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NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Player of the Week: Riley Parker, SFU
NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Co-Rookies of the Week: Juan Cranford, Jr., SFU & Deng Garang, LEM
Previous NEC Releases: February 17 | February 10 | February 3 | January 28 | January 22 | January 14 | January 7 | December 30 | December 23 | December 16 | December 9 | December 2 | November 25 | November 18 | November 11 | Preseason Poll Release
 
NEC/ATLANTIC TOMORROW'S OFFICE MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Riley Parker, Saint Francis U
Jr., G, 6-2, 195 lbs.
Mandurah, Australia/Mandurah Catholic College (Cochise CC)
Parker earned his first NEC Player of the Week honor this season after leading Saint Francis U to a crucial sweep that positioned them in the fourth and final spot needed to host an NEC quarterfinal game with one week remaining. The junior guard from Mandurah, Australia averaged 23.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals, while shooting 62.1 percent from the floor, including 7-14 (.500) from beyond the arc. Parker set the tone with 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and a career-high four steals in an 81-76 overtime win at Le Moyne. He followed that up with a game-high 28 points - one off his career-best - in an 85-80 overtime thriller against FDU at DeGol Arena. He scored 22 of his points in the second half and overtime, and took over in the extra period, scoring nine points, capped by two clutch free throws with 14 seconds remaining to help ice the win. Parker ranks eighth in the NEC in scoring (13.3 ppg) and is fifth in assists (3.5), three-point percentage (.401), and made three-pointers (1.9/game). He’s been even better in league play, where he ranks sixth in scoring at 15.9 ppg.

NEC/ATLANTIC TOMORROW'S OFFICE MEN'S BASKETBALL CO-ROOKIES OF THE WEEK
Juan Cranford, Jr.
Fr., G, 6-3, 205 lbs.
Dayton, OH/Wayne
Cranford’s league-best fourth NEC Rookie of the Week honor comes on the heels of a Saint Francis U nail-biting sweep, during which the Dayton, OH native averaged 13.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Cranford hit four free throws in the final 18 seconds of overtime to help clinch the Red Flash’s 81-76 win at Le Moyne on Thursday. He finished with 12 points and four boards. On Saturday, Cranford matched his NEC season-highs in both points and rebounds, totaling 14 points and nine boards in another dramatic win, an 85-80 conquest of visiting FDU. He leads all NEC freshman with 9.5 ppg and his 38.1 percent success rate from three-point territory ranks ninth in the conference.

Deng Garang, Le Moyne
R-Fr., G, 6-6, 180 lbs.
Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes
Garang’s late season surge continued last week, earning the Le Moyne swingman his second straight NEC Rookie of the Week accolade. He supplied the Dolphins with 14.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, shooting 66.7 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from beyond the arc. Garang exploded for a career-high 20 points in an 81-76 overtime setback to Saint Francis U on Thursday. He hit 4-8 from downtown and was 8-12 overall. The Syracuse native, who played in high school locally at Bishop Grimes, has been exceptional the last two weeks, averaging 14.5 ppg while sinking 11-18 (.611) shots from long distance.

NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
 
Jordan Jones (CCSU, Sr, G)
Last week: 20. 5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 60.0 FG%, 58.3 3P%

- After dropping all 18 of his points in the second half to spark a comeback win at Chicago State on Thursday, Jones returned home and caught fire from downtown, hitting 5-8 on his way to a game-high 23 points.
- The senior is shooting 62.0 percent from the field and 61.9 percent from beyond the arc over his last four games while averaging 21.0 ppg.
- Ranks fourth in the NEC in scoring (14.5) and assists (3.6), seventh in steals (1.6) and sixth in FT shooting (.795).

Dailliss Cox (CSU, Sr, F)
Last week: 15.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.0 spg, 55.0 FG%, 60.0 3P%

- Recorded career-highs with 20 points and 10 rebounds - compiling his first double-double - in Thursday’s game against CCSU.
- Scored 31 points last week to almost match his entire NEC point total of 33 up to that point.

Terrence Brown (FDU, So, G)
Last week: 21.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.5 spg
- Finished with a team-high 27 points - including four dunks - in Saturday’s OT setback at SFU.
- Has posted 16 games of 20+ points this season.
- Paces the NEC and ranks seventh in the nation in scoring at 20.8 ppg.
- Leads the league with 2.0 spg.

