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NEC Basketball: 2021 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

By Benjamin Zacher

Dec 8, 2020; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Wagner Seahawks guard Alex Morales (2) dribbles up court against the Seton Hall Pirates during the first half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2020; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Wagner Seahawks guard Alex Morales (2) dribbles up court against the Seton Hall Pirates during the first half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Northeast Basketball Damian Chong Qui Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
Northeast Basketball Damian Chong Qui Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

Team to beat – Wagner Seahawks

There has not been a team as hot in the NEC of late as the Seahawks.  After starting the season 1-5, Bashir Mason’s crew has rallied to win 12 of their last 13 games – which included a 10-game win-streak through NEC play spanning January 15th to February 25th.  The lone loss came on the road to Central Connecticut last week – but the Seahawks rebounded with back-to-back wins over Merrimack.

There is not necessarily much that is stunning about Wagner statistically – they are below average in the NEC in 3P% offense and defense, but are top-three in 2P% offense and defense.  Where the Seahawks have been a force, however, is on the offensive glass, where they rank first in the NEC in offensive rebounding percentage (35.1%) – and rank 21st in the nation – and maintain the league’s best offense.

Biggest threat to Wagner – Bryant Bulldogs

Of the nine NEC teams that Wagner faced this year, the Seahawks collected at least one win against each one of them – except for the Bulldogs.  Bryant has not been a stranger to making some noise this season, having taken Syracuse to the wire in both teams’ season debut in what ended up a one-point loss – and the Bulldogs also own a solid road win over UMass, in addition to a season sweep of Wagner.

The Bulldogs are as average as a team can get inside the perimeter, but their fast-paced style of play – which ranks seventh in the nation in adjusted tempo – has made them a terror on the perimeter.  Bryant ranks first in the NEC in both 3P% offense (38.2%) and defense (27.9%) – and 20th in Div. I in 3P% offense and 10th in 3P% defense.

Team likeliest to surprise – Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers

The Mountaineers have been one of the multiple teams across the country to be bit by the transfer bug, having lost one of their best offensive weapons – Jalen Gibbs – to it back in December.  But Dan Engelstad’s crew have operated valiantly without him, having scooped up at least one win against each of the seven of the teams in the NEC.

The Mountaineers have, contrarily, been a bit streaky – their longest winning streak has been three, and their longest losing streak has also been three – but the Mount is coming off huge back-to-back wins over Fairleigh Dickinson and Saint Francis.

The Mountaineers are average offensively, maintaining the league’s third-best 3PT shooting clip but the worst 2PT mark.  Where the Mount has enjoyed great success, however, is on the defensive end – they maintain the NEC’s most efficient defense, are holding teams to an offensive rebound on just 24.6% (the NEC’s best mark) of their attempts, and rank second in 3P% defense (29.7%) and first in 2P% defense (44.2%).