Fall 2014 Basketball Preview by Pipe Dream

PIPE DREAM'S 2014-15 BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

TA BL E MEN'S BASKETBALL Marlon Beck II & Yosef Yacob Feature Nick Madray Feature . . . . . . . . . . . Willie Rodriguez Feature . . . . . . . . . All-Conference Picks . . . . . . . . . . . Conference Rankings . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1 Hartford Preview . . . . . . . . . . No. 2 Stony Brook Preview. . . . . . . .

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B2 B3 B3 B4 B4 B4 B5

CON T E N T S

No. 3 Albany Preview . . . . . No. 4 Binghamton Preview . Jordan Reed Feature. . . . . . No. 5 Vermont Preview . . . . No. 6 UMBC Preview . . . . . No. 7 UNH Preview . . . . . . No. 8 UMass Lowell Preview No. 9 Maine Preview . . . . .

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. B5 . B6 . B7 . B8 . B8 . B9 . B9 .B10

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Binghamton Preview . . . . . . . . . . . .B10 Jasmine Sina Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . B11 Imani Watkins Feature . . . . . . . . . . . B11 Men's & Women's Regular Season Schedule . . . . . . . . . B12

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

PIPE DREAM'S 2014-15 BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW With the college basketball season officially beginning today, Pipe Dream has provided you with a comprehensive season preview for the men’s and women’s Bearcats squads as well as all the men’s teams in the America East Conference. Curious about our players? Look no further than our Bearcat profiles on Jasmine Sina, Imani Watkins, Jordan Reed, Nick Madray, Willie Rodriguez, Marlon Beck II and Yosef Yacob. The men’s team opens its season against Notre Dame at the Hall of Fame Tip-off in South Bend, Ind. at 9 p.m. tonight, while the women’s team is set to take on Akron at the Akron Tournament at 6 p.m. tonight.

ON POINT

POINT GUARDS BECK, YACOB SET TO TAKE NEXT STEP E.Jay Zarett

Assistant Sports Editor When point guards Marlon Beck II and Yosef Yacob entered Binghamton’s men’s basketball program as freshmen last season, they were greeted by a desolate backcourt. With ample playing time up for grabs, each took advantage of that opportunity. Beck started 20 games for head coach Tommy Dempsey while averaging 9.2 points, 2.9 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game. Yacob started 22 games, finished second in scoring on the team with 11.5 points per game and was an America East First-Team All-Rookie selection. Despite each of their successes, neither Beck nor Yacob was immune to the growing pains that nearly any freshman forced into a major role will experience. Each struggled with turnovers: Yacob averaged 3.25 per

game and Beck added an average of 2.13 per contest. This year, Binghamton’s situation is different. With all five active freshmen reputed to be prolific scorers, BU’s point guards will be able to pass the ball more, sacrificing their own numbers to increase their offense’s efficiency. “Last year there were a lot of games where I did score a lot of points,” Beck said. “But this year I want to have a better balance and get my assists up, [get my] assist-toturnover ratio better, different things like that. So that’s something I’m really working on.” “I think the biggest thing is just leading the team and head-hunting who should get shots and what plays would work and seeing the mismatches as a point guard rather than just playing the game and not really thinking about it,” Yacob added. With Binghamton lacking depth in 2013-14, Beck and Yacob played a significant portion of each game on the court together, sharing ball-handling responsibilities. This season could be a different story. In addition to the new freshmen — three of whom are guards — the Bearcats return their star in junior wing Jordan Reed and can also call upon junior guard Karon Waller, who performed well in limited playing time last season. Those options could mean that the two may not have to share the backcourt as often, though Dempsey will determine whether the pair will play together based on the flow of each game. “We haven’t made lineup decisions yet, but we can go a lot of different ways,” Dempsey said. “I think it’s what the game calls for. Against some of the pressing teams that we’re going to see earlier in the year,

we’re going to see them on the floor together. They like to play together and they play well together so I think … every night you’re going to see them on the floor together for stretches, but I also have to be smart in how I use them.” For a Bearcat team looking to make a splash in the America East Conference this season, that increased availability will be key. But with fewer minutes to go around, Beck and Yacob — who are good friends off the court — understand that when it comes to practice, they’re competing for playing time. “[It] kind of pushes me every day to just wake up and say, ‘Okay, I’m always competing for anything,’” Beck said. “Whether it’s time or a spot, [or] anything with one of my best friends off the court. I think it means a lot, where we’re great friends off the court but when it comes to on the court, if we’re not on the same team in practice, we know we’re going head-to-head with each other.” Yacob echoed his friend’s sentiments on their onand-off court relationship. “We both push each other, on offense, on defense, on trying to lead our teams,” Yacob said. “It’s a great thing we have because we’re friends off the court, but once we get on the court, it’s my team versus your team and we play against each other, we compete, because we know it’s going to make us better in the long run.”

Our assist totals have to be up, our shooting percentage has to be up, and for those things to happen, [Beck and Yacob] have to get our team the shots that we want on every possession — Tommy Dempsey BU head coach

BECK STATS (2013-14): 9.2 PPG 2.1 RPG 2.9 APG 1.3 A/TO YACOB STATS (2013-14): 11.5 PPG 1.8 RPG 2.6 APG 32.9 3FG%

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

IN THE NICK OF TIME

MADRAY ADDS POST PRESENCE TO ARSENAL IN 2ND SEASON Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

Right when he started to show improvement around the rim and on the glass, when he started “to find [his] groove,” Nick Madray succumbed to a season-ending groin injury. That was last February. With the 6-foot-9 stretch four missing the last nine games of the season, the fear was that he would regress in his strides. The class of 2014’s most highly anticipated recruit delivered as far as being a sharp-shooter was concerned. He averaged third on the team with 10.8 points through 21 games even after his insane 3-point shooting numbers dwindled mid-season. He made a huge offensive impact, leading all America East rookies with a Kenpom offensive impact rating of 103.2. But when it came to holding his own against stronger paint players? “I was easy to get thrown out the game,” the sophomore forward said. “They just had guys glued on me on the 3-point line.” As pure a jump shooter as he was, Madray was as prolific a fouler. The Canadian accumulated 61 fouls through his truncated season, at 2.9 per game. That ranked third on the team. Now, however, Binghamton University head coach Tommy Dempsey and Madray are both confident that the sophomore will be a much stronger presence in the post. “Last year I fell into foul trouble because I was slow, I wasn’t well conditioned and I wasn’t strong,” Madray said. “This year, I really made an effort to hit the weight room. Now I’m up to 220, so I’m just a lot stronger now, a lot quicker now and I’m playing better post defense. So I think that will play a large role in my defense, and not being fouled out as often.” Dempsey echoed the sentiment. “[Madray is] starting to come into his own,” Dempsey said. “We’ve tried to emphasize him getting inside more, rebounding a bit better, scoring in the paint so he can get to the free-

throw line. He’s such a good free-throw shooter, but we have to get him to the line.” Madray averaged just 3.7 rebounds per game last season. That actually ranked second on the team, behind only junior guard Jordan Reed’s 8.9 mark. Madray also shot 74.1 percent on free throws, but he made it to the line only 54 times in his debut season. Those numbers might be OK, but for the team’s best shooter, an ability to be strong, to stay in the game and draw fouls will be key in the press Dempsey is implementing this season. While part of that development certainly comes from raw strength, it will also be a matter of confidence. “The coaches really did a good job at getting me mentally prepared to really be consistent this year, and that’s what I’m going to try to focus on,” Madray said. “I’m going to bring the energy and effort day in and day out, and I think that will help me have a great and consistent season.” As far as last season goes, Dempsey said Madray got by “on talent alone.” He shocked the coaching staff when he posted 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting in the team’s season opener against Loyola, Maryland. “For the first three weeks of practice, we knew how talented he was, but we never saw that,” Dempsey said. “I think he was a combination of uncomfortable and nervous. But his talent allowed him to still go out there and have some really good games.” Madray eclipsed the 20-point mark in four games in 2013-14. He shot 43.7 percent from the field on 76-of-174 shooting, 38 percent on 35-of-92 shooting from the 3-point range. He grabbed 78 boards through his 21 games and was one of only three Binghamton players to record double digits in blocks (10) on the season. But for a guy who’s been said to have NBA potential, Madray will have to do better. And that’s the plan.

“Now I’m more of a threat down in the paint, in the mid-range, so I feel like I can spread the floor even more this year,” Madray said. “[The coaches] just did a really good job helping me develop my overall game.”

If there’s a better pure jump shooter in our league, I’d have to see him. I mean he shoots the ball so well. He’s playingwith more confidence, he’s stronger — Tommy Dempsey BU head coach

MADRAY STATS (2013-14): 10.8 PPG 3.7 RPG 43.7 FG% 38.0 3FG%

WHERE THERE'S A WILLIE...

BU'S MOST HYPED RECRUIT READY TO PAVE HIS WAY Jeff Twitty

Assistant Sports Editor A simple Google search of freshman forward Willie Rodriguez will turn up his highlight reel, comparing him to Spurs guard Manu Ginóbili. Scroll down, and you’ll see blog and message board comments from fans of programs like Rutgers and Georgetown lauding the 6-foot-6 recruit out of Florida. Comments such as “give Willie a Schollie [scholarship]” are a common refrain. But if you were to run into Rodriguez and ask him who he thinks he is on the court, his response might surprise you. “I’m just a typical basketball player. I’d rather just have everyone come and find out.” Humble, certainly. But typical — now that’s a bit beyond the arc. After posting 13 points in his exhibition debut against Mansfield on Nov. 1, the freshman came back as a starter in BU’s second exhibition against Oswego State last Friday. He led Binghamton in minutes and scoring in the 75-74 victory, establishing himself as the Bearcats’ preseason points leader. Already accumulating 27 total points in green and white, the highlyanticipated freshman is more than living up to expectations, and his teammates notice the change. “I think he’s been depicted as the allrookie, I guess,” junior guard Jordan Reed said. “Me and him are going at it. Just having a bigger guy strong enough to bang with me in practice has personally been awesome. Opposed to a lot of the practices before where the other guys were strong enough but too slow, or vice versa.” Known for his versatility, Rodriguez brings a bit of everything to Binghamton. During his time at East River High

School just outside of Orlando, the standout ended his high school career with 2,018 points. That made him just the third player in Florida Metro Conference history to pass the 2,000-point mark in a career. He also left East River with 946 rebounds, averaging 9.5 per game before playing a post-graduate year at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut. As a Cat, Rodriguez earned First-Team All-League honors as well as MVP honors in the New England Prep School Athletic Conference Class B championship. “It helped me out a lot,” Rodriguez said of his post-graduate year. “It was an extra year to work on my game and work on all of my weaknesses.” It worked for his confidence, too. In his short time at Binghamton, Rodriguez has established himself on and off of the court. Despite a timid first half against Mansfield, Rodriguez made his physical presence known in his subsequent three halves. In the final minutes of Binghamton’s game against Oswego State, it was Rodriguez who would put up five points — highlighted by a strong layup in the paint with 14 seconds to go — to complement sophomore point guard Marlon Beck II’s game-clinching free throws. “I’m fitting in overall on and off the court,” Rodriguez said. “I’m pretty good friends with Marlon and Yosef [Yacob] off the court, but on the court I’m fitting in well to go with the offense that Coach Dempsey runs.” That was to be expected. But given his role as a leader of this 2014-15 team’s deep freshman class, Rodriguez plans to employ the same work ethic that got him to 2,018 points at East River and 27 so far in Binghamton — a work ethic that one might call atypical of the “typical basketball player.” One that he hopes will take his new school to new heights. “I just want to bring home a conference championship,” Rodriguez said.

