Northeast Conference report

SportsLine.com Report
April 5, 2000

Along with Monmouth, the Braves were a major surprise in just their second Division I season and second in the NEC. They will be eligible for the NEC Tournament for the first time next season. They would have been the No. 4 seed if eligible this year.

Versatile senior swingman Nate Pondexter led the surge as Quinnipiac rose from winning just four games two years ago in Division II to 18 this season, the most wins for the program since 1987-88.

A glance at 2001

Pondexter will be missed, but Quinnipiac has a strong, young, nucleus and some expected impact transfers.

The coach

Joe DeSantis completed his fourth year by equaling his win total of the past three. A former player at Fairfield, DeSantis served stints as an assistant at Fairfield, Duquesne, Pittsburgh, and St. John's and also worked (1994-95) as an advance scout for the Detroit Pistons.

Who'll be back

Center Bill Romano, guards Jared Grasso and Jamar Fields, and athletic forward Alpha East lead a large group of returnees. Guard newcomers, Kareem Lee and Collin Charles, transfers from Drake and St. John's respectively, are expected to provide an instant lift.

Who's gone

Quinnipiac's two top scorers, Pondexter and forward Ivory Stanley, along with starting forward Chris Stone.