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As reported by Northeast Conference blogger Nelson Castillo, the Red Storm will host the Blue Devils of Central Connecticut State on Tuesday, November 14th at Carnesecca Arena. Neither team has confirmed the matchup.
Central Connecticut State is now the first of two Northeast Conference teams headed to Queens, as it was confirmed this week that Sacred Heart will also be visiting Carnesecca.
The games we know of:
- Central Connecticut State (November 14) at Carnesecca Arena
- Nebraska (November 16) at Carnesecca (Gavitt Games)
- The Advocare International Tournament (November 23-26) in Orlando
- Sacred Heart (December 2) at Carnesecca
- Grand Canyon (December 5) in Phoenix
- Arizona State (December 8) in Los Angeles
- Iona (December 17) in Madison Square Garden (Holiday Festival)
- St. Joseph’s (December 20) at Mohegan Sun (CT)
- Duke at Madison Square Garden (Feb 3)
The Central Connecticut Blue Devils are coming off a subpar season, after finishing with a record of 6-23. Despite the struggles, they do return their leading scorer in Austin Nehls. Nehls also led the conference after averaging 36.1 minutes played per game.
Their best win of the season was on the road at Mount St. Mary’s who won their First Four play-in game of the NCAA tournament, only to be ousted by Big East member Villanova in the first round of play.
With important non-conference games later in the season, it is important that the Johnnies don’t overlook any team. Last year, Red Storm fans watched Delaware State walk into Queens and leave with a victory that few saw coming.
In Chris Mullin’s third season at the helm, it is clear that he wants to step up the competition. After playing a year together, the backcourt duo of Marcus LoVett and Shamorie Ponds will need to get freshmen Bryan Trimble and Sid Wilson acclimatized to college basketball quickly with early games like this one.
Transfers Justin Simon and Marvin Clark, who come from major programs (Arizona and Michigan St.) will also be key leaders on and off the floor this season.