I just want to bring home a conference championship — Willie Rodriguez freshman forward

RODRIGUEZ HIGH SCHOOL STATS: 20.2 PPG 9.5 RPG 1.9 SPG 1.9 BPG 2014 EXHIBITION STATS (2 GAMES): 13.5 PPG 5.0 RPG 40.0 FG% 55.6 FT% QUICK FACTS TWO-TIME FLORIDA METRO CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2,018 POINTS AND 946 REBOUNDS AT EAST RIVER HIGH SCHOOL MVP OF 2014 NEW ENGLAND PREP SCHOOL ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CLASS B CHAMPIONSHIP FIRST TEAM ALL-LEAGUE CLASS B IN 2013-14

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

AMERICA EAST

CONFERENCE PREVIEW HARTFORD HAWKS STONY BROOK SEAWOLVES ALBANY GREAT DANES BINGHAMTON BEARCATS VERMONT CATAMOUNTS UMBC RETRIEVERS UNH WILDCATS HARTFORD HAWKS MAINE BLACK BEARS

JAMEEL WARNEY STONY BROOK JUNIOR FORWARD The AE 2013 Rookie of the Year and 2014 Player of the Year, this year’s Stony Brook team is Warney’s, according to head coach Steve Pikiell. Expect Warney to lead the AE in scoring now that he’s under pressure to be more selfish with the ball.

MARK NWAKAMMA HARTFORD SENIOR FORWARD The 6-foot-6 forward is reputed to have his hands on 71 percent of Hartford’s plays. While Nwakamma is nearly constantly in foul trouble and turns over the ball at an alarming rate (3.1 per game), head coach John Gallagher promised the senior will be more responsible with the ball. If that’s true, then you can bet Nwakamma will be more effective in the paint.

JORDAN REED BINGHAMTON JUNIOR GUARD Under pressure to defer scoring to sharp shooters like sophomore forward Nick Madray and freshman forward Dusan Perovic, Reed will focus on what he’s best at — defending. Despite the shift in responsibilities, Reed is still the most athletic guy on the team, and you can bet his scoring numbers will remain impressive.

PETER HOOLEY ALBANY JUNIOR GUARD Finishing second in the conference with 15.5 points per game through the season, Hooley managed to impress even more through the America East Championship Tournament. The Aussie guard earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the tournament, averaging 23.7 points per game and shooting 52.2 percent from 3-point range.

RODNEY ELLIOTT UMBC SOPHOMORE GUARD In his debut season, Elliott averaged 15.0 points per game, first among all rookies. He earned AE Rookie of the Week honors five times during the season, and brought home UMBC’s first AE Rookie of the Year award.

HARTFORD

HEAD COACH: JOHN GALLAGHER CONFERENCE RECORD: 10-6 (3RD) SEASON RECORD: 17-16

HAWKS PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP MARK NWAKAMMA SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

15.3 PPG 5.8 RPG 52.8 FG%

YOLONZO MOORE II SENIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS

9.8 PPG 2.8 RPG 2.8 APG

CORBAN WROE SENIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS

6.3 PPG 3.2 RPG 43.3 3FG%

WES COLE

SENIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS

8.9 PPG 1.4 RPG 42.9 3FG%

NATE SIKMA

SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

6.0 PPG 4.4 RPG 1.7 APG

SENIOR LEADERSHIP SETS HAWKS AHEAD Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

In a conference jam-packed with youth, inexperience and uncertainty this season, Hartford’s players are like your grandpappy who walked to school uphill both ways. That is, they’re old. Head coach John Gallagher returns all five of his starters and six seniors in 2014-15. The Hawks didn’t finish last season with the flashiest record: They were a 17-win team who earned the three seed into the conference tournament. But they showed significant improvement as the season wore on, and that bodes well for the future. “I like our experience, I like our toughness, I like that we’ve been through it, so we think we have a chance to be good,” Gallagher said. Fueling that confidence is Mark Nwakamma. The 6-foot-6 senior forward made the America East All-Conference First Team last year, leading his team in points (15.3 per game) and rebounds (5.8 per game). Unsurprisingly, he was also named to the preseason All-Conference team this year. Given that talent, Gallagher’s plan is essentially to filter the ball through the low-post player, who, according to him, has his hands on the ball 71 percent of the time. But Nwakamma gets into foul trouble. He’s double-teamed a lot, and he turns over the ball a lot (3.1 per game). When Nwakamma is in, he shoots potently — averaging a 52.8 percent clip through the season — and drives into the paint. But when he’s out, Hartford is a team that relies heavily on threes — ranking 34th in the nation with 8.0 treys per game last season. That consistent issue was problematic for Gallagher last year. This season?

“I think now [Nwakamma] can be really aggressive because we’re really deep,” the fifth-year head coach said. “We’re not really concerned with his foul trouble. When we have 10 bodies we can play, he’s got to go defend. He’s got to be the best defender he can be and not worry about not fouling. He just has to worry about being a great defender.” One of the major contributors to that depth is Yolonzo Moore II. Allegedly fully healthy for the first time in a while, Gallagher expects the senior point guard to see a much higher production than what he averaged last year — 9.8 points, 2.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. “We could have redshirted him last year … but we didn’t even think about it,” Gallagher said. “But looking back on it, we should have. Because [with Moore at] 100 percent, he’s a different player. He gets way more explosion, he’s getting away and dunking on people, his athleticism is just off the charts.” The Hawks saw Moore in action in the five games they played against top teams in Australia over the summer. Through that stretch, Moore averaged 15.4 points per contest and matched Nwakamma’s game-high 22 points in one match. He looked good. But when the Hawks do have to rely on their volume shooting, senior guards Corban Wroe and Wes Cole are the team’s most dependable 3-point shooters. While Wroe hit 43.4 percent of his treys on 29-of-67 shooting, Cole — the team’s most prolific beyond-the-arc producer — finished at a 42.9 clip, nailing 78 of 182 through the season. As far as having a presence in the paint goes, Gallagher plans to rely on new blood for production. John Carroll, a 6-foot-8 versatile big with a crafty midrange, was able to prove

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.HARTFORDHAWKS.COM

himself under the lights during the team’s trip to Australia. He sat out the first two games, but in the third, he came up big, impressing Gallagher. “[Carroll] has great athleticism,” Gallagher said. “But most important is his mentality. He competes at an extremely high level and he can really score.” One of the areas Gallagher has stressed in the off-season are turnovers. In that category, the Hawks ranked 298th in the nation last season, committing an average of 13.9 per game. But against teams in Australia, Moore’s returned health allowed him to take better care of the ball, and the team committed just 10 turnovers per game as a result. Gallagher’s plan has not been to change his style. It rather focuses on the development of his players. And with a senior cast as experienced as Hartford’s, that should be sufficient. “Our big thing is, let’s not take care of the ball; let’s be great with the ball,” Gallagher said. “That changes your mindset. So we really try to focus on that. Early on here, it’s looked good.”

OFFENSIVE 65.5 PPG 27.5 RPG 12.2 APG DEFENSIVE 66.0 PPG 20.6 RPG 5.6 SPG

Mark Nwkamma touches the ball 71 percent of the time. So our tactic is, if they're going to double him, we're going to shoot a lot of threes. So if they're going to single-cover him, we're going to throw it down on him. — John Gallagher Hartford head coach

HEAD COACH: STEVE PIKIELL CONFERENCE RECORD: 13-3 (2ND) SEASON RECORD: 23-11

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

STONY BROOK

SEAWOLVES

UNDER WARNEY'S REIGN, SEAWOLVES TO CONQUER It's his team [this year]. He's kind of demanded that it be his team. He's the guy in charge and it's a real good feeling — Steve Pikiell SBU head coach

Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

Normally, Stony Brook head coach Steve Pikiell would look to his seniors to provide a hefty freshman class with much-needed leadership. This year, that’s not an option. With only four upperclassmen — all juniors — on the roster, the Seawolves will experience much the same uncertainty as many other programs in the America East: Pikiell will be forced to throw unproven freshmen and sophomores with meager experience into vacated roles, in the hopes of drawing a fourth straight 20-plus win season. “There’s a part of me that worries about that,” Pikiell said. “We have no seniors in the program, so we have no senior leadership … We have some experience at key positions but we don’t have a ton of experience. So I’m excited about our youth, but you’re also concerned sometimes when you have a lot of newcomers.” There is, of course, a small factor that sets Stony Brook apart: 2014 AE Player of the Year Jameel Warney. The 6-foot-8, 255-pound junior averaged 14.5 points and eight rebounds per game last year. He finished on a 61.6 percent clip from the field, ranking fifth in the nation. In scoring 32 points on 13-of-14 shooting and grabbing 21 boards against Detroit on Nov. 24, Warney became last season’s only Division-I player to post a 30-point, 20-rebound game. As you might imagine, Warney gets doubleteamed. A lot. So he passes the ball. To Pikiell, he’s almost unselfish to a fault. But with the low-post player stretching out his jumper to a 12- or 13-foot range, opposing coaches will need to find a new strategy. “He’s one of the leading field-goal percentage

guys in the country, but a lot of his baskets are around the basket or in close,” Pikiell said. “He’s now been able to extend his range out a little bit more in the perimeter. He’s just become a little bit more of a complete player and a better shooter.” And what’s more, Warney has finally come into his own. 2013’s Rookie of the Year is now the king of his squad, and he can provide all the leadership Pikiell requires. “It’s his team [this year],” Pikiell said. “He’s kind of demanded that it be his team. He’s the guy in charge and it’s a real good feeling.” He and junior point guard Carson Puriefoy — who averaged 12.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 28.9 minutes per contest — will have to develop their inexperienced guys, all of whom averaged 10.1 or fewer minutes per game. Among those expected to step up are junior forwards Rayshaun McGrew and Scott King and sophomore guard Kameron Mitchell. The other pieces come in the five-man freshman class. Headlining the class of 2015 are Michigan’s Mr. Basketball, Deshaun Thrower, and a 6-foot6 versatile two or three in Roland Nyama. The Seawolves lost their most athletic shooters to graduation or transfer, and Thrower should help to produce from beyond the arc. The 6-foot2 guard averaged nearly 18 points, six assists and five rebounds in high school and can really shoot and get to the rim. “I think he’ll be one of our better defenders,” Pikiell said of Thrower. “He’s built already like a senior physically. He’s going to have an immediate impact for sure.” Nyama, who redshirted last season, will provide extra athleticism. One of those players who can “do it all,” the Frankfurt native will be called upon to cover a lot of floor. The graduation

of Dave Coley, Anthony Jackson and Eric McAlister as well as the transfer of All-Rookie team member Ahmad Walker leave the team bereft of its four most productive rebounders behind Warney. Those four combined for just under 50 percent of the team’s rebounding output, at 18.2 per contest. But Pikiell expressed his confidence in Nyama’s defensive development during his redshirt year, and he should help to crash the glass for last year’s top rebounding team in the AE. Despite the losses, Pikiell knows what it’s like to move forward. He lost all-in-one 2013 AE Defensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year Tommy Brenton last season and still finished second in the conference with a 13-3 record. And besides, Warney’s a lot to work with. “Every year we expect to compete for a league title,” Pikiell said. “That’s every year. I don’t care who we graduate or who’s left the program or what have you, that’s our expectation every year is to compete for a league title.”

