Caldwell University's Balkovic Makes All-Met Division II First Team

The Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association selected Caldwell University senior forward Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) for the All-Met Division II first team for the second year in a row.

Balkovic, who also is a two-time, All-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference first team honoree, led the Cougars in scoring and rebounding for the third consecutive season.

According to a release, Balkovic closed out his career at Caldwell with a senior season that included an average of 16.6 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, which ranked 8th and 2nd in the CACC. He also ranked 6th nationally in rebounding while posting the fourth-most double-doubles (19) in Division II. In his final game as a Cougar, a 73-69 loss to Holy Family in the CACC Tournament quarterfinals, Balkovic registered 25 points and 11 rebounds. The performance gave him a single season school-record 339 rebounds and allowed him to become just the third Caldwell men’s player with 1,000 career boards. He also moved into fourth place on the program’s all-time scoring list with 1,645 points.

Balkovic helped the Cougars go 15-13 this season and advance to the CACC Tournament for the second consecutive year, the release stated.

Photo courtesy of Matt McLagan