NCAA Basketball: The mid-major favorites and darkhorses
By Doug Winkey
NEC
Favorite: Fairleigh Dickinson Knights
The Knights were a mild surprise last season when they took the NEC crown, but this team won’t surprise anyone with four starters coming back. The high-powered FDU squad led the conference in scoring and could do it again in 2016.
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Only one of their top nine contributors are gone, meaning Fairleigh Dickinson is loaded everywhere.
The lone departure, shooting guard Marques Townes, leaves a gap on the perimeter, but options are available. Last season’s stats would suggest an opportunity for either combo guard Darnell Edge or Ghassan Nehme to take a step forward. Experience and depth should take this team far.
Dark Horse: Bryant Bulldogs
Last season was the first time Bryant finished worse than third in the NEC since 2011-2012 under coach Tim O’Shea. The Bulldogs return their top four scorers, giving fans hope that an offseason of development produces results.
Bryant has a talented perimeter duo in Hunter Ware and Nisre Zouzoua. The top scorers need to pass more, but both are good defenders and shot over 36 percent from deep.
Up front, Dan Garvin is an excellent post option and shot blocker despite being just 6’6″. Next to him is NEC Rookie of the Year Marcel Pettway.
More role players and five freshman give the team a plethora of depth pieces. Bryant is perfectly capable of challenging in the NEC this season.
Next: Ohio Valley Conference