For the sixth time in seven seasons, the FDU men’s basketball team has punched their ticket to the Northeast Conference tournament.

The team has had an up-and-down season with a 9-18 record and a 7-9 record in conference play.

The team has two games remaining, one at home and one on the road, before the NEC Quarterfinals on March 4.

FDU is led by junior guard Jahlil Jenkins who is averaging 16.1 ppg this season. The Knights have three other starters scoring in double-figures. Senior forward Kaleb Bishop is averaging 13.5 ppg, redshirt junior guard Xzavier Malone-Key is averaging 11.6 and junior forward Elyjah Williams is averaging 11.3 points.

The Knights have struggled to play consistently all season, and will need to be playing their best basketball if they want to advance in the conference tournament.

The team defense has been especially concerning as the Knights have been outscored by more than two points-per-game in conference play.

Since the Knights will be in the bottom half of the bracket, they will have to play on the road to make it to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.

The Knights have two more opportunities to round into form, and prepare for what will be a very difficult NEC tournament run for FDU.

Kenneth Ramirez Castro

Redshirt junior forward Xzavier Malone-Key (5) is averaging 11.6 points-per-game.