College basketball returns on Friday, kicking off another exciting and unpredictable season. Multiple local schools have fulfilled their dreams of reaching the NCAA Tournament in recent years and there’s hope for several more teams again this season.
Here is a breakdown of the area’s teams:
Seton Hall
Last season: (15-18, 3-15 Big East)
Coach: Kevin Willard (Fourth season, 49-48)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2006
Preseason Coaches Poll: 8th out of 10 teams
Key returnees: F Fuquan Edwin (16.5 points, 2.4 SPG), F Brandon Mobley, (9.0 points, C Gene Teague (11.2 points, .562 FG pct., 7.2 rebounds)
Key losses: G Aaron Cosby, F Kyle Smyth
Notable newcomers: F Sterling Gibbs (Texas transfer), G Jaren Sina (freshman), G/F Stephane Manga (JUCO transfer)
Season outlook: Injuries decimated the Pirates last season, turning a solid season into a disaster, but newfound depth should prevent a repeat scenario. Edwin, a preseason all-Big East second team selection, won’t be asked to do quite as much this year, and the all-Garden State tandem of interchangeable guards Sina and Gibbs should offer Seton Hall the scoring punch it lacked out of the backcourt.
First game: Saturday (6 p.m.) vs. Niagara
Rutgers
Last season: (15-16, 5-13 Big East)
Coach: Eddie Jordan (First season)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 1991
Preseason Coaches poll: 10th out of 10 teams
Key returnees: G Myles Mack (13.6 points, 46 pct. 3-point shooting), F Wally Judge (7.1 points, 5.4 rebounds), G Jerome Seagears (6.5 points, 2.6 assists)
Key losses: G Eli Carter, F Dane Miller, F Austin Johnson
Notable newcomers: G/F Kerwin Okoro (Iowa State transfer), F J.J. Moore (Pittsburgh transfer), G/F Craig Brown (JUCO transfer)
Season outlook: Jordan walked into what many felt was an impossible job, taking over a reeling program after the Mike Rice scandal. Despite several transfers, the Rutgers alum restored order by convincing Mack, Judge, forward Kadeem Jack and Seagears to stay, while adding impact transfers Okoro and Moore, as the Scarlet Knights enter the American Athletic Conference.
First game: Friday (7:30 p.m.) vs. Florida A&M
Iona
Last season: (20-14, 11-7 MAAC)
Coach: Tim Cluess (Fourth season, 70-34)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2013
Preseason Coaches Poll: 2nd out of 11 teams
Key returnees: G Sean Armand (16.6 points, 40.9 3-point pct.), F David Laury (13.1 points, 10.3 rebounds)
Key losses: G Lamont “Momo” Jones, F Taaj Ridley
Notable newcomers: G/F Mike Poole (Rutgers transfer), F Kelvin Amayo (Marshall transfer), G Isaiah Williams (JUCO transfer)
Season outlook: The Gaels have reached the NCAA Tournament in two straight seasons and have lost their three best players in that time, including last year’s conference player of the year (Jones), but have the talent and depth to make another run. Armand must continue his ascent as a leader in his senior season and Laury will have a chance to make the leap after joining the Gaels in the middle of last season.
First game: Saturday (2 p.m.) at Cleveland State
Manhattan
Last season: (14-18, 9-9 MAAC)
Coach: Steve Masiello (Third season, 35-30)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2004
Preseason Coaches Poll: 1st out of 11 teams
Key returnees: G/F George Beamon (16.8 points, 6.3 rebounds), F/C Rhamel Brown (11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.0 blocks)
Key losses: F Roberto Colonette, G Mohamed Koita
Notable newcomers: F Ashton Pankey (Maryland transfer), C Carlton Allen (freshman)
Season outlook: The undermanned Jaspers made it to the MAAC Tournament final on grit, playing nearly the entire season without the injured Beamon. Now, with one of the conference’s best players back and Pankey eligible after sitting out one season, Manhattan may have enough scoring to support its stout defense and return to the NCAAs.
First game: Saturday (2 p.m.) at La Salle
LIU Brooklyn
Last season: (20-14, 12-6 NEC)
Coach: Jack Perri (Second season, 20-14)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2013
Preseason Coaches Poll: 4th out of 10 teams
Key returnees: G Jason Brickman (9.5 points. 8.5 assists), F E.J. Reed (7.7 points, 4.0 rebounds), F Julian Boyd (18.5 points, 6.1 rebounds)
Key losses: F Jamal Olasewere, G C.J. Garner
Notable newcomers: G Gilbert Parga (JUCO transfer), F Landon Atterberry (JUCO transfer)
Season outlook: The Blackbirds made history by winning the NEC for the third straight season, but a fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament will be even tougher. Brickman could lead the nation in assists again and Reed could break out in his sophomore season, but the season likely will be decided by the return of the 2011-12 NEC player of the year, Boyd, who tore his ACL for the second time in less than a year over the summer and is tentatively slated to return in January.
