NEC Standings: Part 1

Instead of just spouting off Ryan P. and I’s projected NEC standings we’re doing a little different. This is taken from an email conversation between the two of us over the course of a couple of weeks. Hopefully you’ll get some more insight into why we picked each team to finish where we did.

John: I want to note for everyone that we’re starting this exercise before we even know if all the LIU Brooklyn players are eligible. That makes life a lot more difficult. That said, I think if LIU does have all four of those players eligible come NEC time then the Blackbirds are once again the team to beat in the NEC. Ryan, I know you love Robert Morris, let’s start off by you telling me why I’m sleeping on RMU. Or do you agree that LIU is the team to beat?

Ryan: I love RMU heading into this year. They have Velton Jones. They return their top 7 players in terms of efficiency rating. Andy Toole brought in two junior college transfers in Karvel Anderson and Vaughn Morgan, each of whom will provide instant upgrades at the “2” and “4”. Every game, RMU will run 9-10 guys, which will help reduce their injury risk and keep bodies fresh come March. And they have Velton Jones!

But with that said, I can’t pick against LIU, assuming Jamal Olasewere isn’t banned from school. Maybe I’m taking the easy way out, maybe I can’t make the same choice as Jon Rothstein (sorry I have trouble getting behind a guy who inexplicably left Shane Gibson off his top 10 mid-major guards list) or maybe I just can’t pick against Julian Boyd, Jason Brickman & company. If everyone is back, the transition from Jim Ferry to Jack Perri will be negligible, at best.

So I guess we agree there, John. But after the top 3 (with Wagner as the third), which team has the best chance to break into the upper quarter of the NEC and legitimately challenge for a NEC championship?

John: Yup, I think we agree on the top 3 teams in the NEC. LIU, RMU, Wagner is the order I bet most people would go with. But then there is #4. There are three teams I think can legitimately challenge for that spot, Quinnipiac, Monmouth and St. Francis (NY). All of those teams have question marks, but I think I’m going to go with Quinnipiac.

Ike Azotam is the best player in the NEC we haven’t mentioned yet. He has the opportunity to bring the Bobcats back. Also Ousmane Drame gives QU two awesome front court presences. I remember how that team came into SFC in the NEC quarters and the almost knocked off LIU. I think this season things will be a little easier, but you’ve probably got another school in mind…

Ryan: I knew you would nominate Quinnipiac. You’re so predictable, John.

While I can’t necessarily disagree with QU, they have a couple of big question marks. Who will replace James Johnson’s production and leadership? Can anyone on this roster make at least 36% of their 3s? Sure, I believe and will write about one Bobcat who could breakout (teaser alert!) and fill Johnson’s void, but I’ll be bold with my sleeper pick.

How about (drumroll please) Sacred Heart?! I bet you didn’t see this coming! But hear me out. Gibson is amazing. Last season, SHU lost so many close games by the slimmest of margins, if their luck regresses toward the mean, they finish 10-8 instead of 8-10. Chris Evans and Justin Swidowski – 2 key contributors last season – will actually be 100% healthy at the start of this season. The SHU coaches tell me Louis Montes, who at 6’4″ still had a rebound rate of at least 15%, is in the best shape of his life. I like this Pioneer team to surprise and perhaps earn a home playoff game. But you already knew that. Tell me why SHU can’t compete with the Monmouth and St. Francis’s of the league.

Also I’d love to hear where you have Mount St. Mary’s at season’s end.

For part 2 of the conversation, click here.