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Men's Basketball

Men’s Basketball Opens NEC Play on the Road at Chicago State

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Wagner College men's basketball team opens NEC play on the road Friday, January 2, with a matchup against Chicago State. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT at the Jones Convocation Center, with coverage available on NEC Front Row.

Friday's contest marks the third all-time meeting between the programs, as the teams faced off twice last season and split the matchups.

Chicago State (2–11, 0–0 NEC) enters the game following a 78–58 road loss at Indiana on December 20. The Cougars are led by first-year head coach Landon Bussie and picked up non-conference victories over Saint Xavier University (Ill.) and Loyola Chicago. Chicago State ranks ninth in the NEC in scoring (66.2 ppg) and second in steals per game (8.46). Junior guard Doyel Cockrill III leads the team with 14.4 points per contest. The Cougars are in their second season as NEC members and were selected to finish sixth in the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll.

Wagner (5–6, 0–0 NEC) enters Friday's matchup riding a four-game winning streak, most recently earning a 74–57 victory over Manor. Junior Nick Jones led the Seahawks with 13 points and six rebounds off the bench, while junior Eddie Placer added 11 points. Sophomore Zavier Fitch chipped in 10 points and six rebounds as Wagner received 37 points from its bench and dominated inside with 50 points in the paint.

Ahead of the season, the Green & White were selected to finish eighth in the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Seahawks currently lead the NEC in rebounds per game (40.5). Fitch paces the team with 7.2 rebounds per contest, ranking seventh in the conference. Wagner also ranks second in the league in scoring (76.2 ppg) and fourth in assists per game (14.5).

Wagner has captured four NEC regular-season titles (2003, 2016, 2018, 2021) and two NEC Tournament championships (2003, 2024). A win on Friday would give the Seahawks their first NEC-opening victory since the 2022–23 season and extend their winning streak to five games, their longest since the 2020–21 campaign.

Following Friday's matchup, the Green & White will continue conference play on January 4, hosting Stonehill for a 4:00 p.m. tip-off inside the Spiro Sports Center.
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Players Mentioned

Zavier Fitch

#1 Zavier Fitch

F
6' 7"
Sophomore
Eddie Placer

#7 Eddie Placer

G
6' 5"
Junior
Nick Jones

#0 Nick Jones

G
6' 2"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Zavier Fitch

#1 Zavier Fitch

6' 7"
Sophomore
F
Eddie Placer

#7 Eddie Placer

6' 5"
Junior
G
Nick Jones

#0 Nick Jones

6' 2"
Junior
G

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