GAME NOTES: Two teams making their first-ever postseason tournament appearance at the Division I level will open up play in the 2015 CollegeInsider.com Tournament on Monday night, as the NJIT Highlanders host the New Hampshire Wildcats in first-round action from Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.

It was quite a turnaround for Bill Herrion's this year. New Hampshire won just six games a year ago, but tied the school-record for most wins in a season this year with 19 (1994-95). New Hampshire posted a strong 11-5 record in the America East, good for fourth-place in the conference standings.

NJIT is the only Independent in Division I, but with the way Jim Engles' squad it was a good bet that a postseason event would come calling. The Highlanders finished the season at 18-11 and made national headlines with their 72-70 road win at nationally-ranked Michigan on Dec. 6. The team only got better from there, going 13-2 from Dec. 30 through the end of the season.

These two teams have met two times prior, with NJIT scoring victories in both 2012 (68-67) and 2013 (71-63).

The Wildcats aren't the most explosive offensive squad around at 66.8 ppg and that may be a problem, considering the team's leading scorer and rebounder, America East Rookie of the Year Tanner Leissner (12.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg) has been sidelined since the AEC quarterfinals with a high ankle sprain. He isn't expected to suit up for this game, but could be available if the Wildcats advance into the tournament.

Those Wildcats that will need to step up in Leissner's absence are Jaleen Smith (10.5 ppg), Jacoby Armstrong (9.9 ppg), Matt Miller (9.8 ppg) and Daniel Dion (9.1 ppg). Miller is the lone senior amongst that bunch and is a tremendous asset from long range, finishing this season with the highest 3- point field-goal percentage in AEC history (.492), as he drained 61-of-124 from behind the arc.

The Highlanders are a little more potent in terms of offense. NJIT comes into the postseason averaging a solid 71.2 ppg, the team shoots an efficient .459 from the floor overall. That includes .382 from behind the arc, where the team is draining over eight 3-pointers per game (8.4).

The scoring comes from a variety of sources, as four Highlanders are averaging double figures. Damon Lynn is the best of the bunch and is the straw that stirs the drink for NJIT. The sophomore guard is averaging 17.2 ppg thanks in large part to his team-high 112 3-pointers. He is also tops on the team in assists (113) and steals (51). Junior guard Winfield Willis is next in the scoring column at 11.8 ppg, followed by fellow junior guard Ky Howard and sophomore forward Tim Coleman, who chip in with 11.3 and 11.1 ppg, respectively.

With a slightly depleted roster, it will be difficult for New Hampshire to advance past this game. The Highlanders have gained respect each and every year since joining the Division I ranks and with this game taking place at home, where the team was an impressive 12-2 this season, they should add their first-ever postseason tournament win.