Thomas More)
Broome takes home his second NEC Rookie of the Week award following a near-perfect outing on Saturday in Sacred Heart’s 73-60 win over New Hampshire. Broome matched his career-high with 25 points, hitting 10 of his 11 field goal attempts, including 2-3 from outside the arc. He was at his best in the second half, scoring 14 points on 5-5 shooting from the field as the Pioneers won for the fifth time in their last six outings. Broome also added four rebounds, two steals and an assist in 34 minutes of action. The East Hartford, CT product currently leads Sacred Heart and ranks sixth in the NEC with 14.6 ppg. He is also fourth in the league in field goal percentage (.509), and sixth in free throw accuracy (.806) and steals (1.6).
NEC NUGGET
Northeast Conference teams posted a 7-5 record last week and have gone 20-15 since December 6. The NEC is 19th of 32 conferences in the most recent RPI rankings.
SFU’S BROWN JOINS NEC 1,000-POINT CLUB
On Saturday in Saint Francis U’s historic win over Rutgers, senior forward Earl Brown (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) became the 200th player in NEC history to join the 1,000-point club, a fraternity whose membership also includes four active members.
Brown’s 23 points against the Scarlet Knights gave him 1,016 for his career. He is the 30th player in SFU annals to reach the milestone. Brown was named NEC Player of the Week after averaging 18.5 ppg and 6.0 rpg in a pair of Red Flash wins.
Next in line to reach 1,000 points appear to be Sacred Heart senior guards Evan Kelley (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk) and Steve Glowiak (New Britain, CT/New Britain). Kelley is 110 points shy of 1,000, while Glowiak needs 146 more points.
CANNON: DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
St. Francis Brooklyn has won four of its last six, and it should come as no surprise that senior forward Jalen Cannon (Allentown, PA/William Allen) is playing his best ball of the season.
Cannon posted a pair of double-doubles last week with 16 points and 10 rebounds in a close setback to Delaware State and 17 points and 10 rebounds two days later as the Terriers knocked off Conference USA opponent Florida Atlantic, 61-56. His clutch three-pointer with 28 seconds left on the clock put the Terriers up by six and clinched a second straight victory over the Owls.
This makes it three straight double-doubles and an NEC-best six for the season for the Preseason All-NEC pick. Cannon went over the 1,300-point mark for his career last week and has amassed 1,311 points in his Terrier career to lead all active NEC players.
Likewise, Cannon has racked up 892 career rebounds, a number that ranks him 13th in NEC history and 31 boards shy of the top-10.
Last week he also became the 23rd player in NEC history to reach 1,300 points and 700 rebounds in his career.
Cannon can become just the second player in NEC annals to finish with 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds, joining Quinnipiac’s Justin Rutty (1,521/1,032 from 2007-11).
NEC Career Rebounding Leaders
10. Ted Taylor MAR 923 1981-85
11. Greg Foster FDU 916 1982-84
12. Durell Vinson WC 893 2003-08
13. Jalen Cannon SFBK 867 2011-14
14. Julian Boyd LIU 843 2008-13
15. Ken Horton CCSU 842 2007-12
16. Alan Tomidy MAR 838 1991-96
17. Freddie Burton LIU 836 1986-89
18. Nigel Wyatte WC 834 2000-04
19. Largest Agbejemisin WC 829 1983-87
20. Rik Smits MAR 811 1984-88
NOT LUCKY, JUST GOOD
In a golden era of Robert Morris hoops, senior swingman Lucky Jones (Newark, NJ/St. Anthony) will go down as one of the most versatile players to come through Moon Township.
With the ability to play numerous positions and a multifaceted skill set, Jones is starting to compile career numbers that place him in rarefied air in NEC annals. On Wednesday, Jones became just the second player in RMU annals and 22nd player in league history to crack 1,300 points and 700 rebounds for his career, joining NEC luminaries Alex Francis (BRY), Corsley Edwards & Ken Horton (CCSU), Jamal Olasewere & Julian Boyd (LIU), Jermaine Hall (WC), Tony Lee (RMU) and NEC Hall of Famer Desi Wilson (FDU), among others. Jones has racked up 1,300 points and 709 rebounds in his career.
St. Francis Brooklyn senior forward Jalen Cannon (Allentown, PA/William Allen) became the 23rd NEC player to cracked the 1,300/700 plateau on Saturday.
As a testament to his versatility, Jones has also amassed 153 assists and 145 steals in his three-plus years at RMU. With five more swipes, Jones will become the third NEC player to reach 1,300 points, 700 rebounds, 150 assists and 150 steals in a career.
