The college teams looking to provide relief to local hoops landscape
By Zach Braziller and Howie Kussoy
Justin Wright-Foreman, Rickey McGill and Geo BakerAP
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Tired of all the losing? Sick of waiting for the NBA draft every year? There is an alternative for the perennially rebuilding Knicks and Nets, and it’s affordable.
College basketball begins Tuesday, and nobody will be tanking. March dreams will fill the air. Hofstra features one of the nation’s premier scorers in CAA Preseason Player of the Year Justin Wright-Foreman. Iona is hoping to win its fourth straight MAAC crown. Fairleigh Dickinson has an experienced team capable of reaching the NCAA Tournament.
It’s all here and so much more in The Post’s look at the non Big East local college basketball landscape:
Fordham Rams
Last season: (9-22, 4-14 Atlantic 10)
Coach: Jeff Neubauer (4th season, 39-52)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 1992
Preseason poll: 14th out of 14 teams
Key returnees: Sr. F Prokop Slanina (12.6 points, 5.1 rebounds), So. F Ivan Raut (8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds)
Key losses: G Joseph Chartouny, G Will Tavares, G Perris Hicks
Notable newcomers: Sr. G Antwon Portley, Sr. G Erten Gazi
Season outlook: Under Jeff Neubauer, Fordham is going in the wrong direction, from 17 wins in his first season to 14 the next and nine last winter. Joseph Chartouny, the team’s best player, transferred to Marquette, continuing another negative trend. Fordham does add scoring punch in Antwon Portley, a transfer from St. Peter’s who will need to produce from the jump, and 6-foot-10 stretch big man Prokop Slanina showed promise in his first season in The Bronx.
First game: Tuesday, 7 p.m. vs. CCNY (Division III)
Fairfield Stags
Last season: (17-16, 9-9 MAAC)
Coach: Sydney Johnson (8th season, 107-125)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 1997
Preseason poll: 7th out of 11 teams
Key returnees: So. G Jesus Cruz (9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds), Sr. F Jonathan Kasibabu (9.0 points, 5.6 rebounds), So. F Wassef Methnani (6.4 points, 3.6 rebounds)
Key losses: G Tyler Nelson, G Ferron Flavors Jr.
Notable newcomers: Jr. G Landon Taliaferro, Fr. G Neftali Alvarez, Fr. G Calvin Whipple
Season outlook: Tyler Nelson, the program’s all-time leading scorer, graduated and Ferron Flavors Jr. transferred, creating a canyon-sized hole in the backcourt. Fairfield won’t be able replace Nelson, but there are additions — most notably Neftali Alvarez, a Florida Mr. Basketball finalist, and sharpshooter Calvin Whipple — that can at least help fill the scoring void.
First game: Tuesday, 7 p.m. at Purdue
Iona Gaels
Last season: (20-14, 11-7 MAAC)
Coach: Tim Cluess (Ninth season, 182-92)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2018
Preseason poll: 3rd out of 11 teams
Key returnees: Sr. G Rickey McGill (13.4 points, 5.6 assists), Jr. G E.J. Crawford (12.5 points, 3.4 rebounds),
Key losses: F Roland Griffin, G Deyshonee Much, G Schadrac Casimir
Notable newcomers: Jr. F Isaiah Still, Jr. F Tajuan Agee, Jr. F Jahnathan Maxwell
Season outlook: The three-time defending MAAC champions are off to an inauspicious start, following the dismissal of preseason All-conference second-team selection Roland Griffin, who was involved in a physical altercation with an assistant coach in October. Still, Cluess has won at least 20 games in every season at the helm, and brings back all-around star Rickey McGill, who is capable of leading another fast-paced, transfer-heavy squad to the NCAA Tournament.
