Basketball Issue 2017

2017-2018

BASKETBALL ISSUE

Year in Review — Page B2 Elo in the AE — Page B3 Men’s Player Profiles — Pages B4-B8 Pipe Dream Picks + AE Stats — Page B9 AE Men’s Team Previews — Pages B10-B12 Binghamton Women’s Team Preview — Page B13 Women’s Player Profiles — Pages B14-B18 Team Pictures — Page B19 Team Schedules — Page B20

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Free-throw percentage

8

Finish in conference standings

2175 Total points scored

Men’s

61.9

2.34

1858 Total points scored

154

Senior center Alyssa James’ average blocked shots per game, the highest in the conference

2

Senior guard Imani Watkins’ America East rank in points per game (18.8)

Total blocks during the season

Average number of team rebounds per game

Points allowed, ranked 138th in NCAA

Finish in conference standings

33

70.9

game

average team assists per game

5

Junior guard J.C. Show’s average points per game, the highest on the Binghamton team

.705

Number of 3-point field goals made during conference play

2016-17 Year in Review Points 248 13.3 11.5 per

Women’s

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Elo in the AE: Advanced stats put BU near bottom of conference Noah Bressner Managing Editor

Before the Binghamton men’s basketball team played in its first America East (AE) Championship on March 14, 2009, it seemed as though everything was looking up.

Until then, the Bearcats had largely been a middle-of-the-road team in the AE. BU won, earning a NCAA Tournament berth and a firstround matchup against Duke. But after that, an academic scandal emerged, leading to the removal of then-BU head coach Kevin Broadus and the gutting of the team’s roster, setting Binghamton’s basketball program back by years.

It was in that AE Championship game against UMBC over eight years ago that Binghamton’s Elo

rating peaked at 1,612. Since then, the Bearcats’ rating among AE teams has plummeted, stagnating near the bottom of the conference and ranking second-to-last, according to Pipe Dream’s analysis.

Elo, a rating system initially created to rank chess players, has become a popular metric for evaluating the performance of a sports team’s performance at any point in time. Popularized by FiveThirtyEight’s Nate Silver, the metric takes into account a team’s wins and losses and the Elo rating of the team those wins and losses came from. The rating changes each game based on the rating for each previous game. If Binghamton were to beat Vermont, who holds the highest Elo rating, its rating would increase more than if it beat Maine, the worst team according

to this analysis, which includes both AE regular-season and playoff games.

Going back to the 2001-02 season, Vermont has spent the most time in first place, according to Elo. The Catamounts’ current rating (1,755) is the highest of any AE team in the past 16 years — an average AE team would be expected to have an Elo hovering around 1,500.

Even though teams ranked at the top are beatable, the ratings are extremely stable when looked at over the course of a few years. The system takes the wins and losses from the past 16 years and over that time period, it is relatively stable.

The ratings do fluctuate, but we found that significant increases in performance are rare and typically take years. If there is a big change,

Historical Elo Ratings Vermont Hartford UMBC UMass Lowell New Hampshire Binghamton Stony Brook

however, it tends to last multiple seasons.

There are, of course, flaws with the Elo rating system. It doesn’t take into account the obvious things that might cause a change in a team’s performance.

Last year, redshirt junior guard J.C. Show was out most of the season, as was senior forward Willie Rodriguez, and those injuries were not accounted for in the model.

It also doesn’t take into account the high player turnover rate in college sports or how experienced a team is at any given time. The Elo ratings are a better benchmark than they are an indicator of future performance. They show where the team is currently and where they might go, but not where they will go exactly.

While there are other rankings

that take these things into account, doing so often adds an element of bias. A poll of AE coaches ranked UMBC third, while the Elo ratings show them coming into the season third from the bottom.

Binghamton falls eighth in the Elo ratings and tied for sixth in the AE Coaches’ Poll. Stony Brook and New Hampshire are both ranked lower in the coaches’ poll than in the Elo ratings. AE head coaches are more likely to take into account things like injuries and new players, but often overemphasize them. For instance, Stony Brook was ranked seventh last season in the coaches’ poll but finished second.

Pipe Dream will be updating its projections as the season progresses; check back before AE play begins for updated projections and analysis.

Current Elo Ratings

Maine Albany

1,800

Vermont Stony Brook Albany New Hampshire

1,650

UMass Lowell

Current Elo Rating Vermont 1,755 Stony Brooke 1,686 Albany 1,646 New Hampsire 1,537 UMass Lowell 1,382 Hartford 1,355 UMBC 1,350 Binghamton 1,264 Maine 1,249

Hartford

1,500

UMBC

1,350

Binghamton

*Only includes current AE members

00 1,4 00 1,5 00 1,6 00 1,7 00

Noah Bressner/Managing Editor

1,3

’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17

1,2

1,200

00

Maine

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Willie Rodriguez Michael Steinberg Pipe Dream Sports

He has the most career points out of anyone in Binghamton’s Division I program history. He has been named to preseason all-conference teams. The only year he did not lead the team in scoring and rebounds was in the 2016-17 season, when he came in second instead.

The impressive list of stats can continue endlessly. He has done all he expected from himself. Now, his main goal, his only goal, is to do everything he can for the team.

Senior forward Willie Rodriguez sat down after practice ended, showing off his new Nintendo 64 tattoo, all smiles and laughs. Rodriguez started playing competitive basketball in middle school and, over the years, has had too much fun to stop.

“For me it all started in middle school,” Rodriguez said.

“I went to some team’s practice, was awful, but I was having fun.

I kept playing. I was just playing for fun. Played AAU, played high school basketball.”

After playing for four years at East River High School, and another year at Cheshire Academy, Rodriguez decided on Binghamton. Rodriguez remembers his high school team’s dramatic climb from last

place to third place during his sophomore year, playing in a talented league with stars such as future 10th-overall NBA draft pick Austin Rivers. Rodriguez recalled one game in particular, when his team needed him to step up and he delivered, scoring a massive 44 points.

Choosing to come to Binghamton was a pretty easy decision for Rodriguez, who said he never really considered other schools, despite drawing interest from Rutgers, Georgetown and UConn.

“I just got along with the coaching staff,” Rodriguez said.

“I got along with the team right when I took my visit. Obviously, the education here, this is a pretty good university.”

Last year, Rodriguez’s goal for the season was to improve his 3-point shot. He succeeded, improving from 26.2 percent from outside two years ago to 38.6 percent from deep this past season.

“Just play hard,” Rodriguez said, when asked what his new goal for this year was.

“Every possession I take, play hard. Play hard, with a motor, the whole time I’m on the court.”

Despite being a relatively quiet person, Rodriguez has emerged as a strong leader for the Bearcats going into his senior year. “[Being a leader] means a lot,” Rodriguez said. “It means

the other guys look up to me and I’ve got to make sure I give them something to look up to.

Whether that’s by leading by example, which is what I try to do. I’m not more of a vocal leader.

I’m more of a lead-by-example type of guy. So that’s why I’m trying to play hard in practice. It starts in practice and then we’ll get into games.”

