PITMAN, NJ --- Defending NJAC champion TCNJ picked up six of the 10 possible first place votes and finished first in the preseason polling as the Lions are predicted to win the 2024-25 NJAC title, based on preseason polling of the league's 10 head coaches.
Montclair State garnered two first place votes and is predicted to finish runner-up this season. Ramapo is predicted third and picked up a first place vote, while defending regular season champion Rowan collected the remaining first place vote and is tqbbed fourth. Stockton and Kean are predicted to round out the top six vying for a conference playoff spot.
Rutgers-Camden, predicted seventh, was voted as this year's dark horse team to watch. NJCU, Rutgers-Newark, and William Paterson round out the preseason polling.
The season tips off on Friday, Nov. 8. The 2024-25 NJAC Men's Basketball Championship is slated for Feb. 22-28, 2025.
2024 NJAC MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
(first place votes in parentheses)
1. TCNJ (6)
2. Montclair State (2)
3. Ramapo (1)
4. Rowan (1)
5. Stockton
6. Kean
7. Rutgers-Camden (dark horse)
8. NJCU
9. Rutgers-Newark
10. William Paterson
TEAM SNAPSHOTS (alphabetical by school)
KEAN
Kean has a slew of top scorers returning from a team that made the conference tournament a year ago, including all three top scorers. D.J. Alicea, an all-conference honoree last year, led the Cougars with 14.5 points per game. Brandon Upshaw and Justin Morton also scored in double figures, while Upshaw led the team and was fourth in the NJAC in assists (4.0 apg). Reigning NJAC Rookie of the Year Tyler Spencer returns after contributing 7.9 points and 5.7 rebounds on efficient 56 percent shooting. The Cougars also regain the services of Griffin Barker, who missed the majority of 2023-24. Barker was a First Team All-Conference pick two years ago when he averaged a double-double of 18.6 points and 10.5 rebounds.
Newcomers to Watch: Adam Silas (G; Wofford/College of St. Rose), Andrew Turco (G; Drew University), Justin Boston III (F; Atlantic Cape CC), Braelen Crump (G; The Peddie School)
Head Coach David Turco: “Our goal is to compete in the tough NJAC conference and give ourselves a chance at postseason success. We have a mature roster with some talented new faces that we need to mesh quickly in order to reach our goals.”
MONTCLAIR STATE
The Red Hawks are coming off an 18-win season that saw them finish third in the NJAC regular season. Two-time all-conference pick Mike Jackson is the second-leading returning scorer in the NJAC (18.6 ppg) and is the leading returning 3-point shooter in the conference. He also ranked among the NJAC top 10 in rebounding last year (6.7 rpg). He is joined by fellow all-conference honoree Kieran Flanagan who led the NJAC in assists a year ago (5.0 apg) and was sixth in steals (1.7 spg) while draining 10.0 points per game.
Newcomers to Watch: Jake Morales (F; Rutgers), Kabrien Goss (G; Roman Catholic (PA)), Christian Cevis (G; Adelphi University)
Head Coach Justin Potts: "We have a group that works. The most important thing for us is to play Montclair State basketball. We need to be committed to building the right habits during the journey and see how good we can be by the time it is over.”
NJCU
The Gothic Knights look to bounce back after a series of injuries scuttled their season last year. They return the top three scorers, including Jaheim Lewis who averaged 12.7 points and 6.1 rebounds while hitting 81 percent of his free throws. Hakeem Wilson added 12.3 points and Avante Gilbert contributed 11.5 points while ranking among the top field goal percent shooters (55%). Gilbert is a defensive spark as well as he ranked in the top five in the conference in blocked shots. Bahki Rogers-Robinson chipped in 6.5 points last year and Marc Brown, Jr., is expected to be in the mix after limited action a year ago.
Newcomers to Watch: Isaiah Johnson Williams (G; Central Methodist University), Raymond Ezike (C; Wabash Valley College), Prime Payton (G; Contra Costa College)
Head Coach Marc Brown: “We are looking forward to the 24-25 season. Last year the program suffered catastrophic season ending injuries early and never recovered. This year the team has more depth and we think that will help us have a successful and productive campaign.”
RAMAPO
With all five starters back and the top six scorers from a team that went 17-9 overall with 11 NJAC wins, Ramapo is poised for a big year in 2024-25. Two-time all-conference honoree Peter Gorman leads the pack after putting up 17.7 points per game last year to rank seventh in the NJAC. He is also the leading returning free throw shooter in the NJAC with an 86.8 percent clip last year. Jordan Myers (15.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg) and Shane Rooney (13.0 ppg; 7.6 rpg) are dangerous on both ends of the court. Anthony Corbo added 9.3 points and 6.3 boards and Justin Bladen rounds out the top five after chipping in 8.5 points per game last year. Bladen also hit north of 81 percent of his free throws.
Newcomers to Watch: Branden Moore (C; NJCU), Tim Linton (SF/PF; SUNY Orange), Logan Smith (PG; Piscataway HS), Landen Miller (G; Franklin HS)
Head Coach Chuck McBreen: “Ramapo returns all five starters and its top six leading scorers from last year's NJAC playoff team. With the return of the top six players and the addition of several valuable newcomers, Ramapo hopes they are fortunate enough to compete for a top spot in the NJAC.”
ROWAN
The Profs went 21-8 last year with an NJAC regular season title, but do need to replace the services of the graduated all-conference duo of Ja’Zere Noel and Marcellus Ross. Khalif Meares anchors the veteran group of returners. The reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year is also the NJAC’s leading returning scorer (18.9 ppg) and led the conference in steals last season. Dan Fleming, who saw limited action last season, is expected to play a bigger role this year. Fleming averaged near-double figures in eight games played.
