CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 17. Up next: The NEC Tournament.
One of the smallest conference tournaments in D-I college basketball, the NEC Tournament still has a lot of storylines. 2-seed Merrimack could get their first-ever bid to March Madness, while CCSU is one of multiple Connecticut teams leading their conference in March.
2024 NEC Conference Awards
Player of the Year: Jordan Derkack, Merrimack
Freshman of the Year: Adam Clark, Merrimack
Transfer of the Year: Allan Jeanne-Rose, CCSU
Coach of the Year: Patrick Sellers, CCSU
First Team:
- G: Jordan Derkack, Merrimack (17.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.1 SPG)
- G: Kaiyem Cleary, Le Moyne (15.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 36.3 3P%)
- F: Allan Jeanne-Rose, CCSU (15.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 54.1 FG%)
- F: Ansley Almonor, Fairleigh Dickinson (16.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 39.5 3P%)
- F: Alex Sobel, Sacred Heart (12.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 2.8 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 59.9 FG%)
Second Team:
- G: Adam Clark, Merrimack (13.1 PPG, 3.9 APG, 2.3 RPG, 2.6 SPG)
- G: Jordan Jones, CCSU (12.8 PPG, 3.8 APG, 3.6 RPG, 1.9 SPG)
- G: Kellen Amos, CCSU (12.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.1 SPG)
- F: Luke Sutherland, Le Moyne (15.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 38.2 3P%)
- F: Nico Galette, Sacred Heart (13.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 2.0 SPG)
NEC Tournament Simulation
Quarterfinals – Wed., Mar. 6
1. CCSU (19-10, 13-3) vs. 8. Saint Francis-PA (8-21, 3-13) – 7 p.m. on NEC Front Row
After seeing 10-seed Jacksonville upset 1-seed Eastern Kentucky in the Atlantic Sun Tournament, everything is possible. This is especially true considering St. Francis only lost by one point in these teams’ second meeting. However, the Blue Devils haven’t lost since Feb. 15 and the Red Flash haven’t won since Feb. 10.
Mat’s pick: 1. CCSU
2. Merrimack (19-11, 13-3) vs. 7. LIU (7-21, 6-10) – 7 p.m. on NEC Front Row
Jordan Derkack is one of the most elite scorers in the NEC and LIU surrenders 77.0 PPG. That’s a matchup nightmare if I’ve ever seen one. While the Sharks held Derkack to 18 points the last time they played, he dropped 34 in the first meeting.
Mat’s pick: 2. Merrimack
3. Sacred Heart (16-15, 10-6) vs. 6. Wagner (13-15, 7-9) – 7 p.m. on NEC Front Row
The Pioneers lead the NEC in points per game and Wagner finished the regular season eighth out of nine teams. That’s another matchup nightmare. Even more? Sacred Heart dominated the boards and the low post during the season, while the Seahawks struggled in both areas. Sobel and Galette might be too much to handle.
Mat’s pick: 3. Sacred Heart
4. Le Moyne (14-16, 9-7) vs. 5. Fairleigh Dickinson (15-16, 9-7) – 7 p.m. on NEC Front Row
Finally, an NEC Tournament matchup that doesn’t scream “matchup nightmare.” If Le Moyne is to win this game, it will be because of their three-point shooting. The Dolphins attempted about 28 threes per game during the regular season. FDU has the offense to compete with them, but the defense must follow suit. FDU beat Le Moyne less than two weeks ago, but I think the favor will be returned.
Mat’s pick: 4. Le Moyne
Semifinals – Sat., Mar. 9
1. CCSU vs. 4. Le Moyne – Noon on YES/ESPN+
Can Le Moyne’s three-point barrage take them to the NEC Tournament Championship? There’s a very good chance, considering CCSU’s last loss came to Le Moyne in overtime. Of course, this game would be at Central, but interestingly enough, Le Moyne won that matchup too. Am I silly to not recognize that trend? Possibly, but beating a top team three times is tough.
Mat’s pick: 1. CCSU
2. Merrimack vs. 3. Sacred Heart – 2 p.m. on YES/ESPN+
Sacred Heart has a chance to make it an all-CT final, but Merrimack has been one of the hottest teams in the latter half of the season. The Warriors had won ten games in a row before losing at Sacred Heart to end the season. However, this game would be in Massachusetts, where Merrimack took down SHU by 24 points. They say the “Mack” is the Allen Fieldhouse of northeast Mass. Not really, but with an 11-1 home record, you could make a case.
Mat’s pick: 2. Merrimack
Championship – Tues., Mar. 12
1. CCSU vs. 2. Merrimack – 7 p.m. on ESPN2
These have clearly been the top two teams throughout the season in the NEC and I really didn’t mean to pick complete chalk but that’s how it ended up. And my chalkiness will continue. In what I see as a very even game, the biggest difference can be Merrimack’s freshman guard Adam Clark. He’s a fantastic player, but is he ready for the moment? I’ll ride with CCSU’s senior-led backcourt to the NCAA Tournament.
Mat’s pick: 1. CCSU
[…] went chalky in my NEC Tournament preview and didn’t even pick Wagner to win a game. Lo and behold, the Seahawks won three straight […]