OFFENSIVE 71.8 PPG 36.8 RPG (82ND IN NATION) 12.8 APG DEFENSIVE 66.3 PPG 25.3 RPG 5.9 SPG

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP JAMEEL WARNEY JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 14.5 PPG 8.0 RPG 61.6 FG%

CARSON PURIEFOY JUNIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS 12.9 PPG 2.8 APG 43.3 3FG%

RAYSHAUN McGREW JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 3.4 PPG 1.9 RPG 54.8 FG%

DESHAUN THROWER FRESHMAN GUARD

H.S. STATS

18 PPG 6 APG MICHIGAN MR. BASKETBALL

SCOTT KING

JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 3.2 PPG 1.3 RPG 39.2 3FG%

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.STONYBROOKATHLETICS.COM

HEAD COACH: WILL BROWN CONFERENCE RECORD: 9-7 (4TH) SEASON RECORD: 19-15

ALBANY

GREAT DANES

ALBANY AIMS FOR TOP WITH TALENT FROM DOWN UNDER The biggest thing is, we need to rely on our returning players early to allow our new guys to get acclimated — Will Brown Albany head coach

Jeff Twitty

Assistant Sports Editor With just under 15 minutes to go in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season, 16th-seeded Albany threatened the impossible against first-seeded Florida, pressing a 39-39 tie. After edging out Mount St. Mary’s, 71-64, in a last-team-in situation, Albany looked to avenge its 2013 Tournament loss to Duke in taking on SEC Champion Florida. That Cinderella story wasn’t to be: After a late run by the Gators, the Great Danes again failed to upset. They dropped the game, 67-55. A chance to advance wasn’t all Albany would lose when the clock hit zero in March. Starting guard DJ Evans, center and defensive anchor John Puk and forward Gary Johnson were three of Albany’s five graduating seniors, giving the Great Danes their largest freshman class in five years. Yet, despite its losses, Albany returns two captains from the 2013-14 season in junior guard Peter Hooley and senior forward Sam Rowley. With Hooley averaging 15.5 points in 35.1 minutes per game last season and Rowley averaging 11.1 in 29.2, the Aussie co-captains bring more than enough court experience to lead by example this season. It will be their vocal leadership skills that are put to the test with this year’s group. Skills that, according to head coach Will Brown, are not quite natural in either one’s personality. “It’s a new season,” Brown said. “We need to create a new identity because it’s a new team. We need a voice from within that’s not coach Brown. A voice in the locker room, a voice of the players. It’s nice when you have a player or two that can lead a team on and off the floor and

I think [Hooley and Rowley] have the capability to do it, they just need to do it on a consistent basis.” That vocal presence will be especially crucial in Albany’s early non-conference schedule. The Great Danes open their season with eight of their first 12 away from home. Struggling on the road in 2013, dropping all but four of its first nine away matchups, Albany’s ability to gain momentum for America East competition will hinge on its level of road play early. “We weren’t consistent,” Brown said. “I’m hoping that this non-conference schedule helps us develop some road toughness and gets us ready for conference play on those cold nights when we’re traveling in January and February.” The Great Danes will bring no shortage of young talent this season. Among the highlights of the 2014 recruiting class are freshman guard Wheeler Baker, a 6-foot-2 finalist for Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball award, and transfer guard Tre Green, who played alongside Jabari Parker at Simeon Career Academy in Chicago. But Albany’s biggest offseason addition comes by way of Richard Peters. Peters, a 6-foot11, 275-pound center, joins the team after two years at Tallahassee Community College and an original commitment to Washington State. For now, Brown said, the 21-year-old fresh off of a hip replacement “has a chance.” “It’s a day-to-day approach for Richard,” Brown said. “He’s big, he’s got a nice touch, he’s just got to get used to the rigors of the grind of the Division I level.” While these new additions adjust, Brown will look to returning sophomore forwards Dallas Ennema and Mike Rowley to “take the next step” this winter after a successful offseason. Mike, along with his brother Sam, hails from Australia — apparently basketball’s

latest hotbed. With one-third of Albany’s squad coming from outside the U.S., Brown hopes that this international experience will prove advantageous come tip-off. “The one thing I’ve learned about international kids is they’re very hungry and grateful for the opportunity,” Brown said. “[Players from Australia are] very well coached, really know how to play and they play very hard.” But back stateside, Brown is keeping his expectations realistic for his squad. “It’s a new year and it’s a long year,” Brown said. “I like my new guys, but I’m not going to put unrealistic expectations or pressure on them.” Take that cautiously. For a two-consecutive America East tournament championship team, “realistic” is still a high standard. “When it’s all said and done, we’ll be in the mix,” Brown said.

OFFENSIVE 66.0 PPG 34.6 RPG 11.1 APG DEFENSIVE 63.9 PPG (39TH OVERALL) 24.2 RPG 5.5 SPG

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP PETER HOOLEY JUNIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS 15.5 PPG 2.6 APG 33.8 3FG%

SAM ROWLEY SENIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS 11.1 PPG 51.4 FG% 234 REB

RICHARD PETERS

SOPHOMORE CENTER

WESTWIND STATS 10.5 PPG 7.5 RPG 2.8 BPG

DALLAS ENNEMA

SOPHOMORE FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 3.9 PPG 47.5 FG% 45.5 3FG%

WHEELER BAKER

FRESHMAN GUARD

H.S. STATS 26 PPG 4 RPG 4 APG

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.UALBANYSPORTS.COM

SPORTS

CONFERENCE RECORD: 4-12 SEASON RECORD: 7-23 PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS MARLON BECK II SOPHOMORE GUARD

On a team that fell in the red in assist-toturnover ratios last season, Beck was the only Bearcat to dole out more assists than commit turnovers.

JORDAN REED JUNIOR WING

Reed registered 15.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game last season, ranking third and first in the AE, respectively.

YOSEF YACOB

SOPHOMORE GUARD

Yacob finished second on the team in scoring last season with 11.5 points per game. One of BU’s best perimeter shooters.

WILLIE RODRIGUEZ FRESHMAN FORWARD

In Binghamton’s two exhibition games so far, Rodriguez has taken more shots than any other player.

DUSAN PEROVIC

FRESHMAN FORWARD

Perovic was a top rebounder at South Kent School and is one of the team’s most accurate shooters, behind Madray.

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

BINGHAM

BEARCA

DEPTH PROVIDED BY FIVE-MAN FRESHMAN CLASS ENABLES BU TO RUN DEMPSEY'S UP-TEMPO STYLE Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

Since head coach Tommy Dempsey’s arrival three years ago, Binghamton men’s basketball fans have been hearing about a change of pace. They were promised an uptempo game, a press-and-run style like the one Dempsey commanded at Rider. We haven’t seen it yet. This year, we should. “I think you’re going to see a lot more pressured defense,” Dempsey said. “We’ll press after a lot of makes, we’ll press after free throws and dead balls. With certain groups we’ll press more than others — we’ll be a little more half court if we have a bigger or slower lineup on the court. But there’s a lot of guys that can play in the up-tempo style, and pretty much everybody’s been recruited to play that way. So I think you’ll see a lot more full-court basketball on both ends of the court.” The seven-man class of 2015 plays a large role in enabling that shift. Add them to the mix, and the conversation is no longer who’s good, but who’s playing well now. It’s no longer who can we expect to see on the court, but who works well with whom and under what conditions. “I think that it was in a lot of cases a foregone conclusion who was going to play the last two years, who was going to start and who was going to get a couple minutes,” Dempsey said at the beginning of the preseason. “Right now, there’s 10, 11, 12 guys fighting for starting jobs, fighting for roles off the bench. And I think that’s going to be one of the keys to our success this season, is going to be my role allocation and doing a great job with that and getting guys to buy into those lists.” While junior guard Jordan Reed, sophomore guards Marlon Beck II

and Yosef Yacob and sophomore forward Nick Madray should continue to dominate the team’s minutes, the freshmen will be equally crucial in the rotations. Forward Dusan Perovic is one of the team’s best shooters behind Madray. Forward Willie Rodriguez should make major contributions at both ends of the court with his aptitude in shooting and crashing the glass. Forward Justin McFadden is a defensive staple, noted for his rebounding prowess and aggressiveness. Guard Romello Walker is a fountain of energy who can shoot and rebound as well. While sophomore forward Magnus Richards wasn’t one of the most prominent players in last year’s game, Dempsey said he’ll see more minutes this year. Richards wasn’t so fit for last year’s style: His niche is to press and run. “He’s one of those versatile bigs who can run the floor, who can block shots at the end of the press, who can get up and pressure guards at the front of the press,” Dempsey said. With that depth, Dempsey’s plan is to play about 10 guys in the first half of games, subbing them in in short bursts. That system will enable the guys to run up and down the court in concordance with the new style, staying refreshed throughout. “What happens is, when you’re limited depth-wise and you’re playing Yacob and Beck and Reed 30-plus minutes a game, it’s hard for them to be at their best defensively because you naturally pace yourself when you’re playing too many minutes,” Dempsey said. “So we’re going to try to come at you more in waves … You’re going to get guys fresh off the bench and [we’ll] really try to create a little more chaos defensively.” Another point of focus for Dempsey

this season is the team’s assist-to-turnover ratio. Of the returners, only Beck posted a positive ratio in 2013-14, at 1.3. The team as a whole fell into the red, averaging just 9.4 assists per game (345th in the nation) while committing 14 turnovers for a 0.7 mark. “Whether it’s getting our turnovers down or having a positive turnover-assist ratio for everybody including myself, [we just want to be] more physical down low — [get] more inside paint touches — because we know our big men can work down there,” Beck said.

TOMMY DEMPS

SECOND-YEAR HEAD COA

Expects to fully implement his up tempo style this season.

MTON

COACHING STAFF

ATS

SEY

ACH

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

HEAD COACH: TOMMY DEMPSEY ASSISTANT COACH: HERB COURTNEY ASSISTANT COACH: BRYAN GOODMAN ASSISTANT COACH: BEN LUBER

BENCH

REED 'EM AND WEEP

JABRILLE WILLIAMS

ROMELLO WALKER

he 6-foot-6 guard played in 11 games, averaging 3.5 minutes per game.

Walker averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists in his senior season at South Kent.

KARON WALLER

JUSTIN McFADDEN

Waller impressed in the second half of the season, converting 6.2 points per game from the field and shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc.

McFadden averaged 14.9 points per game at Lower Merion, but he’ll be more valued for his defensive force this season.

NICK MADRAY

JOSH SCHURMAN

Madray averaged 10.8 points per game on 44 percent shooting last season.

The sharp shooter out of Fayetteville Manlius will be redshirting this season.

MAGNUS RICHARDS

BOBBY AHEARN

Richards, an athletic forward averaging three points and 3.4 rebounds a game last season, should play a greater role in this year’s lineup.