AJ Dancler (LEM, So, G)
Last week: 23.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 93.8 FT%

- Finished two shy of his career-high with a 30-point outing in Thursday’s OT loss to SFU on Thursday. He hit 11-20 from the field and 5-12 from long range.
- Has converted 32 of his last 35 at the line, a 91.4 percent conversion rate.
- Has hit double-digits in 13 straight outings, averaging 20.2 ppg over that span to boost his season average to 14.3 ppg.
- Sits second in the NEC with 19.2 ppg and 4.6 apg in conference play.

Brent Davis (LIU, Sr, G)
Last week: 17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals, 6-7 FG, 2-2 3P at Le Moyne

- Led six players in double-digits as LIU locked up the #2 seed in the NEC Tournament with a 76-61 win at Le Moyne on Saturday.
- Matched his career-high with five steals in the victory.
- Averaging 8.1 ppg on the year.

Terell Strickland (LIU, Sr, G)
Last week: 15 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 6-6 FT at Le Moyne

- Finished a game with at least 15 points, six rebounds and six assists for the second time in his career. Strickland posted the same exact stat line against Columbia on November 20.
- Ranks second in the NEC with 4.4 apg.

Chris Moncrief (SFU, Jr, G)
Last week: 19.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.0 spg, 72.7 FG%, 80.0 3P%

- The junior put up scintillating shooting numbers last week, highlighted by a 9-11 effort from the field - including a perfect 4-4 from outside the arc - during a career-high 25-point effort in Thursday’s 81-76 OT win at Le Moyne.
- Finished with 14 points and a career-high nine rebounds vs. FDU in SFU’s second OT win of the week. His jumper with 52 seconds to play gave the Red Flash the lead for good.
- Averaging 11.8 ppg on 61.7 percent shooting since being inserted into the starting lineup six games ago.

Riley Parker (SFU, Jr, G)
Last week: 23.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.0 spg, 62.1 FG%, 50.0 3P%

- Racked up a game-high 28 points - one shy of his career-best - in SFU’s 85-80 win over FDU in an OT thriller at DeGol Arena. He scored nine points in OT to help the Red Flash complete a key sweep.
- Ranks sixth in the league in scoring in league play at 15.9 ppg.
- Sits fifth on the circuit in 3PFG% (.401), made 3P (1.9/game) and assists (3.5).

Zae Blake (WC, Gr, G)
Last week: 14.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 62.5 FG%, 57.1 3P%, 80.0 FG%

- Scored a game-high 17 points in Wagner’s 63-57 win over Stonehill on Thursday that snapped a three-game losing streak.
- He assisted on Javy Ezquerra’s go-ahead layup with 1:07 to play, then extended the lead to four on a jumper with 24 seconds remaining.
- Has reached double-digits in four straight games to boost his season average to 9.7 ppg.

R.J. Greene (WC, Jr, G)
Last week: 14.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 50.0 FG%

- Scored 13 points on an efficient 6-7 from the field in Saturday’s 64-52 win at Chicago State.
- Averaging 8.7 ppg and his 5.1 rpg ranks second on the Seahawks.
 
#NECMBB BY THE NUMBERS
 
6 - LIU’s balanced attack was on full display in Saturday’s win over Le Moyne, as 6 players scored in double figures, the most for the program against a DI rival since 2013. That total also tied for the second-highest by an NEC team since 2004-05. The last time any NEC squad had more? That came on December 19, 2010, when LIU had 7 players reached double digits in a 91-85 win over Army.

10/10 - With a 10-2 home record and an 11-3 road mark, CCSU is the first NEC team since Wagner in 2015-16 to notch 10 wins both at home and away. The Blue Devils now have a shot to become the first team to win at least 75 percent of their home and road games since Wagner posted identical 12-3 records in 2011-12.

44/0 - FDU junior guard Brayden Reynolds played 44 minutes without 0 turnovers in Saturday’s OT thriller at SFU, becoming just the sixth player in the nation this season to log at least 44 turnover-free minutes.

154 - CCSU’s 154 NET ranking stands above the current conference leaders in the America East (Bryant, 162), MAAC (Quinnipiac, 183), Patriot League (Bucknell, 220), MEAC (Norfolk St., 175), OVC (SE Missouri St., 184), and SWAC (Southern, 214).

