Local college basketball preview

By STEVEN MARCUSsteven.marcus@newsday.comNovember 5, 2011

Division II men

East Coast Conference

Former St. John's assistant Chris Casey went 21-10 in his first season. Post will be without senior point guard Brendon Butler, who has a torn ACL, but the 23rd ranked Pioneers return guard Stefan Bonneau (18.9), G Tobin Carberry (10.2) and F Vaughn Allen (8.6, 5.5). Freshman forwards Charles McCann and Tyuan Williams could see significant action. Post also has Division I transfer guards Vince Rosario (Central Connecticut) and Terry Coleman.

Dowling

Dowling comes off a rebuilding year (8-19) and perhaps is ready to make a move in the ECC. F Mike Hill (12.7, 5.8) and guard John Merchant III are the key returnees. G Corwin Austin was an all-rookie selection and coach Steve Hayn, now in his sixth season, will also look to G Josh Malone, F Algirdas Macevicius and G Leon Taylor to make inroads in the competitive ECC. G Ronald Baker, a transfer from Monroe CC, could be a pivotal addition.

Molloy

Molloy is also looking to improve after a 9-18 season. Nine players return, led by G John Petrucelli (15.6), who was the ECC rookie of the year, and G Jimmy Nolan (15.6). C Dariel Concha, G Chris Lyons and G T.J. Gessner provide senior leadership for coach Charles Marquardt.

NYIT

Coach Sal Lagano enters his 15th season and has All-ECC G/F Kavyon Roberts (14.0, 5.0) and G Dominic Scurry (9.7. 4.1) poised for big seasons. There's also a host of newcomers in G Jahleel Felix, G Antoine Brown and G Khalif Chaplin. Transfers include G David Naves (Howard University), G Ryan Williams (Alameda CC) and F Alzel Prather (Montgomery CC)

Queens

Kyrk Peponakis, in his 17th season, has first-team all-ECC forward, Khalil McDonald (14.3, 7.0) and senior guard Edil Lacayo (8.8) back from a 20-8 team. Freshmen G Abe Akanmu and F Enees Nikovic will try for starting roles.

Northeast-10 Conference

Adelphi is the defending conference champion, going 20-11 and upsetting some of the perennial powerhouses to win the conference and earn the program's 17th bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Guards Robert Johnson (11.4 points, 4.5 steals) and Chris Ranglin (10.7 points) and Richard Harkins return from that championship team. Second year coach Dom Savino recruited 6-6 F Travis Jordan, a transfer from State Fair CC, G Cliff Brown from Herkimer CC and G Kenny Ross from West Virginia. Adelphi has put together four straight 20-win seasons. Could a fifth be in store?

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