HACKENSACK, N.J. - It is the final week of the regular season and FDU men's basketball (11-18, 7-7) is closing things out with two games at home. FDU will take on Stonehill (14-15, 6-8) this Thursday, before hosting LIU (14-15, 10-4) in the finale on Saturday.

The Knights are trying to halt a three-game skid on Thursday night. The matchup with Stonehill is also a crucial one in the NEC tournament picture. If FDU wins, they will secure a top four seed and a quarterfinal game on their home floor. If the Knights cannot defeat Stonehill, seeds 3-5 will be up for grabs on the final day of the regular season.

The good news for FDU is that they already own a win over Stonehill this season. On January 26, the Knights went on the road and took down the Skyhawks 65-54. It was a 25-point outburst for Terrence Brown that carried the weight offensively for the Knights. FDU also produced seven steals in this game.

Stonehill is attempting to stop a two-game losing streak of their own. They were picked apart in a 26-point loss at the hands of NEC regular season champion CCSU their last time out. The Skyhawks' numbers reflect exactly where they are in the standings, as the team sits fifth in offense and fourth in defense. The team has ultimately struggled on the road in conference play, owning a 2-5 record away from home. They are led by Todd Brogna, who averages 12.6 points per game.

LIU is locked into the two seed in the NEC tournament. They are 10-4 and defeated FDU in Brooklyn earlier in February. In conference play, they are seventh in offense but boast an incredibly strong defense. They allow just over 60 points per game to NEC opponents. The Sharks are also red-hot, riding a four-game winning streak. Their leading scorer is Malachi Davis, who averages 17.1 points per game.

On a side note, the NEC Player of the Year debate is coming to a fascinating close. Consensus "finalists" are FDU's Terrence Brown, LIU's Malachi Davis and CCSU's Jordan Jones. Brown and Davis will get a chance to make their closing arguments on Saturday when they square off in Hackensack.

The NEC tournament is set to begin on March 5.