Tuesday, November 1, 2022

11/7/22 Opening Night Slate for Teams from the Northeast

 Opening night for the 2022-23 season is here! 


The slate for Monday, November 7th might not be rich with headlining, high-major games, but plenty of the Northeast’s mid-majors play important games on Day One of the season. Below is a list of the games I’m most interested in following and reading the box scores the next game:


The Best Games Involving Teams from the Northeast


7:00 


Penn @ Iona: 


Both Penn and Iona preseason favorites in their respective conference polls, making this matchup the Northeast headliner for Monday’s slate. 


Growing up in The Valley Stream, NY, only a 30 minute drive to New Rochelle, this game will be a bit of a homecoming for Penn’s star junior guard Jordan Dingle. A unanimous All-Ivy First Team selection last season, Dingle led the Ivy in scoring with an average of 20.9 points-per-game, good for twelve nationally. In addition to Dingle, the Quakers return their top four scorers and nine of their rotation pieces. 


Last season’s leaky defense limited their upside, so the health of Max Lorca-Lloyd is essential. Playing just six games last season, the 6’9 225 senior is the Quakers’ best rim protector and will ensure that sharpshooter Max Martz limits, if not totally prevents, his time as the small ball 5, a role occasionally was forced to fill due to a lack of true frontcourt options.


Despite losing their fifth-year senior backcourt of Tyson Jolly (All-MAAC First Team selection) and Elijah Joiner (All-MAAC Second Team selection), the Iona Gaels are atop the 2022-23 Preseason Coaches’ Poll entering Rick Pitino’s fourth season at the helm.


Leading the Gaels is 6’9 240 junior Nelly Junior Joseph, a Preseason All-MAAC First Team selection, who brings a unique blend of physicality, IQ and athleticism to the center position.


In the backcourt, pronogiscators expect William Clayton Jr. (All-MAAC Second Team selection) to take the next step. Playing sixteen minutes-per-game as a depth piece behind Jolly and Joiner, Clayton’s per-40 stats show an efficient three-level combo guard with ability to dish and defend (18.1 points, 3.9 assists, 1.9 steals, 2.3 made threes and 4.6 made free throws while shooting 51.2 2p%, 35.7 3p% and 78.7 ft%. 


While both teams can score points in different ways, Pitino’s renowned defensive system gives the Gaels the upper-hand in this matchup.


Hofstra @ Princeton: 


Ranked within the top-150 in KenPom’s preseason ranks, both Hofstra and Princeton are projected second in their respective conferences’ preseason polls. 


After spending nine seasons at Hofstra as an assistant coach, former Pride all-time great Speedy Claxton impressed in his rookie season as head coach, finishing the season 21-11 headlined with a win over Arkansas in December. 


The foundation of Hofstra’s starting lineup is built on reigning CAA Player of the Year Aaron Estrada and junior forward Darlingston Dubar, two versatile pieces who are assets on both sides of the floor.  Playing about half of his minutes last season as the team’s de-facto point guard and best scoring guard, expect Claxton to provide Estrada more off-ball opportunities to maximize scoring opportunities.


One of the most acclaimed transfers entering the CAA this season, Tyler Thomas was a scoring machine at Sacred Heart, ranking 77th nationally with a 30.4% shot rate per possession but, like Estrada, is also capable of dishing it out (18th best assist rate in the NEC).


Similar to last season, the 5 spot will be mostly shared between two incoming transfers with Dubar playing the 5 in small ball situations. Manhattan’s Warren Williams is more of a classic low-post big while Davidson transfer Nelson Boachie-Yiadom is an athletic big who keeps his offensive game simple and limits mistakes.


Entering Year 2 of the Claxton tenure, the Pride are hoping to balance their quick-paced, perimeter-based offense with a more consistent defense, especially on the perimeter (opponents shot 38.3% from three last season).


Even with half of their scoring and 70% of their three point shooting either transferred or graduated, Princeton may lack a breadth of proven returnees, but reigning Ivy League Player of the Year Tosan Evbuomwan is one of the most talented seniors in the nation and is poised to continue his dominance in the Princeton offense. At 6’8 217, the versatile offensive weapon finished conference play within the top-five in points, rebounds, assists, steals and field goal percentage. 


