Brutal Atlantic Sun Loss For NJIT, But Perspective Needed

NEWARK, N.J. – On perhaps the worst night in a couple of seasons – and make no mistake, it was a brutal 82-67 defeat his team suffered at the hands of 10-21 Stetson at the Fleischer Center in the Atlantic Sun quarterfinals – NJIT coach Jim Engles was able to make a reality check.

He was extremely disappointed, sure, but the “never forget where you came from” thing means something to Engles, and it was only a few seasons ago, they were storming the same court after beating Bryant in 2009. Why? Why not? It was their first win in two seasons. And it would be the only one Engles would get in his first season in Newark. The Highlanders that season were perhaps the worst offensive team in recent Division I history, with 0.749 points per possession and a 38.5 eFG% (24.8% from three-point range).

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Columbia 65, NJIT 56 – Some Rambling Thoughts

Columbia played excellent defense in the first half, along with good enough defense in the second half, and pulled out a convincing 65-56 victory over NJIT on Saturday night. Continue reading “Columbia 65, NJIT 56 – Some Rambling Thoughts” →

Three Thoughts: NJIT 92, St. Francis Brooklyn 86 OT

St. Francis Brooklyn’s calling card used to be its defense, but when that fell apart against NJIT the Terriers tried to shoot themselves out of a jam. Unfortunately they came up just short, 92-86, in overtime on Thursday in Brooklyn. Continue reading “Three Thoughts: NJIT 92, St. Francis Brooklyn 86 OT” →

NJIT Party Continues With Win Over Cleveland State

No one, least of all the players in the NJIT uniforms, wanted to leave the Fleischer Center floor Monday night.

Why would they?

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NJIT Hanging Onto Postseason Dreams

Now, more than three months removed from the victory over then No. 17 Michigan that thrust NJIT into the national consciousness, head coach Jim Engles and the Highlanders are working towards a different goal. Continue reading “NJIT Hanging Onto Postseason Dreams” →

Three Thoughts: Holy Cross 76, NJIT 66

Out of context, it wasn’t a bad performance for NJIT in a 76-66 loss Friday night at Holy Cross. The Highlanders led for the entire first half and were within striking distance against a Crusader squad that was picked third in the Patriot League (and finished third last season), a conference that has had its share of NCAA success in the last decade, currently 19th in the KenPom ratings. That doesn’t sound like much, but, of course, NJIT is homeless, at least as far as conference affiliation is concerned, so good job, good effort. Really. Continue reading “Three Thoughts: Holy Cross 76, NJIT 66” →