The Bearcats have not had a winning season while Rodriguez has been on the team. Their best season with Rodriguez was last year, when the Bearcats went 12-20 overall, despite an injury keeping Rodriguez out for the first nine games of the season.

Entering his final season for BU, Rodriguez does not want to leave without giving the Binghamton community a winning season.

“I just want to leave a winning program,” Rodriguez said. “I feel I don’t have to prove anything individually, but as a team, I want the guys that came

here with me my freshman year leaving together, but leaving a winning program for the community.”

Despite previous rough seasons, Rodriguez is optimistic about the Bearcats’ upcoming season.

“I feel pretty confident [about this year],” Rodriguez said. “I feel the most confident I have felt since I’ve been here.”

Rodriguez is throwing away the past. There is only one season now — his final season — and Rodriguez will be giving his all every minute of this season to make sure the team succeeds.

“You just gotta keep fighting,” Rodriguez said.

“Honestly, we don’t really talk about last year no more.

That’s behind us.

We’re focused on this year and we know we got something to do and we have the team to do it.”

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J.C. Show different boost and pep in their step knowing that he’s back. Being optimistic is a real advantage; he’s part of the reason that we’re very optimistic.”

Show burst onto the scene last season in his first year of eligibility at

Evan Cole Assistant Sports Editor

For the Binghamton men’s basketball team, the 2016-17 season was one marred with injuries, most notably a seasonending tricep injury sustained by redshirt junior guard J.C. Show.

However, with Show’s return, the Bearcats enter the 2017-18 season with a rejuvenated sense of optimism.

“It means everything [to have Show back]; he’s our rock,” said BU head coach Tommy Dempsey. “The players have a

Binghamton.

The Bucknell transfer dominated box scores in his first three games as a Bearcat, averaging 23 points and six rebounds in that span. As the year progressed, however, Show began wearing an arm sleeve due to discomfort, and eventually was declared out for the season with a torn tricep after just 12 games. Show’s injury, coupled with senior forward Willie Rodriguez’s struggle to return from a hamstring injury, left BU severely lacking offensive weapons.

“They really only played one game together,” Dempsey said. “To go through 32 games and only [find] one game where J.C. and Willie played together,

that’s frustrating.”

Additionally, following the graduation of guards Marlon Beck and John Rinaldi, the Bearcats’ locker room needed a new voice following a 12-20 overall record this past year. Now in his third year at Binghamton, Show’s positive demeanor may vault him into that role.

“Marlon was a guy that was looked up to in the locker room, same with John Rinaldi as well,” Show said. “Guys have had to step up and be additional voices in the locker room … we’re all growing together.”

Following a down year, the Bearcats have worked to redevelop their mentality and identity as a team. With only two departures from last year’s roster, Binghamton’s roster is now laden with 12 upperclassmen, bolstering the team’s experience and mentality overall.

“We’ve been talking about what we want to be about from an everyday perspective,” Show said. “The thing that coach Dempsey has been talking to us about is there’s three things that we can always control. That’s our attitude, our effort and our energy.”

Show’s rehab process was lengthy and convoluted, but it ultimately served as not only a period in which Show returned to full health, but also as one which brought the team

together. Upon Show’s return to full medical clearance this summer, the Bearcats were able to further develop their chemistry as a team in four exhibition games at various Canadian universities. “[My teammates are] always picking me up, giving me a piece of encouragement here and there throughout the rehab process,” Show said. “I fed off of their energy and they’ve been great … being together over the summer, the chemistry has really developed between us. As a team, we’ve grown both on and off the court, and we’re very excited to see how that’s going to impact our games this year.”

The debut of powerduo Show and Rodriguez on the court could provide an imperative spark to the Bearcats’ offense. Their ability to score in isolation and within set plays should help facilitate

the roles of other players. Both named as third-team selections to the America East Preseason All-Conference Teams, the tandem look to improve an offense that ranked seventh in the conference in offensive efficiency.

With a majority of their core returning, the Bearcats are aiming to put a lost season behind them and embark upon their current campaign with a fresh mindset. Show’s focus exemplifies the team’s mentality as an opening matchup with Morgan State approaches.

“Regardless of how last year ended for me personally, we’re all very excited for the start of a new season,” Show said. “The excitement is on another level regardless of what happened last year and how last year ended. We’re looking forward to getting out there to play against Morgan State.”

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Bobby Ahearn

Yaakov Spivack Pipe Dream Sports

Senior forward Bobby Ahearn, a towering 6-foot-6-inch competitor from Marshfield, Massachusetts, has been a huge asset to the Bearcats on both ends of the court for the past three seasons.

As an incoming freshman, Ahearn began his collegiate hoops career in a more reserved offensive role. He averaged just 4.7 points per game during his freshman season (2014-15) and 4.8 points during his sophomore year (201516).

Discontented with these

numbers, A he ar n ’s game took on a new identity during his junior season. Starting 24 out of 30 games, the oncecautious shooter averaged 9.7 points to go along with 4.6 rebounds per game. Ahearn shot a notable 53.9 percent from the field, making him the fifth most efficient shooter in the America East last year. In addition to his noteworthy field-goal percentage, Ahearn also cashed in on 80 percent from the free-throw line and 37 percent from 3-point range, an entirely untapped aspect of his game in previous seasons.

“I’m just trying to help the team to win,” Ahearn commented on his role change during the previous season. “Whether that’s taking a lot of threes, being a tough player and getting some twos in there … just being a well-versatile, all-around basketball player.”

During the 2016-17 season, Ahearn certainly did everything he

could to help the Bearcats capture victories. On Nov. 22, 2016, Ahearn scored a c a r e e rhigh 27 points and 11 field g o a l s in a match against Ave Maria. He also scored in double figures 12 times, including seven of his final 12 matches during the season. Never

"I just wanna play my hardest every possession, give my all for the team. I just don’t wanna leave regretting anything" Bobby Ahearn Senior forward looking to let his teammates down, the forward averaged 24.4 minutes per game.

With the loss of former guard Marlon Beck, ‘17, BU is looking to Ahearn and his teammates to fill the void Beck left as an all-around player on both ends of the court.

“We just have to focus

on ourselves individually and collectively as a team,” Ahearn said. “Going forward, just every day in practice, just be the best person you can be, be the best player you can be and try to help the team in any way possible … the season’s a marathon rather than a sprint, so we just have to make sure we take care of every day.”

While Ahearn is a major contributor on the court, he takes on big roles outside of the hardwood. This past summer, Ahearn interned with the NBA Summer League. The time spent among professionals allowed Ahearn to get a glimpse of the game at the highest level, and he seeks to bring his experience to the rest of his team. In addition, his summer internship highlighted Ahearn’s professional ambitions to make a name for himself as more than just a college

basketball player.

As a senior, this coming season will be Ahearn’s last time wearing a Binghamton jersey.

“Time’s definitely flown by, that’s for sure,” Ahearn said. “Seems like yesterday we were coming out for our first practice. But I don’t want to have any regrets leaving here.

I just wanna leave everything on the court. I just wanna play my hardest every possession, give my all for the team. I just don’t wanna leave regretting anything.”