In order to maximize Evbuomwan’s gift as a distributor, surrounding him with capable shooters is essential. Returning 6’4 senior Ryan Langborg will look to build on his season last year where he averaged 10.7 ppg and shot 40.5% from three. 6’4 junior Matt Allocco shot an impressive 45.2 3p% and will have an opportunity to dramatically increase his 4.1 point-per-game average from last season.


This tilt between two offensively gifted, yet defensively deficient programs who love to let it fly from deep should be a very entertaining game.


Colgate @ Buffalo


With a 54-12 conference record and three Patriot League championships in the last four seasons, Matt Langel leads the Colgate Raiders to yet another first place selection in the Patriot League preseason poll. Led by Preseason Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year Tucker Richardson, the Raiders return three starters in a program that seemingly never rebuilds, only reloads. 


Entering his fourth season replacing Nate Oats, Jim Whitesell’s Buffalo teams play fast, hit the offensive glass (top-20 finishes in tempo and offensive rebounding rate in every season) and defend the perimeter well (top-75 in opponent 3p% and 3pa% in every season).


With all of their starters from last season either graduated or transferred, the Bulls’ success is mostly in the hands of talent with little D1 experience: playing sparingly as a freshman, 6’9 sophomore Kuluel Mading is the program’s fourth highest rated recruit of all-time while projected starting guard Armoni Foster was a stat-stuffer at D2 program Indiana (PA), averaging 18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. Despite their lack of experiential synergy, the Bulls are projected to finish within the middle of the always entertaining MAC.


Colgate’s continuity will make it hard for Buffalo to finish their season debut as victors, but Buffalo’s pace and Colgate’s offensive efficiency should make this a fun early-season matchup. 



Other Northeast Games of Note


6:30


La Salle @ Villanova


After taking a three year hiatus following his resignation from Temple, Fran Dunphy returns to the Big Five for his season debut with La Salle. Inheriting a program that has finished with a losing conference record in each of the last nine years, the Explorers are expected to endure another rebuilding year. While Dunphy is the winningest coach in Big Five history, first time head coach Kyle Neptune looks for his first Big Five victory.


6:45


Merrimack @ St. John’s


A matchup between two teams known for their unique defenses that generate a ton of steals: Mike Anderson’s “40 Minutes of Hell” press and Joe Gallo’s extended 2-3 zone.


Earlier this off-season, I tabbed Merrimack as my pick to win the NEC. Returning senior forwards Jordan Minor (15.1p, 8.2r, 1.5s, 2.4b) and Ziggy Reid (11.0p, 4.9r, 1.3s) are the best frontcourt in the conference while returning senior guards Jordan McCoy and Mykel Derring (combined 2.9 threes made per game at 36.4%) provide spacing for the Warriors. 


For St. John’s, a huge void is left behind with Julian Champagnie declaring for the NBA, but DePaul transfer David Jones (14.5p, 7.4r, 2.4a, 1.7s) is a talented combo forward. Most of the team’s intrigue surrounds Anderson’s backcourt experiment of pairing Posh Alexander and Illinois transfer Andre Curbelo: both guards are electric talents, but lack length and shooting ability (combined 19-94, 20.2%, from three last season). 


KenPom predicts a 17 point victory for the Johnnies, but I can see this game ending up with a much closer score.


7:00 


Quinnipiac @ Rhode Island


Since joining the MAAC prior to the 2013-14 season, Quinnipiac has been a consistent .500ish team in conference play, but have yet to finish a season atop the standings. 


Entering the season fourth in the MAAC Preseason Poll, the Bobcats return arguably the strongest incumbent backcourt in the conference, led by senior shooting guard and Preseason All-MAAC First Team selection Matt Balanc (14.6p, 37.0 3p%) and senior point guard and Third Team selection Dezi Jones (11.5p, 3.0a, 35.1 3p%). 


In addition to the All-MAAC duo, fifth-year returnee Tyrese Williams is a gifted floor-spacer (8.4p, 39.7%) and gritty senior point guard Savion Lewis (9.4p, 4.1a, 1.6s) is welcomed back after missing almost all of last season with an Achilles' injury.


With all-time greats Kevin Marfo and Jacob Rigoni graduating and athletic point-forward Brendan McGuire transferring to Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac’s frontcourt experienced quite a facelift. 


