The Sacred Heart Pioneers and Central Connecticut State Blue Devils both proudly hang banners celebrating their past, but their respective gyms both pine for updated additions to their historic accolades.
For the Pioneers, their success at the D2 level included thirteen NCAA tournament appearances in the 1970s and 1980s, highlighted by their 1986 National Championship under the leadership of Dave Bike.
However, as Bike shepherded Sacred Heart’s ascension to Division 1, and now in the eleventh season of Anthony Latina’s tenure, the Pioneers have a fair share of solid seasons, but have yet to win the Northeast Conference tournament.
Latina was also part of Howie Dickenman’s staff at CCSU during the first pair of their three tournament appearances, with their most recent NEC championship back in 2007. However, through the twilight of Dickenman’s final years and the entirety of Donyell Marshall’s tenure, the Blue Devils have yet to have a .500 conference record.
Entering his third year at the helm, current head coach Patrick Sellers has brought hope back to the Blue Devils’ faithful, guiding the Blue Devils to their best conference record in nearly a decade.
Playing in a conference with different tournament champions in each of the last six years, with four departing and three incoming schools in that same interim, parity in the Northeast Conference is expected.
That being said, with their combination of retention of talent and the addition of exciting new pieces, along with FDU, both Connecticut programs have a very strong shot to bring the NEC crown back to the Nutmeg State.
The Senior Stars: CCSU’s Kellen Amos and SHU’s Nico Galette
With Demetre Roberts and Andrew Sims graduating and Jordan Minor (Virginia) and Josh Cohen (UMass) transferring, Sacred Heart’s senior forward Nico Galette remains the sole All-NEC First Team selection to return for the 2023-24 season.
At 6’6 210, Galette was SHU’s starting power forward, but also stepped up and played all three frontcourt positions last season, displaying versatility that matched his stat-stuffing season, averaging 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.1 three point made, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
A literal, “do-anything” forward with a low center of gravity and athleticism, Galette is a dangerous offensive weapon who can score at three levels, post up down low and has enough handle and creativity to get buckets in isolation. On defense, Galette generates turnovers and is very switchable.
In his first season at CCSU after transferring from Binghamton, Kellen Amos was an instant success in New Britain, scoring 24 points in his season debut against UMass. At 6’7 190, Amos played most of his minutes at the 3, and will look to reprise the same role this upcoming season.
Renowned for his offensive abilities, Amos’ greatest attribute is his shooting, finishing last year with a 53.9 2P% and 35.2 3P%, however Amos has the length and instincts to attack the rim, evident by his 63.2% conversion rate at the rim, which included 31 dunks this season and set alley-oop plays in the half-court set.
Simply put, Amos’ offensive impact is clear as day: in conference play, when Amos was on the floor, CCSU scored 104.2 points/100 possessions compared to just 94.8 points when Amos was off the court.
With increased strength, toughness and commitment to playing on defense, Amos can continue to grow into a pure five-tool contributor.
Key Returners for Sacred Heart
In addition to Galette, the Pioneers return seven other rotation pieces and over 80% of last year’s scoring, providing Sacred Heart with a strong foundation to improve upon their 8-8 conference record.
Connecticut natives and fifth-year returnees Joey Reilly (Cromwell) and Raheem Solomon (Hartford) are expected to reprise their starting backcourt roles after averaging double-digits in scoring last year.
After a solid first season with SHU as an efficient guard off the bench, Reilly was arguably the Pioneers’ biggest surprise last season after stepping up and securing the starting point guard role.
Even in an expanded role, Reilly maintained his efficient offensive play, finishing last season ninth in the NEC in Offensive Rating, according to KenPom.com, led by his efficient shooting (51.3 2P%, 42.2 3P%, 85.7 FT% during conference play) and low turnover rate.