The expectations for Ahearn are certainly very high this season, given his previous level of play. The forward has grown tremendously throughout his time as a part of the Binghamton men’s basketball team, and it will be exciting for fans to anticipate just how much higher he can climb over the course of the season.

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Thomas Bruce Edward Aaron Contributing Writer

When asked which player he expected to make the most impressive jump from last season to now, BU men’s basketball head coach Tommy Dempsey had high praise for junior forward Thomas Bruce, the imposing 6-foot-9-inch, 225-pound forward from Washington, D.C. “I think he’s had a really solid first two years, but he hasn’t been all that he can be yet, because his ceiling is as high as almost any player in the league,” Dempsey said.

Bruce came to Binghamton in 2015 after graduating from DeMatha Catholic High School, an athletic powerhouse that has recently produced notable college and professional basketball players including Sixers guard Markelle Fultz, Pacers guard Victor Oladipo and Thunder forward Jerami Grant.

Other notable alumni include former Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook and current Notre Dame basketball head coach Mike Brey.

“He’s one of the more talented big guys in the league; he’s just very young,” Dempsey said. ”He showed up [and] he played his first game at 17.”

Dempsey praised the talent and maturity of Bruce, and discussed the age disadvantage he has in comparison to other

players. Bruce will be 19 at the season’s start, making him one of the youngest college juniors in the country.

“He’s 19 now, and a lot of the guys at 19 are freshmen in college basketball,” Dempsey said. “He is growing and maturing as a guy

handling and shooting, trying to become an all-around better player.”

Last season as a sophomore, Bruce played in 30 of the team’s 32 games, starting 23 of them. He averaged 26.0 minutes per game last year, good enough for fourth on the team, but down slightly from his freshman average of 27.5 minutes per game.

Throughout his sophomore campaign, he averaged 7.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest, showing minimal improvement from his rookie averages of 6.8 points and 5 rebounds per game.

Defense is still extremely important to Bruce’s game, and the Bearcats will rely on Bruce’s defensive prowess to stop the Tommy Dempsey other high-scoring, talented BU head coach players in the conference in and as a player.” their pursuit of a conference Bruce is known primarily championship. as a defensive player, ending last It’s no secret that last season with 30 blocks, far higher season ended poorly for the than any of his teammates, and third in the America East (AE) Conference. He also averaged one block per game, being one of only three AE players with this distinction. As a confirmation of his talent, Bruce was named to the AE All-Defensive Team.

Despite his accolades on defense, he has aspirations of contributing as more than just a defensive figure.

“I’ve been working a lot on my agility,” Bruce said. “Being able to guard on the perimeter, being more versatile with ball

“He’s one of the more talented big guys in the league; he’s just very young”

Bearcats. After starting the year 12-11, the team imploded during conference play, falling in its final nine games to finish the season with an overall record of 12-20, and a conference record of 3-13.

Improvement is necessary for the Bearcats, and Bruce will be a big determinant of that. In addition to his efforts to improve as an individual, Bruce knows that the most important part of the offseason is helping to improve the team as a whole.

“We’ve been making a lot of progress this offseason,” Bruce said, “We’re getting everyone back, we got a couple of additions to the team with [redshirt junior forward] Caleb [Stewart] and [freshman guard] Albert [Odero] so we’re definitely going to be a different team this year and we’re just trying to work every day to get better, and we’ll be good.”

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Timmy Rose spots that opened up after last year have gone unfilled, but that all the players that have joined have either redshirted or sat out last year.

As the team transitions, younger players are also turning into veterans.

The Bearcats currently have 10 returning upperclassmen on their roster, giving them their most experienced roster in recent

Yedidya Naiman Pipe Dream Sports

At the end of every year, players graduate and teams lose players.

Fortunately for the Binghamton men’s basketball team last year, it only graduated two players from its squad, and as those players left, redshirted players are now ready to suit up for the team.

“The thing that’s unique about our team is that we haven’t had anybody new,” said BU head coach Tommy Dempsey.

This isn’t to say that the roster

memory. One of these returning players is junior guard Timmy Rose.

Hailing from Scranton Prep in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Rose led his high school team to a Lackawanna League Division I title during his senior year, averaging 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, 4.5 steals and 4 rebounds. In addition to playing high school ball, he also played Amateur Athletic Union basketball with a number of other Binghamton basketball players, including former guard John Rinaldi and current junior guard J.C. Show.

In Rose’s senior year of high school, he earned recognition as an All-State guard, which,

given his statistics that year, was not surprising. Taking into consideration his skill set in high school, Rose appeared fully transitioned based on the fact that he played in all 30 games his freshman year of college. Although he only averaged 13.8 minutes per game over the course of his first collegiate campaign, Rose’s minutes steadily increased to 20.4 per game during conference play.

Additionally, Rose turned in his best performance in a game against the University of New Hampshire, scoring 15 points and grabbing eight boards. Rose finished the year top-10 in assist-turnover ratio as his involvement continued to grow throughout the season.

As Rose transitioned from his freshman to sophomore season, his role on the team continued to grow. Starting in 27 out of the 32 games he played, he averaged and led the team with 26.4 minutes per game.

His increased involvement was well deserved as he not only went on to finish seventh in the America East Conference in assists, but also shot a stellar 46 percent from behind the 3-point line.

Now returning as an upperclassman, Rose looks hopeful for the upcoming season.

“The team looks good; we’ve been farther than we’ve ever been in the past,” Rose said. “I hope I can become better this year. I’ve

“I’ve worked really hard on my shooting and basically all aspects of my game. I’ve also had a lot of help from a lot of teammates, who come into the gym all the time to shoot a lot” Timmy Rose Junior guard

worked really hard on my shooting and basically all aspects of my game. I’ve also had a lot of help from a lot of teammates, who come into the gym all the time to shoot a lot. Hopefully, we can shoot better as a team too.”

As the team looks forward to the 2017-18 season, Rose will definitely be a player to watch, especially when conference play begins in January. One matchup to watch, in particular, will be the Bearcats’ faceoff against UNH on Jan. 10 and Jan. 27.

“The way [UNH handles] ball screens, I like,” Rose said.

“They give a hard hedge, and then they fall back. That gives me the opportunity to get in the paint and create for others, and if they don’t collapse on me, I have an ability to get a layup, and that’s probably why I’ve been successful against them.”

