Sports

Local college hoops team previews

College Basketball kicks off tonight for hundreds of teams, and with it, each team begins its dream of reaching the Big Dance. Several local area teams appear to be in contention for conference championships, while others are just hoping for a return to relevance.

Here is a breakdown of the area’s teams:

Seton Hall

Last season: (21-13, 8-10 Big East)

Coach: Kevin Willard (Third season, 34-31)

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2006

Preseason Coaches Poll: 14th of 15

Key Returnees: Fuquan Edwin (12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3 steals), Aaron Cosby (7.9 points)

Key losses: Jordan Theodore (16.1 points, 6.6 assists), Herb Pope (15.1 points, 10.4 rebounds)

Notable Newcomers: Brian Oliver (Georgia Tech transfer), Kyle Smyth (Iona transfer)

Season outlook: The Pirates just missed the NCAA Tournament last season, but the departures of Theodore and Pope may leave the holes at the point and in the post too big to fill. On a team with no seniors, Edwin and Oliver could have breakout seasons.

First game: Tonight (7:30 p.m.) vs. UMKC

Rutgers

Last season: (14-18, 6-12 Big East)

Coach: Mike Rice (Third season, 29-35)

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 1991

Preseason Coaches Poll: 11th of 15

Key Returnees: Eli Carter (13.8 points), Dane Miller (7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds)

Key losses: Gilvydas Biruta (9.7 points, 5.3 rebounds)

Notable Newcomers: Wally Judge (Kansas State transfer), Vincent Garrett (JUCO transfer)

Season outlook: Biruta, who transferred to Rhode Island, is the lone starter missing from last season’s team. The Scarlet Knights are young, with eight underclassmen, highlighted by Carter, who led the team in scoring as a freshman. Rutgers has pulled off some marquee wins in Rice’s tenure and the team’s talent is evident, but consistency will be the key.

First game: Tonight (7:30 p.m.) vs. St. Peter’s

Iona

Last season: (25-8, 15-3 MAAC)

Coach: Tim Cluess (Third season, 50-20)

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2012

Preseason Coaches Poll: Released tonight

Key Returnees: Lamont “Momo” Jones (15.7 points), Sean Armand (9.5 points, 46.2 3-point percentage)

Key losses: Scott Machado (13.6 points, 9.9 assists), Mike Glover (18.3 points, 9 rebounds)

Notable Newcomers: Curtis Dennis (Toledo transfer), Shawn Jackson (JUCO transfer)

Season outlook: With Machado and Glover gone, it is clearly Jones’ team now. A potential conference player of the year, the senior will need to transition from the off-guard to the point and try to sustain Cluess’ high-flying offense. Armand’s sharpshooting will be vital, as he will be keyed in on by defenses more than ever.

First game: Tonight (9 p.m.) vs. Denver

Manhattan

Last season: (21-13, 12-6 MAAC)

Coach: Steve Masiello (Second season, 21-13)

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2004

Preseason Coaches Poll: Released tonight

Key Returnees: George Beamon (19 points, 5.6 rebounds), Emmy Andujar (8.5 points, 5.7 rebounds)

Key losses: Kidani Brutus (8.3 points)

Notable Newcomers: RaShawn Stores (ineligible last season), C.J. Jones (freshman)

Season outlook: Masiello orchestrated the biggest turnaround in Division I after inheriting a six-win squad. Now, the Jaspers may be the team to beat in the MAAC. Manhattan’s defense is smothering, but their level of success will be based on how much help Beamon, the only player to average double-digit points last season, can get on the offensive end.

First game: Sunday (4 p.m.) at Louisville

LIU Brooklyn

Last season: (25-9, 16-2 Northeast Conference)

Coach: Jack Perri (First season)

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2012

Preseason Coaches Poll: 1st of 12

Key Returnees: Julian Boyd (17.4 points, 9.3 rebounds), Jamal Olasewere (16.9 points, 7.5 rebounds), Jason Brickman (9.6 points, 7.3 assists)

Key losses: Michael Culpo (9.4 points)

Notable Newcomers: Kedar Edwards (freshman)

Season outlook: The Blackbirds already captured their first victory of the season, after four players, including Boyd and Olasewere, were only suspended two games, following an on-campus altercation in September. Former coach Jim Ferry’s departure to Duquesne should not hinder the chances of a conference championship three-peat with the promotion of Perri, his longtime assistant. The team returns four starters heavy on experience and holds a 27-game home win streak.

