Andrew Pace
The NJIT Highlanders, formerly the New Jersey Tech Highlanders, represent the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, New Jersey, in the US. The team moved to NCAA Division I, the top level of college athletics, in 2006. The men's basketball team has set several records, including the most winless team in Division I history in the 2007-2008 season with a losing streak of 51 games. The Highlanders have also appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) three times and hold several Division III men's basketball records.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the team | NJIT Highlanders |
| Formerly known as | New Jersey Tech Highlanders |
| University | New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) |
| Location | Newark, New Jersey, United States |
| Number of men's teams | 10 |
| Number of women's teams | 7 |
| Number of club teams | 3 |
| Number of intramural teams | Varied |
| Primary conference | America East Conference |
| Home stadium | Wellness and Events Center (WEC) |
| Previous stadium | Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center |
| Year of transition to Division I | 2006 |
| Previous division | Division II |
| Current Division I records | Most winless team in history (2007-2008 season), NCAA Division I postseason tournament debut in 2015 |
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What You'll Learn
- NJIT Highlanders men's basketball team represents the New Jersey Institute of Technology
- The team moved to NCAA Division I in 2006, previously competing in Division II
- NJIT holds three NCAA Division I men's basketball reclassifying records
- The Wellness and Events Center is home to the NJIT basketball teams
- The team set a losing streak record in the 2007-2008 season, losing 51 games
NJIT Highlanders men's basketball team represents the New Jersey Institute of Technology
The NJIT Highlanders men's basketball team represents the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, New Jersey. The team is a member of the America East Conference, the varsity sport members of the Division I NCAA-affiliated sports teams of NJIT. The Highlanders have appeared in the NCAA Division I postseason tournament three times, with a combined record of 7-3. The team's home games are played at the Wellness and Events Center, which was opened in November 2017 and includes a 3,500-seat arena for basketball and volleyball.
The NJIT Highlanders moved to Division I in 2006, after competing at the Division II level from 1997 to 2005 and the Division III level prior to that. The men's basketball team set an unfortunate record during its second transitional season in 2007-2008, becoming the most winless team in NCAA Division I history with a losing streak of 51 games. However, the team ended the losing streak in January 2009 and finished the 2008-09 season with a 1-30 record.
During the 2015 CIT, the Highlanders achieved their first NCAA Division I postseason tournament appearance. They have also appeared in the NCAA Division III tournament five times, with a combined record of 3-5. Despite their struggles during the transition to Division I, the Highlanders still hold several Division III men's basketball records, including the all-time best 3-point field-goal percentage in one season (67% by Reggie James in 1989) and the all-time highest number of blocked shots in one season (198 by Tory Black in 1997).
In recent years, the NJIT men's basketball team has shown improvement and made history during the 2022-23 season. Under the leadership of third-year Head Coach Brian Kennedy, the team achieved three victories against Division-I opponents, including wins over higher-ranked teams such as Colgate University and Brown University. This marked the first time in 13 seasons that the Highlanders started the season with a 3-0 record since their transition to Division-I. The team's success continued as they aimed to extend their winning streak to 4-0 against Kean University in the Wellness and Events Center.
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The team moved to NCAA Division I in 2006, previously competing in Division II
The NJIT Highlanders, formerly the New Jersey Tech Highlanders, represent the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, New Jersey, in the United States. The team moved to NCAA Division I in 2006, previously competing in Division II.
The NJIT Highlanders comprise ten men's teams, seven women's teams, three club teams, and several intramural teams. Their school's primary conference is the America East Conference. The Highlanders' basketball team plays its home games at the Wellness and Events Center, which opened in 2017 and has a 3,500-seat arena.
Prior to 2006, the NJIT athletics program competed in Division II. During the transition to Division I, the men's and women's soccer programs moved up faster than other programs due to a policy allowing lower-division schools to elevate one sport for each gender to Division I within two years.
The NJIT men's basketball team struggled initially after the transition, setting an NCAA Division I record for futility with a 51-game losing streak from 2007 to 2009. However, they broke this streak with a win over the Bryant Bulldogs and have since achieved success, including a historic 3-0 start to the 2017-18 season, marking their first undefeated start since transitioning to Division I.
The Highlanders have appeared in the NCAA Division I postseason tournament three times, with a combined record of 7-3. They also hold several Division III records, including those set by Reggie James and Chris Miles for 3-point field-goal percentages in the 1980s.
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NJIT holds three NCAA Division I men's basketball reclassifying records
The NJIT Highlanders, formerly the New Jersey Tech Highlanders, are the varsity sport members of the Division I NCAA-affiliated sports teams of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). The school's primary conference is the America East Conference. In 2006, NJIT athletics moved to NCAA Division I, the top level of college athletics, from Division II.
The NJIT Highlanders men's basketball team represents NJIT in Newark, New Jersey, United States. The team has appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) three times, with a combined record of 7-3. Their first NCAA Division I postseason tournament was the 2015 CIT.
