Basically: The fourth best team in the Northeast Conference, it managed to get hot at the right time, winning its final five games including the league title with a 68-55 win on Sacred Heart. A good, veteran team that was predicted to be among the preseason favorites to win the championship, it lost its first four games of the year and struggled through the first part of the conference season only to keep improving and get hot at the right time. The defense is the key as it's solid inside and tough on the perimeter, while the offense has been timely and consistent over the second part of the season.

Strengths: Depth. There's decent size for a Northeast Conference team with plenty of blocks, rebounding from everywhere, and nine players that can step in and play. While Chris Vann and Jeremy Goode are the scorers, everyone does a little bit of everything with nine players averaging over two rebounds per game. The guards make things go, but the big forwards and seven-foot center Jason Loughry help the defensive interior.

Weaknesses: Rebounding. Yeah, everyone gets on the glass, but there isn't any one top boarder considering the decent size up front. The Mountaineers get outrebounded by just about everyone, but the biggest problem is on the free throw line. They can shoot, but they commit way too many fouls with their aggressive D.

Players you should care about: Senior Chris Vann and sophomore Jeremy Goode make the engine go, but they could have problems with bigger backcourts. The 6-0 Vann only managed four points in the title game and after going for double-digit points in ten straight games, he hasn't hit the mark in four of the last six games. On the flip side, Goode, the team's top passer, has been red hot scoring 23 points in the semi-final game against Robert Morris and has gone for 13 or more in six of the final seven games.

Best wins: Winthrop 64-59; Sacred Heart (NEC Championship)

Worst losses: Farleigh Dickinson 65-62; LaSalle 66-63