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AE Advanced Stats

3P% 1. UMBC — 39.9% 2. Albany — 39.8% 3. Vermont — 39.7% 4. UMass Lowell — 39.3% 5. Stony Brook — 34.6% 6. Binghamton — 34.5% 7. New Hampshire — 34.4% 8. Maine — 30.4% 9. Hartford — 29.9%

EFG% 1. Vermont — 58.5% 2. UMass Lowell — 55.5% 3. UMBC — 54.2% 4. Albany — 52.9% 5. New Hampshire — 51.4% 6. Stony Brook — 49.2% 7. Binghamton — 48.5% 8. Maine — 45.1% 9. Hartford — 44.1%

TO% 1. New Hampshire — 15.2% 2. UMBC — 15.2% 3. Stony Brook — 15.4% 4. Albany — 16.4% 5. Vermont — 17.4% 6. Binghamton — 17.9% 7. UMass Lowell — 18.5% 8. Maine — 19.3% 9. Hartford — 19.6%

DRtg 1. Vermont — 97.21 2. New Hampshire — 101.92 3. Albany — 103.47 4. Stony Brook — 104.79 5. Binghamton — 109.12 6. Hartford — 109.65 7. UMBC — 109.69 8. Maine — 110.12 9. UMass Lowell — 113.71

ORtg 1. Vermont — 109.54 2. UMBC — 105.82 3. Albany — 105.08 4. UMass Lowell — 101.11 5. Stony Brook — 99.85 6. New Hampshire — 98.60 7. Binghamton — 93.21 8. Hartford — 89.45 9. Maine — 88.86

Pace 1. UMBC — 71.2 2. UMass Lowell — 70.6 3. Maine — 67.7 4. Hartford — 67.6 5. Stony Brook — 65.9 6. Binghamton — 65.7 7. New Hampshire — 65.4 8. Vermont — 65.2 9. Albany — 63.4

Pipe Dream’s All-Conference Picks

Joe Cremo — Albany, Jr., G One of the most versatile offensive threats in the conference, Cremo averaged 15.8 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field. Cremo is also a dominant rebounder for his position, averaging 5.3 rebounds per game last season.

Tanner Leissner — New Hampshire, Sr., F Leissner has been a consistent presence among the AE’s top players, now earning his third consecutive preseason All-Conference selection. The perennial double-double threat led UNH to 20 wins last season, ranking fifth in the conference in scoring (17.1 PPG) and third in the conference in rebounding (6.9 RPG).

Trae Bell-Haynes— Vermont, Sr., G Earning his second consecutive preseason AllConference choice, Bell-Haynes guided Vermont to one of its most successful seasons in program history, earning a NCAA Tournament berth. The 6-foot-2inch guard averaged 11.2 points Anthony Lamb — Vermont, and 3.9 assists per game last So., F season.

Lamb broke out in his freshman year, leading the Catamounts in points (12.8 PPG), rebounds (5.5 RPG) and blocked shots (1.2 BPG). Named the AE Rookie of the Year and placing on the All-Conference Second Team last season, Lamb looks to expand his game even further.

David Nichols — Albany, Jr., G Nichols enjoyed an improbable breakout season last year, averaging the 17.9 points per game, which ranked fourth in the conference. Paired with Cremo, the dynamic scorer looks to continue leading the most explosive backcourt in the America East (AE).

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America East Team Previews

Conference Record: 16-0

The Great Danes finished in a tie for third place last season, posting a 10-6 AE record, 21-14 overall. Last year, after defeating Hartford and SBU in the AE Tournament, Albany ultimately fell to Vermont in the title game.

Albany head coach Will

UMBC

3

Brown will return his top-five scorers for the upcoming season, including two all-conference players: junior guard David Nichols, who previously averaged 17.9 points and 3.2 assists, and junior guard Joe Cremo, who logged 15.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest in

Head Coach: Ryan Odom Season Record: 21-13 Conference Record: 9-7

Two years removed from their memorable NCAA Tournament trip, the Seawolves took a slight dip in production last season under the direction of their new head coach Jeff Boals.

Despite posting 17 wins, 12 of which occurred in conference play, SBU was picked to finish

the 2016-17 season. Albany was selected to place second in conference with 57 points and one first-place vote in the AE Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Expect the Great Danes to be the greatest threat to the formerly undefeated Catamounts.

Offensive 81.1 PPG 35.3 RPG 14.9 APG Defensive 77.2 PPG 6.6 SPG 2.4 BPG

fourth in the AE Preseason Coaches’ Poll (38 points).

Surprising some by ending the year second in the AE and advancing to the semifinals of the conference tournament for the eighth consecutive season, Stony Brook will likely be unable to repeat its successes. The Seawolves are

Following a 201617 campaign where the Retrievers recorded nine AE wins and 21 nonconference victories, UMBC was selected to finish third in the AE Preseason Coaches’ Poll with 45 points. The selection marked the highest preseason projection the Retrievers

only returning two starters from last year: senior forward Tyrell Sturdivant, who led the team with 5.4 rebounds, and Junior Saintel, who posted 4.6 points per game. It would not be surprising for SBU to fall slightly below the preseason prediction.

guard Trae Bell-Haynes, who averaged 11.2 points while shooting a lights-out 48 percent from the field as the reigning AE Player of the Year, Vermont will likely earn its seventh AE Championship and an automatic bid into

Head Coach: Will Brown Season Record: 21-14 Conference Record: 10-6

the NCAA Tournament.

Last year, UVM set the program record for most wins (29), broke the conference record for most victories and were the only AE team to record a 16-0 undefeated conference season in the league’s history.

Albany

Season Record: 29-6

The Catamounts are poised to return as the America East (AE) Conference champions, as they were picked to finish in first place in the AE Preseason Coaches’ Poll for the second consecutive season. Returning senior

Offensive 73.5 PPG 34.1 RPG 13.6 APG Defensive 62.1 PPG 5.7 SPG 4.3 BPG

Offensive 71.3 PPG 35.9 RPG 12.7 APG Defensive 65.7 PPG 5.1 SPG 1.7 BPG

have earned in 15 conference seasons. Highlighting their 21-win season last year, graduate-student guard Jairus Lyles, the conference’s top returning scorer, paced UMBC by averaging 18.9 points and two steals per game. The elusive 6-foot-2inch guard led the Retrievers

Head Coach: Jeff Boals Season Record: 18-14 Conference Record: 12-4

2

in rebounds (6.6) and has scored 1,086 points in two seasons alone. Under the guidance of UMBC head coach Ryan Odom and behind Lyles’ stellar play, anticipate the Retrievers to make some noise this year in conference.

Stony Brook

Vermont

1

Head Coach: John Becker

Offensive 69.2 PPG 34.7 RPG 12.2 APG Defensive 68.9 PPG 5.4 SPG 3.2 BPG

4

Grace Palumbo Assitant Sports Editor

Following a lackluster 2016-17 season plagued by injuries among multiple top players, Binghamton men’s basketball coach Tommy Dempsey and his team are ready to put the past aside and focus on the future success of the upcoming season.

“We don’t ever talk about last year,” Dempsey said. “We made a conscious decision that everything was going to be about moving forward and being positive.”

Last season, after starting solidly in nonconference play, the squad fell apart midway through the year, ending on a nine-game losing streak.

They were left eighth in the conference standings with an America East (AE) record of 3-13 and their overall record at 12-20.

“We had a good mojo for much of the year, and then losing can beat you down,” Dempsey said. “We lost our way emotionally, I thought, in the second half. In some ways, we stopped believing we would be successful.”

