College Basketball
America East Conference Preview: The Cinderella Conference
Last year, the America East conference accomplished the ultimate feat in men’s college hoops history. The University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) Terriers were the first 16 seed team in NCAA Men’s Tournament history to defeat a number one seed when they knocked off Virginia inside Spectrum Center. More surprising of the victory was that UMBC wasn’t the best America East team that year.
In a thriller, UMBC defeated defending conference champion Vermont during last year’s America East title game. Jarius Lyles led all players in scoring with 27 points, which included knocking down five out of seven from behind the arc. Lyles also led the Terriers in points with 28 during the upset win over Virginia. He is gone, however, and currently with the Utah Jazz. Although we may not see another 16th seeded America East team win again, the respect of this conference is no longer overlooked.
At least for the men as the women were swiftly beaten in the first round of last year’s NCAA Tournament, with representative Maine. Maine’s women won both the regular season and the conference tournament championship last season, something that had not been accomplished since Albany in 2015-16. Albany actually won six straight conference tournaments until Maine ended that streak a year ago.
Who Will Challenge the Top Teams?
It’s very hard to see any men’s team top either Vermont or Albany, despite the success UMBC had last year. UMBC can build off last year’s momentum though, as defeating the number one team in the NCAA Tournament surely turns potential recruit’s heads. Vermont and Albany have dominated the America East men’s conference though. At least one of the two schools have either won the regular season title or the conference tournament in 15 out of the last 17 years.
Albany men’s basketball head coach Will Brown did face recruiting violations last year, which many saw as a distraction. Brown has been the common denominator in Albany’s historic success, dating back to 2005. Albany entered last year’s America East men’s tournament as the four seed, losing to a 7-9 Stony Brook squad. If not UMBC, perhaps Albany can dethrone Vermont and get themselves back into the NCAA Tournament.
For the women, Albany is usually the safe pick. Last season marked the first time Albany’s women team didn’t claim the America East tournament since 2010. Junior guard Blanca Millan returns for Maine this season, last year’s winner of the America East Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player Award. Millan won seven awards with Maine a year ago and also has an MVP award while playing in Spain during the 2015-16 season.
Conference Facts
- Over 30 All-Conference, All-Rookie or All-Academic student-athletes will return for the 2018-19 season.
- There will be four, first-year head coaches:
- Tom Garrick (Massachusetts-Lowell Women)
- Alisa Kresge (Vermont Women)
- Richard Barron (Maine Men)
- Bethann Shapiro Ord (Binghamton Women)
- This season will mark the first time since 1995 that the highest seed in the America East Tournament will host each round.
Important Dates
- Men’s Schedule:
- Conference Regular Season: Jan. 5
- Conference Tournament: Mar. 9
- Women’s Schedule:
- Conference Regular Season: Jan. 2
- Conference Tournament: Mar. 6
Photo credit to BipHoo Company via Flickr
