Central Connecticut State University forward Darin Smith Jr. was named the Northeast Conference/Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office Rookie of the Week on Monday. He is now tied for the most times receiving the honor this season with four. 

Last week, Smith Jr. averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 40% from beyond the arc in two wins against the Le Moyne Dolphins and the Wagner Seahawks. He helped the Blue Devils improve their winning streak to 12, which is now the longest active winning streak in Division I men’s basketball. 

Smith Jr. scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds in 22 minutes against Le Moyne on Thursday at Detrick Gymnasium. In the last game of the regular season at Wagner on Saturday, he led all bench scorers with 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, shot 60% from the field and made his only three-point attempt.

Smith Jr. has been a key contributor off the bench in his first year, leading the NEC in three-point field goal percentage, shooting 45.2%. He also averaged 7.1 points, three rebounds and shot 51.4% from the field. 

Also recognized on Monday was junior guard Devin Haid, who was included in the NEC’s Prime Performers list. Last week, he averaged 16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and three assists per game. He also shot 54.2% from the field and 44.4% from beyond the arc. 

CCSU will begin its road to an NEC Championship with a first-round matchup against Le Moyne on Wednesday, March. 5 at Detrick Gymnasium. The Blue Devils swept the season series against the Dolphins, going 2-0 and winning by an average margin of 16 points. As the top seed in the conference, the Blue Devils will have homecourt advantage throughout the tournament, provided they advance.