First game: Tonight (5:45 p.m.) vs. Morehead State at Barclays Center

Wagner

Last season: (25-6, 15-3 Northeast Conference)

Coach: Bashir Mason (First season)

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2003

Preseason Coaches Poll: 3rd of 12

Key Returnees: Latif Rivers (14.6 points), Kenneth Ortiz (8.1 points, 4.3 assists)

Key losses: Tyler Murray (12 points, 49 percent 3-point percentage), Chris Martin (7.1 points)

Notable Newcomers: Dwaun Anderson (freshman), Eric Fanning (freshman)

Season outlook: Coming off the most successful season in program history, the Seahawks may be even deeper this season. Having been rebuilt in just two seasons by coach Dan Hurley, now at Rhode Island, Wagner will now be led by former assistant Bashir Mason, 28, the youngest coach in Division I. Defense will continue to be the cornerstone of the team, while Anderson, a former Mr. Basketball in Michigan, could be a force in his first season.

First game: Wednesday (7 p.m.) at Delaware State

St. Francis

Last season: (15-15, 12-6 Northeast Conference)

Coach: Glenn Braica (Third season, 30-30)

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: Never.

Preseason Coaches Poll: 5th of 12

Key Returnees: Ben Mockford (11.8 points), Akeem Johnson (11.3 points, 5.1 rebounds)

Key losses: Stefan Perunicic (11.6 points)

Notable Newcomers: Anthony White (freshman), Alex Isailovic (transfer)

Season outlook: The Terriers were picked to finish 11th in the conference last season, but won’t be able to surprise anyone this season. St. Francis should hold its biggest advantage in the paint, behind Johnson and sophomore Jalen Cannon, who averaged 8.8 rebounds last season.

First game: Tonight (8:30 p.m.) at Lafayette

Stony Brook

Last season: (22-10, 14-2 America East)

Coach: Steve Pikiell (Eighth season, 95-118)

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: Never.

Preseason Coaches Poll: 2nd of 9

Key Returnees: Tommy Brenton (8.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.7 steals), Dave Coley (10 points)

Key losses: Bryan Dougher (13.2 points), Dallis Joyner (9 points, 6.6 rebounds)

Notable Newcomers: Jameel Warney (freshman), Carson Puriefoy (freshman)

Season outlook: Despite having failed to reach the Big Dance after producing two regular season conference championships in the past three seasons, the window isn’t closed. Brenton, a conference player of the year contender, has a selflessly versatile game, but may have to increase his aggression on the offensive end with Dougher gone.

First game: Tonight (9 p.m.) at Marist

Fordham

Last season: (10-19, 3-13 Atlantic 10)

Coach: Tom Pecora (Third season, 17-40)

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 1992

Preseason Coaches Poll: 14th of 16

Key Returnees: Chris Gaston (17.1 points, 9.9 rebounds), Branden Frazier (11.7 points, 4.1 assists)

Key losses: Kervin Bristol (8 rebounds, 2.4 blocks)

Notable Newcomers: Travion Leonard (freshman)

Season outlook: The Rams have taken steps in the right direction, but are still woefully short of where they want to be. Reaching the A-10 Tournament may still be difficult, having proven unsuccessful since 2008. Gaston’s nightly double-doubles need support.

First game: Tonight (8 p.m.) at Texas State

Hofstra

Last season: (10-22, 3-15 Colonial Athletic Association)

Coach: Mo Cassara (Third season, 31-34)

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2001

Preseason Coaches Poll: 7th of 11

Key Returnees: David Imes (7 points, 5.4 rebounds), Stevie Mejia (6 points, 2.1 assists)

Key losses: Mike Moore (19.9 points), Nathaniel Lester (14.6 points, 6.5 rebounds)

Notable Newcomers: Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (UConn transfer), Taran Buie (Penn State transfer)

Season outlook: The youth movement is underway. Cassara brings in eight talented newcomers, with only five players who saw action returning, leaving Imes the leading returning scorer. Chemistry will be key.

First game: Tonight (7 p.m.) at Monmouth

Columbia

Last season: (15-15, 4-10 Ivy League)

Coach: Kyle Smith (Third season, 30-28)

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 1968

Preseason Coaches Poll: 3rd of 8

Key Returnees: Brian Barbour (15.5 points, 4.4 assists), Mark Cisco (10 points, 7.2 rebounds)

Key losses: Noruwa Agho (14 points)

Notable Newcomers: Grant Mullins (freshman)

Season outlook: The Lions suffered from numerous injuries last season, but return most of a core that has the capability to contend for the crown, even if depth may be an issue.

First game: Tomorrow (7 p.m.) at Furman