First game: Friday, 8 p.m. vs. Albany
Manhattan Jaspers
Last season: (14-17, 9-9 MAAC)
Coach: Steve Masiello (Eighth season, 116-110)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2015
Preseason poll: 8th out of 11 teams
Key returnees: Jr. F Pauly Paulicap (10 points, 2.5 blocks), Sr. G Thomas Capuano (5.1 points, 1.9 rebounds)
Key losses: G Rich Williams, F Zane Waterman, G Zavier Turner
Notable newcomers: Fr. G Elijah Buchanan, Fr. G Christian Hinckson, Fr. F Warren Williams
Season outlook: The Jaspers return without their top three scorers — and five of their top six — from last season, but change is needed in Riverdale, where the team has produced three straight losing campaigns since back-to-back runs to the NCAA Tournament. Pauly Paulicap will become one of the conference’s biggest stars in his second year, but it will likely be another long season for the young squad.
First game: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. vs. Elon
Monmouth Hawks
Last season: (11-20, 7-11 MAAC)
Coach: King Rice (Eighth season, 117-112)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2006
Preseason poll: 5th out of 11 teams
Key returnees: So. G Deion Hammond (12.0 points, 2.4 rebounds), So. G Ray Salnave (9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds), Sr. C Diago Quinn (6.8 points, 4.3 rebounds)
Key losses: G Micah Seaborn, G Austin Tilghman, F Zac Tillman
Notable newcomers: Jr. G Nick Rutherford, Fr. F Nikkei Rutty
Season outlook: The departure of Micah Seaborn — who would’ve been a MAAC Player of the Year candidate as a senior — into the professional ranks lowered this group’s ceiling. Optimism remains thanks to a strong sophomore class that got invaluable experience a year ago. The addition of Nick Rutherford, a Florida Atlantic transfer, bolsters the backcourt. The key to this team, though, is 6-foot-9 big man Diago Quinn. Monmouth lacks depth in the paint, and was outrebounded by Division II Caldwell College in an exhibition game without the senior forward.
First game: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. vs. Lehigh
St. Peter’s Peacocks
Last season: (14-18, 6-12 MAAC)
Coach: Shaheen Holloway (1st season)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2011
Preseason poll: 10th out of 11 teams
Key returnees: Sr. F Samuel Idowu (11.2 points, 5.9 rebounds), Sr. G Davauhnte Turner (10.6 points, 2.0 assists), Jr. G Quinn Taylor (7.5 points, 5.7 rebounds)
Key losses: G Nick Griffin, G Elijah Gonzales
Notable newcomers: Fr. G Dallas Watson, Fr. C Majur Majak, Fr. F KC Ndefo
Season outlook: After 11 years as an assistant coach, Shaheen Holloway got his first head-coaching job at St. Peter’s, hardly an easy starting out point. Expectations are low for his first season, but Holloway does return three of last year’s top four scorers, to go along with a nice freshman class that includes Majur Majak, a 7-foot-1 center from The Patrick School (N.J.).
First game: Wednesday, 7 p.m. vs. Lafayette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Last season: (15-19, 3-15 Big Ten)
Coach: Steve Pikiell (3rd season, 30-37)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 1991
Preseason poll: 14th out of 14 teams
Key returnees: So. G Geo Baker (10.8 points, 2.6 assists), Jr. F Eugene Omoruyi (7.9 points, 5.0 rebounds), Jr. F Issa Thiam (7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds)
Key losses: G Corey Sanders, G Mike Williams, F Deshawn Freeman
Notable newcomers: Fr. G Montez Mathis, So. G Peter Kiss, Jr. F Shaq Carter
Season outlook: Rutgers finished last season with a jolt, by reaching the Big Ten quarterfinals after pulling off upsets of Minnesota and Indiana. Unfortunately, two of the key players in that run — Corey Sanders and Deshawn Freeman — are gone. Steve Pikiell has almost turned over the roster in his third season, and believes he has upgraded the talent level, but it’s an inexperienced group facing an uphill climb in the rugged Big Ten. Geo Baker, the All-Met Rookie of the Year, is being asked to take a major leap this year and there is hope Montez Mathis, the highest-rated recruit of the Pikiell era, can make an immediate impact.
