Twitter: @BlackBearMBB
2017-18 Coaches Projected Finish
Ninth Place
2017-18 KenPom Projected Conference Record
3-13, ninth2017-18 KenPom Projected Conference Record
2016-17 Record
3-13 (1-7 road, 2-6 home), tied for ninth in America East
2016-17 Attendance
915 average, 11,905 total (13 games)
2016-17 PPG
61.3, 9th in America East
2016-17 Opp PPG
72.4, 6th in America East
2016-17 3 Point FG %
30.4%, 8th in America East
2016-17 FT %
65.8%, 9th in America East
2016-17 FT %
65.8%, 9th in America East
2016-17 Rebound Margin
-3.1, 8th in America East
2016-17 Assists
11.3, 7th (tied) in America East
2016-17 T/O Margin
-2.19, 9th in America East
Maine dealt with offseason transfers, injuries and suspensions on their way to 3-13 conference record during 2016-17 America East play. Isaac Vann (VCU) and Kevin Little (Colo St. then again to UT Martin) transferred leaving Maine without their top two scorers from 2015-16 conference play. Then injuries and a locker room argument over whether Celine Dion's "Let's Talk About Love" is the greatest album of all time turned physical and resulted in suspensions, severely limiting their roster.
Let's just say it wasn't the smoothest of seasons in Orono, making the fact they even won three conference games somewhat impressive.
I guess I'll start with the bad news here. Maine loses leading scorer Wesley Myers (20.4 ppg) to transfer (South Carolina), as well as four other players (Austin Howard, Ryan Bernstein, Marko Pirovic, Jaquan McKennon) who finished conference play ranked 5th-8th in scoring on last years team. With that said, given their record last season, it's not going to get much worse so let's move on to the good news.
The Black Bears return some key pieces in Andrew Fleming (10.3 ppg/6.0 rpg) and Vincent Eze (7.9 ppg/5.9 rpg), while Aaron Calixte returns from injury after only appearing in one conference game last season. Maine brings in some nice perimeter pieces as well as a big body in Miks Antoms to help inside.
While Maine's defense wasn't terrible last season (5th in D-Efficiency, 106.9), their offense finished a league worst (90.5) O-Efficiency in conference play. Coach Bob Walsh has stated he's implemented a new offensive system this offseason, one better suited to his current players, rather than the run and gun style that was ran in years past.
With so many new pieces in the fold it's difficult to project this years team based on last years. They have incoming talent (check videos below), but will the individual pieces be able to turn into a complete team within a couple of months? One thing is for sure, they will have to hit more three's to climb out of the America East basement.
Maine dealt with offseason transfers, injuries and suspensions on their way to 3-13 conference record during 2016-17 America East play. Isaac Vann (VCU) and Kevin Little (Colo St. then again to UT Martin) transferred leaving Maine without their top two scorers from 2015-16 conference play. Then injuries and a locker room argument over whether Celine Dion's "Let's Talk About Love" is the greatest album of all time turned physical and resulted in suspensions, severely limiting their roster.
Let's just say it wasn't the smoothest of seasons in Orono, making the fact they even won three conference games somewhat impressive.
I guess I'll start with the bad news here. Maine loses leading scorer Wesley Myers (20.4 ppg) to transfer (South Carolina), as well as four other players (Austin Howard, Ryan Bernstein, Marko Pirovic, Jaquan McKennon) who finished conference play ranked 5th-8th in scoring on last years team. With that said, given their record last season, it's not going to get much worse so let's move on to the good news.
The Black Bears return some key pieces in Andrew Fleming (10.3 ppg/6.0 rpg) and Vincent Eze (7.9 ppg/5.9 rpg), while Aaron Calixte returns from injury after only appearing in one conference game last season. Maine brings in some nice perimeter pieces as well as a big body in Miks Antoms to help inside.
While Maine's defense wasn't terrible last season (5th in D-Efficiency, 106.9), their offense finished a league worst (90.5) O-Efficiency in conference play. Coach Bob Walsh has stated he's implemented a new offensive system this offseason, one better suited to his current players, rather than the run and gun style that was ran in years past.
With so many new pieces in the fold it's difficult to project this years team based on last years. They have incoming talent (check videos below), but will the individual pieces be able to turn into a complete team within a couple of months? One thing is for sure, they will have to hit more three's to climb out of the America East basement.
