Men's Basketball Tabbed Preseason NEC Co-Favorite; Jones Named Preseason All-NEC
On Thursday, the Northeast Conference released its Preseason Coaches' Poll and Preseason All-NEC Team during its broadcast for the league's men's basketball Media Day. The Blue Devils were collected five first-place votes and shared the top spot with Wagner, while Jordan Jones was named to the Preseason All-NEC Team.
FULL RELEASE - NEC COACHES POLL
FULL RELEASE - PRESEASON ALL-NEC TEAM
Following the Blue Devils and Seahawks, FDU was third, while Le Moyne and LIU rounded out the top five in the league. NEC newcomers, Chicago State and Mercyhurst, were ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, while Saint Francis U and Stonehill rounded out the poll.
Jones returns after earning All-NEC Second Team honors last season. He ranked among the league leaders in seven statistical categories last season, including steals (1.84, 4th), assists (3.65 apg, 5th) and scoring (12.7 ppg, 10th). Jones has scored 1,035 points in his career between CCSU and Coker University and had a career-best game against Sacred Heart last season when he scoring 33 points on 11-16 shooting (5-8 three-pointers) on Feb. 8.
Head coach Patrick Sellers is set to begin his fourth season in charge of the Blue Devils. After winning its first NEC regular season championship in 17 years last season Central Connecticut will boast a veteran roster in 2024-25 that includes eight returning letterwinners, including starters Jones and Jayden Brown. Seniors Abdul Momoh, Joe Ostrowsky, Jay Rodgers and Davonte Sweatman have all had experience in the starting lineup during their careers and give Central one of the most experienced programs in the league. Central was 20-11 overall last season and led the league in scoring margin (+5.7) and rebounding margin (+1.9).
Central tips off the season on Monday, Nov. 4, at Providence
2024-25 NEC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. (tie) CCSU (5)
Wagner (4)
3. FDU
4. Le Moyne
5. LIU
6. Chicago State
7. Mercyhurst
8. (tie) Saint Francis U
Stonehill
2024-25 Preseason All-NEC Men's Basketball Team
Malachi Davis, LIU, Sr, G, Toronto, ON/Central Tech (Tallahassee CC/Lake Land College/Arizona State)
Jo'el Emanuel, FDU, Jr, F, Suffern, NY/Suffern
Darrick Jones Jr,, LEM, 5-Yr, G, Richmond, VA/Oak Hill Academy (Towson)
Jordan Jones, CCSU, Sr, G, Florence, SC/Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School (Coker)
Jeff Planutis, MU, Gr, F, Hazleton, PA/Hazleton
