Complete Northeast Conference Release
Somerset, N.J. – The Long Island University men’s basketball team collected one first-place vote and was tabbed second in the 2009-10 Northeast Conference preseason coaches poll it was announced by the league office on Wednesday during the league’s annual conference call with coaches and media. Senior
Jaytornah Wisseh was named to the NEC Preseason All-Conference Team for the second straight year, which was announced during the teleconference to preview the league’s 29
th season. Head coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team or players for the preseason polls.
Head coach Jim Ferry will begin his eighth season in charge of the Blackbirds and returns three starters from last season’s squad that finished 16-14 overall. In addition to Wisseh, LIU starters returning include juniors
David Hicks and
Kyle Johnson from a squad that tied for second with a 12-6 league mark and completed the Blackbirds’ first winning season overall since 1997-98.
Mount St. Mary’s was named the league’s preseason favorite for the second straight season, collecting nine first-place votes from the head coaches. Defending champion Robert Morris collected two first-place votes and was picked third along with Quinnipiac. Central Connecticut State rounded out the top five in the preseason poll.
Sacred Heart was picked sixth, followed by St. Francis (N.Y.), Fairleigh Dickinson, Monmouth and Wagner. Bryant was picked 11th and will compete in a full conference schedule, but will not be eligible for the postseason tournament until 2012-13. Saint Francis (Pa.) rounded out the poll.
Joining Wisseh on the NEC Preseason All-Conference Team was senior guards Sean Baptiste (Fairleigh Dickinson) Jeremy Goode (Mount St. Mary’s). Junior forwards Justin Rutty (Quinnipiac) and Ken Horton (Central Connecticut State) rounded out the preseason team. Wisseh, a first team all-conference pick last season, is the only two-time all-league selection on the preseason team.
The Blackbirds begin the season with an exhibition game at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, against NYIT at the Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center. LIU’s regular-season opener is at St. John’s on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:00 p.m.