What Arrives
#2 Celio Araujo (Jr) 5'10'' 175 pound guard. Comes to Maine after two seasons at Sheridan College where he averaged 5.6 points, 6.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 26.5 minutes per game last season. Shot 44.3% from deep on 2.3 attempts per game. Runs the floor well as a true point guard with ball security. Highlight Video 1
#3 Trae Bryant (Jr) 6'1'' 185 pound guard. Began his career at UNC-Asheville before transferring to Cape Fear CC. Comes to Maine after averaging 18.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game last season for Cape Fear. Highlight Video 1
#12 Lewis Wang (Fr) ? ? pound guard. A Taiwanese national who comes to Maine from Lee Academy. Crafty lead guard who shoots lefty, but appears to be able to use both hands going to the basket and to have quick hands on defense. Can't find much on him stat wise. Highlight Video 1
#13 Miks Antoms (Fr) 6'8'' 245 pound forward. Latvian native who also comes to Maine from Lee Academy. Averaged 18.1 points and 8.4 rebounds during his prep time at Lee. Highlight Video 1
#14 Isaiah White (R-So) 6'6'' 180 pound guard. Redshirted his lone year at UNC Asheville before playing at Harford Community College last season where he averaged 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds. Hudl Highlights
#15 Vernon Lowndes Jr. (Jr) 6'5'' 180 pound guard. Comes to Maine from South Carolina Salkehatchie (JUCO) where he averaged 19.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season. Was a Junior College Athletic Association All-American in 2016-17. Highlight Video 1
#21 Duncan Douglas (Jr) 6'6'' 230 pound forward. Started his career at Western Texas before playing last season at Santa Monica College where he averaged 10.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per game. Averaged 8.2 FG's per game in just 8.7 MPG which is impressive in itself if the stats on the team page are correct. Highlight Video 1
#12 Lewis Wang (Fr) ? ? pound guard. A Taiwanese national who comes to Maine from Lee Academy. Crafty lead guard who shoots lefty, but appears to be able to use both hands going to the basket and to have quick hands on defense. Can't find much on him stat wise. Highlight Video 1
#13 Miks Antoms (Fr) 6'8'' 245 pound forward. Latvian native who also comes to Maine from Lee Academy. Averaged 18.1 points and 8.4 rebounds during his prep time at Lee. Highlight Video 1
#14 Isaiah White (R-So) 6'6'' 180 pound guard. Redshirted his lone year at UNC Asheville before playing at Harford Community College last season where he averaged 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds. Hudl Highlights
#15 Vernon Lowndes Jr. (Jr) 6'5'' 180 pound guard. Comes to Maine from South Carolina Salkehatchie (JUCO) where he averaged 19.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season. Was a Junior College Athletic Association All-American in 2016-17. Highlight Video 1
#21 Duncan Douglas (Jr) 6'6'' 230 pound forward. Started his career at Western Texas before playing last season at Santa Monica College where he averaged 10.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per game. Averaged 8.2 FG's per game in just 8.7 MPG which is impressive in itself if the stats on the team page are correct. Highlight Video 1
What Returns
#0 Andrew Fleming (So) 6'7'' 220 pound forward. Averaged 10.3 points, 6.0 rebounds (led team) and 1.1 assists in 30.3 minutes per game in conference last season. Started 9 of the 11 conference games he appeared in. Voted no on Celine Dion.
#1 Aaron Calixte (Jr) 5'11'' 187 pound guard. Appeared in only 5 games after missing most of the 2016-17 season with a foot injury. Averaged 12.6 points, 3.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 30.4 minutes during 2015-16 conference play. Voted yes on Celine Dion.
#4 Dusan Majstorovic (Jr) 6'5'' 210 pound guard. Serbian national who Redshirted last season due to NCAA transfer rules. Comes to Maine from La Salle where he appeared in 15 games, totaling 12 points and 13 rebounds in 5.7 mpg. Another Lee Academy product, everyone is from Lee. Highlight Video 1. Abstained from the Celine Dion vote.
#5 Danny Evans (So) 6'4'' 203 pound guard. Averaged 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game during 2016-17 America East play. Appeared in all 32 games for Maine, starting 22 of them. Is in love with Celine Dion.
#5 Danny Evans (So) 6'4'' 203 pound guard. Averaged 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game during 2016-17 America East play. Appeared in all 32 games for Maine, starting 22 of them. Is in love with Celine Dion.
#11 Ilija Stojiljkovic (So) 6'7'' 223 pound forward. Averaged 3.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 17.2 minutes played, appearing in 11 conference games. Wants to know who Celine Dion is.
#22 Garvey Melmed (Sr) 6'1'' 193 pound guard. Appeared in 7 conference games, totaling 11 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 43 minutes. Only listens to Celine Dion's French album.
#32 Dennis Ashley (R-So) 6'1'' 169 pound guard. Averaged 2.9 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.7 rebounds in 9.9 minutes per game in conference last season. Wants to know why I know so much about Celine Dion (it's called Wikipedia bud)
#33 Ilker Er (Sr) 6'1'' 169 pound guard. Missed conference play after suffering a season ending injury in 2016-17. Averaged 10.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 19.6, appearing in 11 out of conference games. Voted no on Celine Dion.
#33 Ilker Er (Sr) 6'1'' 169 pound guard. Missed conference play after suffering a season ending injury in 2016-17. Averaged 10.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 19.6, appearing in 11 out of conference games. Voted no on Celine Dion.
#50 Vincent Eze (R-So) 6'8'' 218 pound forward. Averaged 7.9 points 5.9 rebounds in 23.9 minutes during conference play last season. Is upset Celine Dion hasn't toured near Bethlehem for quite some time.
Coaching Staff
Bob Walsh - Head Coach, Twitter: @CoachBobWalsh
Bob Simon - Assistant Coach
Antone Gray - Assistant Coach
Tyler Schlegel - Assistant Coach
Moses Sonko - Director of Basketball Operations
William Desisto - Facility Athletics Representative
Lauren Eddy - Athletic Academic Counselor
Matt Marshall - Sports Performance Coach
William Desisto - Facility Athletics Representative
Lauren Eddy - Athletic Academic Counselor
Matt Marshall - Sports Performance Coach
Fun Fact
The last time Maine had the same leading scorer during conference play in back to back seasons was Gerald McLemore who averaged 16.8 ppg during the 2010-11 season and 14.4 ppg during the 2011-12 season. McLemore also led Maine in overall points per game with 14.6 during the 2009-10 season and finished second his freshman season in 2008-09 with 12.1 per game.
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