Men’s Basketball Heads to Western New England for CNE Semifinals

SUFFOLK vs. WESTERN NEW ENGLAND
Date Time Venue Video Stats Notes Series Last Meeting Last Suffolk Win Streak	Friday, Feb. 27 7:00 PM Alumni Healthful Living Center Springfield, Mass. NSN WNEGoldenBears.com GoSuffolkRams.com 12-21 Jan. 31, 2026, L, 62-59 Feb. 11, 2025, W, 65-64 Lost 2

BOSTON – Suffolk men's basketball's quest for the Conference of New England (CNE) crown will continue Friday, Feb. 27 when the third-seeded Rams travel to second seed Western New England for the semifinals at 7:00 p.m. 

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2026 CNE MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
First Round – Wednesday, Feb. 25
Game 1: No. 4 Nichols defeated No. 5 Roger Williams, 104-91 – Box Score
Game 2: No. 3 Suffolk defeated No. 6 University of New England, 75-67 – Box Score

Semifinals – Friday, Feb. 27
Game 3: No. 4 Nichols at No. 1 Endicott – 7:30 p.m. – Live Stats | Live Video
Game 4: No. 3 Suffolk at No. 2 Western New England – 7:00 p.m. – Live Stats | Live Video

Championship – Sunday, March 1
Game 5: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 3 – at Highest Remaining Seed

MORE INFO: Championship Central 

RAMS IN THE POSTSEASON

• Suffolk is in the middle of its 21st overall and 13th straight postseason run.
• The trip is Suffolk's fifth CNE (formerly CCC) Tournament trip. 
• The Rams entered the CNE field as the third seed for the second time overall and in as many seasons.  
• It is the third time in program history that Suffolk is the third seed (2001, 2025, 2026). 
• As the third seed, the Rams are 3-1 in CNE postseason play.
• Over its 20 conference tournament appearances, Suffolk has advanced to the semifinals eight times, including this year, and the championship contest three.
• Friday night's semifinal appearance is the eighth overall, fourth in the CNE tenure and third straight. 
• It is the first time in program history that Suffolk will compete in a league's semifinal in three consecutive campaigns. 
• Suffolk is 3-4 in a conference semifinal including a 2-1 ledger in CNE Semis.
• The blue-and-gold has only ever competed in the CNE Semis on the road. 
• The Rams aim to capture their first CNE crown and second-ever league championship, first since the 2002 GNAC Title. 
• Suffolk boasts a 6-4 overall record in the CNE Tournament. 
• Suffolk hosted a CNE postseason game for the third time and second straight season. 
• The Rams are unbeaten in CNE Tournament tilts played at Smith Court, 4-0. 
• On the road, the blue-and-gold is 3-4 in CNE postseason play. 
• Under Jeff Juron's guidance, Suffolk is 7-8 in the postseason and 6-4 in the CNE Tournament. 
• The Rams have needed overtime to decide a winner in a postseason contest once, the 2024 first round at third-seed Endicott. Suffolk won that tangle, 80-79.  

LAST TIME OUT
Suffolk men's basketball saw five different players in double figures as the third seeded Rams held on for a 75-67 Conference of New England (CNE) First Round victory over sixth seed University of New England Wednesday night at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court.  

MORE READING: Men's Basketball Outlasts UNE in CNE First Round, 75-67

RAMS RUNDOWN

• Suffolk improved to 16-10 overall with a 75-67 CNE First Round victory over the University of New England Wednesday.
• Suffolk averages 69.8 ppg and ranks 13th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 63.7 ppg.
• The Rams hold opponents to 38.1 shooting percentage from the field and 29.2 percent from three-point range.
• Nick Verdile leads the team in scoring at 13.6 ppg and averages 2.4 made three-pointers per contest.
• James Jones contributes 12.0 points and a team-best 8.2 rebounds per game.
• Harrison Neil chips in 9.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
• Greg Keane averages 8.5 points on a 58.8 conversion rate from the floor, to go along with 3.7 rpg and 3.0 blocks per game, which ranks fifth nationally.

GOLDEN BEARS GLANCE

• Western New England earned a first-round bye after finishing the regular season 20-5 overall and 14-2 in CNE play.
• The Golden Bears average 73.4 ppg, while allowing 64.1 points per outing.
• Western New England shoots 43.2 percent from the field and 31.1 percent from beyond-the-arc.
• Luka Vlajkovic averages a double-double with 15.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, while adding 3.5 assists per contest.
• Matt Houde contributes 12.0 points and 3.8 assists per contest.
• Avery Mickens averages 9.7 ppg, while Eddie McCoy (8.4 ppg) and Nate Kasper (8.2 ppg) provide additional scoring balance.

WE MEET AGAIN
The rematch of the 2025 Conference of New England (CNE) Championship was an edge-of-your-seat thriller Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Alumni Healthful Living Center as Suffolk men's basketball trailed by as many as 21 before it mounted a second half comeback that fell short to Western New England, 62-59.  

MORE READING: Men's Basketball Comeback Comes Up Short at WNE, 62-59

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and Western New England will tangle in a CNE Tournament contest for the third time overall and in as many years. 
• The Rams are 1-4 in a conference postseason contest versus the Golden Bears overall and 1-1 in CNE postseason games against WNE. 
• All five postseason games between Suffolk and WNE have taken place in Springfield, Massachusetts.
• The Rams trail the all-time series 12-21.
• Suffolk looks to snap a two-game skid against the Golden Bears. 
• The Rams fell to WNE in the last meeting, 62-59, Jan. 31, 2026.
• The blue-and-gold's last win over Western New England came via a 65-64 decision Feb. 11, 2025.  
• In Springfield, the Rams are 6-12 versus WNE.
• Suffolk is 6-9 all-time at home against the Golden Bears.
• Under head coach Jeff Juron, Suffolk is 5-7 against WNE.
• The two programs have needed overtime three times, with Suffolk holding a 1-2 record in OT games.

MORE INFO: Suffolk vs. Western New England – All Time Series

STATS SHOWDOWN

WHAT'S NEXT?
The winner of Friday night's action will advance to the CNE Championship Sunday, March 1 and will take on the victor of the semifinal showdown between No. 14 Endicott and Nichols. The title tilt will take place at the highest remaining seed.