#NECMBB FAST BREAK

CCSU
CCSU boasts a +12.2 scoring margin against NEC opponents. The last team to finish a season with a +10.0 ppg margin or better was Wagner in 2011-12 (+11.3). If the Blue Devils stay on pace, it would be the highest since CCSU’s +13.5 in 2001-02.

Chicago St.
Junior guard Gabe Spinelli has been locked in as a playmaker, recording a 3.57 assist-to-turnover ratio over his last five games. He currently ranks fourth in the NEC in A/TO ratio during league play at 1.79.

FDU
Terrence Brown’s four dunks at Saint Francis U on Saturday matched the NEC single-game season-high, tying him with Le Moyne’s Dwayne Koroma (twice) and Chicago State’s Quincy Allen.

Le Moyne
Le Moyne sits atop the NEC in scoring (73.0 ppg), effective field goal percentage (.539), and free throw rate (.419) during conference play.The Dolphins also rank second in offensive efficiency (106.2).

LIU
LIU ranks in the top-100 nationally in several advanced metrics. The Sharks are 49th in steal percentage (.115), 69th in turnover rate (.194) and 82nd in eFG percentage (.486).

Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst shot 17-18 from the line (.944) in a 65-60 win over FDU on Thursday. The Lakers have now shot 85.0 percent or better from the stripe six times against NEC opponents this season and are converting at a stellar 82.8 percent clip during league play.play.

Saint Francis U
SFU played consecutive overtime games for the first time since 1955, when they did so in the NIT semifinals and consolation game. Last week’s thrilling OT wins against Le Moyne and FDU marked the program’s first since an 86-82 OT triumph over Bryant on Dec. 31, 2017.

Stonehill
Junior forward Ethan Meuser went a perfect 4-4 from three-point territory at Wagner on Thursday, capping off a torrid three-game stretch that saw him shoot 10-13 (.769) from deep. 

Wagner
Wagner is knocking down an NEC-best 35.9 percent from beyond the arc versus league opponents, and is on-target to post the program’s highest success rate since hitting 37.4 percent in 2017-18. The Seahawks shot 42.4 percent from deep in their sweep last week.

TOP STORYLINES FROM #NECMBB

Here’s all you need to know from the 16th week of the 2024-25 season...

 >> THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
 
If you’re hoping for a clear roadmap of the NEC playoff picture, you won’t find it here.
 
With so much still on the line as we enter the final week of NEC play, the drama is at a fever pitch as teams make their final seeding push.
 
Here’s what we do know for sure.
 
1. Tickets Punched
This one’s easy. All eight eligible teams are in. Mercyhurst is ineligible for the NEC postseason.
 
2. The Top Dog
The road to the NEC title could go through New Britain.
 
CCSU typically celebrates wins by awarding a dog bowl to a standout performer, but after clinching the NEC’s top seed and at least a share of the regular season title after a 67-41 win over Stonehill on Saturday, they’ll need one big enough for the whole squad.
 
The five-time regular season champion Blue Devils added their name to the list of back-to-back NEC regular season champs, joining Merrimack (2022-24), Robert Morris (1982-84, 1988-90, 2007-10 - 3x, 2012-14), LIU (1982-84, 1996-98, 2010-12), Monmouth (2003-05), Rider (1992-95 - 3x), and Marist (1986-88).
 
Boasting a 12-2 record, CCSU is one win or an LIU loss away from securing the outright regular season title.
 
This marks the first time in program history that CCSU has earned the #1 seed in back-to-back seasons. The Blue Devils were previously the top seed in the NEC Tournament in 2000, 2002, 2007 and 2024. CCSU won it all in 2000, 2002 and 2007.
 
3. Number Two
The only other seed locked up is the #2 spot, secured by LIU following its 76-61 road win over Le Moyne on Saturday.
 
At 10-4, the Sharks have earned their highest NEC Tournament seed since entering the 2017 tournament at #2 seed.
 
As the second seed, LIU is positioned to host an NEC semifinal game on March 8 should they advance. The Sharks last hosted a semifinal game in 2018.
 
4. We’re Hosting
CCSU and LIU have guaranteed themselves a quarterfinal round home game, leaving two spots up for grabs between four teams: FDU, Saint Francis U, Stonehill and Wagner. All four teams can be seeded as high as #3 in the tournament.
 