Ahearn can provide toughness and some intangibles, but don’t expect to see him much.

JOHN RINALDI

JORDAN McRAE

Suspended until further notice.

A defensive-minded player out of Dix Hills, McRae is also redshirting.

SENIOR GUARD

JUNIOR GUARD

SOPHOMORE FORWARD

SOPHOMORE GUARD

FRESHMAN FORWARD

FRESHMAN GUARD

FRESHMAN FORWARD

Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

Inheriting a program that went 2-29 through the 2011-12 season, Tommy Dempsey needed something to sell in his first year at the helm of the Binghamton men’s basketball team. The obvious option was to call it a rebuilding period. But any new coach could sell that point. The other option was in something actually marketable. “When you inherit a program where there initially wasn’t a lot to sell, you have to find something to sell,” Dempsey said. “And we sold Jordan.” Then-freshman guard Jordan Reed, who was just named to the America East preseason All-Conference team in October for the second consecutive year, has remained the program’s staple. After a rocky January in which Binghamton’s star was barred from all team activities for a week, the now-junior stormed back, recording his first two 30 plus-point performances of his career. Although complemented by a more robust roster with the addition of sophomores Marlon Beck II, Yosef Yacob, Nick Madray and Magnus Richards, Reed still anchored last season’s team. The 6-foot4 guard led the conference in rebounds per game for the second straight year (8.9) and ranked third in points per game (15.4). That was despite all the targets rival teams painted on his back. “When the other team does a scouting report, it’s ‘What are we going to do with Reed?’” Dempsey said. “They put the best defender on him, they have another guy ready to double him on his catches, and they just make his life scoring the ball very difficult.” “So what he ends up having to do a lot of the time is get it on the backboard, rebound it, put it back in, draw fouls, and he finds a way to get production,” the head coach continued. “At the end of the day he finds a way to get his numbers because he’s such a relentless rebounder.” Reed’s rebounding numbers constituted over a quarter of his team’s total 32.3 boards

per game. That category merited the team’s highest national ranking last year, falling in 295th offensively and 307th defensively. While his versatility allowed him to produce in adversity, it will take a different role this season. Last year, the media raved about Reed’s no longer being alone. They claimed that Beck and Yacob would set him up for better shots and that Madray would stretch the floor, giving Reed more space to drive into the lane. Those speculations proved true: Reed’s points and rebounds per game may have dipped marginally, but he went from shooting 39.1 percent from the field his debut year to 41.4 last season. But the tune is different now. It’s not ‘get Reed better opportunities,’ it’s ‘Reed will no longer have to do it all.’ “I think now that we have rebuilt to a point and rebuilt the roster, now it’s just about being one of the guys,” Dempsey said. “His numbers may or may not be what they were,” he added. “They might not need to be what they were — he might not have to get 30 points and 12 rebounds for us to have a chance to win. I’m sure he’s still going to be capable of doing that on given nights, but I think he’ll need to settle into playing his role, being a great defender, being the best rebounder in the league, being the guy who can take the ball to the basket and make plays for his team.” While Reed may not have to do it all, while the team’s potential for success might not rely on whether or not Reed is having a productive night, he’s still leading the team by example. And he still dominates the floor — just not in all areas. “As far as athleticism and all that, I feel like I’m still at the head,” Reed said. “But I’ve got tremendous shooters in Nick Madray — obviously he can shoot better than me. I’ve got a terrific shooter in Dusan [Perovic] as well as Willie [Rodriguez]. And they bring that to the table. But as far as defense and toughness, I think I got that. But that’s why I need them. Because I can’t do everything. And what’s not my specialty might be their specialty and they might be the missing part of the recipe to a successful season.”

Not every time – with everyone we’ve got on the team – am I going to have the ball as much as before... That’s the good thing about me, that I can affect the game in other ways without having the ball and without having possession

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

VERMONT

CATAMOUNTS PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP RYAN PIERSON

SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

46.9 FG% 19 REBOUNDS 81.3 FT%

ETHAN O'DAY

JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

7.4 PPG 55.6 FG% 3.8 RPG

BRENDAN KILPATRICK SOPHOMORE GUARD

2013-14 STATS

2.9 PPG 43.6 FG% 54.2 FT%

HECTOR HAROLD SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

5.0 PPG 60.4 FT% 39.9 FG%

KURT STEIDL

SOPHOMORE FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

5.9 PPG 81.3 FT% 44.0 FG%

HEAD COACH: JOHN BECKER CONFERENCE RECORD: 15-1 (1ST) SEASON RECORD: 22-11

CHANGE REJUVENATES CATAMOUNTS Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

For a team that was chosen as the preseason favorite two years in a row and has recorded six straight 20-plus win seasons, Vermont’s prospects in 2014-15 are relatively bleak. The 2013-14 America East regular season champs lost four starters and six seniors. Their roster features just one athlete who has played for the program more than a single season. They will have to rely on their seven-man freshman class to fill gaping holes left by guys like forward Clancy Rugg and 2014 AE Defensive Player of the Year Brian Voelkel, who dominated the floor in their time. But head coach John Becker, who was 2014’s AE Coach of the Year, takes that challenge in stride. “I love change,” Becker said emphatically. “We’ve had a lot of it this year, but it’s been fun. It’s rejuvenated me.” Aside from rejuvenating much of his staff, he’s obviously rejuvenated his lineup as well. Graduating Rugg — who averaged 13 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 27.9 minutes per contest — and Voelkel — who led the conference in assists (5.8 per game) and took second in rebounding (8.1 per game) — the Catamounts will need some big contributions from largely unproven players. Primarily, Becker will look to junior Ethan O’Day — the only returning starter from last year’s squad. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 7.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per contest, making him the most experienced of the group. But O’Day has big shoes to fill without Rugg and Sandro Carissimo, who combined for 25.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.

“Ethan O’Day has made a nice jump,” Becker said. “He’s a guy that started for us so we all know what he can do. We haven’t had to depend on him like we will this year. But he’s gotten a little bit bigger, looks a little bit taller, and he’s added some things to his repertoire, so I think he’s going to have a great year.” With such a young group, Becker will also rely on his two senior forwards to lead the squad vocally and by example. Both Hector Harold, who averaged five points and two rebounds per game in 15.4 minutes per contest, and Ryan Pierson, who sat out the season with a broken ankle, expressed excitement about stepping into the leadership role. “Those guys are really going to be key to the success we have this year,” Becker said. “I’ve challenged them publicly, privately that they’re going to have to consistently give us production and we’ve got to be able to count on them, day in and day out, game in and game out.” Becker isn’t actually worried about his offense. The fourth-year head coach mentioned point guard Ernie Duncan as one freshman who will make an immediate impact. The Indiana native became Evansville Harrison High School’s all-time leading point scorer — over former NBA players Calbert Cheaney and Walter McCarty — after averaging 20 points, six assists and four rebounds per game his senior season. “I think the thing that I really have to find out is just how we’re going to rebound the ball,” Becker said. “Obviously we graduated the school’s all-time leading rebounder [in Voelkel] but guys like Clancy Rugg and Luke Apfeld also brought a lot of that night in and night out. We really won the war down in the paint. And that’s where we’re going to have to find out if we can continue to do that with our current group of guys.”

Replacing Voelkel is not a one-man job. Voelkel’s stats were strong, but his intangibles are what set him apart. He was tireless, and unafraid to play dirty. He led Vermont to one of its best defensive seasons — the team ranked 13th in the nation in points allowed (60.6 per game). To replace that impact, Becker will need a full-team effort. With all its loss, Becker was unsurprised that Vermont was picked to finish fourth in the conference in the preseason coaches’ poll. That could also be positive: Guys wouldn’t have to worry about having a target painted on their backs. It would allow them to develop more easily. But the fact that others expect less means nothing to Becker. “Externally our expectations are lower,” Becker said. “In the locker room, they’re exactly the same.”

2013-14 TEAM OFFENSIVE: 71.2 PPG 34.8 RPG 13.0 APG DEFENSIVE: 60.6 PPG (13TH) 24.8 RPG 4.3 BPG 7.0 SPG

It's nice not to have the expectations, not having a bullseye on your back every night — John Becker Vermont head coach

We definitely stepped into [our leadership roles] pretty firmly — Hector Harold senior guard

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.UVMATHLETICS.COM

UMBC

RETRIEVERS PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP

ELLIOTT TO POWER YOUNG UMBC TEAM

RODNEY ELLIOTT

Orlaith McCaffery

SOPHOMORE GUARD

2013-14 STATS

15.0 PPG 3.6 APG 3.9 RPG

WILL DARLEY

SOPHOMORE GUARD

2013-14 STATS

2.8 PPG 0.7 APG 1.4 RPG

MALIK GARNER

JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

6.0 PPG 1.2 APG 2.7 RPG

MALCOLM BRENT FRESHMAN GUARD

H.S. STATS

15.0 PPG 4.0 APG 8.0 RPG

DEVARICK HOUSTON SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

4.4 PPG 4.8 RPG 1.5 SPG

Contributing Writer

Far before the final buzzer sounded in UMBC and Albany’s America East quarterfinals matchup, the Retrievers knew their season was over. In a blowout of a game, throughout which the Retrievers did not lead once, the Great Danes thrashed UMBC, 86-56, expelling them from postseason play. Second-year head coach Aki Thomas is looking to avoid a similar finish this season, but he will have to make due without last year’s two key senior leaders: in forward Chase Plummer and guard Quentin Jones. Plummer led the Retrievers in rebounds, averaging five per game. He also scored an average 10.5 points through 19 minutes per contest his senior season. Jones was the team’s marksman, shooting nearly 44 percent from 3-point range and 73 percent from the free-throw line, despite only averaging 7.3 points per game. Plummer and Jones both served as team captains in 2013-14, providing senior leadership to the squad. “You can only replace experience with experience,” Thomas said. “Seniors are very hard to replace, especially those with such talent.” Integral to UMBC’s game plan this season is the 2014 America East Rookie of the Year Rodney Elliott. The now-sophomore guard broke the Retrievers’ single-season freshman scoring record with 451 points last season. Elliott averaged 15.0 points in 31.4 minutes per contest in 2013-14 — the most of any freshman in the conference. While leading his team in offensive

production as well as minutes on the court, he also dominated ball movement, doling out a team-best 3.6 assists per game. Thomas will also rely on sophomore William Darley, who the coach described as a potent shot and outside threat, to make a bigger impact this season. The 6-foot-8 guard suffered a foot injury early last season, limiting him to an average of just 14.2 minutes per game. As a result, Darley averaged just 2.8 points per contest on the season. But he turned heads at the end, posting eight points, seven rebounds and four assists in the Retrievers’ loss to Albany in the AE quarterfinals. Through his development last season, he was named the squad’s Most Improved Player. To make up for lost leadership, the Retrievers will turn to senior forward Devarick Houston, the defense’s anchor. Last year, Houston finished fifth in the America East with 1.5 steals per game and one blocked shot, good for seventh in the conference. Rounding out UMBC’s experienced upperclassmen is junior forward Malik Garner. Garner started 29 games, averaging six points and 2.7 boards in 21.7 minutes per contest. He also showed flashes of brilliance last season, scoring 32 points and grabbing 11 rebounds against Eastern University early in the year. To complement the experience of his team, Thomas’ team will feature new blood in freshmen guards Jourdan Grant and Malcolm Brent. Grant averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game in his senior year of high school while Brent led his high school to two consecutive postseason berths.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.UMBCRETRIEVERS.COM

HEAD COACH: AKI THOMAS CONFERENCE RECORD: 5-11 ( SEASON RECORD: 9-12

With his depth, Thomas is focusing on improving some particular offensive areas that yielded unimpressive numbers. The Retrievers posted a conference-worst 65.5 percent clip from the line last season while connecting on just 40.1 percent of their shots from the field. “We need to improve our field-goal and free-throw percentages,” Thomas said. “Our free-throw percentage got better last year, but wasn’t where it could have been.” But with a blend of returners and newcomers with scoring potential stepping on the floor for the Retrievers this season, UMBC hopes to end 2014-15 on a high note.