NEC Players With 1,300 Points, 700 Rebounds, 150 Assists & 150 Steals
Name School Pts. Reb. Ast. Stl. Years
Tony Lee RMU 1,489 751 487 275 2004-08
Jamal Olasewere LIU 1,871 963 164 170 2009-13
Lucky Jones RMU 1,300 709 153 145 2011-15
PIONEER TURNAROUND
As it relates to investment products, it is often said that “past performance may not be indicative of future results.”
The same logic can apply to sports, and in the NEC, all it takes is one look at the early returns for the Sacred Heart men’s basketball program.
Sacred Heart ended the 2013-14 season with a 5-26 record and 2-14 mark in NEC play. But after being picked to finish tenth in 2014-15 NEC Preseason Coaches Poll, the Pioneers have more than exceeded expectations with a 6-4 non-conference mark and five wins in their last six outings.
The latest solid performance for the Pioneers came on Saturday with an 83-70 win over New Hampshire at the Pitt Center. Freshman guard Cane Broome (East Hartford, CT/East Hartford (St. Thomas More)) matched a career-high with 25 points on a scintillating 10-11 shooting from the field to capture NEC Rookie of the Week honors for the second time this season.
The Pioneers have now won four of their last five at home after going 1-15 in their previous 16 home games.
Sacred Heart has also shot at least 52.5 percent from the floor in four straight games, something that hadn’t been done since February 19-28, 2009. Likewise, after averaging 63.2 ppg on 40.1 percent shooting in five games in November, the Pioneers are averaging 82.0 ppg on 53.8 percent shooting in December.
NEW LOOK, NEW STYLE SUITS LIU
A year removed from the last of a record three consecutive NEC Tournament titles, a changing of the guard was in order for LIU Brooklyn. But if anyone thought the Blackbirds were headed for an extended rebuilding period, LIU’s play of late suggests that third-year Jack Perri has merely reloaded, with a host of young guns playing a distinctly different style than in year’s past.
Featuring seven freshman on the roster, including three starters, the Blackbirds dropped their first six games off the season, albeit against a challenging slate of opponents. Since that time, LIU has won three straight, all by double-digits, capped by last Thursday’s 69-58 win over Conference USA opponent FIU at the Barclays Center.
And after featuring a high-octane offense during its title run, LIU Brooklyn has used a much-improved defense on its current three-game winning streak. The Blackbirds held back-to-back opponents to under 60 points for the first time since holding Monmouth and Wagner to 57 and 48, respectively, in February of 2009. Prior to holding FIU to 58 points, LIU allowed NJIT to score just 49 points on December 14. LIU currently ranks second in the NEC in both field goal percentage defense (.423) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.294).
In the win over FIU, freshman point guard Elvar Fridriksson (Njardvik, Iceland/Njardvik) continued his strong play of late, finishing with a game-high 17 points on 6-10 shooting from the floor. After the Blackbirds saw a 15-point first advantage dissolve and the Panthers take a 43-40 lead with 12 minutes left in the contest, Fridriksson scored all 10 points in a 10-2 run that gave LIU the lead for good. The native of Iceland hit back-to-back layups in transition, then canned two long range three-pointers and the Blackbirds were off an running.
“(Fridriksson) is confident and he should be confident. He is a really talented, really good basketball player,” said LIU head coach Jack Perri. “That was very important, hitting those two back-to-back threes. Obviously, he was feeling it. That was awesome.”
Fridriksson currently leads LIU with 11.1 ppg and ranks third in the NEC with 4.6 apg. He is also shooting 40.0 percent from three-point range, the eighth-best mark on the circuit.
STARKS DOES IT AGAIN
With Bryant trailing by three points with under 30 seconds to play at Denver on Sunday, it was that time...Dyami Starks (Duluth, MN/Duluth East) time.
The senior guard did what he does best, tying the game at 46-all on his sixth three-pointer of the game. Following a Denver offensive foul and a time out, the ball was back in Starks’ hands with the clock winding down. As he has done so often, the Duluth, MN native rose to the occasion, hitting a wing jumper with 1.3 seconds remaining to make Bryant’s Rocky Mountain excursion one to remember.
Starks ended the 48-46 win with a game-high 21 points to raise his league-leading scoring average to 19.8 ppg. He has paced Bryant in scoring in each of the team’s eight games this season, including four 20+ efforts in the last five outings. Starks also paces the circuit with 4.13 three-pointers per game, a figure that ranks him fourth nationally.
FDU’S MR. CLUTCH
Trailing by eight points with under three minutes to go against Delaware on Saturday, someone needed to step up for head coach Greg Herenda.