FDU controls its own destiny to claim a top-four seed.
 
Two wins will guarantee FDU the #3 seed, and the Knights can clinch a top-four seed on Thursday with a win over Stonehill and a Wagner loss to LIU. FDU can also snag a top-four seed even with a loss on Thursday, provided the Knights win at against LIU on Saturday and either SFU loses to Chicago State or Stonehill loses to Le Moyne and Wagner drops one of its final two games. The Knights can also claim the #4 seed with two setbacks if SFU wins, Wagner splits and Stonehill loses to Le Moyne.

There are different paths for SFU to clinch a quarterfinal home game, the most straightforward being a win over Chicago State, coupled with Stonehill and Wagner both doing no better than a split in their final two games. Another route is a win, Stonehill sweep and Wagner doing no better than a split. The Red Flash can also host with a win, coupled with an FDU and Stonehill split. SFU can only finish as the #4 seed with a loss if both Stonehill and Wagner get swept or if FDU and Wagner get swept
 
Things get complicated for Stonehill and Wagner if they split, as there are numerous paths to a top-four seed, including with splits this week.
 
However, Wagner can automatically secure a top-four seed with a sweep this week.
 
A Stonehill sweep would net the Skyhawks a top-four spot provided either Wagner drops one of its final two or if FDU loses to LIU or if there is a four-way tie at 8-8 with FDU, SFU an Wagner or a five-way tie that also includes Mercyhurst. The Skyhawks would not get with a sweep if Wagner sweep, FDU beats LIU and SFU loses to Chicago St.
 
FDU and SFU can drop to as low as #6, while Stonehill and Wagner can sink to #7.
 
Last Call
With the regular season winding down, Le Moyne still has a chance to climb as high as the #5 seed, while Chicago State’s best possible finish is seventh. Neither team can host in the quarterfinals, making this their last opportunity to improve positioning before the tournament.
 
Seed Trivia
There’s a chance a 7-9 will team host a quarterfinal game, which has never happened in the NEC’s home site format. In fact, the only time a .500 team hosted a quarterfinal game was back in 2007 when a 9-9 Robert Morris team hosted 9-9 Mount St. Mary’s.
 
A 7-9 team could also be seeded as high as #3 in the tourney for the first time ever. In fact, there has never been a year in which a .500 or sub-.500 record in league play netted third place outside of the NEC’s first two seasons (1981-82 & 1982-83) when teams were split into North and South divisions.
 
Tiebreaker Mania
To sort everything out, the NEC will utilize tiebreaker procedures as outlined here:
 
https://northeastconference.org/sports/2021/2/22/MBB_TiebreakerPolicy_2021.aspx?path=mbball
 
What’s On Tap
With every team outside of CCSU and LIU playing to improve their seed, there will be a tremendous amount at stake this week.
 
All games will air live on NEC Front Row and the NEC on the Run series of mobile and streaming apps aside from Saturday’s showcase game on ESPNU pitting CCSU and Wagner.
 
Thursday, February 27
Chicago St. at Mercyhurst, 7 pm
Wagner at LIU, 7 pm
Stonehill at FDU, 7 pm
Le Moyne at CCSU, 7 pm
 
Hoop Dreams
It’s all about having a chance to dance, and this year’s NEC Tournament will begin with quarterfinal action on Wednesday, March 5, followed by the semifinals on Saturday, March 8 and the championship in its traditional 7:00 pm time slot on Tuesday, March 11. Teams will be reseeded in between the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.
 
>> CCSU STREAKS & SUPERLATIVES DUMP
 
Without wasting any time, let’s delve into CCSU’s success this season, both historically and where the Blue Devils stand on a national basis this season.
 
Win Streak
CCSU’s 10-game win streak is tied for second nationally.
 
1. Yale               12
2. CCSU               10
    High Point        10
3. 4 teams tied with  9
 
Road Wins
CCSU’s 11 road wins tie the Blue Devils for the most in the nation.
 
1. CCSU               11
   UC Irvine          11
3. UC San Diego       10
   CSUN               10
 
Road Win Streak
CCSU’s 8-game road win streak ranks second nationally.
 