Replacing Marfo is 6’7 248 grad transfer Ike Nweke from Columbia (15.9p, 6.3r, 52.9 fg%) but after Notre Dame transfer Elijah Taylor suffered a torn ACL in October, the forward depth took a major hit. 6’6 170 junior Tymu Chenery is a capable small ball 4 while East Carolina transfer Alexis Reyes is expected to take on a bigger role following Taylor’s injury. The 6’7 190 East Carolina transfer played sparingly in his freshman season, but the three-star recruit out of Cushing Academy profiles as a stretch combo forward, shooting 46.4% from three in his senior year of HS. 


Like his most recent teams, I’d expect coach Baker Dunleavy to continue to run a guard-heavy offense predicated on tempo and ball-movement around the perimeter. 


Unsatisfied with David Cox’s so-so four-year tenure replacing Dan Hurley, Rhode Island made a splash hiring former Indiana coach Archie Miller. Away from the historic pressure of coaching at Bloomington, Miller is back in the Atlantic-10 where he led Dayton to four straight NCAA tournament appearances.


Like many teams facing a coaching change, the Rams experienced sizable roster turnover with six outbound transfers and two graduations, but Miller and his staff were able to retain five players who each look to compete for rotation minutes next season. 


Starting every game last season, the 6’2 180 Ishmael Leggett (8.3 ppg) was one of the Rams’ best rim-attackers, whose 40.8 free throw rate ranked 230th nationally and tops amongst Rams guards. Playing close to starter’s minutes mostly off the bench, the 6’6 210 combo forward Malik Martin is an efficient two-way glue-guy. 


Most of the Rams’ short- and long-term upside depends on the impact of the underclassmen trio from their five-man transfer haul. Preseason All-Conference Third Team selection Brayon Freeman is a 6’2 180 intraconference transfer from George Washington should make an immediate impact. The sophomore and former three-star recruit shined in his freshman season averaging 10.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and with a 43.2 2p%, 43.7 3p% and 68.2 ft%. 


The clear third scoring option alongside 16 point-per-game scorers James Bishop and Joe Bamisile, Freeman will look to parlay his 475th nationally ranked free throw rate into more opportunities to attack the rim in Miller’s offense and possibly lead the Rams in scoring. 


Originally a four-star recruit by Alabama, Alex Tchikou oozes with potential but remains a bit of a mystery after missing the entire 2020-2021 season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon and playing just five total minutes last season. 


Bulking up from 200 to 230 pounds, the 6’11 forward is an outstanding athlete with length and physical tools to become an elite defender. Flashing three-point range in high school, Tchikou’s athleticism is best suited in Miller’s transition offense, giving him the complete package as a potential rim-running force and an opening day starter. 


Another candidate to start this season is former Seton Hall four-star recruit Brandon Weston. Redshirted last season while recovering from ACL surgery, the 6’5 200 wing is an explosive, high-motor downhill athlete who rebounds well for his position and has the physical tools to be a tough perimeter defender. A full in-depth preview of Rhode Island's season is available on the blog.


With so many new faces, there is a palpable sense of variability when predicting the Rams’ performance for this season, but between Miller’s coaching ability and the overall youth of the program, it will be an exciting year to watch their development. Considering this, a resounding win against a veteran Quinnipiac squad should be celebrated.



Manhattan @ VCU


Just thirteen days prior to opening night, Manhattan made headlines for letting go long-time head coach Steve Masiello, allegedly amidst a rift over a contract extension. Combining his X’s and O’s aptitude and his persona as a players’ coach (I highly recommend reading Jaden Daly's article on Jose Perez and his relationship with the former head coach), Masiello will be a sought after commodity, but for now, former Jasper captain and Bronx native RaShawn Stores has been promoted to the interim head coach position.


At the time of writing this preview, Masiello’s exit sparked the potential departure of MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Jose Perez (who has been courted by over two dozen teams, mostly high-majors), Hofstra fifth-year transfer and a formerly likely starter Omar Silverio (10.9p, 35.8 3p%) and bouncy fifth-year forward Samba Diallo (6.0p, 4.6r, 24.5 mpg), leaving behind a roster that is far from decimated, but lacks the firepower that vaulted their preseason expectations. 


Assuming the trio will not return from the portal, the Jaspers will be led by Preseason Second Team All-MAAC guard Ant Nelson (10.9p, 2.3a, 36.1 3p%) and gritty two-way big Josh Roberts (8.9p, 6.5r, 1.3b), two of the six fifth-year seniors returning for their extra year of eligibility. 


