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AMERICA EAST
For six consecutive years, from 2010-2015, the Stony Brook Seawolves were either in the America East tournament finals or the top seed in the conference tournament. All six of those seasons they failed to capture the automatic bid. So when the Seawolves were the top team in the league and playing Vermont in the tournament finals last season, we almost assumed it would be heartbreak yet again. But it wasn’t. The Seawolves finally broke through, making their first ever Big Dance – and promptly getting rolled by Kentucky in the Round of 64. Of course success can often cost a team, and it did just that in the offseason as head coach Steve Pikiell left for Rutgers. Three of the Seawolves’ top four players also moved on, meaning that a step back can be expected this year. Three other America East teams also received postseason invites last season, as New Hampshire played in the CIT and both Albany and Vermont were invited to the CBI, where the Catamounts made a run to the semifinals.
This season, the usual America East three-way battle between Albany, Vermont and Stony Brook may have another face or two joining in. Albany and Stony Brook may both take a step back, and the team battling Vermont could very well be New Hampshire. The Wildcats feature a star player that has the ability to take over games in Tanner Leissner. Vermont returns four starters from a team that was playing its best hoops at the end of the season and should be right there in the conference race as well. Also, don’t overlook UMBC. The Retrievers could be the surprise team in the conference as new head coach Ryan Odom takes over, but brings back a veteran lineup.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. New Hampshire – No team from the state of New Hampshire has been in the NCAA Tournament since Dartmouth’s last appearance in 1959. That could change this year with most of the Wildcats’ players returning from last year’s 20 win team. Led by Tanner Leissner, UNH could punch their first ever ticket to the Big Dance.
2. Vermont – Three double-digit scorers return for the Catamounts, led by guard Trae Bell-Haynes and forward Kurt Steidl. Tulane transfer Payton Henson could be the addition that catapults the Catamounts to the top of the standings.
3. Albany – Evan Singletary, Peter Hooley and Ray Sanders are all gone, making this a rebuilding year for UAlbany. Don’t underestimate head coach Will Brown’s ability to have this team back near the top very quickly.
4. Stony Brook – Guard Ahmad Walker is back, but Jameel Warney, Carson Puriefoy, Rayshawn McGrew and head coach Steve Pikiell have all moved on. Former Ohio State assistant Jeff Boals may get them back near the top soon, but probably not this year.
5. UMBC – Ryan Odom takes over as head coach, and has a team that returns virtually everyone from last season. Jairus Lyles averaged 23 points per game last season, and three other returnees averaged in double figures as well. This could be the league’s surprise team.
6. Hartford – The Hawks are a veteran team, but lost star guard Pancake Thomas in a late transfer to Western Kentucky. If John Carroll can stay healthy down low, they should still improve on last season’s 10-23 record.
7. Massachusetts-Lowell* – The River Hawks have a guard dominated lineup that features four returning starters, none of whom are seniors. The team seems to be getting itself ready for next season, when they will be eligible for the America East and NCAA Tournaments for the first time.
8. Binghamton – All five starters do return, but only forward Willie Rodriguez put up big numbers last season. The Bearcats should be better than last year’s 8-22, but probably not much.
9. Maine – This should have been the year that the Black Bears finally made a move up in the standings – until their top two players, Isaac Vann and Kevin Little, both decided to transfer. Head coach Bob Walsh is now pretty much stuck starting his rebuild over again.
* Massachusetts-Lowell is ineligible for the NCAA Tournament due to being in its fourth and final year of transitioning to the Division I level.