1. Houston            12
2. CCSU               8
3. Drake              7
   Auburn             7
 
Road Win Percentage
CCSU’s .786 road winning percentage is tied for 11th in the country.
 
1. Houston            8-0         1.000
2. Drake              9-1         .900
3. Duke               8-1         .889
   Saint Mary’s       8-1         .889
5. Auburn             7-1         .875
6. UC San Diego       10-2        .833
7. Memphis            9-2         .818
8. Alabama            8-2         .800
   McNeese            8-2         .800
   Louisville         8-2         .800
11. CCSU              11-3        .786
    UC Irvine         11-3        .786
 
Overall Win Percentage
CCSU’s .778 win percentage on the season ties them for 22nd in DI.
 
NEC Wins
If CCSU sweeps its final two games this week to finish 14-2, the Blue Devils will record their most NEC wins since going 16-2 in the 2006-07 season. CCSU set the NEC single-season conference marks for wins (19) and win percentage (.950) in 2001-02.
 
Overall Wins
CCSU’s 21 wins this season are the most since their 22-win campaign in 2006-07. Since joining the NEC in 1997, the Blue Devils won 25 games in 1999-00 and a conference-record 27 games in 2001-02, both of which were title-winning seasons for the program.

NEC Road Perfection
A win at Wagner in its regular season finale on Saturday would give CCSU a perfect conference road record, making them just the third team in NEC history to achieve an unbeaten road slate. The Blue Devils would join their 2001-02 team (10-0) and RMU’s 2007-08 squad (9-0).
 
20 Wins
CCSU has now surpassed the 20-win mark in back-to-back seasons for the first time in its DI era and the third time in program history.
 
Tourney Hosts
CCSU will host an NEC Tournament game in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 2006 and 2007 playoffs.
 
We’re #1
CCSU has claimed the #1 seed in the NEC Tournament in consecutive seasons for the first time ever.
 
B2B Success
CCSU’s 25-5 record in NEC play over the past two seasons has positioned the Blue Devils to join an elite group of conference programs with a .750 or higher win percentage in back-to-back years. A sweep this week would raise their win percentage to .844 over the last two season, marking the fifth-highest mark in league annals.
 
LIU                2010-12    32-4   .889
Marist             1986-88    28-4   .875
Robert Morris      2007-09    31-5   .861  
LIU                1996-98    29-5   .853
CCSU               2023-25    25-5   .833
Robert Morris      2008-10    30-6   .833
Robert Morris      2012-14    28-6   .824
CCSU               2001-03    31-7   .816
Marist             1985-87    26-6   .813  
Bryant             2020-22    26-6   .813
CCSU               2005-07    29-7   .806  
Merrimack          2022-24    25-7   .781
Rider              1992-94    28-8   .778
Mount St. Mary’s   1994-96    28-8   .778
Quinnipiac         2009-11    28-8   .778
LIU                2011-13    28-8   .778
Wagner             2020-22    28-8   .778  
Robert Morris      1982-84    23-7   .767
FDU                1984-86    23-7   .767
FDU                1996-98    26-8   .765
Robert Morris      2013-15    26-8   .765
Wagner             2001-03    29-9   .763
LIU                1981-83    22-7   .759
CCSU               2000-02    30-10  .750
Rider              1993-95    27-9   .750
FDU                2004-06    27-9   .750
LIU                2009-11    27-9   .750
Robert Morris      2009-11    27-9   .750
Robert Morris      2011-13    27-9   .750
Wagner             2011-13    27-9   .750
FDU                1985-87    24-8   .750
FDU                1986-88    24-8   .750
FDU                1987-89    24-8   .750
Robert Morris      1988-90    24-8   .750
Robert Morris      1989-91    24-8   .750
FDU                1990-92    24-8   .750
Robert Morris      1990-92    24-8   .750
Robert Morris      1981-83    21-7   .750
 
>> LAKERS MAKING THEIR MARK
 
It has been a memorable inaugural NEC and DI season for Mercyhurst, one that concludes this Thursday when fellow conference newcomer Chicago State pays a visit.
 
A win would elevate the Lakers’ record to 9-7, putting them in the company of the last three D2 reclassifying schools that posted winning records in their initial NEC campaigns.
 
