Arena on NAC All-Rookie team

Men’s College Basketball

ORONO – University of Maine freshman guard Casey Arena was the only Black Bear named to any postseason North Atlantic Conference all-star team.

Arena, of Beverly, Mass., was selected to the NAC All-Rookie team as voted on by the conference’s eight coaches. Arena averaged 11.9 points per game for Maine, which completed its season with a 10-17 record.

University of Hartford 6-foot-11 senior center Vin Baker was named the NAC Player of the Year after averaging 28.5 points for the Hawks. Baker is considered a likely first-round NBA draft pick.

Vermont freshman guard Eddie Benton was named Rookie of the Year after finishing as the nation’s leading freshman scorer (24 ppg).

Drexel second-year head coach Bill Herrion was named Coach of the Year after leading the Dragons to a 20-6 regular season record and the top seed in the NAC tournament. Drexel plays Delaware Wednesday night in the NAC title game, the winner advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

The All-NAC first team included: Benton, Baker, Drexel freshman center Malik Rose, Delaware center Spencer Dunkley, and Drexel sophomore guard Brian Holden.

Named to the second team were Northeastern center Dan Callahan, Boston University forward David Stiff, Delaware forward Anthony Wright and point guard Brian Pearl, and Northeastern guard Anthony Brown.

Joining Arena of Maine on the All-Rookie squad were Benton, Rose, Stiff, and New Hampshire forward Ed Eusebio.