With playing time up for grabs, expect Israeli import Raziel Hayun (back in July he was my pick for Manhattan’s breakout performer) to showcase his versatility at the wing, bringing vision, a toolbox of iso moves and a catch-and-shoot comfort on the perimeter (1.3 threes made, 47.4 3p% in just 14.6 mpg for Maccabi Bazan Halfa).


Fresh off an extension that keeps him in Richmond through the 2026-2027 season, Mike Roades, yet again, has tournament expectations heading into his seventh season with VCU. The Rams’ touted Havoc Defense will test Manhattan’s stable of fifth-year guards.


Led by junior guard and Preseason All-Conference First Team Selection Ace Baldwin (11.4p, 5.5a, 2.5s), the Rams added high-major firepower to their starting lineup with junior guard Zeb Jackson and fifth-year forward Brandon Johns from Michigan.


Brown @ Vermont


After Vermont earned three 13-seeds in the last six seasons, John Becker is looking to regroup after the inside/out duo of Ryan Davis and Ben Shungu graduated. Bellarmine transfer Dylan Penn (16.6 ppg) will eventually be an instant jolt to the offense, but a hand injury sustained in October will likely keep him out for another week or two. 


Without Penn, the Catamounts’ backcourt lacks firepower, but they are a deep group of veterans. It will be interesting to see which frontcourt pieces between returning junior Nick Florillo, Rhode Island transfer Ileri Ayo-Faleye, Delaware transfer Matt Veretto and three-star freshman Perry Smith Jr., the highest ranked recruit in Vermont history, step up and seize starting roles left vacant with Davis and Isaiah Powell gone.


Picked sixth in the Ivy preseason poll, Brown is a clear underdog in this game, but head coach Mike Martin is known for prioritizing physicality, making this a literally tough opening tilt for Vermont. The Bears aren’t just brawn: last year, 6’0 sophomore Kino Lilly was named the Ivy Rookie of the Year and averaged 13.3 points, 2.4 assists, 2.5 threes and 39.9 3p%. 


NJIT @ Saint Peter’s


After an impressive decade as the head coach at Wagner (165-130 overall record, .559%), the 38-year-old Bashir Mason jumped onto the opportunity to replace Shaheen Holloway as the head coach for his hometown Saint Peter’s Peacocks. 


With its top-six scorers transferring after the Peacocks’ magical Elite Eight run, Jaylen Murray is Saint Peter’s top returning scorer and is easily the the most exciting player new coach Bashir Mason will center his offensive strategy around. Murray has the moxie, moves, athleticism and shooting ability to be a lead point guard and be “the man” this upcoming season. 


In addition to Murray, Wagner’s backcourt is supplemented with a three-man transfer haul, led by Southern transfer Jayden Saddler. With a game similar to recent Butler graduate Aaron Thompson, Saddler is a non-factor at the perimeter (career 15–60 from three), but is a physical two-way point guard who will guard the opponents’ best guards. 


Entering their third year in the America East, NJIT is projected to finish the season towards the bottom of the standings, but made a recruiting boon earlier this year adding three-star point guard Paul McMillan IV, who previously held offers from eight high-major schools. 


Columbia @ Rutgers


My intrigue in this game is all about Columbia’s 2022 freshman class, ranked as the best mid-major recruiting class of the Northeast and the 67th best in the nation. The Lions have won just ten games in the last two seasons, but there should be excitement surrounding Columbia’s youth movement. 


Last season, injuries were a big part of Columbia’s demise with four of its starters missing at least six games last season. In fact, returning sophomore guard Geronimo Rubio de la Rosa (12.3 ppg, 3.2 apg) was the only Lion last season who played in every game. If projected starters Eddie Turner (17 missed games), Josh Odunowo (13 missed games) and Liam Murphy (6 missed games) can stay healthy, the Lions returning talent paired with three-star freshmen Avery Brown and Blair Thompson can vastly outperform experts’ modest expectations. 


Since the 1990s, Rutgers has been one of the worst high-major basketball teams in the nation as formerly perennial doormats in the Big East, AAC and Big Ten. However, in just six seasons at the helm, Steve Pikiell has changed the tenor of the program and has already become arguably the best coach in Rutgers history. 