Take a look at how recent NEC newcomers have fared in their first seasons:
 
2019-20: Merrimack - 14-4, NEC regular season champion
2022-23: Stonehill - 10-6, tied for 2nd place
2023-24: Le Moyne - 9-7, tied for 4th place, won NEC QF game
 
>> RED FLASH SHOW GRIT IN OT THRILLERS
 
Saint Francis U pulled off a much needed sweep last week, keeping the Red Flash in the hunt to secure an NEC quarterfinal home game.
 
It wasn’t without drama.
 
The Red Flash had to go to extra time in both games, including Saturday’s 85-80 home win over FDU, where they survived a buzzer-beater attempt in one of the most heart-pounding games of the conference season.
 
“We told the guys going into the game that each game is the biggest game we play, and none more than the one we played today,” said SFU head coach Rob Krimmel. “Not because it’s the next game but because of what was at stake. And we want our guys to develop that big game mindset before we get to the big game.”
 
With 5.6 seconds on the clock and SFU leading by three, the Knights drew up a play during a timeout and ran it to perfection, leading to junior sniper Dylan Jones (Saratoga Springs, UT/West Lake (Snow)) banking in a three with 2.4 seconds remaining.
 
In the overtime, it was SFU’s own sharpshooting guard Riley Parker (Mandurah, Australia/Mandurah Catholic College (Cochise CC)) who made the difference.
 
The NEC Player of the Week took control in overtime, scoring the first seven points of the extra session before sealing the deal on two free throws with 14 seconds remaining. Parker poured in 22 of his game-high 28 points after halftime, knocking down 4-6 from deep over the final 25 minutes. His 28 points were just one shy of his career-high, set against LIU on January 24.
 
“Our guys didn’t hang their heads (after the 3-point bank shot). They came to the timeout and said, ‘we were just here.’ We know what to do. We know how to get home. Let’s play with some confidence. Continue to rebound the basketball and put ourselves in a position to win a big game. And I am happy with that, with the effort and the execution, the composure they showed.”

Two days earlier, the Red Flash held off Le Moyne’s last-second attempt in regulation, then clawed back from a five-point deficit in overtime to post an 81-76 overtime win.
 
>> DANCLER DIALS IT UP IN FEBRUARY
 
Le Moyne sophomore guard AJ Dancler (Indianapolis, IN/Southport) has been nothing short of electric this month, having emerged as the NEC’s hottest scorer.
 
Riding a red-hot February, Dancler has torched opponents for a league-best 23.0 ppg this month while draining a league-best 3.1 three-pointers per contest.
 
The sharpshooting guard produced a pair of 30-point performances, pouring in a career-high 32 against Mercyhurst on February 8 before lighting up Saint Francis U for 30 this past Saturday. He’s the only player in the NEC this season to register multiple 30+ point games in conference play.
 
After averaging 5.4 ppg in a promising freshman campaign, the Indianapolis native has skyrocketed to a team-high 14.3 ppg in 2024-25, the second-biggest scoring increase in the conference. He ranks fifth in the league in scoring and his 19.2 ppg in league play ranks him second on the circuit.
 
Beyond the numbers, he has established himself as the Dolphins’ go-to option in crunch time and has buried a series of clutch shots. Most recently, his stepback triple with 22 seconds on the clock iced Le Moyne’s win over Chicago State on February 15.
 
>> DOUBLE TROUBLE: LIU’S DAVIS DUO DISRUPTING OPPONENTS
 
LIU’s backcourt tandem of Brent Davis (Miramar, FL/Miramar (Citadel/Chicago State)) and Malachi Davis (Toronto, ON/Central Tech (Tallahassee CC/Lake Land College/Arizona State)) has been a defensive nightmare for opponents, racking up steals at a furious pace throughout February. The duo has combined for 5.2 steals per game this month, turning defense into instant offense.
 
Brent Davis has been the NEC’s premier ballhawk in February, leading the league with 2.8 spg, while Malachi Davis isn’t far behind, ranking third with 2.4 spg.
 
>> FREE THROW DID YOU KNOW?
 
Wagner’s Ja’Kair Sanchez (Syracuse, NY/William Nottingham (Roberts Wesleyan/Minnesota State University Moorhead)), CCSU’s Devin Haid (Wooster, OH/Wooster (Notre Dame College/Cuyahoga CC)) and Mercyhurst’s Bernie Blunt III (Morgantown, PA/Peddie School (Quinnipiac/Edinboro)) have combined to shoot a near-perfect 70-of-72 from the free throw line this month.
 
