Some predictions for the area’s 2021-22 college basketball season
Haggerty Award (Metro area’s top player)
Jr. F Julian Champagnie, St. John’s (19.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg)
The best player on the best team — yes, St. John’s separates itself from Seton Hall and Rutgers — Champagnie nearly won the award a year ago, but he leaves no doubt this winter. Already a potent scorer, the sharpshooting junior from Brooklyn improves as a playmaker and defender to become an even more well-rounded forward.
All-Met First Team
So. G Posh Alexander, St. John’s (10.9 ppg, 4.3 apg)
Sr. G Geo Baker, Rutgers (10.4 ppg, 3.2 apg)
So. F Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona (11.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg)
So. F Cliff Omoruyi, Rutgers (3.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
Sr. G/F Jared Rhoden, Seton Hall (14.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg)
All-Met Second Team
Sr. G Jalen Ray, Hofstra (19.3 ppg, 3.3 apg)
Sr. G Ron Harper Jr., Rutgers (14.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
Sr. G Tareq Coburn, St. John’s (15.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
Sr. G Jamir Harris, Seton Hall (20.5 ppg, 3.5 apg)
Sr. G Elijah Olaniyi, Stony Brook (10.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
5 Predictions
Dancing like it’s 1991
For the first time in 31 years, Rutgers, St. John’s and Seton Hall all make the NCAA Tournament. The Johnnies earn an eight-seed, while the Scarlet Knights and Pirates get in as 10-seeds, creating simultaneous February and March excitement for the local programs seldom seen in the area.
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Cliff emerges in Piscataway
Myles Johnson’s departure for UCLA created a mammoth hole in the middle for the Scarlet Knights, one that Cliff Omoruyi is ready to fill. The former top-50 recruit from Roselle Catholic (N.J.) served as Johnson’s backup last year, and while Rutgers will miss the big man’s defense at times, the 6-foot-11 Omoruyi steps to the forefront as a force in the paint.
New coaches take their lumps
There is ample excitement on Rose Hill and in Hempstead for new eras. Former Villanova assistant coach Kyle Neptune hopes to bring his old school’s winning formula to The Bronx while Speedy Claxton takes over at Hofstra, where he was once a star player under Neptune’s old boss, Jay Wright. It will take time for both. Fordham has had just one winning season in the last 14 years. Changing that losing culture won’t happen overnight. Over at Hofstra, the Pride lost two of their top three players from a year ago. With several new pieces, they will start slowly, in part due to a daunting non-conference schedule that includes Houston, Maryland, Richmond and Arkansas, leading to a fifth-place finish in the CAA.
Pitino propels Iona
A coach who scrimmaged Iona equated the Gaels to a low-level Big East program, they are that talented. Last year, despite several COVID-19 pauses, Rick Pitino led his new school to the NCAA Tournament and pushed No. 2 seed Alabama for 30 minutes. His second year will be better without those interruptions, as Iona cruises to the MAAC regular-season and postseason crowns, and receives a 14-seed in the Big Dance. A big March run, though, is still a year away.
Star’s return sets up Stony Brook
Talented wing Elijah Olaniyi is back on Long Island after leaving to play one season at Miami, setting up Stony Brook for its best season since reaching the tournament six years ago. The Seawolves are loaded, led by Olaniyi, former FDU star guard Jahlil Jenkins and last year’s leading scorers, Juan Felix Rodriguez and Frankie Policelli. A win at Ivy League favorite Yale, and a strong performance in a loss at Kansas, creates ample buzz for the program.