CBB: NEC Conference Tournament Preview

Favorites (odds below +500)

Merrimack Warriors (+110): Merrimack has been one of the top programs in this conference since moving up. They were at/near the top of the conference standings all season long finishing 13-3 in conference play and 19-11 overall. The Warriors are hot at the right time, they just lost on Saturday but had a 10 game win streak going before that. Merrimack actually won the conference tournament last year but wasn’t eligible for the tournament yet due to silly antiquated NCAA rules. They are now eligible this year and looking to show it is their time.

Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (+135): CCSU is a great story. This program has struggled for a while now, but that has changed this season. The Blue Devils went 19-10, their best record since 2010-11! This team has been in every conference game never losing by more than 5 points (the 5pt loss was in OT).

Sleepers (+500 or above)

Sacred Heart Pioneers (+1000): One of the older members of the never made the tournament club. Sacred Heart had a decent year, they have a winning record and finished 3rd in the regular season. They weren’t able to beat CCSU but did upset Merrimack on Saturday so show there is hope!

LeMoyne Dolphins (+1500): What a nightmare it would be for the NEC if ANOTHER program that isn’t eligible for the tournament won the conference tournament. LeMoyne is brand new to the conference and D1 overall. The Dolphins have a weird hex over CCSU as they are responsible for 2 of the Blue Devils 3 conference losses.

Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (+3000): The odds are long but we all know they’ve beaten longer odds before. FDU has an ok team, with all the changes it’s not as good as past season but we know at any point they can get hot if you really want a longshot.

My Pick:

Merrimack Warriors (+110): Merrimack got a trial run to winning the conference tournament last year but now they are eligible and I believe they will seize the opportunity.