After spending the previous three seasons at Niagara, Raheem Solomon continued his reputation as a willing three-level scorer and underrated on-ball defender. As injury issues affected the backcourt throughout the season, the 6’3 185 Solomon played the 3-guard for wide stretches, but is expected to return back to his familiar off-ball spot this year.
Speaking of injury issues, much of the projectability of Sacred Heart’s ceiling lies in the pending health of last year’s MAAC transfers Brendan McGuire (Quinnipiac) and Aidan Carpenter (Siena). Both averaged over 26 minutes-per-game, but played a total of just 19 games.
At 6’7 190, McGuire is a unique weapon as a two-way point forward who is one of SHU’s most versatile defenders, but needs to cut down on his turnovers (2.6 per game) and improve his perimeter shot (15.4 3P%) to enhance his effectiveness and seize a starting role throughout the season.
However, after shooting nearly 35% from three throughout his time at Quinnipiac and averaging just 1.0 turnovers per game in his last season at Quinnipiac, there’s hope McGuire’s decision making, ball security and shooting will improve with more consistent reps.
Playing just five games last season, the 6’5 190 Carpenter, another Connecticut native (Hamden) who oozes potential with his slash-ability athleticism and versatile two-way game as he can defend all three backcourt positions and even smaller 4s.
With Reilly and Galette firmly planted into their starting roles, expect Solomon, McGuire and Carpetent to compete for the other two starting backcourt positions throughout the season, fostering a healthy competition that speaks to the Pioneers’ impressive depth.
Off the bench, junior forward Tanner Thomas and Mike Sixsmith will continue to play prominent roles in the rotation.
Spending a few weeks this offseason in the portal, the 6’6 205 Thomas’ return to Sacred Heart cannot be understated. Despite his modest per-game statistics, Thomas is the consummate glue guy championship teams need.
A hard-working, lunch pail forward, Thomas’ underlying efficiency stats during conference play are top notch:
60.6 2P% (3rd in NEC)
3.4 Block % (6th)
115.2 Offensive Ratng (7th)
9.3% Offensive Rebound Rate (8th)
15.7% Defensive Rebound Rate (12th)
With last year’s starting center Bryce Johnson transferring to Northeastern, Thomas’ stability under the basket makes him a candidate to start the season as the team’s undersized de facto center, but more likely, Thomas will continue to play as a utility frontcourt piece, playing close to starter’s minutes off the bench.
Starting 24 games last season, senior 6’0 180 guard Mike Sixsmith continued his steady, veteran guard play, but surprisingly had his least efficient season shooting from three (30.7%) after shooting 45.5% throughout his first two seasons.
With a potentially healthier backcourt, Sixsmith is a just a dark horse candidate to start, but has enough shooting and distributing abilities to play valuable minutes at both guard spots.
Redshirt sophomore Raymond Espinal-Guzman is the Pioneers’ returnee with the most upside to expand his role this season if he is able to find off competition from the team’s offseason additions.
Spending his much needed redshirt season gaining twenty pounds to clock in last season at 6’8 210, Espinal-Guzman brings intrigue as he finished his high school career at Woodstock Academy where he was ranked by New England Recruiting Report as the 18th best recruit out of Connecticut.
While he was physically outmatched last season, Espinal-Guzman showcased in high school his ability to play a faceup forward style, initiating the offense from the perimeter. As his game continues to expand, his versatility could allow Latina to play more five-out wrinkles to his offensive schemes.
Redshirt sophomore guard Najee Coursey has projectible size (6’6 175), played limited minutes last season and is expected again to fight for playing time amongst the deep Pioneers rotation.
Key Returners for CCSU
Even with last year’s second leading scorer Nigel Scantlebury graduating and starting power forward Andre Snoddy transferring to Stony Brook, it is a good bet that next year’s starting lineup will feature four returnees, the obvious of which is Kellen Amos.
Senior guard Jay Rodgers, my pick for CCSU's breakout performance last offseason, had a hot-and-cold first season at CCSU. Rodgers’ season featured five 15+ scoring games in an eighteen game span starting in mid-December, where he averaged 12.1 points, 2.9 assists, 1.7 made threes at 40%, but finished the season with just ten total points over the last three games.