First game: Saturday (Noon) vs. St. Peter’s at Barclays Center
Wagner
Last season: (19-12, 12-6 NEC)
Coach: Bashir Mason (Second season, 19-12)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2003
Preseason Coaches Poll: 1st out of 10 teams
Key returnees: G Kenneth Ortiz (11.8 points, 5.4 assists), G Latif Rivers (13 points, 39.4 3-point pct.), G Dwaun Anderson (4.2 points)
Key losses: F Jonathan Williams
Notable newcomers: G Jay Harris (Valparaiso transfer)
Season outlook: After two straight seasons falling in the NEC semifinals, the Seahawks have their deepest team in years. Led by Ortiz, the two-time NEC defensive player of the year, Mason’s group utilizes a relentless defensive attack. Anderson, the Michigan State transfer, could become one of the league’s best players after an uneven freshman season.
First game: Saturday (4 p.m.) at Penn State
St. Francis Brooklyn
Last season: (12-18, 8-10 NEC)
Coach: Glenn Braica (Fourth season, 42-48)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: Never
Preseason Coaches poll: 7th out of 10 teams
Key returnees: F Jalen Cannon (14.7 points, 8.8 rebounds), G Brent Jones (6.0 points, 4.2 assists), G Ben Mockford (11.1 points, 39 3-pt. pct.)
Key losses: F Akeem Johnson, F Travis Nichols
Notable newcomers: F Amdy Fall (JUCO transfer), F Wayne Martin (freshman), G Sheldon Hagigal (freshman)
Season outlook: Cannon, a first-team all-NEC preseason selection, and Mockford will carry the offense. Look for Fall, a Wings Academy product, to make an impact as a defensive presence in the paint, and freshman forward Martin, an under-recruited big man from Brooklyn who sat out last year waiting to get eligible, to be effective on the offensive end.
First game: Friday (10 p.m.) at Miami
Fordham
Last season: (7-24, 3-13 Atlantic 10)
Coach: Tom Pecora (Fourth season, 24-64)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 1992
Preseason Coaches Poll: 11th out of 13 teams
Key returnees: G Branden Frazier (14.2 points, 5.0 assists), G Mandell Thomas (9.8 points, 38 3-pt pct.), F Ryan Canty (6.0 points, 7.0 rebounds)
Key losses: F Chris Gaston, G Jeffrey Short
Notable newcomers: G Jon Severe (freshman), G Antwoine Anderson (freshman), G Jake Fay (freshman)
Season outlook: There are expectations on Rose Hill for the first time since Pecora took over a sunken ship four years ago. He has a hotshot freshman in Severe — the reigning Mr. New York Basketball from Christ the King — a go-to senior in Frazier and depth up front. Now, Pecora has to turn the upgraded talent base into some victories.
First game: Friday (8:30 p.m.) vs. St. Francis College (Pa.)
Columbia
Last season: (12-16, 4-10 Ivy League)
Coach: Kyle Smith (Fourth season, 42-44)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 1968
Preseason Coaches Poll: 8th out of 8 teams
Key returnees: G Grant Mullins (9.3 points, 37.4 3-point pct.), F Alex Rosenberg (9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds)
Key losses: G Brian Barbour, C Mark Cisco
Notable newcomers: F Jeff Coby (freshman), G Kendall Jackson (freshman), F Chris McComber (freshman)
Season outlook: The loss of Barbour, the team’s leader and point guard, is devastating, and Cisco’s departure leaves the frontcourt very thin. If sharpshooter Steve Frankokski can be more consistent, the Lions could steal some games in a competitive conference.
First game: Saturday (7 p.m.) vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore
Stony Brook
Last season: (25-8, 14-2 America East)
Coach: Steve Pikiell (Ninth season, 120-126)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: Never
Preseason Coaches Poll: 2nd out of nine teams
Key returnees: F Jameel Warney (12.4 points, 7.2 rebounds), G Dave Coley (11.1 points, 4.2 rebounds), G Anthony Jackson (11.3 points)
Key losses: Tommy Brenton, Marcus Rouse
Notable newcomers: G Kameron Mitchell (freshman), G Ahmad Walker (freshman)
Season outlook: Despite their third regular-season championship in four years and a school-record 25 wins in Division I, the Seawolves once again were upset in the conference tournament and fell short of their first NCAA Tournament. Though they lose Brenton, last season’s do-everything conference player of the year, Warney could dominate in his sophomore season, after shooting nearly 62 percent from the field last season.
First game: Friday (8 p.m.) vs. Marist
Hofstra
Last season: (7-25, 4-14 CAA)
Coach: Joe Mihalich (First season)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2001
Preseason Coaches Poll: 9th out of nine teams
Key returnees: F Moussa Kone (6.5 points, 4.4 rebounds), F Stephen Nwaukoni (6.8 points, 7.9 rebounds), F Jordan Allen (5.0 points, 54 FG pct.)
Key losses: G Steve Mejia, F David Imes, G Taran Buie
Notable newcomers: G Chris Jenkins (freshman), G Eliel Gonzalez (freshman), G Dion Nesmith (Monmouth transfer)
Season outlook: Mihalich thinks Hofstra can be a surprise team, and though the CAA isn’t what it once was, the Pride are set up for next season, not this year. Transfers Brian Bernardi (SMU), Ameen Tanksley and Juan’ya Green (Niagara) all have to sit out a year. Mihalich did well to fill out the decimated roster with a pair of senior transfers, Nesmith and Zeke Upshaw (Illinois State), and promising freshmen Jenkins, Gonzalez and Jamall Robinson.
