Projected Conference Standings
1. Albany (Preview)- disagree all you want, but this is a team with more depth and experience (in key spots) than last year.
2. Vermont (Preview)- Team that returns a lot, but loses just enough that Albany is able to close the gap. Several guys will be asked to do much more than they did last season.
3. UMBC (Preview)- Should have enough offensive firepower for a top three finish.
4. New Hampshire (Preview)- Boasts the best front court in the conference, needs to figure out the guard spots.
5. Stony Brook (Preview)- Overachieved last season, may be athletic enough to sneak into the top three again this year.
6. Binghamton (Preview)- Experienced team with some weapons, wouldn't be surprised if they finish in the top half.
7. UMass Lowell (Preview)- Will they be able to play some interior defense?
8. Hartford (Preview)- Has some nice pieces if they can work together
9. Maine (Preview) (See Hartford)
First Team
(POY) David Nichols (Jr)- Should be the top offensive player on an Albany team who can overtake a favored (by most others) Vermont team IF Albany is able to build on their defensive success from the second half of last season.
Anthony Lamb (So)- Should be the top player on a Vermont team who will need increased production from their star sophomore to make up for some missing pieces on their undefeated team from a year ago. He's talented and has the ability to handle the extra workload and attention this season, but it's a whole new ballgame when your team needs 32+ minutes out of you most nights.
Jairus Lyles (Sr)- With Lyles the known star heading into last season for UMBC Will Darley stole the spotlight, becoming a big who was deadly from deep. Expect Lyles to have a monster grad season for the Retrievers who will need everything they can get from him in their fight to the top of the conference standings.
Jairus Lyles (Sr)- With Lyles the known star heading into last season for UMBC Will Darley stole the spotlight, becoming a big who was deadly from deep. Expect Lyles to have a monster grad season for the Retrievers who will need everything they can get from him in their fight to the top of the conference standings.
Tanner Leissner (Sr)- Put up huge numbers in conference play for New Hampshire last season, will need to increase those for them to have any shot of a top three finish in league with the departure of their two perimeter stars. Leissner has been the linchpin to New Hampshire's resurgence under Bill Herrion, expect the big man to come out swinging in his final season.
Joe Cremo (Jr)- The man who could steal the America East POY award from David Nichols if Albany does indeed win the conference. Cremo does so many things well it'd be hard to believe Albany wins the America East without him playing a major role throughout the conference slate.
Second Team
Jahad Thomas (Sr)- A player whose reputation suffers because of UMass-Lowell's win/loss record and poor defense, but it's impossible to ignore the gaudy numbers Thomas put up in every major category during conference play last season. If UML can sneak into the top three of the conference standings in their first year eligible for the postseason the POY award could very well be his.
Trae Bell-Haynes (Sr)- The reigning America East POY and the player whose spot is most likely to be argued on this list. He does a lot well, but gets hurt by his shooting percentages and attempts (lack thereof, especially from deep). It's tough to see Vermont wining the America East without Anthony Lamb being their best player, leaving TBH as a returning POY that will probably get overshadowed. While many viewed him as the most important player on Vermont last season he finished their conference play averaging the third most minutes on the team, and it's not like they looked lost when he wasn't on the floor.
Payton Henson (Sr)- The player who could make or break Vermont's quest to repeat as America East champion. Came on strong for the Catamounts the second half of last season, finishing conference play third in PPG, second in RPG and third in FGA's for UVM. To me he's Vermont's second most important player (especially early in the season) behind Anthony Lamb with their other front court pieces unproven at this time.
Tyrell Sturdivant (Sr)- The leading returning scorer and rebounder for Stony Brook last season will have to take on even more responsibility now that Lucas Woodhouse and Roland Nyama are gone. The Seawolves exceeded everyone's expectations last season and if they plan on doing the same this year it will be because of increased production from their big Sturdivant.
Travis Charles (Sr)- If the defense is there he will end up with major playing time which will lead to major offensive numbers. Charles shot a ridiculous 62.5% on 2PA's last season, hitting an insane 57.2% of his 2 point jumpers (excludes shots at the rim). I wanted to stay away from stats in this writeup, but I just don't think many understand how efficient Charles was from the field last season.
Others To Consider
Ernie Duncan
Willie Rodriguez
J.C. Show
Akwasi Yeboah
Iba Camara
Devonte Campbell
Ryan Jones
About 10 other guys
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