PITMAN --- Rowan was tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the 2023-24 NJAC Men’s Basketball title, based on preseason polling of the league’s 10 head coaches.
The Profs garnered eight first place votes. Runner-up selection Montclair State picked up one first place votes and third pick Stockton earned one first place vote. Kean, NJCU, and TCNJ round out the group expected to be in contention for a spot in the six-team NJAC Tournament later in the season.
Ramapo was picked seventh and was named this year’s dark horse squad; and the poll is rounded out by Rutgers-Newark, William Paterson, and Rutgers-Camden.
The 2023-24 season opens on Wednesday, Nov. 8, with eyes toward the conference tournament that is set for Feb. 17-24, 2024.
2023-24 NJAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll
(first place votes in parentheses)
- Rowan (8)
- Montclair State (1)
- Stockton (1)
- Kean
- NJCU
- TCNJ
- Ramapo (dark horse)
- Rutgers-Newark
- William Paterson
- Rutgers-Camden
TEAM PREVIEWS
ROWAN
The top assistant on a squad that went 24-6 last year and advanced to the Sweet 16, first year head coach Eric Brennan will have a strong squad to be in the mix for a conference title once again. Reigning NJAC Co-Player of the Year and All-NJAC First Team selection Ja’Zere Noel is back. He was the NJAC’s leading scorer last year at 19.9 points per game, and was second in rebounding (8.0 rpg) and blocks (1.3 bpg), third in steals (2.1 spg), and fifth in both field goal percentage (49.8%) and free throw percentage (82.9%). He is joined by fellow All-Conference First Teamer Marcellus Ross, who at 14.3 points per game, ranked among the NJAC’s top 10 scorers last season.
Newcomers to Watch: Khalif Meares (G; Harcum College), Antwuan “Booty” Butler (PG; NJIT/Austin Peay)
Head Coach Eric Brennan: “We are looking forward to another season in the NJAC. Our guys understand how tough this conference and the type of energy and competitiveness that is needed from them to be successful in this conference. They look forward to taking on that challenge every day.”
MONTCLAIR STATE
The Red Hawks are coming off of a 22-6 season and appearance in the NCAA Tournament and look to contend once again this year. Though the Red Hawks will have to replace the services to NJAC Co-Player of the Year Steven Breeman, they have a potent core hungry for a title this year. All-NJAC Second Team pick Mike Jackson returns and is MSU’s leading returning scorer after putting up 15.6 points per game last year. He posted the NJAC’s third-best 3-point percentage and was among the top 10 in field goal percentage. Keyon Pryce is another offensive weapon, averaging 13.6 points last year and was ranked fifth in the NJAC in assists (3.6 apg). Kieran Flanagan returns and was second in the NJAC last year in both assists (4.0 apg) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.9), while chipping in 6.3 points and 5.8 rebounds. Amari Mills is also expected to step up especially defensively this season as well.
Newcomers to Watch: Kunga Tsering (F; Adelphi), Ahmad Robertson (G; Snyder HS)
Head Coach Justin Potts: "Our expectations will always be the same year to year – see as good as we can be by the time the journey is over. The most important thing for us is to play Montclair State basketball each and every time we step on the court.”
STOCKTON
Although the Ospreys graduated four-time all-conference honoree Kyion Flanders and two-time all-conference pick Kadian Dawkins, Stockton looks to be in the mix once again after going 24-6 and advancing to its second straight Sweet 16 last year. DJ Campbell, the four-time all-conference pick and 2021-22 NJAC Player of the Year, will lead a squad with solid new players on it. Campbell was the NJAC’s second-leading scorer last year at 18.7 points per game and was second in both 3-point percentage and free throw percentage. Other returners include Martin Angulov who chipped in 8.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists and Rynell Lawrence who put up 6.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists last season.
Newcomers to Watch: Jalen Collins (F; Triton/Alderson Broaddus), Christian Armstrong-Thomas (F; Cherokee/Georgian Court), Jalen Freeman (G; Pleasantville/Chesapeake)
Head Coach Scott Bittner: “I am really excited about coaching this group. We will have to play a little different than we have in the past but think we have added a few really good forwards that are going to allow us to use a bigger lineup. We will be less finesse but think we have a chance to be a really good defensive and rebounding team. It also doesn’t hurt when your best player also seems to be the guy that has improved the most in the off season and I am looking forward to seeing the year DJ has as we move him back to a back court position.”
KEAN
With two of its top three scorers from last year graduated, the Cougars will rely on All-NJAC First Team pick Griffin Barker to lead offensively this season. Barker is the third-leading returning scorer in the NJAC this year after pouring in 18.6 points per game last season and was the only NJAC player to average a double-double as he pulled down 10.5 rebounds per game. He was also the most efficient shooter in the conference, hitting a league-best 59.9 percent of his field goal attempts. DJ Alicea and Josh Daniels are expected to step up offensively as well, with the pair combining for 14.1 points per game last season between them.
Newcomers to Watch: Tyler Spencer (Crestwood Prep), Philip Brown (Holy Family), Brandon Upshaw (FDU-Teaneck), Michael Issac (Essex CC), Preston Harts (Queensborough CC), Shyeim Powell (Union County College), Isaiah Fuller (Roselle HS)
Head Coach David Turco: “This upcoming season we will try to blend the new players with our returning players. Depending how long this process takes will determine our success for the upcoming season. We believe we have one of the top players in the league in Griffin Barker and am hopeful he can help the young guys come along quickly so that we can reach our full potential.”
