There have been multiple local teams in each of the past three NCAA tournaments, and this season looks as if it will be no different. It may be even better.
A talented St. John’s team may be starting to gel. Manhattan is one of the best mid-majors in the country. Stony Brook could be headed towards an America East crown and the Northeast Conference has three local contenders.
Then again, it’s November. This all could mean nothing in four months. But for now, there’s lots of reasons for optimism.
1. St. John’s
Record: 2-1
Up next: Friday (9 p.m.) vs. Monmouth
The Red Storm started to fulfill their potential in the second half of their win over Bucknell, primarily because of their defensive play. Newcomers Rysheed Jordan and Orlando Sanchez had their first impressive outings.
2. Manhattan
Record: 3-1
Up next: Tuesday (7 p.m.) vs. Fordham
The Jaspers bounced back from a loss at George Washington to win at Illinois State on Wednesday. Senior George Beamon has been better than ever in his return from last season’s ankle injury, averaging 27.5 points.
3. Stony Brook
Record: 3-1
Up next: Friday (4:30 p.m.) vs. Toledo in Detroit
The Seawolves were only down six at halftime against Indiana and played the Hoosiers hard the whole way, but their on-court results take a backseat this week after athletic director Jim Fiore was mysteriously let go after a decade of remarkable success.
4. Seton Hall
Record: 3-1
Up next: Friday (7 p.m.) vs. Oklahoma at Barclays Center
A double-overtime loss at Mercer keeps the Pirates from perfection. Even if Seton Hall wins against the Sooners, it only ensures a date with No. 1 Michigan State the following night. Still, 1-1 would be a successful weekend.
5. LIU Brooklyn
Record: 1-1
Up next: Friday (10 p.m.) at UC Irvine
The Blackbirds will have had 10 days between its near-upset at Indiana and their trip out West. Undersized LIU will face immediate issues with an Anteater squad featuring three 7-footers, including 7-foot-6 freshman Mamadou Ndiaye.
6. Iona
Record: 1-2
Up next: Saturday (2 p.m.) vs. George Mason
The Gaels trailed by five at halftime against No. 2 Kansas, but more importantly got a breakout game from guard A.J. English, who had 21 points, five rebounds and two steals.
7. Rutgers
Record: 3-2
Up next: Saturday (2 p.m.) vs. William & Mary
An 11-point home loss to Drexel denied the Scarlet Knights an opportunity to come to Madison Square Garden for the Preseason NIT. It will spare them the embarrassment that would come with taking on No. 5 Arizona.
8. St. Francis Brooklyn
Record: 2-2
Up next: Saturday (4 p.m.) at Coastal Carolina
It’s hard to look much better in a loss. The Terriers led Syracuse on the road with less than two minutes to go, but were unable to stun the nation because of some late free-throw problems. It will be quite an adjustment taking on D-III Mount Saint Vincent on Wednesday in their first home game. Then, they head back out for another two games on the road.
9. Columbia
Record: 2-2
Up next: Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at Portland
The Lions’ only losses come on a buzzer-beater to Manhattan and a tight battle with No. 1 Michigan State. Columbia could surprise this season.
10. Fordham
Record: 2-1
Up next: Saturday (4 p.m.) vs. Sacred Heart
The Rams have had a week off since their win over Lehigh. Perhaps it gave freshman Jon Severe time to relocate his shot: He went 0-of-10 on 3-pointers in his last game after making 11-of-20 in the first two.
11. Wagner
Record: 3-2
Up next: Monday (6 p.m.) vs. Stetson
The Seahawks finally showed why they were picked to win the NEC, defeating America East favorite Vermont, 68-61, on Thursday night with its stingy defense holding the Catamounts to 38.8 percent shooting from the field.
12. NJIT
Record: 3-2
Up next: Saturday (2 p.m.) vs. Lafayette
The Highlanders finally come to Newark for their first home game. They have fared fairly well on the road, winning their past three games — at Army, New Hampshire and Maine.
13. Fairfield
Record: 1-3
Up next: Saturday (2 p.m.) vs. Louisville
The Stags have lost three straight since the season-opening win over Sacred Heart and rank 345th in the nation with 55.3 points per game.
14. Army
Record: 1-3
Up next: Sunday (2 p.m.) at Notre Dame
Home losses to NJIT and Delaware don’t bode well for a team with Patriot League title hopes.
15. Hofstra
Record: 1-3
Up next: Saturday (5:30 p.m.) vs. Hartford
Graduate guard/forward Zeke Upshaw has been a bright spot, scoring a career-high 37 points in a crushing overtime loss at Richmond on Tuesday. The transfer had scored 100 points in his 62 games at Illinois State, but leads the Pride with 20.8 points per game.
16. St. Peter’s
Record: 0-3
Up next: Saturday (7 p.m.) at Fairleigh Dickinson
A long season could get unfathomably longer without a win against the Knights.
17. Fairleigh Dickinson
Record: 1-4
Up next: Saturday (7 p.m.) vs. St. Peter’s
An 11-point loss to Division II Metro State and a 50-point loss to Arizona — what a week!