First game: Friday, 7 p.m. vs. FDU
By Zach Braziller and Howie Kussoy
Justin Wright-Foreman, Rickey McGill and Geo BakerAP
MORE ON:
COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW
What stands in the way of Iona's continued MAAC dominance
The season St. John's has been waiting for is finally here
Villanova proves not everything has to change in the Big East
Seton Hall continuing success depends on emerging leader
Tired of all the losing? Sick of waiting for the NBA draft every year? There is an alternative for the perennially rebuilding Knicks and Nets, and it’s affordable.
College basketball begins Tuesday, and nobody will be tanking. March dreams will fill the air. Hofstra features one of the nation’s premier scorers in CAA Preseason Player of the Year Justin Wright-Foreman. Iona is hoping to win its fourth straight MAAC crown. Fairleigh Dickinson has an experienced team capable of reaching the NCAA Tournament.
It’s all here and so much more in The Post’s look at the non Big East local college basketball landscape:
Fordham Rams
Last season: (9-22, 4-14 Atlantic 10)
Coach: Jeff Neubauer (4th season, 39-52)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 1992
Preseason poll: 14th out of 14 teams
Key returnees: Sr. F Prokop Slanina (12.6 points, 5.1 rebounds), So. F Ivan Raut (8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds)
Key losses: G Joseph Chartouny, G Will Tavares, G Perris Hicks
Notable newcomers: Sr. G Antwon Portley, Sr. G Erten Gazi
Season outlook: Under Jeff Neubauer, Fordham is going in the wrong direction, from 17 wins in his first season to 14 the next and nine last winter. Joseph Chartouny, the team’s best player, transferred to Marquette, continuing another negative trend. Fordham does add scoring punch in Antwon Portley, a transfer from St. Peter’s who will need to produce from the jump, and 6-foot-10 stretch big man Prokop Slanina showed promise in his first season in The Bronx.
First game: Tuesday, 7 p.m. vs. CCNY (Division III)
Fairfield Stags
Last season: (17-16, 9-9 MAAC)
Coach: Sydney Johnson (8th season, 107-125)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 1997
Preseason poll: 7th out of 11 teams
Key returnees: So. G Jesus Cruz (9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds), Sr. F Jonathan Kasibabu (9.0 points, 5.6 rebounds), So. F Wassef Methnani (6.4 points, 3.6 rebounds)
Key losses: G Tyler Nelson, G Ferron Flavors Jr.
Notable newcomers: Jr. G Landon Taliaferro, Fr. G Neftali Alvarez, Fr. G Calvin Whipple
Season outlook: Tyler Nelson, the program’s all-time leading scorer, graduated and Ferron Flavors Jr. transferred, creating a canyon-sized hole in the backcourt. Fairfield won’t be able replace Nelson, but there are additions — most notably Neftali Alvarez, a Florida Mr. Basketball finalist, and sharpshooter Calvin Whipple — that can at least help fill the scoring void.
First game: Tuesday, 7 p.m. at Purdue
Iona Gaels
Last season: (20-14, 11-7 MAAC)
Coach: Tim Cluess (Ninth season, 182-92)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2018
Preseason poll: 3rd out of 11 teams
Key returnees: Sr. G Rickey McGill (13.4 points, 5.6 assists), Jr. G E.J. Crawford (12.5 points, 3.4 rebounds),
Key losses: F Roland Griffin, G Deyshonee Much, G Schadrac Casimir
Notable newcomers: Jr. F Isaiah Still, Jr. F Tajuan Agee, Jr. F Jahnathan Maxwell
Season outlook: The three-time defending MAAC champions are off to an inauspicious start, following the dismissal of preseason All-conference second-team selection Roland Griffin, who was involved in a physical altercation with an assistant coach in October. Still, Cluess has won at least 20 games in every season at the helm, and brings back all-around star Rickey McGill, who is capable of leading another fast-paced, transfer-heavy squad to the NCAA Tournament.