Despite performing below Division I standards during its reclassifying seasons from Division II, the Highlanders hold several Division III men's basketball records. These include the highest 3-point field-goal percentages in one season, achieved by Reggie James (67% in 1989) and Chris Miles (63.1% in 1987 and 61.3% in 1989). They also hold the records for the highest number of blocked shots in one season (198 by Tory Black in 1997) and the highest number of blocked shots per game in one season (7.62, also by Tory Black in 1997).
In addition to these Division III records, NJIT's men's basketball program set three NCAA Division I reclassifying records. During the 2007-2008 season, the team went winless, setting a record for the most losses in D-I history with a 51-game losing streak. This record was set during their second NCAA Division I transitional season, despite a promising 5-24 debut season in 2006-2007. The losing streak was broken on January 21, 2009, with a win over the Bryant Bulldogs.
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The Wellness and Events Center is home to the NJIT basketball teams
The NJIT Highlanders, representing the New Jersey Institute of Technology, are members of Division I of the NCAA, the top level of college athletics. The Wellness and Events Center (WEC), which opened in November 2017, is home to the NJIT basketball teams. The WEC features a 3,500-seat arena for basketball and volleyball games and upgraded facilities for most Division I sports. The NJIT men's basketball team has achieved notable accomplishments, such as setting Division I records and reaching the NCAA Division I postseason tournament for the first time in 2015. The team has experienced both highs and lows, holding the record for the most winless team in D-I history in the 2007-2008 season but also starting the 2017-2018 season with a 3-0 record for the first time in 13 seasons.
The NJIT Highlanders men's basketball team has a rich history, transitioning from Division III to Division II and eventually to Division I. Despite their struggles in the 2007-2008 season, the team turned their fortunes around with the appointment of a new head coach, Jim Engles, and additional recruits. This led to a memorable 61-51 victory over the Bryant Bulldogs, ending their losing streak. The Highlanders have also achieved success in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT), appearing three times with a combined record of 7-3.
The NJIT basketball teams are not the only ones to benefit from the Wellness and Events Center. The facility also serves as the home for most other Division I sports teams at NJIT. Prior to the opening of the WEC, the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center served as the primary athletic facility for the NJIT Highlanders. However, it was demolished in 2016 to make way for the new and improved WEC, showcasing NJIT's commitment to providing top-notch sports infrastructure for its students and athletes.
The move to Division I for NJIT Athletics signaled a significant step towards competing at the highest level of college athletics. The Great West Conference, which NJIT joined in 2008, played a crucial role in this transition. It provided a platform for full conference scheduling and championships, allowing the Highlanders to establish themselves in Division I. The men's basketball team's participation in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament during the 2012-2013 season was a notable milestone in their journey.
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The team set a losing streak record in the 2007-2008 season, losing 51 games
The NJIT Highlanders men's basketball team suffered a difficult 2007-2008 season, setting an unfortunate record with a 51-game losing streak. This unwanted achievement brought national attention to the team, but for all the wrong reasons. It was a stark contrast to their first transitional season in 2006-2007, where they showed promise with a 5-24 record and even won their first two matches.
The 51-game losing streak was finally snapped on January 21, 2009, with a victory over the Bryant Bulldogs. This win marked a turning point for the team, as they ended the 2008-2009 season with a slightly improved 1-30 record. Despite this small improvement, the team still had a long way to go to reach competitive form.
The NJIT Highlanders, representing the New Jersey Institute of Technology, had a challenging journey in their early years in Division I of the NCAA. Their transition from Division II to Division I was challenging, and they initially struggled to find their footing in the top division. The team's struggles during this period earned them an unofficial NCAA record for their extended losing streak.
Prior to their move to Division I, the Highlanders had experienced some success in Division II and even held several records in that division. Their transition to Division I, however, proved to be a significant challenge, and they quickly found themselves at the opposite end of the spectrum, setting records for their lack of success. The team's struggles during this period were likely due to a combination of factors, including the adjustment to a higher level of competition and the need for improved coaching and recruitment strategies.
The 2007-2008 season was a low point for the NJIT Highlanders men's basketball team, but it also served as a catalyst for change and improvement. Following the record-setting losing streak, the team made significant changes, including bringing in a new head coach, Jim Engles, and an entirely new coaching staff. These changes, combined with the addition of new recruits, likely contributed to the team's eventual victory over the Bryant Bulldogs and their gradual improvement in subsequent seasons.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the NJIT Highlanders men's basketball team is a Division I team.
NJIT Athletics moved to NCAA Division I in 2006.
The Wellness and Events Center (WEC) is home to the NJIT basketball teams.
The school's primary conference is the America East Conference.
The NJIT Highlanders men's basketball team set the record for the most winless team in Division I history in the 2007-2008 season with a 51-game losing streak. Despite this, they still hold several Division III records for best performances.