This season, the team looks to change that. With the return of junior guard J.C. Show, the squad is feeling optimistic about its chances at a championship. Show played the first 12 games of

Head Coach: Bill Herrion Season Record: 20-12 Conference Record: 10-6

Offensive 71.2 PPG 38.3 RPG 12.4 APG Defensive 66.2 PPG 4.0 SPG 1.8 BPG

last season, but a tricep tear in his left arm forced him off the court due to the escalation of the injury. “[Show’s return] means everything,” Dempsey said.

“He’s our rock. We have a lot of great pieces but he makes it work. He’s our guy … the [other] players have a boost and a pep in their step now that he’s back.”

Binghamton also has a unique advantage of being one of the only schools in the league with a roster comprised almost entirely of veteran players. Freshman guard Albert Odero, redshirt freshman forward Tyler Stewart and redshirt junior forward Caleb Stewart did not play last season, but were with the team, practicing and bonding, and are comfortable on the court. Having already overcome this learning curve, the Bearcats do not have to worry quite as much about the chemistry of the team.

“It’s a special group to be around,” Dempsey said. “It’s a group that deserves success, it’s a group that believes success is right around the corner and we just have to go out and play and prove it.”

Dempsey has refused to even let Binghamton’s sixthplace seed in the AE Preseason Coaches’ Poll affect the team’s morale, choosing instead to take the season game-by-

Selected to finish fifth in the AE Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Wildcats are seeking to repeat a successful 10-6 conference season. Senior forward Tanner Leissner, an allconference selection, powered UNH to 20

game and see how the team progresses from there.

“We didn’t address it as a team,” Dempsey said. “I wouldn’t even have addressed it if we were picked first. I don’t think there’s a lot of value in the preseason poll.”

Dempsey’s sentiments ring true. In the 2016-17 AE Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Bearcats were seeded fourth, but ended the season eighth in the standings, proving that even an optimistic ranking can have little effect on the outcome of the season. However, this year, with a veteran squad, an overwhelming amount of positive energy and a team that has the skills necessary to succeed, the Bearcats are more than ready to tackle the season.

“We think that the combination of our veteran core of players, with our health and a fresh start, has us poised to be a really competitive team,” Dempsey said.

Although they have already completed a number of scrimmage games, the men’s basketball team is set to take the court in its first regularseason nonconference match on Friday, Nov. 10 against Morgan State University.

Tipoff is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. from the Events Center in Vestal, New York.

victories overall with averages of 17.1 points and 6.9 rebounds last year. As a team that was in the bottom-half of the AE in both blocks (59) and steals (129), New Hampshire will rely heavily on Leissner and company to turn

Binghamton

New Hampshire

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November 9, 2017

Head Coach: Tommy Dempsey Season Record: 12-20 Conference Record: 3-13

boards into points. With a real chance to surpass Stony Brook and secure a top-four finish, UNH must be able to crash the glass, convert on secondchance opportunities and become a higherscoring offense.

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Offensive 68.0 PPG 33.0 RPG 12.8 APG Defensive 70.9 PPG 5.2 SPG 2. 4 BPG

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UMass Lowell

Following its 9-23 season (4-12 AE), Hartford fans have little reason to hope for an improved season. Chosen to finish eighth in AE Preseason Coaches’ Poll (16 points), the Hawks fell in the bottom half of the conference in

Maine

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scoring, defense, freethrow percentage, fieldgoal percentage and 3-point percentage.

The lone bright spots of the Hartford squad are returners redshirt senior guard Jalen Ross and sophomore guard Jason Dunne. Ross posted 19.9

Head Coach: Bob Walsh Season Record: 7-25 Conference Record: 3-13

Offensive 78.4 PPG 33.5 RPG 16.0 APG Defensive 81.2 PPG 5.5 SPG 2.1 BPG

points and 2.1 assists while Dunne contributed 13.7 points and 3.9 rebounds a season ago.

With BU, Maine and UML rounding out the lower tier of the conference, Hartford would be fortunate to finish sixth.

Offensive 64.7 PPG 35.1 RPG 11.8 APG Defensive 75.0 PPG 5.2 SPG 2.0 BPG

Tied with Binghamton for sixth place in the AE Preseason Coaches’ Poll (29 points), the River Hawks tallied only five AE wins and 12 nonconference victories in the 2016-17 season.

Commanding the offense this past year, redshirt senior guard Jahad Thomas enters this season after leading UMass in scoring and rebounding for the last three years. With

Head Coach: John Gallagher Season Record: 9-23 Conference Record: 4-12

Returning nine players and welcoming eight newcomers, the Black Bears were picked to finish last in the AE Conference for the upcoming season.

Despite a strong season for AE All-Rookie team performer sophomore

Offensive 66.8 PPG 32.7 RPG 11.5 APG Defensive 77.0 PPG 7.1 SPG 3.7 BPG

career highs of 18.3 points, nine rebounds and 4.6 assists per game last year, Thomas is the undisputed focal point of the team. Since the team has clearly made an emphasis of the long ball (second in the conference in both 3-point field goals made and percentage), the River Hawks have a realistic chance at a top-five or -six finish, but not much more.

Hartford

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Head Coach: Pat Duquette Season Record: 11-20 Conference Record: 5-11

November 9, 2017

forward Andrew Fleming, his average of 10.7 points and a teamhigh 46.3 clip from the field will not be nearly enough to propel Maine past any team in the conference. The Black Bears were in the lower echelon across the board

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in season statistics from the previous campaign: assist/turnover ratio, steals and defensive rebounds. There is little reason to believe Maine will exceed expectations, even when taking into account the team’s new additions.

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November 9, 2017

Women’s Basketball Marcus Budashewitz Contributing Writer

Ever since the 201415 season, which featured the Binghamton women’s basketball team winning just two conference matchups and four games overall, head coach Linda Cimino has been a major catalyst in turning the program around. The Bearcats have finished the past two seasons with an identical 8-8 conference record, an obvious improvement from their 201415 last place finish, but Cimino and her players are still hungry for more.

Predicted to finish third in the America East (AE) Conference in the preseason coaches’ poll, Cimino thinks that projection is a fair assessment heading into the season.

“New Hampshire won the league last year … they didn’t lose much, so out of respect you have to vote them first, and Albany won the tournament,” Cimino said. “For us to be picked first among the rest of the remaining programs, I find joy in that, because we’ve earned some respect, we might not have had in the previous years.”

Cimino has effectively pulled the team out of the doldrums of the AE, but this would not have been possible without the performance of her players.

Senior center Alyssa James and senior guard Imani Watkins

are two players who have grown into leaders for this everimproving squad. Individually, James is in reach of the record for all-time blocks in the AE, while Watkins is in striking distance to becoming the top scorer in BU program history.

Both of these feats would be momentous, but Cimino remains focused on the team’s success.

“The personal accolades cannot be achieved without the team accolades,” Cimino said.

A player’s senior season may seem like the time where one truly gives it their all, but for James, it’s just playing basketball as usual.

“I feel like I leave it out there every game and every season,” James said. “Hopefully this year I can leave it all out there and come home with a ring.”

Additionally, Watkins, one of the most accomplished athletes in Binghamton history, still maintains a holistic approach to winning.

“We need to be as good at one as we are at eight or nine,” Watkins said.