Earning tournament bids in three straight seasons, Pikiell earned a four-year extension that secures his contract through the 2029-30 season. It will be hard to replace the inside-out duo of Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker, but senior point wing Paul Mulcahy (9.0p, 4.1r, 5.3a), junior big Cliff Omoruyi (11.9p, 7.8r, 1.3b) and defensive whiz senior forward Caleb McConnell (7.1p, 5.3r, 2.2s) will lead the Scarlet Knights this season with the hope of another tournament bid. Rutgers’ scoring success this season will rely heavily on how Loyola (MD) transfer Cam Spencer parlays his scoring ease from the Patriot League (18.9 ppg) to the Big Ten.


7:30


Dartmouth @ Fordham


Both programs have been bottom-feeders in their respective conferences for decades, but Fordham is on the climb: last season’s .500 finish, led by Kyle Neptune, was their first in seven years and his associate head coach, Keith Urgo, has now taken over the helm with Neptune moving onto Villanova. 


The Rams return four starters, led by Preseason All-Conference Third Team selection Darius Quisenberry (16.2 ppg) and glue guy Antrell Charlton, but arguably what excited the fanbase most is Urgo’s ability to add talent on the recruiting trail. Case in point: the five-man class of 2022 includes three of the seven highest ranked recruits in program history.


Central Connecticut @ UMass


Not many rookie coaches would gain respect after finishing their debut season 8-24, but Central Connecticut State’s recent nadir makes Patrick Sellers’ eight win total good for the third highest in the last eight seasons and its best in the last three. 


Fifth-year senior guard Nigel Scantlebury (13.4 ppg, 3.5 apg, 42.4 3p%) leads a group of returnees that includes starting sophomore forwards Jayden Brown and Andre Snoddy. Two of CCSU’s potential starters include smooth shooting JuCo transfer Jay Rodgers (my pick for the Blue Devils’ breakout performer after averaging 17.8 points and 40.1% from three last season) and Binghamton transfer Kellen Amos. The 6’7 190 junior has earned high praise from Sellers, tabbing Amos as “easily the most talented guy on the roster”, according to The Almanac. 


After UMass fans endured five less-than-stellar tabloid filled seasons under Matt McCall, the hiring of Frank Martin brings respect, clout and hope to the middling, but proud A-10 squad. 


Led by Preseason All-Conference Second Team selection Noah Fernandes, the 5’11 senior will be flanked by a seven-man transfer haul that includes three South Carolina transfers, the most likely starter of the three being 6’10 big Wildens Leveque. 


Three other high major transfers join the Minutemen this season, with smooth shooting 6’7 junior Matt Cross and high upside forward and former Boston College Eagle Gianni Thompson my picks to start at the other forward spots alongside Leveque. 


Northeastern @ Boston University


Both Boston programs are built very differently: Boston University is in its last hurrah with their veteran lineup with three of its five projected starters returning for their extra year of eligibility to help set up a season as arguably the second best team in the Patriot League.


On the other hand, after a 9-22 season (the worst record in head coach Bill Coen’s sixteen year tenure in Boston), Northeastern is in the midst of an exciting rebuild led by the foundation of their excellent six-man 2022 recruiting class that I tabbed as the second best amongst mid-majors in the Northeast. Incoming freshman point guard Chase Cormier, the highest ranked recruit in Northeastern history, spurned offers from Florida, Xavier, Mississippi State, amongst others, to earn the chance to start for the Huskies from Day 1. 


The highlight of this matchup is the pairing of Coen and BU coach Joe Jones (eleven seasons at BU and seven at Columbia), two of the most respected coaches in the business.


Stonehill @ UConn


Making their D1 debut, Chris Kraus and the Stonehill Skyhawks will start the season as 30-point underdogs against UConn.


In my preview of Stonehill, I highlighted how Chris Kraus predicates his offensive system with savvy, versatile offensive weapons. Stonehill’s best returning player is stat-stuffing fifth year forward Andrew Sims (15.2p, 6.2r, 2.2a, 47.7 fg%, 27.8 3p%) and the best returning guard is Isaiah Burnett (12.2p, 4.3r, 3.0a, 2.3s, 39.5 3p%). Starting his basketball career at Navy, Burnett is a three-level, two-way combo guard who can do a little bit of everything on the court.


