'Jersey pride' as Shore Conference alums lead Stevens basketball into D-3 NCAA Tournament

New Jersey is known for its beautiful beaches, great pizza, and – at this time of year, especially – high-level basketball.

Stephen Braunstein and Mike Goodall are experts in all three. The Shore Conference alums are leading the men's basketball team at Stevens Institute of Technology into the Division 3 NCAA Tournament – one of four Garden State college programs in the bracket. The first round is Friday.

“Growing up in Jersey, there’s a ton of pride, and I think we’re one of the best basketball states in the country in terms of all levels,” said Goodall, who played football and hoops at Toms River High School East. “This shows how competitive it is. It’s always been super competitive growing up down the shore and everywhere I’ve been, so it’s great to have the opportunity to represent Stevens and New Jersey in the NCAA Tournament."

Stevens, which is located in Hoboken (hence the pizza reference), joins The College of New Jersey, Rowan and Stockton in D-3’s version of the Big Dance. All four squads are led by former Jersey high school stars.

“There are probably 8-10 guys from New Jersey going to Division I (programs) each year,” said Braunstein, a Christian Brothers Academy grad and Colts Neck native. “A lot of the best guys from high school basketball in New Jersey wind up going D-3 – and it’s really good competition obviously.”

Stevens is proof. The Ducks are 22-5 after upending top-seeded DeSales on the road in the MAC Tournament final. Braunstein, a postgad guard who transferred from Scranton last offseason, is averaging 17.1 points while shooting 42.6 percent from 3-point range and 88.6 percent from the free-throw line

“With his ability to shoot it as such a high level, the firepower he brings to our team, other teams have focused on him and it opens things up for other guys,” Goodall said. “We get better looks when he’s in the game.”

Though they never squared off in high school, Goodall knew what Braunstein was capable of after he torched Stevens for 22 points in a game last season.

“He lit us up a little bit,” Goodall said. “I like to think I didn’t guard him, but I probably did.”

Goodall, a senior guard, averages 9.3 points and 4.2 rebounds. He’s the perimeter stopper for a defense that yields just 65 points per game and is holding foes to 39 percent shooting.

“Mike’s a great defender who is always guarding the best player on the other team,” Braunstein said. “And when I’ve been off, Mike’s been there to pick me up.”

Tying it all together is 6-foot-9 junior forward Jack Spellman, a Westfield High School grad who is averaging 12.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and a whopping 4.0 blocks per game.

This marks Stevens’ fourth NCAA Tournament appearance under longtime coach Bobby Hurley. In 2022 the Ducks won their first-round game. Friday’s matchup is against Farmingdale State (26-2) in Hampden Sydney, Va. Tip time is 4:30 p.m.

Braunstein said everyone at the players’ favorite Hoboken pizza joint – Mario’s Classic Pizza on Garden Street – will be following along. And plenty of friends and family members are making the trip.

“I’ve been getting texts about it all week,” Goodall said. “Everybody knows what a great opportunity this is.”

NJAC well-represented

For the second straight year, the New Jersey Athletic Conference is sending three men’s hoops teams to the NCAA Tournament. Here are Friday’s opening-round matchups and the Jersey players to watch.

TCNJ (20-8) vs. Eastern (20-7), 3:45 p.m. in Keene, N.H.

For the Lions, sophomore guard Nick Koch (Don Bosco Prep) averages 17.8 points and 4.7 assists, junior forward Matthew Okorie (Clifton) averages 11.8 points and 7.6 rebounds, and sophomore forward Matthew Solomon (Manasquan) averages 11.4 points, 10.4 boards and 3.2 assists.

Rowan (19-7) vs. Carnegie Mellon (16-9), 3:15 p.m. in Washington, D.C.

Senior forward Ja’Zere Noel (Woodbury) averages 21.8 points and 9.8 rebounds for the Profs.

Stockton (17-10) vs. Tufts (19-7), 6:45 p.m. at New York University

Senior forward DJ Campbell (Vineland) averages 20.0 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Ospreys.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: D-3 NCAA Tournament: Stevens, TCNJ, Rowan and Stockton repping NJ