2013-14 TEAM STATS: OFFENSIVE: 65.6 PPG 33.9 RPG 11.8 APG 40.1 FG% DEFENSIVE: 72.8 PPG 22.5 RPG 2.8 BPG 8.0 SPG (18TH)

You can only replace experience with experience. Seniors are very hard to replace, especially those with such talent — Aki Thomas UMBC head coach

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

UNH

HEAD COACH: BILL HERRION CONFERENCE RECORD: 4-12 (9TH) SEASON RECORD: 6-24

WILDCATS

UNH LOOKS TO YOUTH FOR SCORING EDGE We got to score more. We know that as a staff — Bill Herrion UNH head coach

I think we got a couple guys that we're going to look to as leaders, but we're still young — Bill Herrion UNH head coach

Jeff Twitty

Assistant Sports Editor With many of its veterans beaten up by injury last season, the young players on the New Hampshire men’s basketball team had to grow up fast. Dropping their final seven to finish last in the America East with a 6-24 overall record, the task proved to have been too much for the Wildcats to play through. Despite consistent play throughout the season from then-senior guard Jordon Bronner, who averaged 10.6 points a game, the seasonending injuries of forward Patrick Konan and center Chris Pelcher in the final third of their senior seasons gave a young group a chance to get on the court. “We had to play our freshmen,” UNH head coach Bill Herrion said. “They were good enough to play, but they probably played more minutes last year because of the injuries.” Definitely. With the fall of Konan midway through last season, it was then-freshman Jacoby Armstrong who rose to the occasion at the forward spot. The forward averaged 7.7 points in 24.4 minutes per game. Another freshman making noise in the second half of the season was guard Daniel Dion. During a string of seven starts between Jan. 23 and Feb. 22, Dion averaged 12.9 points per game. He compiled an average of 8.2 over the whole of 2013-14. Both Dion and Armstrong will return to Durham for their sophomore seasons. But Herrion expects Armstrong to “take the next step” this year, especially coming off of a turf toe injury that stymied his game last February. “He’s been a little banged up early this year,” Herrion said. “Nothing major, but he just started

practicing full about a week ago. We really think a lot of experience, but we still have a lot of he can be a 12- or 14-point per game guy and question marks because of our youth,” Herrion I think he can contend to lead this league in said. “But so far I like where we’re at.” rebounds. He’s that kind of athlete — he’s got that kind of strength. So we’re expecting more out of him.” Herrion will also look to this year’s new additions to make an impact. On top of losing key players to injury, New Hampshire made do without Wright State transfer Joe Bramanti last season. The junior guard sat out in 2013-14 due to NCAA transfer regulations. With his year on the bench up, Herrion hopes to turn him into a team leader right away. “He hasn’t played a game for us yet, but he’s a prep school kid,” Herrion said. “He played one year of college, solid kid. So I think we got a couple guys that we’re going to look to as leaders, but we’re still young.” So young in fact, that as of last week, the coaching staff still did not have a starting lineup decided for New Hampshire’s opener at Boston College. At last count, Herrion projected four sophomores and a freshman. Yet the Wildcats refuse to let age be an excuse in 2014-15. As long as UNH — which finished last out of 351 teams in Division I for scoring offense, averaging 57.8 points per game — plays a more aggressive offensive game, it can’t get any worse. “We can’t score 57 points a game at this level and win,” Herrion said. According to Herrion, the team has been working on this issue by emphasizing more of a transition offense on the floor. But for the Wildcats to have a chance to improve their performance this year, the young players must be ready to reinvent a team that has only finished above sixth in the AE twice in five seasons. “They got their feet wet last year, they got

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP JOE BRAMANTI JUNIOR GUARD

WRIGHT STATE 77.9 FT% 39 ASSISTS 40.0 FG%

2013-14 TEAM STATS: OFFENSIVE: 57.8 PPG 34.1 RPG 9.7 APG 37.6 FG%

DEFENSIVE: 64.8 PPG (49TH) 24.6 RPG 3.3 BPG 4.0 SPG

2013-14 TEAM LEADERS: CHRIS PELCHER: 10.8 PPG 8.4 RPG

PATRICK KONAN: 11.0 PPG 5.5 RPG

JACOBY ARMSTRONG

SOPHOMORE FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 7.7 PPG 37.7 FG% 24.4 MIN/G

DANIEL DION

SOPHOMORE GUARD

2013-14 STATS 8.2 PPG 37.4 3PT% 65.2 FT%

TANNER LEISSNER

FRESHMAN FORWARD

H.S. STATS

14.8 PPG 10.7 RPG 2.0 APG

JALEEN SMITH

SOPHOMORE GUARD

2013-14 STATS 5.3 PPG 77.3 FT% 30.1 3FG%

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.UNHWILDCATS.COM

HEAD COACH: PAT DUQUETTE CONFERENCE RECORD: 8-8 (5TH) SEASON RECORD: 10-18

UMASS LOWELL

RIVER HAWKS

NINE NEW PLAYERS RELOAD DEPLETED ROSTER We don't really talk at all about being ineligible for the tournament. It's not something our guys think about on a daily basis...We know we won't be eligible for three more years. — Pat Duquette UMass Lowell Head Coach

E.Jay Zarett

Assistant Sports Editor In its first season as a Division I program in 2013-14, UMass Lowell far exceeded expectations. The River Hawks, who were picked to finish last in the 2013 America East preseason poll, ended the season in fifth in conference standings, accumulating eight AE victories. Instead of taking on fourth-seeded Albany in the first round of the AE Tournament, however, the River Hawks’ season ended early. According to NCAA rules, a team may not participate in the postseason until it has been a Division I program for four years. This year, the River Hawks face a similar situation: They were again picked to finish last in the AE, and are again ineligible for postseason play. “We don’t really talk at all about being ineligible for the tournament,” head coach Pat Duquette said. “It’s not something our guys think about on a daily basis. We know the situation. We know we won’t be eligible for three more years. It’s more about competing in our conference and enjoying playing Division I basketball. I think all of our guys are excited to do that and compete within the conference.” While the preseason predictions may be similar, the roster will be almost completely different. The River Hawks graduated last season’s two leading scorers in guards Akeem Williams and Antonio Bivins. At just 5-foot10, Williams was the main ball handler and playmaker for Lowell last season, averaging 15.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while earning second-team all-conference recognition. Bivins, the 2014 AE Sixth Man of the Year, added 13.6 points per contest and led Lowell with 5.9

boards per game. That’s a lot to replace, but Duquette expressed confidence in senior guard Chad Holley. Holley, who started 25 games for the River Hawks last season, was the only other player who averaged double figures in scoring, with 10.3 points per game. Though the third option last season, Holley will become the primary scoring threat for Lowell this season. “Chad has made a ton of progress in the offseason,” Duquette said. “He has worked really hard and has improved as much as any player I have seen. I expect him to play a big role. But I also expect us to be a more balanced team than we were last year. Antonio and Akeem did the majority of our scoring last year. This year, I expect it to be more spread out. We have a number of guys who can help contribute.” Expanding Duquette’s options are nine newcomers. Highlighting the freshman class is guard Lance Crawford, who was a three-star recruit, according to ESPN.com. Crawford averaged 14 points per game as a senior while leading Sagemont School to the Florida State championship. Factor Crawford in with the addition of Northeastern transfer graduate student Marco Banegas-Flores — who played in 29 games for the Huskies last season and shot 35 percent from 3-point range — and the return of highly touted redshirt freshman Jahad Thomas — who missed all of the 2013-14 season due to injury — as well as six other true freshmen, and Duquette has a range of new faces to field on both sides of the ball. “We are going to make some changes based on the new guys,” Duquette said. “But we will keep the core of what we have done both offensively and defensively the same. We are still in the process of trying to figure out which

freshmen are going to help us right away, and which ones may take a little while to develop.” During its four-year transition period, the River Hawks aren’t focusing on wins and losses. Instead, the coaching staff is focusing on building a culture that will lead to success down the road while also anticipating the chance to compete in the conference tournament. “I’m still not measuring by wins and losses or what place we finish in,” Duquette said. “It’s more about continuing the building process that we started last year. This is going to be a long transition. We are just trying to continue to build the culture within in our program, establish our identity and come together as a team. “

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP CHAD HOLLEY SENIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS 10.3 PPG 2.5 RPG 3.4 APG

LANCE CRAWFORD FRESHMAN GUARD

H.S. STATS 14 PPG 2 RPG 7 APG

MARCO BANEGASFLORES

2013-14 TEAM STATS: OFFENSIVE: 61.4 PPG 31.4 RPG 12.0 APG 39.4 FG% DEFENSIVE: 69.2 PPG (149TH) 21.9 RPG 2.6 BPG 5.9 SPG

GR. GUARD

NORTHEASTERN 2.9 PPG 1.4 RPG 34.8 3FG%

DJ MLACHNIK JUNIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS 7.8 PPG 3.4 RPG 1.4 APG

KERRY WELDON

SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 4.2 PPG 5.4 RPG 48.1 FG%

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.GORIVERHAWKS.COM

B10

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

MAINE

BLACK BEARS PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP TILL GLOGER

JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

55.2 FG% 7.8 PPG 20.1 MIN/G

ETHAN MACKEY

JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

5.1 PPG 59.1 FG% 16.7 MIN/G

AARON CALIXTE

FRESHMAN GUARD

2013-14 STATS

15 PPG 6 APG 3.O A/TO

SHAUN LAWTON

JUNIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS

8.1 PPG 25.6 FG% 27.2 MIN/G

GARET BEAL

SOPHOMORE FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

10.3 PPG 3.5 RPG 3.4 APG 3.4 APG 3.4 APG

HEAD COACH: BOB WALSH CONFERENCE RECORD: 4-12 (8TH) SEASON RECORD: 6-23

BLACK BEARS BUILD UP FROM GROUND ZERO Jeff Twitty

Assistant Sports Editor Building from the ground up at the start of a new season can be refreshing for a team, especially one whose roster turnover rate has been as turbulent as Maine’s. Heading into 2014-15, the Black Bears have a new coach, a new team and a new plan. The sheer volume of athletes transferring from Maine — including two of last year’s stars — was bad enough to land a pink slip in former head coach Ted Woodward’s mailbox. In his stead, Bob Walsh has inherited the helm of the Black Bears program for the upcoming season. Bringing Division I coaching experience as an assistant at Iona, Providence and San Diego, most of Walsh’s winning experience stems from his nine years as the head coach of Division III Rhode Island College. During his tenure with the Anchormen, Walsh coached his team to eight consecutive NCAA tournaments, highlighted by an Elite Eight appearance in the 2007 edition of the Division III tournament. Joining Maine in the midst of an eighth-place America East finish, accompanied by a 4-12 conference mark, Walsh hopes to create a similar “championship culture” at a program that has never earned an AE title. “We [have] got to develop a relationship with our players, our coaching staff, first and foremost, so that we can trust one another,” Walsh said. “And then we’re going to hang our hat on how hard we compete.” To bring the Black Bears to the top, Walsh will need patience. Though Maine added Walsh over the offseason, the team lost a pair of leading scorers in would-be junior guard

