THE POST’S LOCAL PREDICTIONS
RUTGERS SPENDS ANOTHER SEASON IN THE BASEMENT
Steve Pikiell turned around a hopeless situation at Stony Brook, transforming a four-win team into one of the most consistent mid-major programs in the country, but life in the Big Ten may never get better. The Scarlet Knights have won just three games in conference in each of the past two seasons under the coach, and the loss of star Corey Sanders has Rutgers headed toward a fifth straight last-place finish.
THERE WILL BE DANCING
On the strength of its small-ball lineup, St. John’s punches its first ticket to the Dance in the Chris Mullin era, riding the three-headed backcourt monster of Shamorie Ponds, Mustapha Heron and Justin Simon. The Johnnies make up for a soft non-conference schedule by going 11-7 in the Big East, and are joined by Fairleigh Dickinson. The Knights are led by the NEC’s best forward tandem, Mike Holloway Jr. and Kaleb Bishop, a duo that sends them back to March Madness after a three-year hiatus.
A SCORING CHAMP ON LONG ISLAND
Justin Wright-Foreman (right) was fifth in the nation in scoring last year, averaging 24.4 points per game and he’s only improved. The 6-foot-2 southpaw from Queens will lead the country in scoring, as he improves on his 36 percent shooting from 3-point range. His ultimate goal — an NCAA Tournament berth — will be within reach, but the Pride comes up a few points shy in the CAA title game, extending their March drought that dates back to 2001.
IONA’S RUN COMES TO AN END
The Gaels have won three straight conference tournament titles, and made a remarkable six straight MAAC Championship games, but Rider enters the season as the heavy favorite to claim the league’s NCAA Tournament berth. Coach Tim Cluess will keep Iona in contention again and star guard Rickey McGill will lead another entertaining offense, but a largely new supporting cast won’t be up to the task of defending the title.