Conference preview: Northeast

The Northeast Conference provided a thrilling nationally televised title game last season and even chalked up a victory in the NCAA Tournament.

The mid-major league undoubtedly would take a repeat this season. Ditto Monmouth.

The Hawks won their third NEC title in six years with a last-second victory against in-state rival Fairleigh Dickinson in the conference title game. They then defeated Hampton in the NCAA Tournament play-in game before losing in respectable fashion to No. 1 seed Villanova.

With three returning starters -- forward Marques Alston, guard Dejan Delic and 6-foot-10 center Corey Hallett, Monmouth figures to contend for the NEC crown once again. But the Hawks will have company.

Several experienced, guard-oriented teams figure to stake their own claims to league supremacy. Central Connecticut State, Robert Morris, Quinnipiac and Wagner all have multiple starters returning and should be in the title race.

Central Connecticut moved up six spots in the standings last year from 2004-05, and it sports three returning starters in forward Obie Nwadike -- the only NEC player to average a double-double (12.3 ppg., 10.3 rpg.) last season -- and guards Tristan Blackwood and Javier Mojica. Coach Howie Dickenman will see six newcomers join six veterans.

Last year's four top scorers return for Robert Morris, which is coming off its first winning season in six years. Two newcomers also figure to have an impact -- 7-foot Dutchman Bas Rozendaal and guard Jimmy Langhurst.

Quinnipiac is a team of extremes with five seniors and three true freshmen. Junior Karl Anderson and senior Victor Akinyanju form a talented returning inside duo.

Wagner returns four starters, but it must replace the leadership of departed DeEarnest McLemore.

Of course, a few other NEC schools have their sights set on a league crown.

Long Island was hampered by injuries last season but returns all five starters, including talented senior guard James Williams.

St. Francis (N.Y.) second-year coach Brian Nash has a young team, but the Terriers could surprise.

Fairleigh Dickinson coach Tom Green must replace 52.3 percent of last year's offense, including NEC Player of the Year Chad Timberlake, three-time all-league player Gordon Klaiber and three-year starting center Andrea Crosariol.

Team to beat

Monmouth: The Hawks will try to become the first team since Rider in 1993 and '94 to repeat as NEC champion. Dave Calloway's squad should add to its string of six consecutive winning seasons. Last year's top two scorers return -- Dejan Delic (12.3 ppg.) and Marques Alston (11.6 ppg.). There's also 7-2, 320-pound center John Bunch. He didn't start at all last season but was a key reserve and defensive presence. Bunch, who underwent offseason knee surgery, ranked second in the NEC with 74 blocks. Bunch helped spark Monmouth's second-half comeback in last season's NEC title game, finishing with six points, seven rebounds and six blocks.

Watch out for

Long Island: The Blackbirds won eight of their final 12 regular-season games, including six of the final seven at their new Wellness, Recreation & Athletic Center. James Williams, Aubin Scott and Tyrone Mattison form a three-guard attack that is just as solid on the defensive end as it is offensively. Then again, with the exception of Sacred Heart, Mt. St. Mary's and St. Francis (Pa.), any other NEC team could fill this section.

Player of the Year

James Williams, LIU: The senior combo guard is a former conference rookie of the year and two-time all-league member. He's an excellent long-range shooter who also can drive and create his own shot. Williams finished last season third in the NEC in scoring (16.6 ppg). He also finished third in made 3-pointers and 11th (3.3 apg) in assists. Williams is the league's lone returning 1,000-point scorer.