Newcomers to Watch: Tazir Cantey (PG; Holy Family University), Brycen Williams (G; Wilmington University), Tyrese Myrick (G; Miles College), Dan Mason (F; Menlo College)
Head Coach Eric Brennan: “We are excited to play in one of the toughest and most versatile conferences in the country again this year. With nine newcomers and few returners, getting this group to gel early on will be essential to our success. Our guys understand we have a challenging schedule ahead and are excited at the opportunity to compete every night.”
RUTGERS-CAMDEN
The Scarlet Raptors are coming off a year that saw great improvement, going from 2-16 in 2022-23 to 8-10 last season. Sharpshooter Cameron Downs was a big part of that and is back for 2024-25. Downs is the third-leading returning scorer in the NJAC this season after putting up 17.8 points last year. The two-time all-conference pick led the NJAC in field goal percentage as well. He is joined by returner Cherif Kanoute, who contributed 9.2 points per game on 51 percent shooting along with pulling down nearly six rebounds per game.
Head Coach Stuart Pradia: “My hope is the same as every year: we reach our best as a collective group. We have a mix of returners, transfers, and freshmen who all have talent but how it will come together and what the result will be remains to be seen. I’m optimistic as they have a good spirit and work hard on and off the court.”
RUTGERS-NEWARK
Rutgers-Newark finished 8-10 in conference play last year and returns a solid core from that squad which includes all three top scorers. Two-time defending NJAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year Levi Holton leads the Scarlet Raiders in scoring as well, putting up 14.2 points per game last year along with 5.7 rebounds. Shy’Heed Jenkins-Floyd ranks second among NJAC returners with 51 steals last year while chipping in 7.8 points per game. Travis Miles is the team’s second-leading returning scorer with just shy of eight points per game a year ago, and Pascal Doddard rounds out a balanced scoring squad with 6.9 points per game last season.
Newcomers to Watch: Eli Camacho (G; North Bergen HS), Essam Assaf (F; Elmwood Park HS), Jayden Green (G; Hillsborough HS), Eli’sha Brown (F; Franklin HS)
Head Coach Joe Loughran: “We are excited about improving from last season. We have a solid nucleus returning with a good group of newcomers.”
STOCKTON
Stockton is coming off a campaign that saw the Ospreys go 17-11 overall and 12-6 in NJAC play to finish second in the conference standings and advance to the NJAC title game. All-Conference selection Tayvon Gaither leads a squad that features a large group of newcomers. Gaither is Stockton’s leading returning scorer and rebounder and ranked second in the NJAC last year in field goal percentage. He is joined by fellow scoring machine EJ Matthews, who put up 17.2 points per game last year in his 17 appearances. Christian Armstrong is also expected to step up after solid contributions of 4.8 points and 4.4 boards, and Jamar Johnson is expected to be in the mix after gaining valuable experience last year.
Newcomers to Watch: Eriq Campbell (G; Rowan-Gloucester), Logan McKee (F; Phelps School), Jahmir Payoute (F; Springfield Commonwealth Academy), DJ Germann (PG; Putman Science), Miles Chevalier (G; Central Regional HS), Anthony Trombetta (G; Middle Twp. HS), Cooper Shivers (G; Phelps School), Josh Wright (G; Rowan University), Josh Randall (F; Rowan-Gloucester), Sam Spoonheimer (G; Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS)
Head Coach Scott Bittner: “We are very excited about the season and about the new guys who we are adding to a group that returns three of four leading scorers from last season. Top to bottom, it is as good as any new group we have had.”
TCNJ
The Lions return the core group from a squad that posted 20 wins last year and ran the table in the NJAC Tournament as the five seed to head to the NCAA Tournament. They return all three top scorers. All-Conference selection Nick Koch ranked second in the NJAC last year in assists (4.5 apg) and was in the top 10 in scoring (17.7 ppg). He is joined by fellow all-conference pick Matt Solomon who was the NJAC’s leading rebounder last season and the only NJAC player to average a double-double (11.6 points, 10.5 rebounds). Matt Okorie is the Lions’ second-leading returning scorer (11.6 points) and also hit the boards with 7.6 rebounds per game. David Alexandre is a solid defender for the Lions, leading the team in steals last year while also chipping in 8.3 points and 2.9 assists.
Newcomers to Watch: Daniel Yarus (F; Spotswood HS)
Head Coach Matt Goldsmith: “We bring a lot back from an NJAC Championship team from last year but every year is new and every year brings different challenges. We are focusing on each day and want to be at our best in March. We want to put ourselves in a position to make the NCAA tournament and help represent our deep and talented league on the national stage.”
WILLIAM PATERSON
The Pioneers look to bounce back this year and have some veteran leadership to propel the program forwward. Neftali Valentin is the leading returning scorer, averaging 12.6 points per game. He ranked second in the NJAC last year in 3-point percentage. Andre Wells is the second-leading returning scorer for the Pioneers, averaging double figures last year at 11.4 points per game while contributing 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Josiah Carey and David Martinez are also expected to be in the rotation after gaining experience in reserve action a year ago.
Newcomers to Watch: Jianni Moran (G; Fair Lawn HS), Delani Hyde (F; Toms River North), Jack Gobel (F; Weehawken HS)
Head Coach Brian Chapman: “WP is looking to have a bounce back year led by their veteran guards David Martinez, Andre Wells and Neftali Valentin. The freshman class of Delani Hyde, Jack Gobel and Jianni Moran will help right away and show great potential for future years.