For the second time in four games, that player was freshman swingman Earl Potts Jr. (Severn, MD/Archbishop Spalding).
“After the game I told Earl that he needs to change his major to Theater,” said Herenda on Potts’ performance down the stretch. “He truly has a flair for the dramatic.”
Potts, who sparked FDU’s comeback win over Princeton two weeks ago, drilled a three-pointer with 2:48 to play to slice the deficit to five points, and after a Malachi Nix (Evanston, IL/Niles North) layup made it a three-point game, Potts delivered the game’s key play. Executing a perfect pick-and-roll with senior guard Mustafaa Jones (Philadelphia, PA/Neumann-Goretti), Potts took a pass just outside the lane and elevated for a monstrous dunk. The Severn, MD native would go on to hit two free throws with 26 seconds left to play and steal Delaware’s final inbounds pass as the Knights scored the last ten points of the game to pull out a dramatic 76-74 win.
Potts finished with a career-best 14 points off the bench. Classmate Darian Anderson (Washington, D.C./St. John’s College) led the Knights with 16 points.
“I am just so happy that everyone on our team contributed tonight and they all believed that we were going to win that game,” said Knights head coach Greg Herenda. “We were very fortunate tonight but this team has something inside of them. I said it before the season started, that this will eventually be a special group.”
ON THE NATIONAL LEADERBOARD
Below are a list of NEC players who rank in the top-25 nationally in various statistical categories.
Category Name Team Stats Ranking
FG% Jordan Allen SHU .679 8th
3PFG% Rodney Pryor RMU .510 12th
FT% Matt MacDonald FDU .917 13th
Assists Phil Gaetano SHU 5.7 25th
Steals Brent Jones SFBK 2.55 20th
3PFG/Game Dyami Starks BRY 4.13 4th
A/TO Ratio Greg Brown SFU 3.89
Double-Doubles Jalen Cannon SFBK 6
GAETANO MOVIN’ ON UP
Sacred Heart senior guard Phil Gaetano (Wallingford, CT/Sheehan (Choate Rosemary)) moved up another notch on the NEC’s career assist list last week, passing Rider’s Deon Hames for fourth place with 602 dimes. Gaetano had seven assists in an 83-70 win over New Hampshire on Saturday.
Gaetano needs just two more dimes to leapfrog Mount St. Mary’s great Jeremy Goode for third all-time in the conference. He leads the NEC and ranks 25th nationally with 5.7 apg this season.
1. Jason Brickman LIU 1,009 2010-14
2. Drafton Davis MAR 804 1984-88
3. Jeremy Goode MSM 603 2006-10
4. Phil Gaetano SHU 602 2011-14
5. Deon Hames RID 598 1992-96
6. Napoleon Lightning SFU 589 1981-85
7. Courtney Pritchard WC 563 2000-04
8. Andre Van Drost WC 560 1982-87
9. Forest Grant RMU 555 1981-84
10. Velton Jones RMU 551 2009-13
HERE & THERE
CCSU sophomore guard Matt Mobley (Worcester, MA/Worcester Academy) scored a game-high 27 points, including a 12-12 mark from the line in an 84-76 loss to NJIT on Saturday. Mobley, who averaged 6.8 ppg as a freshman last season, ranks second in the NEC with 18.5 ppg. He is also fifth in the league in made three-pointers (2.2/game) and seventh in free throw percentage (.797). His 51 made free throws paces the conference.
LIU Brooklyn guard Gerrell Martin (Bronx, NY/Wings Academy) has worked through a slow start to his senior season and is finally starting to find his groove. Martin has scored in double figures in each of his last four games, averaging 15.0 ppg over that span while shooting 43.5 percent (10-23) from three-point range.
Butler transfer Andrew Smeathers (Bargersville, IN/Center Grove (Butler)) made his Mount St. Mary’s debut on Saturday in a 46-45 defeat at the hands of Patriot League favorite American. Smeathers started and tied for team scoring honors with eight points, including a pair of three-pointers.
Robert Morris freshman guard Marcquise Reed (Landover, MD/Capitol Christian) led the Colonials with 18 points in a setback at Toledo last Wednesday. Over his last five games - the first five starts of his collegiate career - Reed is averaging 12.6 ppg while shooting 53.1 percent from the floor.
