The college basketball season is set to tip off with several New York City area teams looking to make their mark. LIU, the reigning NEC champions, are aiming for another strong performance after reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. Coach Rod Strickland has bolstered his roster with three high-major transfers: guards Daquan Davis (Providence) and Vasean Allette (TCU), and forward Jahki Howard (Utah). The team also welcomes the Bewley twins, Matt and Ryan, former five-star recruits who are now eligible after a court order allowed them to play.
Hofstra, the defending CAA champions, faces the challenge of replacing their top four scorers from last season. Despite being picked to finish third in the conference, the Pride have added key transfers including guards Justin Moore and Deywilton Tavarez from Loyola Chicago, and Tanner Thomas from Sacred Heart. Junior forward Joshua DeCady is expected to take a significant step forward this season. Hofstra has maintained a consistent record of success under coach Speedy Claxton, with eight winning seasons in the last nine years.
Rutgers begins the season with optimism after close preseason losses to St. John's and Villanova. The Scarlet Knights return six of their top seven scorers, led by senior guard Tariq Francis, an honorable mention All-Big Ten performer last year. The addition of Virginia Tech transfer Christian Gurdak at center is expected to provide an offensive boost. The team is predicted to finish in the middle of the Big Ten standings, benefiting from strong continuity in an era of frequent player movement in college basketball.