Central Connecticut State has been the best regular-season team in the conference for the last two years. Wagner is in the six seed looking to make another Cinderella run. Everybody else is hoping to punch their ticket into this year’s madness. It’s 2025 and it’s tournament time in the Northeast Conference.

Last year, Wagner ran the table beating all three top seeds in Sacred Heart, Central Connecticut State and Merrimack to punch their ticket. This year, the tournament has some similar aspects and some new teams.

Favorites: Central Connecticut State and Long Island University

Central Connecticut State (23-6, 14-2)

Since starting off 2-2 in conference play, the Blue Devils have rattled off 12 straight wins, nine of which have come by at least double digits. With the dynamic backcourt of Jordan Jones and Devin Haid averaging 14.4 points and 13.7 points per game, respectively, the Blue Devils look to win their first Northeast postseason title.

Defeated by Wagner last year, Central Connecticut State has done everything right to get what some might see as rightfully theirs, but will they be able to stay composed?

LIU (16-15, 12-4)

One of just two teams to beat the regular season champions, the conference-dominant Sharks couldn’t complete the comeback in their quarterfinal game against Merrimack, who is no longer in the conference.

Long Island led the conference in steals at 8.3 and field goal percentage against at 40.9%. However, they finished in third in points allowed per game at 65.4. While they didn’t lead the conference in fouls, they did finish with 19 per game and allow the most free throws per game in the conference. Something for the best defense in the conference to work on – staying out of foul trouble or they’ll be staying out of the tournament.

Contenders: St. Francis (PA) and Stonehill

St. Francis (PA) (13-17, 8-8)

St. Francis has been a very mediocre team all things considered. The team split against a lot of the top teams in the conference and split against some of the lower level teams. The Red Flash have also been one of the more efficient teams when it comes to shooting percentage but have also produced the fourth most turnovers per game in the conference.

With guard Riley Parker scoring 13 points a game and ranking fifth in the conference in assists at 3.5, someone else will need to step up if the Flash want any chance this year. Sophomore Ace Talbert was that guy early in the year but hasn’t seen the court since an injury early into the season. The Red Flash have the potential to make a deep run being the three seed, but it’s going to take their best basketball to make it happen. 

The Red Flash look to make their first tournament appearance in 32 years.

Stonehill (15-16, 7-9)

Stonehill came into conference play just one game above .500 and had a below-average conference season at 7-9. The Skyhawks were very average on the season, similar to St. Francis. However, they currently lead the conference in three-pointers made per game at 8.5 and three-point field goal percentage.

With Louie Semona, Josh Morgan and Todd Brogna all averaging around 12-13 points a game, the Skyhawks will need the defense to be more intense. They currently allow the third-highest field goal percentage allowed among teams in the conference tournament and get the second least amount of steals per game. With this offense, Stonehill could find itself in its first-ever Division I national tournament.

Dark Horses: Fairleigh Dickinson and Wagner

Fairleigh Dickinson (12-19, 8-8)

Known for its upset as a 16-seed in the 2023 March Madness, Fairleigh Dickinson is looking to make some more March magic. This year, the team struggled early on and didn’t really turn any heads during conference play beating just the same four teams twice.

Led by conference leading scorer Terrence Brown (20.6 points per game), the Knights will need a little more defensive production as they currently hold a .2 point differential at 73.8 points per game for and 73.6 points per game against. They could be a tough team to beat if they find a true number two and number three-pointthree point scorer in the tournament, but for right now, they’re just a team that knows they can pull off an upset.

Wagner (14-15, 6-10)

Last year’s postseason champs are back and looking to repeat. The Seahawks come back into this tournament in the same position as last year, and they’ve already stolen one win from Central Connecticut. 

Now, do they have enough magic from last year? Probably not, but with senior guards Zaire Williams and Zae Blake leading the backcourt, this team could make a deep cut in this tournament. While both Williams and Blake are only scoring a combined 21 points per game, this Seahawk squad shuts down opponents on the defensive end of the court.

Cinderellas: Le Moyne and Chicago State

Le Moyne (9-22, 4-12)

Theoretically, Le Moyne could make a run but with their best conference win coming against a team who’s not even allowed in the tournament yet (Mercyhurst), it just doesn’t seem like the Dolphins will be much of a threat in the tournament this year. But again, crazier things have happened.

Chicago State (4-27, 4-12)

Chicago State has mustered four wins this season, all coming against conference opponents. One of these wins came against their first-roundfirst round matchup – the LIU Sharks 73-67. However, with a spot in the national tournament on the line, it’s hard to imagine LIU not playing to the best of their ability for all 40 minutes. Though, once again, the Cougars are in the Cinderella category for a reason.

My Pick: Central Connecticut State

I think this team is out for revenge this year. I think they want that auto bid. They’ve had it in their hands nearly all year, they’re playing their best basketball, and they’re probably starving for that conference title. However, I won’t rule out Wagner to make another deep run this time around.