NEC to host Virtual Media Days this week

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Northeast Conference will hold its 2020 Virtual Basketball Media Days Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for the upcoming basketball season.

Bryant women's basketball head coach Mary Burke and senior Brooke Bjelko will take part in Wednesday's media day that will air on ESPN3 and NECFrontRow.com starting at noon.

Burke enters her 30th season on the sideline for the Black and Gold and will return four players that appeared in 24 or more games last winter. Bjelko was one of three players to start all 30 games a season ago, finishing with 9.8 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game. Bryant also welcomes back sophomore Nicole Gallagher, an NEC All-Rookie selection that started all 30 games and 9.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 2.0 assists per game.

The Bulldogs finished 8-10 in NEC play last season, qualifying for the NEC Tournament as the No. 6 seed. Bryant won the NEC Regular-Season title in 2014-15.

Bryant men's basketball head coach Jared Grasso and sophomore Michael Green III will represent the Black and Gold on Thursday at noon. The men's show will also air on ESPN3 and NECFrontRow.com.

Grasso has turned the Bulldog program around quickly in his first two seasons in Smithfield, improving from three wins in the year before he arrived to 15 last winter. Bryant's 15 wins in 19-20 were the fourth-most in a single-season in DI program history. Grasso will welcome back a strong foundation this winter led by Green, the reigning NEC Rookie of the Year. Green averaged 9.3 ppg and 3.1 apg last season.

The Bulldogs qualified for the NEC Tournament for the sixth time in eight seasons of eligibility.

NEC Preseason Coaches' polls and Preseason All-NEC teams will be announced during the broadcasts. Craig D'Amico and Pam Roecker will host Wednesday's show, while Dave Popkin and Joe DeSantis will serve as Thursday's hosts.