Mariners Prepped for Saturday's NECC Finals
HENNIKER, N.H. - Mitchell College travels to New England College on Saturday afternoon for the finals of the 2020 New England Collegiate Conference Men's Basketball Championship.
The second-seeded Mariners, the defending NECC champs, are making their third finals appearance since 2014 and their eighth-straight appearance (and ninth overall) in the conference tournament. Mitchell is 8-6 all-time in tournament play with titles in 2014 and 2019.
The top-seeded Pilgrims earned the best record (10-2) in league action this season and are making their second appearance in the tournament. New England College was upset in last year's semifinals and is 1-1 all-time in the tournament.
This Season: The two teams split the regular season series, with each winning on their home floor. The Mariners won 91-85 on January 11 while the Pilgrims picked up a 90-74 victory on February 15.
In the Tournament: Today's meeting will be the second between Mitchell and New England College in the NECC Championship. The Mariners pulled off an upset of the top-seeded Pilgrims in last year's semifinals thanks to an overtime buzzer beater from Matt Finke.
Scouting New England College: The Pilgrims are coming off a 92-79 victory over fourth-seeded Dean College in the semifinals on Thursday night. Head coach Charlie Mason, now in his 18th season at NEC, has led his team to a 20-6 overall record this season. His squad was ranked 10th in the region in the latest NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Northeast Regional Poll. The Pilgrims own the highest-scoring offense in the conference (89.4 ppg) and rank fifth in scoring defense (79.8 ppg). Calvin Cheek (12.0 ppg) and Izaiah Winston-Brooks (17.9 ppg) were both all-conference first team selections while Jamal Allen (15.5 ppg) landed a spot on the second team. Cheek, who leads the nation in steals, was also tabbed NECC Defensive Player of the Year.
Scouting Mitchell: The Mariners entered the tournament having won seven of their last 10 games. Mitchell advanced to the finals behind a 73-69 victory over third-seeded Eastern Nazarene on Thursday night. Head coach Todd Peretz, now in his 21st season, has led his squad to a 12-14 overall record. Mitchell ranks third in the NECC in both scoring (79.2 ppg) and scoring defense (77.5 ppg). All-conference selections Hasani Williams (14.9 ppg) and Matt Finke (14.2) pace a balanced offense that features nine players who average more than 5.0 points per contest.
2020 NECC Men's Basketball Championship
First Round - Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Game 1: #6 Becker 70, #3 Eastern Nazarene 74 (OT)
Game 2: #5 Elms 77, #4 Dean 89
Semifinals - Thursday, February 27, 2020
Game 3: #3 Eastern Nazarene 69, #2 Mitchell 73
Game 4: #4 Dean 79, #1 New England Col. 92
Championship - Saturday, February 29, 2020
Game 5: #2 Mitchell at #1 New England Col. - 4:00 p.m.