We begin this year’s conference previews in the America East conference (because it is the first one alphabetically of course). Vermont rolled through the conference regular season last year, losing only once in 16 games. However, the first two rounds of the conference tournament were held on UAlbany’s home court, and the Catamounts were upset in the semifinals by the Great Danes who went on to capture the league’s automatic bid. Albany also picked up a win in the First Four over Mount St. Mary’s before losing to the #1 seeded Florida Gators. Vermont did go to the NIT, losing there to Georgia. Stony Brook also secured a postseason bid, falling to Siena in the CBI.
While there are no changes in the membership to the America East this season, there has been a major change to the conference tournament. After Vermont had to go on the road in the conference tournament last season despite running away with the regular season title, the conference has chosen to go away from the “pre-determined site” format and instead will play all conference tournament games at the home court of the higher seeded team.
Vermont may not be able to capitalize on the change in the conference tournament format as pretty much everyone from last season’s team is gone this year. Albany will, however, be up there in the standings with Peter Hooley and Sam Rowley returning to lead the way. Stony Brook will be strong as well, with one of the league’s top players down low in Jameel Warney. However, the pick to win the America East this year is the Hartford Hawks. Hartford has a roster featuring six seniors that contributed significant minutes last season. The veteran leadership could have the Hawks dancing for the first time ever this year.
Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Hartford: Mark Nwakamma is one of the conference’s top players for a deep senior-loaded team
2. Albany: Hooley and Rowley will look to make up for three lost starters from last year’s team
3. Binghamton: A dark horse in the conference, five returning starters plus some good recruiting has the Bearcats heading in the right direction
4. Stony Brook: Jameel Warney will lead the way, but there are some holes with four starters gone
5. Vermont: This will be a rebuilding year, but a strong recruiting class should make them tough as they gain experience during the season
6. UMBC: Rodney Elliott leads an improving team, but still a ways to go here
7. Maine: This is a rebuild project for new head coach Bob Walsh
8. UMass-Lowell*: In their second year of Division 1 play, but with Akeem Williams and Kerry Weldon gone, expect a step back from last year’s surprise 8-8 conference record
9. New Hampshire: This looks like another long season in Durham, NH
*UMass-Lowell is ineligible for the NCAA and America East tournaments as a second year transitional team.