College Basketball Conference Preview #10 - America East Conference
The 2023-24 College Basketball Season will be one to remember for each team in the America East Conference. Look for Vermont to set the pace and finish in 1st place in the Conference. Vermont last missed the NCAA Tournament in 2018 but they may have a more difficult time in 2023-24 than they have in recent seasons. The Catamounts are hoping to three-peat in 2023-24 as both the America East Regular Season and Tournament Champions. Vermont brings back one starter in senior forward Matt Veretto. The Catamounts have several newcomers that should play big roles as well - most notably junior guard TJ Long (Fairfield transfer) and junior guard Shamir Bogues (Tarleton State transfer). Senior guard Aaron Deloney and senior forward Nick Fiorillo - both returning reserves - are poised for breakout seasons. UMass Lowell looks to cause problems in the America East in 2023-24 but it won't be easy. The River Hawks welcome back three starters in senior guard Ayinde Hikim, senior forward Max Brooks, and senior forward Abdoul Karim Coulibaly. Look for several experienced players including junior forward Cam Morris III and junior guard Andres Fulgencio (Division II transfer) to provide the River Hawks with additional scoring. Head Coach Pat Duquette has the team headed in the right direction as he enters his 11th season at the helm. I predict UMass Lowell to finish in 2nd place this season. Bryant only brings back two starters in senior guards Earl Timberlake and Sherif Gross-Bullock. Both players could be 1st Team All America East Conference Players this season. They will get help from senior guard Rafael Pinzon (St. John's transfer) and senior forward Connor Withers (UMass Lowell transfer). Look for senior guard Tyler Brelsford and senior forward Kvonn Cramer - both returning reserves - to provide additional scoring as well for the Bulldogs this season. I predict Bryant to finish in 3rd place in the final Conference Standings. Maine will challenge Vermont, UMass Lowell, and Bryant for the America East Conference Title and will need a huge season from junior guard Kellen Tynes to win the America East Conference Tournament. The Black Bears return three starters in junior forward Kristians Feierbergs, sophomore guard Jaden Clayton and the aforementioned Kellen Tynes. Look for senior forwards Adam Cisse (Manhattan transfer) and Peter Filipovity to have huge seasons for the Black Bears as they look to climb the America East Conference Standings. 2nd Year Head Coach Chris Markwood has his team on the right track in Orono. I predict Maine to finish in 4th place this season. Binghamton returns two starters from their 2022-23 team most notably senior guard Armon Harried who is a candidate to be America East Conference Player of the Year. The Bearcats will also rely on senior guard Dan Petcash - the other returning starter - and senior forwards Tariq Balogun and Taveion White - to remain competitive in the America East Conference this season. Expect contributions from senior guard Symir Torrence (Syracuse transfer) and sophomore guard Chris Walker (Arkansas Little Rock transfer) as well. Head Coach Levell Sanders will have Binghamton back at the top of the League soon but their fans need to remain patient this season. I predict the Bearcats to finish in 5th place this season.
New Hampshire hopes to climb the Conference Standings even further after a 3rd place finish in 2022-23. The Wildcats only return two starters in senior forward Clarence Daniels and sophomore forward Ridvan Tutic. Look for several transfers to play important roles - most notably senior guard Naim Miller (Junior College transfer) and junior guard Ahmad Robinson (Junior College transfer). Sophomore guard Christian Moore will have to have a big season if the Wildcats hope to finish in the top half of the final America East Conference Standings. New Head Coach Nathan Davis is setting the bar high in Durham. I predict New Hampshire to finish in 6th place this season. UMBC doesn't bring back any starters and will lean on sophomore guard Dion Brown and junior guard Devan Sapp - both returning reserves. Head Coach Jim Ferry did well in the Transfer Portal as the Retrievers also added junior guard Bryce Johnson (Chicago State transfer), and senior forwards Max Lorca-Lloyd (Pennsylvania transfer) and Khydarius Smith (USC Upstate transfer). I predict UMBC to finish in 7th place in the final Conference Standings. UAlbany looks for a bounce back season after a rough campaign in 2022-23. The Great Danes return two starters in sophomore forward Jonathan Beagle and sophomore guard Marcus Jackson. They will get assistance from several transfers including junior forward Muneer Newton (Junior College transfer), junior guard Sebastian Thomas (Rhode Island transfer), and senior guard Tyler Bertram (UAB transfer). I predict UAlbany to finish in 8th place in the final Conference Standings. NJIT returns two starters in senior guards Adam Hess and Mekhi Gray. The Highlanders will need senior guard Elijah Buchanan and senior forward Daniel Schreier - who are both Manhattan transfers - to propel them to new heights this season. Look for senior forward Kjell de Graff and senior guard Justin Anderson - both returning reserves - to play bigger roles this season. The Highlanders welcome new Head Coach Grant Billmeier to Newark. I predict NJIT to finish in 9th place in the final Conference Standings. Regardless of which team wins the Conference Tournament it will be a great season in the America East Conference. Enjoy all of the games!
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