Part of Rodgers’ scoring inconsistencies lies in the fact that most of his scoring comes from the mid-range and beyond the arc, as Rodgers attempted just 38 shots last season at the rim. Also, Rodgers’ inconsistencies on the defensive end will mean that Sellers will continue to need to be careful of his guard rotations.
For example, junior guard Davonte Sweatman has the offensive ability to be a starter, but needs to round out his game on both sides of the court to warrant more playing time alongside Rodgers.
Playing last year at 5’8 145, Sweatman played with vision (7th best assist rate in the conference) and efficiency from the perimeter (41.0% from three), but his lack of size made it difficult for Sweatman to penetrate and convert near the bucket.
That being said, Sweatman will face competition from returning junior guard Joe Ostrowski and incoming transfer Jordan Jones, more on him later, for the starting point guard role.
The 6’0 170 Ostrowski is a bit of a throwback, pass-first two-way point guard. Taking just over three shots per game, Ostrowsky limits mistakes when facilitating and his gritty nature helped him finish the season with the team’s top defensive metrics, according to EvanMiya.com.
A valuable bench piece who gained more playing time as the season continued, the 6’4 190 fifth-year guard Tre Breland, a Hamden native, was CCSU’s glue guy. One of the team’s best defenders and easily their best rebounding guard, Breland’s energy and ability to finish inside the arc (54.4 2P%), will keep him as often the first guard off the bench.
Another Connecticut native, TJ Holloway from Orange, earned limited minutes as a freshman but his 6’4 200 frame provides positional versatility and mismatch potential as he continues to develop his game.
In the frontcourt, returning junior Abdul Momoh and Jayden Brown will look to continue their one-two tandem in the low-post. While the 6’7 235 Momoh was the starter, both he and the 6’8 215 Brown played comparable minutes.
With the 39th best block rate in the nation, the 367th best offensive rebounding rate in the nation and no three point attempts, Momoh is more of a classic back-to-the-basket rim protector while Brown’s 34 career three point attempts show a willingness to stretch the floor and open up space for the backcourt.
Towards the end of the season, Momoh remained the starter, but started to concede minutes to Brown, who finished the season averaging 10 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 25 minutes per game over the last five games.
For next year, expect Sellers to continue his rotation at center, taking advantage of the healthy competition between the two, with redshirt sophomore Brody Limric, a 6’9 200 sharpshooting forward from Glastonbury who transferred last season from Quinnipiac, to also compete for playing time at both frontcourt positions.
Sacred Heart’s Newcomers
Anquan Hill, 6’9 200 JR from St. Bonaventure via FDU (waiver pending)
1.9p, 2.3r, 10.4 mpg,
NEC Rookie of the Year at FDU
Kyle McGee, 6’4 165 GR from West Chester (D2)
14.5p, 6.6r, 4.0a, 32.5 3P%, 72.3 FT%
Alex Sobel, 6’8 230 GR from Middlebury (D3)
19.4p, 11.8r, 3.2a, 3.9b, 66.4 FG%, 1.3s
Lucius Gibson-Savadel, 6’11 235 FR from Millbrook School
Sacred Heart’s incoming transfer haul, should Anquan Hill receive a waiver to play this upcoming season, helps build the potential for the Pioneers to have their best frontcourt since the 2019-20 tandem of EJ Anosike and Jare’l Spellman.
Hill’s 2021-22 NEC Rookie of the Year season based thanks to his incredible tail end to the season, averaging a stat-stuffing 12.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 blocks, 51.0 2P% and 0.6 threes made at 42.1% across the final thirteen games.
At St. Bonaventure, however, Hill was a part of a massive roster overhaul where Chad Venning, Yann Farell and Barry Evans stepped up as the breakout performers in the frontcourt, leaving Hill to a limited role for the Bonnies.
