NEC Unveils Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll Wednesday

The Central Connecticut women's basketball team was chosen fifth in the 2017-18 Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll as announced on Wednesday at the league's "Social" Media Day at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, NY. The league also revealed the preseason All-NEC Team selections at the basketball season tip-off ceremony.

The Blue Devils, under the direction of 11th year head coach Beryl Piper, went advanced to the NEC semifinal contest before concluding their season at 11-20 and 9-9 in the league to the defending champions, Robert Morris. CCSU will return three starters including junior Kiana Patterson who leads the returnees averaging 11.2 ppg and started in 30 games for Central last season.

The Saint Francis Red Flash reeled in seven first place votes and was picked as this year's preseason favorite by the league's head coaches. The 2016 NEC Champion, RMU, received three votes in second in the poll.

2017-18 NEC Women's Basketball 

Preseason Poll

1. Saint Francis U (7)
2. Robert Morris (3)
3. Bryant
4. Sacred Heart
5. Central Connecticut
6. St. Francis Brooklyn
7. Fairleigh Dickinson
8. Mount St. Mary's
9. LIU Brooklyn
10. Wagner

2017-18 NEC Women's Basketball

Preseason All-NEC Team

Katherine Haines, SHU, R-Jr, F, 6-2, Ridgefield Park, NJ/Ridgefield Park
Ace Harrison, SFU, Gr, F, 6-2, Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor (Maryland)
Jessica Kovatch, SFU, Jr, G, 5-9, Phillipsburg, PA/Phillipsburg
Amina Markovic, FDU, Sr, F, Brooklyn, NY/Midwood
Megan Smith, RMU, Sr, F, 6-1, Barrie, Ontario/Eastview