NJCU
With a solid core group of returners and mix of newcomers, including two Division I transfers, NJCU looks to be in the NJAC playoff hunt once again. Avante Gilbert is the leading returning scorer for the Gothic Knights, averaging 10.2 points last season and pulling down 3.8 rebounds. All-Conference pick Ryan Savoy returns. He was ranked third in the conference in blocks last year (1.1 bpg) while chipping in 8.7 points and 5.0 rebounds. After a year off, Hakeem Wilson returns to the lineup. In 13 games in 2021-22, Wilson contributed 8.0 points and 1.9 rebounds.
Newcomers to Watch: Danny Rodriguez (C; FDU-Teaneck), Brenden Kelly (PG; East Carolina)
Head Coach Marc Brown: “[I am] looking forward to the season. [We have] many newcomers and few returners, [but] this year’s team will be very versatile with many options on both offense and defense. The focus will be on offensive production and efficiency. Defense has always been a positive and now [we] will look to improve offensively. We have a nice mixture of veterans and younger guys who can all contribute.”
TCNJ
The Lions have some work cut out early as they look to fill in the loss of their top four scorers from last season, but have experienced players looking to break out this year. Jason Larranaga is the leading returning scorer after chipping in 6.6 points along with 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists last year. Matt Solomon added 6.3 points per game and is TCNJ’s leading returning rebounder. Solomon also dished out 1.4 assists per game last season. Nick Koch looks to step up after contributing 5.4 points per game last year and Matt Okorie is expected to be a strong defensive force for the Lions this season.
Newcomers to Watch: James Beckwith (G; Emerson College), David Alexandree (G; Saddle River Day School), Khalid Bakare (F; St. Benedict’s Prep)
Head Coach Matt Goldsmith: “We have a ton of new faces this year but with that comes a renewed energy and sense of camaraderie. We are extremely excited for our potential to be great in February and that is our plan. We expect and are working towards being back at the top of the NJAC.”
RAMAPO
This year’s dark horse team as voted on by the NJAC’s 10 head coaches, Ramapo has tremendous potential to make waves in the conference standings this year. With a large junior class with two years of experience now as well as four of five starters returning, the Roadrunners aim to be back in the NJAC playoff hunt this season. All-Conference pick Peter Gorman returns, and at 15.2 points per game last year, led the Roadrunners and was among the NJAC’s top 10 scorers. He also boasted the third-highest free throw percentage (83.5%) and was sixth in assists (3.4 apg). Shane Rooney, an all-conference pick and Rookie of the Year two seasons ago, was the conference’s third-leading rebounder (7.7 rpg last year) while adding nearly 10 points a game. Jordan Myers also brings strength to the boards, ranking sixth in the NJAC last year with 6.4 rebounds per game while draining 12.0 points. Anthony Corbo returns after a solid year last year with 8.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Justin Bladen led Ramapo in steals and blocks last year, and was eighth in the NJAC in steals.
Newcomers to Watch: Anees Raheem (Rutgers-Newark), Jack O’Leary (Raritan HS)
Head Coach Chuck McBreen: “Ramapo College hopes to get back on track this year and in the NJAC playoff picture.”
RUTGERS-NEWARK
Rutgers-Newark brings back a strong core from last year’s team, including reigning NJAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year Levi Holton. Holton was also the leading scorer at 10.9 points per game while grabbing 4.3 rebounds and a total of 31 steals. Shy’Heed Jenkins-Floyd, a three-time NJAC Rookie of the Week, is back with that year of experience under his belt. As a rookie, he was sixth in the NJAC in steals (2.0 spg) while adding 7.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. He is also efficient from the field, hitting 56 percent of his attempts last year. The Scarlet Raiders also gain back the services of Jamir Patterson, who put up 8.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game two seasons ago.
Newcomers to Watch: Pascal Dodard (G; Essex CC), Preston Brown (G; Paterson Eastside), Ayden Brown (F; Passaic County Tech), Rafeeq Reid (C; Fisher College), Nate Pluvoise (G; Pope John), Deon Mingo (G; Livingston Academy)
Head Coach Joe Loughran: “We have a solid group back from a year ago [and] with the additions of our newcomers we hope to be an improved basketball team.”
WILLIAM PATERSON
William Paterson is poised for a solid year with key players back. All-Conference honoree Shawn Summers, Jr., will lead the Pioneers once again. He ranked among the NJAC’s top 10 in several categories last year, including fourth in field goal percentage (52.9%), sixth in scoring (16.2 ppg), and seventh in both rebounding (6.4 rpg) and steals (1.8 spg), while dishing out 2.4 assists per game. Tyreek Montgomery is back as well. WP’s second-leading scorer last year, Montgomery averaged 13.0 points. He was also fifth in the NJAC in steals (2.0 spg) and pulled down 5.6 rebounds. Caesar Silvestro was the NJAC’s fourth-highest shot blocker at 1.0 per game while chipping in 7.0 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Newcomers to Watch: Andre Wells (G; Brookdale CC), Shane Geene (F; Sussex CC), Jack Gobel (F; Weehawken HS), Lamar Davis (G; Moorestown HS)
Head Coach Brian Chapman: “With seven new players on the roster, WP has added size and depth. WP will have multiple quality defenders with balanced scoring.”
RUTGERS-CAMDEN
Rutgers-Camden looks to move up in the conference standings this season and will rely on the talent and experience of reigning NJAC Rookie of the Year Cameron Downs. Also an all-conference pick, Downs was second in the NJAC with a 54.1 percent field goal clip. At 15.4 points per game, he ranked eighth in the conference in scoring and was 10
th overall in rebounding as a rookie (5.9 rpg). Between Downs and a solid group of returners and newcomers, the Scarlet Raptors aim for a competitive season.
Newcomers to Watch:
Head Coach Stuart Pradia: “I’m very excited about this group of young men. They’ve worked hard so far and they’ve maintained a competitive spirit throughout the fall. I’m hoping our group gets to their ceiling and I’m looking forward to seeing where that lands us within the conference.”