As Watkins pointed out, the Bearcats will only be successful if every player buys into their role, and no player is more adept at such a task as sophomore guard Kai Moon. A star in high school who had a very strong freshman year, Moon understands that she does not have to carry the load offensively. Each member of this

team seems fully confident that the talent is there, but it will come down to the talent coming together in time to achieve the goal of a championship.

“This is the first time since I’ve been here that we are two deep at every position,” Cimino said.

The fluidity of the team from last season makes Binghamton’s championship aspirations more plausible than ever.

“To have a system and culture in place, this is the first time that the pieces are really clicking since I’ve been here,” Cimino said.

James and Watkins, along with redshirt junior guard Jasmine Sina and junior forward Rebecca Carmody, are players that have proven themselves as threats on the court. The combination of these veteran presences, partnered with younger players like Moon, results in a cohesive and dangerous roster.

This will be the first season in which the Bearcats roster consists entirely of players that Cimino recruited herself.

The roster’s latest addition, freshman forward Kaylee Wasco, is an extremely versatile, highprofile recruit out of Michigan, and Cimino foresees great things for the forward.

“I do believe she will be a part of the All-Rookie Team in the America East and a member of the All-Conference Team by the time she graduates,” Cimino

said.

Team morale is soaring in the Bearcats’ locker room with high expectations heading into the 2017-18 season.

“We are grateful for the

respect that our conference coaches have shown us,” Cimino said. “But we’re gonna compete every day and put ourselves into a position to win a championship.”

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November 9, 2017

Imani Watkins

Samuel Ditchek Sports Editor

Two America All-Conference selections, one second-team Eastern College Athletic Conference All-Star pick and one Binghamton University Athlete of the Year honor are just some of the numerous accolades

senior guard Imani Watkins has earned throughout her career as a member of the Binghamton women’s basketball team. Despite the extensive list of awards and achievements, Watkins is still searching for the most important of them all: an America East (AE) Championship trophy.

Over the past few months, Watkins became the third BU player to be selected twice to the AllConference team and the first women’s basketball player to earn the Binghamton University Athlete of the Year award since the 200304 season. Even though the accomplishments are undeniably noteworthy, Watkins truly embodies the Kobe Bryant “Mamba Mentality,” as she holds her desire to become conference champions above all. “[The most recent AllConference selections] don’t matter now; it matters in March,” Watkins said. “It’s a blessing, it’s an honor, but I’m prepared to do what it takes to for that name to

be there in March.”

As the principal offensive threat last year, Watkins ranked among the top-10 leaders in the AE in every major statistical category. It was not surprising to anyone that Watkins made the AllConference team this past season as she was second in scoring (18.8), third in steals (2.2), sixth in blocks (1.0), eighth in both rebounds (5.6) and assists (3.0), first in 3-point field goals per game (2.7) and 10th in both 3-point field goal percentage (.339) and freethrow percentage (.723).

Even though her statistics speak volumes as to her complete skill set, Watkins admits that there is certainly room for improvement. In the off-season, she sought to work on her ability to get her teammates more involved.

“Just making everyone else around me better and feeding confidence into everyone else because when everyone else is scoring, it makes it a little bit easier for me to score, a little bit easier for me to rebound,” Watkins said when asked about the goals of her summer training.

“When we’re great as a team, I’m great as a player.”

Entering her final year as a Bearcat, the team was selected to finish in third place in the 2017-18 preseason coaches’ poll, marking the third time in the past 16 seasons that it was chosen as the third seed. Although the program has displayed clear improvement

since the 2015-16 season, largely due Watkins’ play, Watkins does not view the preseason team projection as one that carries much significance.

“It doesn’t really matter, six or seven could be gunning for one,” Watkins said. “Preseason is a hat tip to last season, but this season we want to be better. I don’t remember where we were picked to finish last year, but we wanted to finish one.”

Hoping to finish first and claim the AE title in March, Watkins and senior center Alyssa James are tasked with leading the program past New Hampshire and Albany. With one more season remaining for the indisputable franchise players, there is just one achievement left on the table.

“Like [Alyssa James] said, we want to win, plain and simple,” Watkins said. “I think we have

done as much as we can do thus far as leaders and as seniors to make sure that we’re on the right path to making that happen.”

Beginning the season with 1,468 points, ranking fifth all-time in program history and top-40 all-time in the AE, Watkins has a realistic chance at becoming the No. 1 scorer in Binghamton women’s basketball history. Despite this possibility, Watkins acknowledges there is still much to accomplish from her perspective on the final stage of her BU career.

“Personally, there’s a lot that I want to do,” Watkins said. “I want my name all over the record books, I want this team to be all over the record books when it’s all said and done. I think we have the personnel and the coaching staff to do that and I think that we have the will and the heart to do that.”

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November 9, 2017

Alyssa James

Evan Cole Assistant Sports Editor

Entering her senior year, center Alyssa James has already established a polished résumé in her two active seasons on the

Binghamton women’s basketball team. In particular, James has proven to be an elite defensive force for the Bearcats, earning America East (AE) Defensive Player of the Year honors in back-to-back years. Leading the conference in blocks per game (2.34) and finishing eighth in steals per game (1.8) certainly helped James become just the second player in AE women’s basketball history to win the award multiple times. Her statistical output is one that would even impress Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside, who exclusively listed himself as the only player capable of achieving triple-doubles with points, rebounds and blocks, as opposed to accomplishing the feat conventionally with points, rebounds and assists.

“I see a lot of guys in the NBA get triple-doubles with assists,” Whiteside said last year. “Ain’t nobody doing it with blocks.”

Although she is not in the NBA, James still joined elite company shortly after Whiteside’s statement, recording her first career triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 11 blocks against Stony Brook on Feb. 18, marking the only triple-double with double-digit blocks in program history. While her ability to fill the box score is captivating, James’ focus remains concentrated on only

one statistic: winning.

“This year, I expect to win,” James said. “I’ve expected to win for the past three years, and this time I expect to actually come home with a ring.”

Following a loss in the AE Quarterfinals to Maine last year, the team remains highly regarded heading into the 201718 season, placing third in the conference preseason coaches’ poll. Additionally, James and senior guard Imani Watkins were named to the preseason all-conference team.

While heightened expectations may increase pressure on the Bearcats to succeed, James remains stoic toward conference projections. “[I don’t feel pressure] at all,” James said. “I think based off how we finished and how every team finished last year, the preseason polls were pretty accurate … I’ve had the same mindset every year. I always expect to win.”

James’ defensive presence is also felt in ways that do not impact the box score. Often, James leaves guards hesitant to drive, thanks to her abilities to help inside the paint and protect the rim. Offensive players are often left with few options when facing James’ rare combination of agility and verticality.

A repeated issue for the Bearcats last season was struggling to maintain high energy consistently. After adding sophomore center Payton

Husson last season, the Bearcats have continued a focus on bolstering their presence in the post by the signing of 6-foot-3inch freshman forward Kaylee Wasco. These reinforcements will both look to take some responsibility from James, improving the team’s overall production and keeping James fresh throughout the season.