Dimitry Akanda-Coronel and would-be senior guard Xavier Pollard to transfer. Coronel and Pollard were just two of three Maine players to transfer in the offseason and two of four to request transfer papers. In fact, the lone returning senior that Maine will bring back to the floor this season is forward Zarko Valjarevic — who averaged 11.3 points per game last season — but who did not participate in either of the Black Bear’s exhibitions. “I didn’t coach [Coronel and Pollard],” Walsh said. “We’re not going backwards, we’re moving forward. We’re starting at zero with our guys, and our personality and our talents and our abilities are going to merge. We got talented guys that were brought in and want to win.” That motivation has been reflected in the Black Bears’ exhibition games. Despite suffering a five-point loss to Division III Southern Maine to tip off the season — a team that Walsh routinely beat while at Rhode Island College — Maine exploded in its exhibition against Husson. Facing their second Division III opponent, the Black Bears totaled 98 points to win the game by a 30-point margin. Individually, sophomore guard Garet Beal led the pack against Husson, pouring in a game-high 26 points. In its loss to Southern Maine, junior forward Till Gloger also shot a game-high with 23 points. Still, the season is young, and Walsh was hesitant in naming leaders to a team only bringing back nine players from 2013-14. “Everyone on our team is expected to be a leader and make the people around them better,” Walsh said. “We have 15 guys on our team; we’ll have 15 leaders.” And that all starts at zero.

We [have] got to develop a relationship with our players, our coaching staff, first and foremost, so that we can trust one another. And then we're going to hang our hat on how hard we compete

2013-14 TEAM STATS: OFFENSIVE: 72.1 PPG 33.3 RPG 14.4 APG 44.3 FG% DEFENSIVE: 82.9 PPG (350TH) 24.0 RPG 2.3 BPG 7.6 SPG 2013-14 LEADERS XAVIER POLLARD 14.7 PPG 4.4 RPG ZARKO VALJAREVIC 11.3 PPG 1.9 RPG 1.4 APG

— Bob Walsh Maine head coach

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.GOBLACKBEARS.COM

NOT YOUR SAME OLD BEARCATS

HEAD COACH: LINDA CIMINO CONFERENCE RECORD: 2-14 SEASON RECORD: 5-25

CIMINO INJECTS LIFE INTO DULL PROGRAM E.Jay Zarett

Assistant Sports Editor With a new coach at the helm, only one returning starter and a roster consisting of just 10 active players, there are more questions than answers for Binghamton University heading into the 2014-15 season. “I feel like we are an entirely new team,” sophomore forward Kristin Ross said. “There are so many new players. The coaches are new. I think there is a different feel in the gym. We are all working hard and pushing each other. I think it is definitely an improvement from last year.” The Binghamton women’s basketball team hired first-year head coach Linda

Cimino — who hails from Division II Caldwell College — in April. Cimino inherited a Binghamton team that went 5-25 and captured just two America East victories the prior season. Since accumulating that record, the team has suffered a large roster turnover. Binghamton’s starting backcourt — Stephanie Jensen and Vaneeshia Paulk — was lost to graduation. Starting forward Kandace Newry transferred. Just days before the end of the preseason, star forward Morgan Murphy left the team. All those losses combined, and Cimino’s left with just one experienced player: Sherae Swinson. The 5-foot-10 forward averaged 10.1 points per game last season, but opened this season with a doubledouble in a blowout of an exhibition win over Mansfield (17 points, 10 rebounds). Aside from Swinson,

the Bearcats return a group of five other players who combined to start a total of 15 games the previous campaign. Senior guard Gintare Surdokaite, junior guard Kim Albrecht, senior center Jessa Molina and Ross all averaged fewer than six points per game from the bench. Sophomore guard Kylie Libby has only appeared in three games through her college career. “There [have] been a lot of changes, but they have been good for us,” Albrecht said. “We are working really, really hard — harder than maybe we ever have before — and it has been great. I think we are getting better as a group and we are learning about each other. We are all gelling really well with the coaching staff and we are lucky to have that.” In turn, Cimino has been impressed with what she has seen from her returning players so far. “The experienced players who have returned have done everything we have asked them to do,” Cimino said. “They have been great for us. They have conformed to our style and the culture change. They are dedicated and committed. They are working on their individual game and we are working as a team to incorporate changes into our offense and defense right now.” With so few returners, the Bearcats will rely heavily on their newcomers for offensive production. Especially guards Jasmine Sina and Imani Watkins — who are anticipated to be the starting backcourt — are expected to rise to the occasion. Sina, from Gill St. Bernard’s School in New Jersey, was Cimino’s first recruit to BU, signing just days after she took over as head coach. Sina enters the program with the reputation of being a strong shooter

with good floor vision. Watkins, on the other hand, is a dynamic athlete who can score from anywhere on the court. Freshman guards Asia Baker and Megan Goldstein, a recruited walk-on, will also see time on the floor this season. “We have four freshmen total, three on scholarship,” Cimino said. “[Jasmine Sina] is probably right now going to be our point guard. She has great control on the court, she can shoot, she is poised, she is a leader. Imani Watkins was a recruited scholarship player. She is phenomenal. She is probably our most athletic player. She is a very good scorer. She can play on the inside, get to the basket.” Alongside their coach, the returning players have liked what they have seen from their new teammates so far. “A lot of the young kids bring so much energy and enthusiasm for the game,” Ross said. “They are so willing to learn, ready to jump into anything they can and do their best.” With so many new pieces coming together and so few experienced returners, Binghamton may struggle to win games this season. However, the Bearcat coaching staff promises to bring a needed culture change to a program that lacked energy at times during the previous year. “We might not win every game, but we will be competitive every time we step on the court,” Cimino said. “Our fans are going to expect to see us diving on the floor for loose balls, getting back on defense, running hard on transition offense, talking and communicating. They won’t see negative body language. They are going to see a competitive game.”

JASMINE SINA

FRESHMAN GUARD

HIGH SCHOOL STATS 13.8 PPG 7.3 APG 3.2 RPG

IMANI WATKINS

FRESHMAN GUARD

HIGH SCHOOL STATS 12.8 PPG 3.8 RPG 1.7 APG

KIM ALBRECHT JUNIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS 5.3 PPG 2.2 RPG 78.1 FT%

KRISTIN ROSS

SOPHOMORE FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 2.7 PPG 2.7 RPG 67.1 FT%

SHERAE SWINSON SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 10.1 PPG 5.0 RPG 0.8 BPG

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

B11

SPORTS

DREAM FULFILLED

OVERLOOKED FOR SIZE, SINA HAS SOMETHING TO PROVE E.Jay Zarett

Assistant Sports Editor Jasmine Sina was a star basketball player at Gill St. Bernard’s School in New Jersey. As a four year letter-winner, she led her team to a 102-16 record, scored over 1,200 career points and received all-area and all-county honors. However, for much of her senior season, Sina could not find a Division I school to offer her a collegiate scholarship. Standing at only 5-foot-5, many coaches were scared off by her height. “I had a pretty tough recruiting process, more because I was a shorter basketball player,” Sina said. “A lot of coaches didn’t really like that about me.” Sina had an offer to play at nearby Division II Caldwell College for then-head coach Linda Cimino, but she dreamed of playing basketball at the top collegiate level. “I was planning on doing a prep year in New Jersey,” Sina said. “I had my plans set on that. I really wanted to play Division I. My heart was really set on Division I. My dad helped me a lot. He played professionally in Europe. He helped me just being patient and not to stress over every little thing. Everything happens for a reason and he knew that something was going to come to me.” And something did come. In April, Binghamton University announced it was hiring Cimino as its new women’s basketball coach. One of her first calls was to Sina, offering her a scholarship and a chance to fulfill her dream. Cimino looked past her height, instead seeing tremendous potential in her first recruit to the Bearcats. “If you didn’t know how tall she was, you wouldn’t think she was that little or that she is a freshman,” Cimino said of Sina. “She has great control on the court, she can shoot, she is poised and she is a leader.” For Sina, the chance to play at a D1 school

for a coach who believed she could excel despite her height was a no-brainer. “Once coach Cimino got the job here, she called me the next day and offered me,” Sina said. “I visited the school, I knew coach Cimino previous to her getting the job here, she came to some of our open gyms in high school and I fell in love with her as a coach. I was really happy that she got the job here. Having her as a coach was a great opportunity for me to play. She didn’t really look at my height as an issue. That was a big reason why I respected her a lot.” Since entering the Bearcat program, Sina has been impressive in demonstrating tremendous floor vision and ability to shoot the ball from behind the 3-point line. She scored 18 points, including six 3-pointers in BU’s exhibition against Mansfield, and has been named the team’s starting point guard heading into the regular season. As a freshman, this carries a tremendous amount of responsibility. But Sina seems to be up for the challenge. “It is a little nerve wracking — I’m not going to lie,” Sina said. “There is some pressure there. I think I am ready for it. It is going to be tough at times — I know that is going to come … But I think once the ball tips, all the nerves go away. Once that first game of the season comes there will be some nerves arriving, but I think it will all go away once the games get started.” While Sina may have impressed this far in her brief career at the top level of college basketball, she will not forget all of the coaches who overlooked her because of her height. “It gives me that much more motivation and even a challenge to take on,” Sina said of being passed over. “I just want to prove to everyone that I can play at this height at this level, I know that it will be hard, but it gives me extra motivation.”