First game: Friday, 8 p.m. vs. Albany
Manhattan Jaspers
Last season: (14-17, 9-9 MAAC)
Coach: Steve Masiello (Eighth season, 116-110)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2015
Preseason poll: 8th out of 11 teams
Key returnees: Jr. F Pauly Paulicap (10 points, 2.5 blocks), Sr. G Thomas Capuano (5.1 points, 1.9 rebounds)
Key losses: G Rich Williams, F Zane Waterman, G Zavier Turner
Notable newcomers: Fr. G Elijah Buchanan, Fr. G Christian Hinckson, Fr. F Warren Williams
Season outlook: The Jaspers return without their top three scorers — and five of their top six — from last season, but change is needed in Riverdale, where the team has produced three straight losing campaigns since back-to-back runs to the NCAA Tournament. Pauly Paulicap will become one of the conference’s biggest stars in his second year, but it will likely be another long season for the young squad.
First game: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. vs. Elon
Monmouth Hawks
Last season: (11-20, 7-11 MAAC)
Coach: King Rice (Eighth season, 117-112)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2006
Preseason poll: 5th out of 11 teams
Key returnees: So. G Deion Hammond (12.0 points, 2.4 rebounds), So. G Ray Salnave (9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds), Sr. C Diago Quinn (6.8 points, 4.3 rebounds)
Key losses: G Micah Seaborn, G Austin Tilghman, F Zac Tillman
Notable newcomers: Jr. G Nick Rutherford, Fr. F Nikkei Rutty
Season outlook: The departure of Micah Seaborn — who would’ve been a MAAC Player of the Year candidate as a senior — into the professional ranks lowered this group’s ceiling. Optimism remains thanks to a strong sophomore class that got invaluable experience a year ago. The addition of Nick Rutherford, a Florida Atlantic transfer, bolsters the backcourt. The key to this team, though, is 6-foot-9 big man Diago Quinn. Monmouth lacks depth in the paint, and was outrebounded by Division II Caldwell College in an exhibition game without the senior forward.
First game: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. vs. Lehigh
St. Peter’s Peacocks
Last season: (14-18, 6-12 MAAC)
Coach: Shaheen Holloway (1st season)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2011
Preseason poll: 10th out of 11 teams
Key returnees: Sr. F Samuel Idowu (11.2 points, 5.9 rebounds), Sr. G Davauhnte Turner (10.6 points, 2.0 assists), Jr. G Quinn Taylor (7.5 points, 5.7 rebounds)
Key losses: G Nick Griffin, G Elijah Gonzales
Notable newcomers: Fr. G Dallas Watson, Fr. C Majur Majak, Fr. F KC Ndefo
Season outlook: After 11 years as an assistant coach, Shaheen Holloway got his first head-coaching job at St. Peter’s, hardly an easy starting out point. Expectations are low for his first season, but Holloway does return three of last year’s top four scorers, to go along with a nice freshman class that includes Majur Majak, a 7-foot-1 center from The Patrick School (N.J.).
First game: Wednesday, 7 p.m. vs. Lafayette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Last season: (15-19, 3-15 Big Ten)
Coach: Steve Pikiell (3rd season, 30-37)
Last NCAA Tournament bid: 1991
Preseason poll: 14th out of 14 teams
Key returnees: So. G Geo Baker (10.8 points, 2.6 assists), Jr. F Eugene Omoruyi (7.9 points, 5.0 rebounds), Jr. F Issa Thiam (7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds)
Key losses: G Corey Sanders, G Mike Williams, F Deshawn Freeman
Notable newcomers: Fr. G Montez Mathis, So. G Peter Kiss, Jr. F Shaq Carter
Season outlook: Rutgers finished last season with a jolt, by reaching the Big Ten quarterfinals after pulling off upsets of Minnesota and Indiana. Unfortunately, two of the key players in that run — Corey Sanders and Deshawn Freeman — are gone. Steve Pikiell has almost turned over the roster in his third season, and believes he has upgraded the talent level, but it’s an inexperienced group facing an uphill climb in the rugged Big Ten. Geo Baker, the All-Met Rookie of the Year, is being asked to take a major leap this year and there is hope Montez Mathis, the highest-rated recruit of the Pikiell era, can make an immediate impact.
First game: Friday, 7 p.m. vs. FDU
