2016–17 Northeast Conference men's basketball season

The 2016–17 NEC men's basketball season began with practices in October 2016, followed by the start of the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play started in late December and concluded in February 2017.

Mount St. Mary's clinched the regular season NEC championship with a win over St. Francis Brooklyn on February 25, 2017, marking their first NEC regular season crown in 21 years. LIU Brooklyn finished in second place in the regular season.

The NEC tournament was held from March 1 through March 7 with the higher-seeded team hosting each game. Mount St. Mary's defeated Saint Francis (PA) to win the NEC Tournament championship. As a result, Mount St. Mary's received the conference's bid to the NCAA tournament. Saint Francis (PA) received an invitation to CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.

Coaching changes
On April 6, 2016, Central Connecticut announced Donyell Marshall as the 10th head coach in program history. Marshall replaced Howie Dickenman, who retired after 20 years at Central Connecticut.

Coaches
Notes:
 * All records, appearances, titles, etc. are from time with current school only.
 * Year at school includes 2016–17 season.
 * Overall and NEC/NCAA records are from time at current school and are before the beginning of the 2016–17 season.
 * Previous jobs are head coaching jobs unless otherwise noted.

Preseason Coaches Poll
Source

 first place votes

Preseason All-NEC team
Source

Conference matrix
This table summarizes the head-to-head results between teams in conference play.

Player of the week
Throughout the regular season, the Northeast Conference offices named a player of the week and a rookie of the week each Monday.

All-NEC honors and awards
Following the regular season, the conference selected outstanding performers based on a poll of league coaches.

NEC Tournament
All games will be played at the venue of the higher seed

Milestones and records

 * On November 11, 2016, the Wagner Seahawks upset 18th ranked UConn on the road, marking one of the most significant wins in program history.