An extended rotation could help remedy last year’s problems of finding a consistent motor.

“We have to start and finish the same exact way; that means the season, and that also means every game that we play,” James said. “We’ve had a recurring theme of starting off really well in a game and ending just tired.

We have to start and finish with the same energy.”

With the arrival of Wasco

freshman guard Lizzy Spindler, accompanied by the Ramil twins — sophomore forward Olivia and junior center JodiMarie, who transferred from Georgetown — incoming players make up more than a quarter of the Binghamton roster. Despite this, the Bearcats have worked to develop chemistry successfully during the offseason.

“It’s impressed me how quick we’ve been able to come together with adding two new transfers and two freshmen,” James said. “We’re practicing well. We’re together as a team.”

With a plethora of options down low on a deep roster, Binghamton aims to continue its dominant two-way presence near the basket. That potency, of course, is fueled by James and her passion for winning.

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November 9, 2017

Jasmine Sina Justin Zion Contributing Writer

Almost every player in any sport can testify that injuries can be physically and mentally draining, and that the road to a full recovery can be extensive and plagued by setbacks. Such was the case of redshirt junior guard Jasmine Sina, whose big return last season from a torn ACL injury fell a bit flat. This season, Sina looks to fully return to form, having gained back much of her strength and confidence.

“Last year was definitely a little bit of a tough year, just getting back into playing,” the 5-foot-5-inch guard from Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey said.

“Now I just feel so much more comfortable and confident.”

Sina did start in all 30 games last season for the Bearcats, but averaged only 32.7 minutes per game, down from 39.1 in her freshman season. She averaged 9.5 points per game, dished out 89 assists and shot .345 from beyond the arc, all down from the 201415 season. With the help of her teammates, Sina believes that she can get those numbers back up to where they used to be.

“My teammates have done a great job in picking me up,” Sina said. “I feel a lot stronger, both mentally and physically.”

Still, Sina acknowledges that there remains work to be done.

Regarding her own gameplay, Sina cites the need to continue to perfect aspects of her game, including ball-handling, pull-up shots and 3-pointers.

With quick speed and deft passing, Sina excels at feeding the ball to her fellow teammates, such

“We’re really coming together as a team, both on and off the court.

We’re really working together to become a championship team.”

Jasmine Sina Redshirt junior guard as senior forward Alyssa James, and has been at, or close, to the top of the team in terms of assists. More significantly, Sina has proven to be a major threat from behind the 3-point line, a facet of the game that’s only grown in importance over the years at collegiate and professional levels.

Last season was generally

lackluster for the Bearcats, posting an even 8-8 in conference play and 13-17 record overall. Entering the America East (AE) Tournament last March as the fifth seed, they bowed out in the first round following a 17-point loss to Maine.

But the Bearcats have a new look this year, and feel as though they are a different team. Sina recognizes experience as a key factor. The previous season’s freshmen now have a year of hands-on experience, she noted, and the addition of transfers sophomore forward Olivia Ramil and junior center Jodi-Marie Ramil helps as well, although they’ll have to sit the season out.

The team appears to be gelling well at practice, which Sina believes will lead directly to its success.

“We’re really coming together as a team, both on and off the court,” Sina said. “We’re really working together to become a championship team.

We rely on each other a lot, and I think that it’s showing on the court.”

The expectations certainly are lofty, and the pressure is quite high, with Binghamton ranked third in the AE Preseason Coaches’ Poll. This is nothing new for the Bearcats though, as they have had AE Championship expectations for quite some time. Sina believes that this year is finally the year.

“We’re very excited,” Sina said. “We’ve been working very hard every single day, and if we play like how we’re practicing right now, it’s going to be a great season and we’re going to be a championship team.”

The Bearcats’ long road toward a potential championship begins soon, and Sina looks forward to playing at her full potential and fueling the team’s effort. As she can attest, injuries pose significant obstacles that can make the road to full recovery full of setbacks, but it certainly is traversable.

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November 9, 2017

Kai Moon

Julian Guevara Pipe Dream Sports

Sophomore guard Kai Moon burst onto the scene for the Binghamton women’s basketball team as a freshman. The talented point guard put up impressive numbers at Nequa Valley, where she was a four-year letter-winner, finishing second in program history with 1,279 career points.

Moon’s decorated high school career and hard work allowed for her to make an almost instant

impact for Binghamton.

Moon started all 30 games as a freshman, solidifying her position as part of a strong offensive core.

Her consistent play throughout her freshman season earned her a spot on the America East (AE) All-Rookie Team. The Bearcats will attempt to live up to their thirdplace preseason selection and look to Moon for another season of consistent contribution.

“I’m really excited about this season,” Moon said. “I think the fact that we are returning our core is very exciting.”

The young point guard contributed in multiple ways to the Bearcats last season, finishing with double-digits scoring in 10 games and double-digit rebounding in one. Moon plays a distinct and important role for her squad, as she demonstrates a strong understanding of her position at point guard.

“To not have to rebuild, in a way, is something that a lot of teams in the conference don’t have the luxury of right now,” Moon said. “We know what we need to do better this season, and if I think we execute like we are supposed to do, we’ll be arguably the best team in this conference.”

BU is coming off a little bit of a rebuilding season in which it featured some success. With thenjunior guard Imani Watkins, thenredshirt sophomore guard Jasmine Sina and then-junior forward Alyssa James returning, it looked like the BU women were going to have a solid season, but they went on to finish 13-17 after starting out 3-0 in-conference.

Binghamton’s season ended in the AE quarterfinal game at Maine, which won in a dominant performance, 57-40.

Luckily for BU, its four core players — James, Moon, Sina and Watkins — will be returning. Last season proved to be a learning experience for a team that now has a full season under its belt.

Moon showcased her scoring ability throughout the year, with her biggest performance coming

against a strong in-conference Albany team. The freshman scored a career-high 16 points, converting a career-high five of 10 field goals, in a game that BU lost by just six points.

“I think more than anything I want a championship,” Moon said.

“I think if I do what I’m supposed to do with my role on this team, other accolades will come.”

Moon is a confident young guard who values teamwork. That being said, she is well aware of her position and role within the talented starting five of Binghamton.

“We got great players on this team, I don’t have to score 20 points a game,” Moon said. “I think if I play my role, we’ll be fine.”

Moon’s recognition of her role in the Bearcats’ system can be credited to having strong verbal leaders like Watkins, James and BU head coach Linda Cimino who help her along the way. Her flawless transition from high school to Division I was made possible by effective training, coaching and

leadership.

“More than anything I just want to see growth as a player; I think I grew as a person last year,” Moon added. “And I think that if I can see some maturity on the court, in certain situations, that will be enough for me.”

As a freshman, Moon helped the Bearcats against notable basketball regional powerhouses like Providence College and the University of Pennsylvania. Against UPenn, the young guard showcased her full potential, scoring six points, snagging 10 boards, recording two assists and collecting a career-high five steals in a big Bearcats win, 6148.

