LIU picked first in NEC
Long Island guard C.J. Garner, center, passes the ball under pressure from North Carolina forward Tyler Zeller, left, and North Carolina guard Dexter Strickland (1) in the second half of an East Regional NCAA tournament second-round college basketball game. (March 18, 2011) Credit: AP
The pressure will be on for the LIU.
Fresh off a 27-6 season that was highlighted by an NCAA Tournament appearance since 1997 –the first since 1997– LIU was picked to finish first in the NEC by the coaches.
LIU received 10 first-place votes, while Robert Morris was picked second and received two first-place votes. LIU junior forwards Julian Boyd and Jamal Olasewere were named to the preseason All-NEC first team. LIU led the country with 13 road wins last season and was ranked fourth in scoring (82.7) and third in rebounding (41.8).
It won’t be easy for the Blackbirds to pick up where they left off, however, as the squad plays 10 of its first 11 games on the road. LIU opens up its season on November 11 at Hofstra.
Led by Boyd, who led the team in scoring (13) and rebounding (8.9), the Blackbirds return six of their top eight scorers from last season. Olasewere was second on the team in scoring (12.9 ppg) and rebounds (6.8rpg).