Franklin Pierce transfer Max Zegarowski might be the best player on the roster. Like his older brother and former Crieighton great Marcus, Max is a lights-out shooter, averaging 14.9 points and 2.4 threes per game last season at an incredible 43.0%. 


For UConn, junior big Adama Sanogo is a Big East Player of the Year candidate and the only player on the opening night lineup with a role projected to be reprised this season. After averaging just 5.8 ppg last season, former top-50 recruit wing Jordan Hawkins is one of the most highly anticipated sophomores in the nation. 


Stat stuffing East Carolina transfer Tristen Newton (17.7p, 5.0a) will start at point guard while efficient Virginia Tech weapon Nahiem Alleyne, Texas A&M combo guard Hassan Diarra and sharpshooting San Diego grad transfer Joey Calcaterra provide veteran depth to the backcourt.


Versatile and freakishly athletic junior forward Andre Jackson will be out until November with a pinky injury, so it will be interesting to see how coach Dan Hurley will flesh out the 4 spot: will 6’10 sophomore Samson Johnson or 6’8 redshirt freshman Alex Karaban start in his place?


8:00 


Fairfield @ Wake Forest


It is clear that Iona is the top dog of the MAAC, but there is an opportunity for Fairfield to step up and compete in the next tier, especially with Saint Peter’s experiencing wholesale turnover in the roster, Monmouth moving onto the CAA and Manhattan’s potential exodus following the firing head coach Steve Masiello.


Junior big Supreme Cook (Preseason First Team All-MAAC) and fifth-year senior Jake Wojcik (Preseason All-MAAC Third Team) are the Stags’ top returning scorers and are two of the seven returning rotation players, all of whom averaged at least twelve minutes per game last season. 


Bowling Green transfer Caleb Fields is nearly a sure bet to start thanks to his impressive 2-to-1 assist/turnover ratio while playing for one of the fastest offensive systems in the country (according to KenPom, Bowling Green’s offensive tempo ranked 45th the 20-21 season, Fields’ last healthy season). 


Brycen Goodine is the other incoming transfer for Fairfield. The 6’4 190 incoming senior out of New Bedford, MA was a four-star recruit for Syracuse but has yet to secure more than just an occasional rotational role between his time at Syracuse and Providence. Goodine’s length, smooth athleticism and 2.3 steals per-40 rate suggests Goodine will be at least a valuable defensive piece with the potential ceiling to put it all together on the offensive end.


Arguably the biggest wild-card this season is four-star ‘22 commit James Johns Jr., the son of second year assistant coach James Johns Sr. Projected early on as a catch-and-shoot piece with the length and athleticism to develop into a versatile perimeter defender, his overall offensive game will expand as he gets stronger with improved strength, handle and ability to finish consistently in traffic. 


After a dominant five-year tenure at ETSU, Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes has quickly impressed entering his third year as the Demon Deacons’ head coach. Finishing last season at 25-10, Forbes is eager to lead Wake Forest to just its second tournament selection in the last decade. 


Fairleigh Dickinson @ Loyola-Chicago


New FDU coach Tobin Anderson has no D1 head coaching experience and just two seasons as an assistant coach at Siena, but his achievements at the Division III level (118-63 record, three UCAA regular season titles and one UCAA tournament title at Hamilton) and the Division II level (209-62 record, six ECC tournament titles at St. Thomas Aquinas) is astounding.


With just one starter and five total players returning from last season’s 4-22 squad, Anderson will rely heavily on three of the best players from STA, complementing FDU’s young group of returnees with veterans from a winning culture. 


Last season at STA, 5’8 162 guard Demetre Roberts and 6’0 165 guard Grant Singleton averaged a combined 28.8 points, 7.3 assists and 4.8 steals in their senior years and both are expected to parlay their previous success into starting roles at FDU. In addition to the fifth-year duo, Anderson is also bringing along with him the long, athletic junior wing Sean Moore and former STA commit Trevin Blassingame, an incoming freshman with D1 length and athleticism.


FDU isn’t the only team in this matchup relying on D2 transfers: Loyola-Chicago’s senior transfer Philip Alston from California (PA) is the Ramblers’ projected starting forward. Alston averaged a gaudy 21.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last season.


The Ramblers will be a tough challenge for the FDU Knights, but I am very curious to see how Anderson will mix-and-match the returning Knights with the champion-caliber trio transfers from STA.


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