Sanchez is a perfect 16-16 at the stripe, while Haid is 29-30 (.967) and Blunt is 25-26 (.962).
 
>> NEC-TV HITS THE U & LOOKS AHEAD TO THE PLAYOFFS
 
There’s still some juice left in the NEC regular season TV package, particularly with the final game of 2024-25 airing nationwide on ESPNU.
 
Looking to improve it’s playoff position, Wagner will play host to first place CCSU on Saturday, seeking for the season sweep of the Blue Devils.
 
Recent history between the two programs has seen its fair share of suspense. Three of the last five meetings between Wagner and CCSU were decided by one point, and the sixth-seeded Seahawks stunned top-seeded CCSU in the 2024 NEC semis.
 
Tipoff is at 6:00 pm with Matt Martucci and Tim Welsh have the call.
 
When it comes to the postseason, the NEC will once again enjoy expanded TV coverage around its footprint during this year’s conference tournament.
 
While the quarterfinal round on Wednesday, March 5 will air exclusively on NEC Front Row, things will kick into high gear come the semis on Saturday, March 8.
 
Both semifinal games will air live on ESPN+, YES Network, SportsNet Pittsburgh, either NESN+ or NESN Nation and NEC Front Row. Tipoff times are slated for 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
 
The NEC final will be carried by ESPN2 for the 38th straight year on Tuesday, March 11 at 7:00 pm. The game will air concurrently on ESPN+.
 
>> NEC ANALYTICS ZONE (w/ Ryan Peters, NEC Overtime! Blogger)
 
Wagner picked a good time to play their best game of the season at Chicago State on Saturday. The best game declaration is according to Bart Torvik’s Game Score metric, where the Seahawks registered a 71 in their relatively comfortable road victory to give them a shot at a home playoff game in the NEC Tournament. That Game Score was a season high for Wagner, and is the first time they registered that high of a score since its NEC Tournament final victory at Merrimack last March. In the Chicago State win, senior Zaire Williams (Brooklyn, NY/Eagle Academy (NY)) had a terrific game with 20 points (on 12 shots), nine rebounds and one assist. When Williams has posted an above average KenPom offensive rating for a game this season, Donald Copeland’s group is now 8-4 on the season.
 
Mercyhurst freshman Jake Lemelman (Newton, MA/The MacDuffie School) was pivotal in the Lakers home victory over FDU last Thursday, posting 13 points in 13 efficient minutes. He made two catch-and-shoot 3s, one dribble jumper from behind the arc, one layup in transition and one driving layup in a half court set in the triumph. Despite his freshman status, the 6-foot-2 guard has been an excellent rhythm shooter, posting a 64.6 effective field goal percentage and scoring 1.29 points per shot in all catch and shoot situations this season. Additionally, Lemelman has made 18-of-30 shots near the rim (60 percent), illustrating an all-court efficiency typically unique for collegiate rookies.
 
Saint Francis U dropped an impressive 1.29 points per possession in two victories over Le Moyne and FDU this past week. While Rob Krimmel’s group was proficient in most offensive areas, the Red Flash were especially potent when running offense through the low post. In both games, SFU scored 1.73 points per possession in such situations with players like Valentino Pinedo (Murcia, Spain/Sunrise Christian Academy (KS) (ECU)) finishing down low, Juan Crawford, Jr. (Dayton, OH/Wayne) hitting open threes and Red Flash players attacking closeouts off a pass from the low block to make layups. The team made 59 percent of their shots from inside the arc in both wins.
 
Part of LIU’s resurgence this season has been due to their play on both sides of the ball in isolation situations. According to Synergy, the Sharks as a team are shooting 43.3 percent as a team in isolation events, with guard Malachi Davis (Toronto, ON/Central Tech (Tallahassee CC/Lake Land College/Arizona State))  leading the way with an effective field goal percentage of 47.7 and a 0.88 points per possession (PPP) mark when he’s asked to create a shot one-on-one. The PPP mark puts Davis in the top 60th percentile of college basketball. On the defensive end, LIU opponents are performing much worse in isolation, posting a field goal percentage of just 33.8 percent.