First game: Friday (7 p.m.) vs. Monmouth
Fairfield
Last season: (19-16, 9-9 MAAC)
Coach: Sydney Johnson (Third season, 41-30)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 1997
Preseason Coaches poll: 10 out of 10 teams
Key returnees: F Maurice Barrow (8.9 points, 3.9 rebounds), C Amadou Sidibe (5.7 points, 6.2 rebounds), F Marcus Gilbert (5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds)
Key losses: G Derek Needham, G Colin Nickerson, G Desmond Wade
Notable newcomers: C Malcolm Gilbert (Pittsburgh transfer), G Sean Grennan (Seton Hall transfer), G KJ Rose (freshman)
Season outlook: The backcourt is flooded with question marks, while the frontcourt has the pieces to be one of the best in the MAAC. After graduating standouts Needham and Wade, Johnson needs a few playmakers to emerge. One possibility is sophomore guard Justin Jenkins, a former Wings Academy standout who came on late last season, along with Grennan, the Seton Hall transfer.
First game: Friday (8 p.m.) vs. Sacred Heart
Army
Last season: (16-15, 8-6 Patriot League)
Coach: Zach Spiker (Fifth season, 53-67)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: Never
Preseason Coaches Poll: 3rd out of 10 teams
Key returnees: G/F Kyle Wilson (13.0 points), G Josh Herbeck (7.8 points), G Dylan Cox (5.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists)
Key losses: F Ella Ellis
Notable newcomers: F/C Austin Williamson (freshman), F Tanner Omlid (freshman)
Season outlook: The Black Knights are coming off of their first winning season in 28 years, as well as their first-ever winning record in the Patriot League. Despite losing last season’s leading-scorer in Ellis, Army’s success last season was built around youth, with seven freshmen routinely seeing minutes. The Cadets’ best hasn’t been broached yet.
First game: Friday (1 p.m.) vs. Air Force in Lexington, Va.
St. Peter’s
Last season: (9-21, 3-15 MAAC)
Coach: John Dunne (Eighth season, 72-143)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2011
Preseason Coaches poll: 9th out of 11 teams
Key returnees: G Desi Washington (14.6 points, 3.4 rebounds), G Chris Burke (5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds)
Key losses: G Yvon Raymond, G Blaise Ffrench
Notable newcomers: F Marvin Dominique (Fordham transfer), G Jamel Fields (Fairfield transfer)
Season outlook: St. Peter’s hopes the additions of possible difference-making transfers Dominique and Fields, to go with Washington — the Peacocks’ leading scorer last year — will enable it to get back to its winning ways after two down seasons.
First game: Saturday (Noon) at LIU
Fairleigh Dickinson
Last season: (7-24, 2-16 NEC)
Coach: Greg Herenda (First season)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2005
Preseason Coaches poll: 10th of 10 teams
Key returnees: G Mustafaa Jones (5.3 points, 34 3-pt. pct.) G Sidney Sanders Jr. (4.6 points, 3.4 assists), F Mathias Seilund (5.9 points)
Key losses: Kinu Rochford, Melquan Bolding
Notable newcomers: F Scooter Gillette (Niagara transfer), F Mike Owona (freshman), F Myles Mann (redshirt freshman)
Season outlook: Herenda, a former Seton Hall assistant, has plenty of work to do to rebuild this program. FDU failed to reach the NEC Tournament the last three seasons under former coach Greg Vetrone, and the Knights lost Rochford and Bolding, their leading scorers last season.
First game: Friday (7 p.m.) Caldwell College
NJIT
Last season: (16-12, Independent)
Coach: Jim Engles (Fifth season, 57-95)
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: Never
Key returnees: G Ky Howard (7.2 points, 4.6 rebounds), F Daquan Holiday (5.4 points, 1.5 blocks)
Key losses: Chris Flores, Ryan Woods
Notable newcomers: F Tim Coleman (freshman), G Rob Ukawuba (freshman)
Season outlook: With the dissolution of the Great West conference, NJIT is now the only independent team in college basketball. Engles has done a great job bringing respectability to the once-hopeless program, but will have numerous unique challenges this season with a road-heavy schedule.
First game: Friday (9 p.m.) at Tulane
Preseason Haggerty Award Winner
Braziller: Rhamel Brown, Manhattan
Kussoy: D’Angelo Harrison, St. John’s
Preseason All-Area team
Braziller: G Branden Frazier, Fordham; F David Laury, Iona; G D’Angelo Harrison, St. John’s; F Fuquan Edwin, Seton Hall; G Myles Mack, Rutgers
Kussoy: G/F George Beamon, Manhattan; F Fuquan Edwin, Seton Hall; G Jason Brickman, LIU Brooklyn; F/C Rhamel Brown; Manhattan, G Sean Armand, Iona