However, as his freshman season showed, Hill has the versatility, size and athleticism to develop into an All-NEC performer as soon as next year, if he is able to secure a starting gig away from Espinal-Guzman and Middlebury grad transfer Alex Sobel.
A leader on the 20-6 Middlebury Panthers, a team that finished the season 21th in D3 rankings, Sobel earned the D3Hoops National Player of the Year award after dominating on the court both ends.
Of course, the transition from D3 to D1, even in a smaller league like the NEC, is a massive jump, but Sobel’s two-way production is undeniable and it would come to no shock if his play warrants him a starting role next year.
Although the Pioneers return a deep backcourt, Kyle McGee could push his way into a rotation role from day one. At 6’4 165, McGee possesses impressive height for a point guard and a strong enough perimeter game (1.8 three points made, 32.5 3P%) to contribute to all three backcourt positions.
At 6’11 235, Lucius Gibson-Savadel, Sacred Heart’s sole incoming freshman recruit, brings an element of size unforeseen on the Pioneers since Cole Walton’s last season in the 2016-17 season. With the depth on their frontcourt, Gibson-Savadel is a prime redshirt candidate to continue to develop his body and game.
CCSU’s Newcomers
Allan Jeanne-Rose, 6’7 200 GR from Fairfield
10p, 4.1r, 2.2a, 52.2 FG%, 0.6 3PA, 4.7 FTA, 72.9 FT%, 0.8b
Jordan Jones, 6’0 180 SR from Coker (D2)
15p, 4.1r, 6.5a, 2.6s, 1.6 3PA, 21.3 3P%, 48.2 FG%
Darin Smith, 6’7 FR from Vermont Academy
While Andre Snoddy was a consistent double-double threat for the Blue Devils’ last year, their addition of Fairfield grad transfer Allan Jeanne-Rose brings more versatility, athleticism and arguably more upside to the power forward position this season.
As part-time starter throughout his first three seasons, Jeanne-Rose broke out in his senior season starting every game, solidifying himself as one of the best two-way slashers in the MAAC.
On defense, his best attributes are his switchability and off-ball rim protection while Jeanne-Rose's best offensive trait is breaking down the defense and getting to the bucket, evidenced by finishing last season with the 12th best free throw rate in the nation and a strong 55.5 2P% and 74 FT%.
Simply put, the forward combo of Jeanne-Rose and Amos will be the Blue Devils’ strength. Don’t be surprised if the duo average for a combined thirty points per game.
Similar to Jeanne-Rose, incoming combo Jordan Jones does most of his damage from inside the arc, using his athleticism, creativity and vision to penetrate, score close to the rim or find the open man. Jones’ steals totals signal his defensive peskiness, which will serve him well in the guard-heavy NEC.
At the very least, Jones will be a regular contributor off the bench, but it will not be surprising if he is able to fend off Sweatman or Ostrowsky for the starting point guard gig.
Out of Vermont Academy, Darin Smith is CCSU’s only incoming freshman and he has a lot of upside after dealing with injuries earlier in his high school career. The 6’7 Smith finished his senior season shooting over 40% from three, earning him the ranking as the top recruit out of Vermont, according to New England Recruiting Report.
With his length and shooting ability, it’s hard not to see a bit of Kellen Amos in his game. Despite these lofty comparisons, Smith will be competing with Limric for backup forward minutes and is expected to develop at his own pace at least through his freshman season.
Season Outlook
In summary, both of Connecticut’s NEC squads have similarities: coming off seasons to build on, both programs have their best player returning, in addition to multiple starters, but also are bringing in exciting recruiting classes that project upside and hope for the upcoming seasons.
As of late June, both Stonehill and FDU have strong squads, but expect both Sacred Heart and Central Connecticut State to not only sit near or atop the NEC preseason standings, but sustain their success throughout the season, with real possibility that one of these two Nutmeg State teams taking home conference tournament crown.
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