This season, Moon will get another shot at UPenn, as it is just one of the talented programs that BU is scheduled to face this season. The Bearcats were also given the opportunity to participate in the GCI Great Alaska Shootout, where they are scheduled to play University of Tulsa and University of Alaska Anchorage.

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November 9, 2017

Kaylee Wasco D o w H i g h School in Midland, Michigan.

Standing tall at 6-foot-3, with the help of her experienced teammates, Wasco is ready to reach e x p ectations on an entirely new level of competition.

“Just their leadership and really welcoming me with open arms and doing whatever they can to make me feel comfortable and help me prepare for the games ahead, it’s

“I do believe that she will be a player that will be part of the allrookie team here in the American East this year” Linda Cimino BU head coach

Rachel Visser Contributing Writer

Entering her first year on the Binghamton women’s basketball team, expectations are high for heavily recruited freshman forward Kaylee Wasco, who managed 182 points in her senior year at H.H.

“Everyone’s faster, stronger, they all have a basketball IQ, but luckily, coming in as a freshman, I’ve been blessed with the impeccable leadership of my veterans like [senior guard] Imani [Watkins] and [redshirt junior guard] Jasmine [Sina] and [senior forward Alyssa James],” Wasco said.

been really beneficial.”

With a strong core of returning players, and the addition of the seasoned Ramil sisters, sophomore forward Oivia and junior center Jodi-Marie, the intense level of practice has been key in preparing Wasco for the step up to Division I play.

“I’m really happy to have the challenge of going up against Alyssa and the Ramil sisters every day,” Wasco said. “It’s a challenge that’s gonna make me better everyday in the long run … and it’s a great opportunity for me to work on different things and be prepared when I go into game time, so that I’ve like already worked out how to handle different situations, so there’s not as many surprises

thrown at me.”

Averaging over 5.7 rebounds and 14 points per game in her senior year, as well as being a letterwinner all four years of high school, Wasco has demonstrated that she has the potential to thrive here at Binghamton on both ends of the court. But Wasco’s impressive skills on the court aren’t the only thing that made her such a good fit for the Binghamton women’s basketball team, as Wasco also arrives decorated with academic achievement. She was named Academic All-State by the Basketball Coaches’ Association of Michigan in high school. The next step toward her success is building and developing up the confidence to face difficult competition, such as Army and Yale.

“Kaylee’s a talented offensive player, can score with both hands, has a nice, soft touch around the basket,” said BU head coach Linda Cimino. “But what makes her special offensively is she can hit the trail three, she can come out and

knock down outside shots. So, she’s a tough matchup. Defensively, she’s very athletic, she blocks shots, and you know, she’s given [James] a run for her money every day in practice.

Kaylee’s a special player. I do believe that she will be a player that will be part of the all-rookie team here in the American East this year. We all know that she has great potential.

And now it’s instilling confidence in a young freshman, to believe that she can be that good.”

For now, the freshman is focused on working hard both mentally and physically to improve both her confidence and her skills in order to be able to best help the team reach its goal of a championship this season.

“Just going in as a freshman, I think the biggest thing is you just have to find your confidence and role on the team,” Wasco said. “Go play your game, and I’m just excited to find my role and be able to contribute to the team and help us reach our goals overall as a team.”

November 9, 2017

BASKETBALL ISSUE

Meet the Bearcats

Provided by BU Athletics From top left: Willie Rodriguez (42), John Schurman (30), Dusan Perovic (41), Thomas Bruce (32), Caleb Stewart (20), Justin McFadden (25), Bobby Ahearn (15), Jordan McRae (14), Tyler Stewart (5), Albert Odiero (40), Fard Muhammad (0), Yosef Yacob (10), Timmy Rose (4), J.C. Show (33) and Everson Davis (22).

Provided by BU Athletics From top left: Bailey Williams (23), Kaylee Wasco (50), Alyssa James (5), Olivia Ramil (24), Peyton Husson (14), Jodi-Marie Ramil (44), Kennedi Thompson (13), Corrinne Godshall (31), Rebecca Carmody (33), Carly Boland (32), Jasmine Sina (10), Imani Watkins (11), Lizzy Spindler (22), Kai Moon (3) and Karlee Krchnavi (21).

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Schedule Men’s 11/10 Morgan State 7 p.m.

11/13 @Cornell 7 p.m.

11/16 @George Mason 7 p.m.

11/18 @Evansville 4 p.m.

11/21 Montana State* 12:30 p.m.

11/22 TBA* 11/26 Hartwick 2 p.m.

11/29 @Delaware State 7:30 p.m.

12/2 Colgate 2 p.m.

12/6 Army 7 p.m.

12/9 @Loyola (MD) 4 p.m.

12/17 @Sacred Heart 1 p.m.

12/19 @Penn State 7 p.m.

12/22 LIU Brooklyn 7 p.m.

12/30 Elmira 4 p.m.

1/6 Maine 1 p.m.

1/10 @New Hampshire 7 p.m.

1/13 @Hartford 2 p.m.

1/15 Albany 7 p.m.

1/18 @Stony Brook 7 p.m.

1/21 UMass Lowell 2 p.m.

1/24 @UMBC 7 p.m.

1/27 New Hampshire 4 p.m.

1/31 Vermont 7 p.m.

2/3 @Maine 1 p.m.

2/8 UMBC TBA 2/15 Stony Brook 7 p.m.

2/18 @UMass Lowell 2 p.m.

2/21 @Vermont 7 p.m.

2/24 Hartford 4 p.m.

2/27 @Albany 7 p.m.

3/3 America East Quarterfinals TBA 3/6 America East Semifinals TBA 3/11 America East Final TBA *Games to be played in Cancun, Mexico as part of the Cancun Challenge

Women’s 11/10 @Army 7 p.m.

11/13 SUNY Cortland 7 p.m.

11/15 UPenn 7 p.m.

11/18 @Southern Utah 8:30 p.m.

11/21 Tulsa^ 9:30 p.m.

11/23 Alaska-Anchorage/UMES^ TBA 11/29 @Bucknell 6 p.m.

12/2 Yale noon 12/7 @Bryant 7 p.m.

12/10 New Jersey Tech. 2 p.m.

12/18 @Cornell 7 p.m.

12/21 @Rider 7 p.m.

12/31 Dartmouth 2 p.m.

1/6 @Maine 1 p.m.

1/10 New Hampshire 7 p.m.

1/13 Hartford 4 p.m.

1/15 @Albany 2 p.m.

1/18 Stony Brook 7 p.m.

1/21 @UMass Lowell noon 1/24 UMBC 7 p.m.

1/27 @New Hampshire 1 p.m.

1/31 @Vermont 7 p.m.

2/3 Maine 1 p.m.

2/5 @Stony Brook TBA 2/8 @UMBC 7 p.m.

2/14 Vermont 7 p.m.

2/17 UMass Lowell 4 p.m.

2/22 Albany 7 p.m.

2/25 @Hartford 2 p.m.

3/3 America East Quarterfinals TBA 3/4 America East Semifinals TBA 3/9 America East Final TBA ^ Games to be played in Alaska as part of the Great Alaska Shootout