College Men: FDU is favored to retain Northeast crown

Fairleigh Dickinson, coming off a tour of England, is favored to again take the Northeast title. The Knights return NEC Rookie of the Year Dirceu Hurtado (43 points) in a bid to become the first NEC team to repeat since St. Francis (N.Y.) (1995-96). Also back for Seth Roland’s team are all-NEC picks Danny Lozano, Johnny David and Brian Romero. No. 2 pick UMBC got two first-place votes despite the loss of two-time NEC Player of the Year Giuliano Celenza. Rounding out the voting are 3. St. Francis (N.Y.), 4. Quinnipiac, 5. Mt. St. Mary’s, 6. Central Connecticut State, 7. Long Island, 7. Robert Morris, 7. St. Francis (Pa.), 10. Monmouth and 11. Sacred Heart.