For the second time this season, three of Wagner’s five newcomers scored in double-figures as the Seahawks had their six-game win streak over Monmouth snapped on Saturday. Romone Saunders (Temple Hills, MD/Mt. Zion Prep) tallied a career-high 18, JoJo Cooper (Wilmington, DE/Concord) netted 13 and Corey Henson (Upper Marlboro, MD/DeMatha Catholic) poured in 11. Saunders added a personal-best nine rebounds. Cooper is fifth in the NEC and second among conference freshman with 4.1 apg. He is also 18th nationally among freshman in assists.
NEC NUGGETS
NEC teams posted an 8-5 record last week.
Bryant had five players reach double figures in its first road victory of the season, an 80-73 win at then 6-1 Army.
Fairleigh Dickinson and Saint Francis U were idle last week.
LIU Brooklyn freshman guard Elvar Fridriksson became the first LIU player to finish with at least 19 points, five rebounds and five assists in a game since C.J. Garner against Wagner (22/5/6) on February 24, 2013.
Mount St. Mary’s is averaging 9.5 3PFG over the past four games, including a season-high 13 3PFG at Notre Dame last Tuesday.
Junior transfer Andrew Smeathers will make his Mount St. Mary’s debut at American next Saturday. The 6-8 transfer from Butler had to sit out the first semester due to NCAA transfer rules.
Robert Morris senior guard Lucky Jones missed RMU’s tilt against Duquesne due to a finger injury and had his streak of consecutive games snapped at 63.
Robert Morris is 107-29 (.787) at the Charles L. Sewall Center since the beginning of the 2005-06 campaign.
Sacred Heart graduate student forward Jordan Allen has made his last ten shots from the field.
Sacred Heart has matched its win total (five) from last season.
St. Francis Brooklyn senior guard Brent Jones moved into second place on the school’s career list with 470 assists.
Over his last four games, Wagner senior guard Marcus Burton is averaging 19.3 ppg.
QUOTABLE
“The fact it was rivalry game maybe did help us, but it started in practice this past week. We played with intensity.” - Robert Morris freshman forward Elijah Minnie following the Colonials’ 75-59 win over Duquesne on Saturday
“The second half to start the half we did a better job defensively. Offensively, I thought we moved the ball well. We shot the lights out.” - LIU Brooklyn head coach Jack Perri after the Blackbirds shot 7-7 from three-point range in the second half of an 83-70 win at Maine
“You want to cherish every victory, but we’re capable of playing better basketball. Pleased with the W but not necessarily satisfied, even though I’m delighted to win the game.” - CCSU head coach Howie Dickenman after the Blue Devils knocked off UMBC on Wednesday for their second straight win
“We feel like we can beat any team because everyone has to put their shoes on just like us.” - Sacred Heart freshman guard Cane Broome, referencing the team’s hot play as of late in a Google Hangout from this past Thursday
“We held them for a long time. Every day we go in the gym and work on our flaws and try and get better and we were better today. That’s why I’m not worried about this team once we got into conference play.” - Wagner senior guard Marcus Burton following a setback at Vermont on Sunday
TWEET DECK
Ryan Peters @pioneer_pride
Saw Bryant/Army from archives last night. Bulldogs offense looked better; Hunter Ware finally got going w/ 17 pts. His step back is nice.
Andrew Chiappazzi @BCT_AChiappazzi
Looks like Rodney Pryor is at it again for #RMU. If he shot right-handed and wore No. 15, people would swear Karvel Anderson is back.
Rush the Other 26 @other26hoops
Cane Broome quickly becoming a favorite player.
Ron Ratner @NECHoopsRon
Just spoke w/ @SHUBigRed’s Cane Broome via Google Hangout. Future hoops analyst, team jokester, big fan of @russwest44. Mature young man.
Corey Hassan @CoreyHassan4 (former SHU player)
@NECHoopsRon @SHUBigRed great times! Wish I could play one more season for SHU. Great to see you guys doing a great job covering the NEC
Pete Medhurst @PeteMedhurst
@pioneer_pride So happy for Brandon Peel. hard worker and clearly bigger. likely double-double machine in NEC.
Patrick Pierson @pierson_sid
GREAT day when RMU beats Duquesne. Dominating performance by @RMUMBasketball #BobbyMo
Andrew Chiappazzi @BCT_AChiappazz
Andy Toole now 5-0 against Duquesne in his career at Robert Morris. RMU wins 75-59, stakes claim to 2nd best hoops team in PGH yet again.
Ryan Raffensperger @TheMountFanBlog
Three claps for Byron Ashe and Junior Robinson providing late game heroics in OT win #MountMayhem
Miloš Vujakovic @MVujak Dec 1
Elvar Friðriksson is such a fun, shifty point guard with a solid jumpshot and great handles. Great move by LIU to lure him in.