STAR IN THE MAKING

WATKINS BRINGS ATHLETICISM TO BEARCATS Brett Malamud

Contributing Writer As the Binghamton women’s basketball program delves into a rebuilding period under first-year head coach Linda Cimino, freshman guard Imani Watkins may provide the spark the Bearcats need on the floor. The 5-foot-8 guard from High Point, North Carolina, was a three-time allconference selection in high school. During her time at T. Wingate Andrews High School, the offensive standout garnered N.C. State All-Prep Team honors as a junior before leading her squad to a 25-5 season as a senior. Watkins was recruited by and initially committed to play for former Binghamton head coach Nicole Scholl. Watkins said her decision to pick BU was greatly influenced by her godfather, to whom she turned for advice throughout her recruiting process. “He’s been my rock through this whole process,” Watkins said. “He was a college basketball player as well, so he kind of knew the ropes and just was able to give me some guidance on the political side of basketball, as well as the athletic side. He’s helped to keep me grounded and make the right decisions.” Following Scholl’s departure last spring and Cimino’s appointment as coach, Watkins elected to stay on board with Binghamton. “Even with the coaching change, I still felt like it was my best option,” Watkins said. “I enjoyed talking to coach Cimino the couple times that we talked on the phone and she was able to come down [to North Carolina] and meet my family and I think we really connected.” Watkins understands that both she and Cimino are in a similar situation as they enter new programs. Hopefully, that sort of

growth will lead to a strong bond between the two down the line. “It’s just a great situation where we can both grow together, learn together and lean on each other when things get a little bit tough,” Watkins said. “There’s going to be some growing pains, but it’s a good thing to know that she’s going to be patient with me, just as I’m going to be patient with her.” Though Cimino didn’t actually recruit Watkins, she recognizes the skills the freshman brings to the table, especially on the offensive end of the floor. Watkins has been described as the most athletic Bearcat on the roster, as a sure shot who can drive into the lane. And with only one returning starter on the Bearcat roster, Watkins has an immediate opportunity to secure a major role on the floor. In fact, Cimino has indicated that she plans to start Watkins at shooting guard to open the season at Akron. Watkins anticipated the chance to be able to make an early impact at Binghamton, and that anticipation is what convinced her to stay with BU even after the coaching switch. “[Making an immediate impact] was important to me as well,” Watkins said. “I enjoy playing the game and I want to be in the situation where I can always make my team better and be in a situation where I can become a better athlete as well.” Down the road, Watkins hopes that she and the team surrounding her can pave the foundation for the future. “We’re just trying to get better and build on last year,” Watkins said. “We have some seniors and some veteran players on this team. Hopefully we can rally around them and build on the ground that they have already set and just get better. Hopefully, we’re getting better every year.”

SPORTS Friday, November 14, 2014

BEARCATS' BASKETBALL

SCHEDULE

2014-2015 MEN'S WOMEN'S

11/14

@ Notre Dame 9:00 pm

11/14

@ Akron 6:00 pm

11/17

@ Providence 9:00 pm

11/15

Delaware State

11/19

HARTWICK

7:00 pm

11/19

@ Canisius

11/22

Manhattan

5:30 pm

11/22

XAVIER

11/23

Northeastern or Navy 5:30/8 p.m.

11/26

NIAGARA

2:00 pm

11/25

@ Army

7:30 pm

11/28

@ St. John’s

2:00 pm

11/29

CORNELL 2:00 pm

11/30

@ St. Bonaventure

12/3

@ Boston University 7:30 pm

12/6

@ NJIT

12/6

PENN

12/10

@ Colgate

7:00 pm

12/8

CALDWELL

7:00 pm

12/13

@ Princeton

2:00 pm

12/11

@ Colgate

7:00 pm

12/19

SIENA

7:00 pm

12/14

@ Boston College

1:00 pm

12/21

RIDER

2:00 pm

12/20

ST. BONAVENTURE 2:00 pm

12/28

BUCKNELL

12/22

@ Mt. St. Mary’s

1/3

UMASS LOWELL

12/30

BUFFALO 7:00 pm

1/6

@ Hartford

7:00 pm

1/2

@ UMass Lowell

1/10

VERMONT

12:00 pm

1/7

@ Hartford

1/14

ALBANY 7:00 pm

1/10

MAINE

1/17

@ New Hampshire 1:00 pm

1/14

@ Albany 7:00 pm

1/19

@ Maine 3:30 pm

1/17

NEW HAMPSHIRE 2:00 pm

1/25

@ Stony Brook 2:00 pm

1/19

@ Vermont

1/28

UMBC

1/25

STONY BROOK

2/1

@ UMass Lowell

1/28

@ UMBC 7:00 pm

2/4

HARTFORD

7:00 pm

1/31

UMASS LOWELL

2/7

@ Vermont

2:00 pm

2/3

HARTFORD

2/11

@ Albany 12:00 pm

2/7

@ Maine 1:00 pm

2/14

NEW HAMPSHIRE 2:00 pm

2/10

ALBANY 7:00 pm

2/21

MAINE

2/14

@ New Hampshire 1:00 pm

2/26

STONY BROOK

2/18

VERMONT

3/1

@ UMBC 1:00 pm

2/21

@ Stony Brook 7:00 pm

2/28

UMBC

3/4

America East Quarterfinals TBA

3/8

America East Semifinals TBA

3/14

America East Final TBA

2:00 pm

7:00 pm 7:00 pm

7:00 pm

2:15 pm

7:00 pm 2:00 pm 2:00 pm

7:00 pm

2:00 pm

1:00 pm 7:00 pm

7:00 pm

1:00 pm

12:00 pm

2:00 pm 2:00 pm

7:00 pm 2:00 pm

2:00 pm 7:00 pm

3/7 - 3/8 America East Championships TBA

PIPE DREAM'S 2014-15 BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

. . . . . . .

B2 B3 B3 B4 B4 B4 B5

CON T E N T S

. . . . . . . .

. B5 . B6 . B7 . B8 . B8 . B9 . B9 .B10

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

ON POINT

POINT GUARDS BECK, YACOB SET TO TAKE NEXT STEP E.Jay Zarett

BECK STATS (2013-14): 9.2 PPG 2.1 RPG 2.9 APG 1.3 A/TO YACOB STATS (2013-14): 11.5 PPG 1.8 RPG 2.6 APG 32.9 3FG%

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

IN THE NICK OF TIME

MADRAY ADDS POST PRESENCE TO ARSENAL IN 2ND SEASON Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

If there’s a better pure jump shooter in our league, I’d have to see him. I mean he shoots the ball so well. He’s playingwith more confidence, he’s stronger — Tommy Dempsey BU head coach

MADRAY STATS (2013-14): 10.8 PPG 3.7 RPG 43.7 FG% 38.0 3FG%

WHERE THERE'S A WILLIE...

BU'S MOST HYPED RECRUIT READY TO PAVE HIS WAY Jeff Twitty

I just want to bring home a conference championship — Willie Rodriguez freshman forward

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

AMERICA EAST

CONFERENCE PREVIEW HARTFORD HAWKS STONY BROOK SEAWOLVES ALBANY GREAT DANES BINGHAMTON BEARCATS VERMONT CATAMOUNTS UMBC RETRIEVERS UNH WILDCATS HARTFORD HAWKS MAINE BLACK BEARS

HARTFORD

HEAD COACH: JOHN GALLAGHER CONFERENCE RECORD: 10-6 (3RD) SEASON RECORD: 17-16

HAWKS PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP MARK NWAKAMMA SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

15.3 PPG 5.8 RPG 52.8 FG%

YOLONZO MOORE II SENIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS

9.8 PPG 2.8 RPG 2.8 APG

CORBAN WROE SENIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS

6.3 PPG 3.2 RPG 43.3 3FG%

WES COLE

SENIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS

8.9 PPG 1.4 RPG 42.9 3FG%

NATE SIKMA

SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

6.0 PPG 4.4 RPG 1.7 APG

SENIOR LEADERSHIP SETS HAWKS AHEAD Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.HARTFORDHAWKS.COM

OFFENSIVE 65.5 PPG 27.5 RPG 12.2 APG DEFENSIVE 66.0 PPG 20.6 RPG 5.6 SPG

HEAD COACH: STEVE PIKIELL CONFERENCE RECORD: 13-3 (2ND) SEASON RECORD: 23-11

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

STONY BROOK

SEAWOLVES

UNDER WARNEY'S REIGN, SEAWOLVES TO CONQUER It's his team [this year]. He's kind of demanded that it be his team. He's the guy in charge and it's a real good feeling — Steve Pikiell SBU head coach

Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

OFFENSIVE 71.8 PPG 36.8 RPG (82ND IN NATION) 12.8 APG DEFENSIVE 66.3 PPG 25.3 RPG 5.9 SPG

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP JAMEEL WARNEY JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 14.5 PPG 8.0 RPG 61.6 FG%

CARSON PURIEFOY JUNIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS 12.9 PPG 2.8 APG 43.3 3FG%

RAYSHAUN McGREW JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 3.4 PPG 1.9 RPG 54.8 FG%

DESHAUN THROWER FRESHMAN GUARD

H.S. STATS

18 PPG 6 APG MICHIGAN MR. BASKETBALL

SCOTT KING

JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 3.2 PPG 1.3 RPG 39.2 3FG%

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.STONYBROOKATHLETICS.COM

HEAD COACH: WILL BROWN CONFERENCE RECORD: 9-7 (4TH) SEASON RECORD: 19-15

ALBANY

GREAT DANES

ALBANY AIMS FOR TOP WITH TALENT FROM DOWN UNDER The biggest thing is, we need to rely on our returning players early to allow our new guys to get acclimated — Will Brown Albany head coach

Jeff Twitty

OFFENSIVE 66.0 PPG 34.6 RPG 11.1 APG DEFENSIVE 63.9 PPG (39TH OVERALL) 24.2 RPG 5.5 SPG

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP PETER HOOLEY JUNIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS 15.5 PPG 2.6 APG 33.8 3FG%

SAM ROWLEY SENIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS 11.1 PPG 51.4 FG% 234 REB

RICHARD PETERS

SOPHOMORE CENTER

WESTWIND STATS 10.5 PPG 7.5 RPG 2.8 BPG

DALLAS ENNEMA

SOPHOMORE FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 3.9 PPG 47.5 FG% 45.5 3FG%

WHEELER BAKER

FRESHMAN GUARD

H.S. STATS 26 PPG 4 RPG 4 APG

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.UALBANYSPORTS.COM

SPORTS

CONFERENCE RECORD: 4-12 SEASON RECORD: 7-23 PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS MARLON BECK II SOPHOMORE GUARD

On a team that fell in the red in assist-toturnover ratios last season, Beck was the only Bearcat to dole out more assists than commit turnovers.

JORDAN REED JUNIOR WING

Reed registered 15.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game last season, ranking third and first in the AE, respectively.

YOSEF YACOB

SOPHOMORE GUARD

Yacob finished second on the team in scoring last season with 11.5 points per game. One of BU’s best perimeter shooters.

WILLIE RODRIGUEZ FRESHMAN FORWARD

In Binghamton’s two exhibition games so far, Rodriguez has taken more shots than any other player.

DUSAN PEROVIC

FRESHMAN FORWARD

Perovic was a top rebounder at South Kent School and is one of the team’s most accurate shooters, behind Madray.

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

BINGHAM

BEARCA

DEPTH PROVIDED BY FIVE-MAN FRESHMAN CLASS ENABLES BU TO RUN DEMPSEY'S UP-TEMPO STYLE Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

TOMMY DEMPS

SECOND-YEAR HEAD COA

Expects to fully implement his up tempo style this season.

MTON

COACHING STAFF

ATS

SEY

ACH

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

HEAD COACH: TOMMY DEMPSEY ASSISTANT COACH: HERB COURTNEY ASSISTANT COACH: BRYAN GOODMAN ASSISTANT COACH: BEN LUBER

BENCH

REED 'EM AND WEEP

JABRILLE WILLIAMS

ROMELLO WALKER

he 6-foot-6 guard played in 11 games, averaging 3.5 minutes per game.

Walker averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists in his senior season at South Kent.

KARON WALLER

JUSTIN McFADDEN

Waller impressed in the second half of the season, converting 6.2 points per game from the field and shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc.

McFadden averaged 14.9 points per game at Lower Merion, but he’ll be more valued for his defensive force this season.

