Local hoops: Season wrap
The New York Metro-area saw its fare share of quality basketball games over the winter. LIU and Iona highlighted things with NCAA Tournament appearances, while Stony Brook and Seton Hall participated in the NIT. LIU returns four starters as well as its top three bench players, while Iona and Seton Hall will look to replace some major firepower. Hofstra and St. John’s struggled, but both programs are poised for bounce back seasons.
New recruits Taurean Waller-Prince, ranked the No.25 player in Texas, figures to add some depth to the frontline, while Eric E.J. Reed, a 6-5 forward also out of the Lone Star state hopes to provide an impact next fall. The Blackbirds, barring any serious injuries, should emerge as the favorite to take the conference crown again.
And if Hofstra is indeed in the mix for former Hills West star Tavon Sledge, who recently announced he is transferring from Iowa State, the Pride has a lot to look forward to for the next few years.
Even more good news is the fact that Jakarr Sampson, one of the three St. John’s freshmen ruled academically ineligible, has recommitted and will suit up next year. There is also Texas A&M guard Jamal Branch, a mid-season transfer who will be eligible for the 2012-2013 spring semester.
But Steve Pikiell has a lot to look forward to as Dave Coley, Tommy Brenton, Anthony Jackson, Marcus Rouse and Leonard Hayes all return. Incoming freshmen Ryan Burnett, Carson Puriefoy III and Jameel Warney also figure to have a big impact next season.
On the outskirts: The departure of Scott Machado and Michael Glover will leave a void for Iona (25-8, 15-3 MAAC), but Lamont “Mo Mo” Jones and Sean Armand both return. The Gaels are also in the mix for Tavon Sledge. Stay tuned on that one…Seton Hall (21-13, 8-10) must replace Jordan Theodore and Herp Pope. That won’t be easy, but Edwin Fuquan (12.5 ppg), a 48-percent shooter from the wing is back…Wagner (25-6, 15-3 NEC) lost coach Danny Hurley, but has an ultra-talented squad led by Latif Rivers, Jonathon Williams…Rutgers (14-18, 6-12, Big East) hopes Eli Carter and Myles Mack, who led the team in scoring as freshmen, can lead it to a .500 record next season. After inspiring wins over Georgia Tech and Harvard, Fordham (10-19, 3-13 Atlantic-10) is looking to take a big step up in year three of the Tom Pecora reign…Other locals to look out for next year include Manhattan (21-13, 12-6), led by Roslyn graduate George Beamon and St. Francis NY (15-15, 12-6 NEC). Columbia (15-15, 4-10 IVY) hopes to rebound from a shaky Ivy season, while Princeton (20-12, 10-4) will look to topple Harvard.
