NEC Reveals Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll

The Central Connecticut women's basketball team was chosen eighth in the 2018-19 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 12th year head coach Beryl Piper, went to the NEC quarterfinal contest before concluding their season at 7-23 and 7-11 in the league to Robert Morris. CCSU will return three starters including senior Kiana Patterson who averaged 13.9 points, 3.4 assists, and shot .415 from behind the arc in 30 games for Central last season. Patterson was one of five players selected for the Preseason All-NEC Team.

The Robert Morris Colonials reeled in five first place votes and was picked at this year's preseason favorite by the league's head coaches. The 2017 NEC Champion, SFU, received two votes and second in the poll.

The Blue Devils open the 2018-19 season on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at Brown. Their home opener is Saturday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. against Lehigh.

2018-19 NEC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll

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

2018-19 NEC Women's Basketball Preseason All-NEC Team

Nneka Ezeigbo, RMU, Jr, C, 6-2, Ewing, NJ/Notre Dame
Sydney Holloway, BRY, Jr, G/F, 5-10, Morgantown, WV/Morgantown
Jade Johnson, SFBK, Jr, G, 5-9, Adelaide, Australia/Immanuel College
Jessica Kovatch, SFU, Sr, G, 5-9, Phillipsburg, PA/Phillipsburg
Kiana Patterson, CCSU, Sr, 5-6, Troy, NY/Troy