NICK MADRAY

JOSH SCHURMAN

Madray averaged 10.8 points per game on 44 percent shooting last season.

The sharp shooter out of Fayetteville Manlius will be redshirting this season.

MAGNUS RICHARDS

BOBBY AHEARN

Richards, an athletic forward averaging three points and 3.4 rebounds a game last season, should play a greater role in this year’s lineup.

Ahearn can provide toughness and some intangibles, but don’t expect to see him much.

JOHN RINALDI

JORDAN McRAE

Suspended until further notice.

A defensive-minded player out of Dix Hills, McRae is also redshirting.

SENIOR GUARD

JUNIOR GUARD

SOPHOMORE FORWARD

SOPHOMORE GUARD

FRESHMAN FORWARD

FRESHMAN GUARD

FRESHMAN FORWARD

Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

VERMONT

CATAMOUNTS PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP RYAN PIERSON

SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

46.9 FG% 19 REBOUNDS 81.3 FT%

ETHAN O'DAY

JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

7.4 PPG 55.6 FG% 3.8 RPG

BRENDAN KILPATRICK SOPHOMORE GUARD

2013-14 STATS

2.9 PPG 43.6 FG% 54.2 FT%

HECTOR HAROLD SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

5.0 PPG 60.4 FT% 39.9 FG%

KURT STEIDL

SOPHOMORE FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

5.9 PPG 81.3 FT% 44.0 FG%

HEAD COACH: JOHN BECKER CONFERENCE RECORD: 15-1 (1ST) SEASON RECORD: 22-11

CHANGE REJUVENATES CATAMOUNTS Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

2013-14 TEAM OFFENSIVE: 71.2 PPG 34.8 RPG 13.0 APG DEFENSIVE: 60.6 PPG (13TH) 24.8 RPG 4.3 BPG 7.0 SPG

It's nice not to have the expectations, not having a bullseye on your back every night — John Becker Vermont head coach

We definitely stepped into [our leadership roles] pretty firmly — Hector Harold senior guard

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.UVMATHLETICS.COM

UMBC

RETRIEVERS PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP

ELLIOTT TO POWER YOUNG UMBC TEAM

RODNEY ELLIOTT

Orlaith McCaffery

SOPHOMORE GUARD

2013-14 STATS

15.0 PPG 3.6 APG 3.9 RPG

WILL DARLEY

SOPHOMORE GUARD

2013-14 STATS

2.8 PPG 0.7 APG 1.4 RPG

MALIK GARNER

JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

6.0 PPG 1.2 APG 2.7 RPG

MALCOLM BRENT FRESHMAN GUARD

H.S. STATS

15.0 PPG 4.0 APG 8.0 RPG

DEVARICK HOUSTON SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

4.4 PPG 4.8 RPG 1.5 SPG

Contributing Writer

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.UMBCRETRIEVERS.COM

HEAD COACH: AKI THOMAS CONFERENCE RECORD: 5-11 ( SEASON RECORD: 9-12

2013-14 TEAM STATS: OFFENSIVE: 65.6 PPG 33.9 RPG 11.8 APG 40.1 FG% DEFENSIVE: 72.8 PPG 22.5 RPG 2.8 BPG 8.0 SPG (18TH)

You can only replace experience with experience. Seniors are very hard to replace, especially those with such talent — Aki Thomas UMBC head coach

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

UNH

HEAD COACH: BILL HERRION CONFERENCE RECORD: 4-12 (9TH) SEASON RECORD: 6-24

WILDCATS

UNH LOOKS TO YOUTH FOR SCORING EDGE We got to score more. We know that as a staff — Bill Herrion UNH head coach

I think we got a couple guys that we're going to look to as leaders, but we're still young — Bill Herrion UNH head coach

Jeff Twitty

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP JOE BRAMANTI JUNIOR GUARD

WRIGHT STATE 77.9 FT% 39 ASSISTS 40.0 FG%

2013-14 TEAM STATS: OFFENSIVE: 57.8 PPG 34.1 RPG 9.7 APG 37.6 FG%

DEFENSIVE: 64.8 PPG (49TH) 24.6 RPG 3.3 BPG 4.0 SPG

2013-14 TEAM LEADERS: CHRIS PELCHER: 10.8 PPG 8.4 RPG

PATRICK KONAN: 11.0 PPG 5.5 RPG

JACOBY ARMSTRONG

SOPHOMORE FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 7.7 PPG 37.7 FG% 24.4 MIN/G

DANIEL DION

SOPHOMORE GUARD

2013-14 STATS 8.2 PPG 37.4 3PT% 65.2 FT%

TANNER LEISSNER

FRESHMAN FORWARD

H.S. STATS

14.8 PPG 10.7 RPG 2.0 APG

JALEEN SMITH

SOPHOMORE GUARD

2013-14 STATS 5.3 PPG 77.3 FT% 30.1 3FG%

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.UNHWILDCATS.COM

HEAD COACH: PAT DUQUETTE CONFERENCE RECORD: 8-8 (5TH) SEASON RECORD: 10-18

UMASS LOWELL

RIVER HAWKS

E.Jay Zarett

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP CHAD HOLLEY SENIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS 10.3 PPG 2.5 RPG 3.4 APG

LANCE CRAWFORD FRESHMAN GUARD

H.S. STATS 14 PPG 2 RPG 7 APG

MARCO BANEGASFLORES

2013-14 TEAM STATS: OFFENSIVE: 61.4 PPG 31.4 RPG 12.0 APG 39.4 FG% DEFENSIVE: 69.2 PPG (149TH) 21.9 RPG 2.6 BPG 5.9 SPG

GR. GUARD

NORTHEASTERN 2.9 PPG 1.4 RPG 34.8 3FG%

DJ MLACHNIK JUNIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS 7.8 PPG 3.4 RPG 1.4 APG

KERRY WELDON

SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 4.2 PPG 5.4 RPG 48.1 FG%

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.GORIVERHAWKS.COM

B10

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

MAINE

BLACK BEARS PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP TILL GLOGER

JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

55.2 FG% 7.8 PPG 20.1 MIN/G

ETHAN MACKEY

JUNIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

5.1 PPG 59.1 FG% 16.7 MIN/G

AARON CALIXTE

FRESHMAN GUARD

2013-14 STATS

15 PPG 6 APG 3.O A/TO

SHAUN LAWTON

JUNIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS

8.1 PPG 25.6 FG% 27.2 MIN/G

GARET BEAL

SOPHOMORE FORWARD

2013-14 STATS

10.3 PPG 3.5 RPG 3.4 APG 3.4 APG 3.4 APG

HEAD COACH: BOB WALSH CONFERENCE RECORD: 4-12 (8TH) SEASON RECORD: 6-23

BLACK BEARS BUILD UP FROM GROUND ZERO Jeff Twitty

We [have] got to develop a relationship with our players, our coaching staff, first and foremost, so that we can trust one another. And then we're going to hang our hat on how hard we compete

— Bob Walsh Maine head coach

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WWW.GOBLACKBEARS.COM

NOT YOUR SAME OLD BEARCATS

HEAD COACH: LINDA CIMINO CONFERENCE RECORD: 2-14 SEASON RECORD: 5-25

CIMINO INJECTS LIFE INTO DULL PROGRAM E.Jay Zarett

JASMINE SINA

FRESHMAN GUARD

HIGH SCHOOL STATS 13.8 PPG 7.3 APG 3.2 RPG

IMANI WATKINS

FRESHMAN GUARD

HIGH SCHOOL STATS 12.8 PPG 3.8 RPG 1.7 APG

KIM ALBRECHT JUNIOR GUARD

2013-14 STATS 5.3 PPG 2.2 RPG 78.1 FT%

KRISTIN ROSS

SOPHOMORE FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 2.7 PPG 2.7 RPG 67.1 FT%

SHERAE SWINSON SENIOR FORWARD

2013-14 STATS 10.1 PPG 5.0 RPG 0.8 BPG

www.bupipedream.com | November 14, 2014

B11

SPORTS

DREAM FULFILLED

OVERLOOKED FOR SIZE, SINA HAS SOMETHING TO PROVE E.Jay Zarett

STAR IN THE MAKING

WATKINS BRINGS ATHLETICISM TO BEARCATS Brett Malamud

SPORTS Friday, November 14, 2014

BEARCATS' BASKETBALL

SCHEDULE

2014-2015 MEN'S WOMEN'S

11/14

@ Notre Dame 9:00 pm

11/14

@ Akron 6:00 pm

11/17

@ Providence 9:00 pm

11/15

Delaware State

11/19

HARTWICK

7:00 pm

11/19

@ Canisius

11/22

Manhattan

5:30 pm

11/22

XAVIER

11/23

Northeastern or Navy 5:30/8 p.m.

11/26

NIAGARA

2:00 pm

11/25

@ Army

7:30 pm

11/28

@ St. John’s

2:00 pm

11/29

CORNELL 2:00 pm

11/30

@ St. Bonaventure

12/3

@ Boston University 7:30 pm

12/6

@ NJIT

12/6

PENN

12/10

@ Colgate

7:00 pm

12/8

CALDWELL

7:00 pm

12/13

@ Princeton

2:00 pm

12/11

@ Colgate

7:00 pm

12/19

SIENA

7:00 pm

12/14

@ Boston College

1:00 pm

12/21

RIDER

2:00 pm

12/20

ST. BONAVENTURE 2:00 pm

12/28

BUCKNELL

12/22

@ Mt. St. Mary’s

1/3

UMASS LOWELL

12/30

BUFFALO 7:00 pm

1/6

@ Hartford

7:00 pm

1/2

@ UMass Lowell

1/10

VERMONT

12:00 pm

1/7

@ Hartford

1/14

ALBANY 7:00 pm

1/10

MAINE

1/17

@ New Hampshire 1:00 pm

1/14

@ Albany 7:00 pm

1/19

@ Maine 3:30 pm

1/17

NEW HAMPSHIRE 2:00 pm

1/25

@ Stony Brook 2:00 pm

1/19

@ Vermont

1/28

UMBC

1/25

STONY BROOK

2/1

@ UMass Lowell

1/28

@ UMBC 7:00 pm

2/4

HARTFORD

7:00 pm

1/31

UMASS LOWELL

2/7

@ Vermont

2:00 pm

2/3

HARTFORD

2/11

@ Albany 12:00 pm

2/7

@ Maine 1:00 pm

2/14

NEW HAMPSHIRE 2:00 pm

2/10

ALBANY 7:00 pm

2/21

MAINE

2/14

@ New Hampshire 1:00 pm

2/26

STONY BROOK

2/18

VERMONT

3/1

@ UMBC 1:00 pm

2/21

@ Stony Brook 7:00 pm

2/28

UMBC

3/4

America East Quarterfinals TBA

3/8

America East Semifinals TBA

3/14

America East Final TBA

2:00 pm

7:00 pm 7:00 pm

7:00 pm

2:15 pm

7:00 pm 2:00 pm 2:00 pm

7:00 pm

2:00 pm

1:00 pm 7:00 pm

7:00 pm

1:00 pm

12:00 pm

2:00 pm 2:00 pm

7:00 pm 2:00 pm

2:00 pm 7:00 pm

3/7 - 3/8 America East Championships TBA