Myrtle Beach Invitational: Vermont vs Charleston

Vermont 73 Charleston 64

WHAT A GAME!!!

Vermont dug deep and battled all the way back to grab a huge win in the opening game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational. That was an unbelievably exciting game of college basketball and a HUGE win for the Cats. Vermont hit a cold spell offensively in the first half and got themselves in a deep 15 point hole. Following a time out the Cats continued to be a little disjointed but cut the deficit to 9 at the half. The defense came out roaring in the second half and Vermont started to physically impose themselves. Vermont was challenging every shot, diving on every loose ball, and hitting the boards hard. Slowly but surely their own shots began to fall and then everything clicked over the last 5 minutes. It is hard not to overstate how much grit and determination this group showed today. Vermont was not at their best for much of the game and never put their heads down, never let up on the defensive end, and willed themselves to victory. To see that type of mentality this early in the season with a new group of guys is very encouraging. 

Shamir Bogues is an absolute all court wrecker. He just never stops. So many times in the game he made momentum changing plays. Bogues finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds (3 offensive), 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Incredible. The stat of the day is that Vermont outscored Charleston 20-0 on fast break points. That is due in no small part to the relentless energy Bogues brings on the court. There was talk this offseason about this group being able to force more turnovers and potentially quicken the pace a bit and that came to fruition in this game. Bogues is a key piece in that new stylistic wrinkle. Matt Veretto led the Cats with 18 points and was huge in the second half. He was getting pushed around in the first half but responded in a big way and was much more physical in the second half. TJ Long continued his hot start in a Catamount uniform with 15 points and tied for the team lead with 7 rebounds. He also chipped in a couple of steals and was a big part of the physical play in the second half. Long started hot and then forced things a bit in the middle but came back strong down the stretch. The player that really turned the tides in the second half was Ileri Ayo-Faleye. His energy, blocked shots, physicality, and hustle were huge. He finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks and had the huge offensive rebound put back and one that gave Vermont the lead. He also hit a big three a few plays earlier, showcasing his versatility. His growth from last season is great to see. I was excited to see how Sam Alamutu's minutes would translate against a bigger team and he played a great "won't show up in the box score" game. Alamutu played 19 minutes and contributed to the Cats imposing their physicality on the game. Brenton Mills played some great minutes, finally getting a three to fall and grabbing a couple offensive rebounds. TJ Hurley finished with 7 points and hit a big three down the stretch. Aaron Deloney gutted out another game as the leader of these Cats. He hit a couple huge threes late and finished with 8 points. AD is still finding his way in his new role but is providing tremendous leadership for this group. 

These tournaments always provide such a great atmosphere and are such a great way to test a teams mettle early in the season. No time to rest on the laurels as the Cats turn around and play Saint Louis tomorrow at noon. Once again I will likely have to watch the game on replay after work but can't wait!

Vermont vs Plattsburgh State 11/11/23

Vermont 92 Plattsburgh State 41

Vermont took care of business against Plattsburgh State. The things to look for in games where there is a clear talent gap are the focus, mentality, and effort throughout the game. The result is rarely ever in doubt in the non DI games but the players approach can give a lot of information about the character of a team. In the game tonight the Cats were locked from the tip and managed to remain engaged in the game throughout. Guys were diving for loose balls and not giving an inch on defense deep into the second half, even as Vermont built a massive lead.  The Cats ran their sets and executed as if it were any other game. That has not always been the case with groups in the past and I think is continues to lend itself to this being a special group. Everyone who played scored which you would expect in a game like this. However, the most impressive stat to me is that everyone who played had an assist. I honestly don't know if I have ever seen that before. I am very excited to see the Cats get into the thick of some very tough games during next week's tournament.

A big congratulations goes out to Sam Alamutu on his first career double double. Alamutu finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds. I am loving the small ball PF that he is playing and am excited to see how it translates in games against teams with more of a post presence. Alamutu has clearly put the time in and is catching up to the speed of the game. His rebounding ability is something that could play a very important role on this team. TJ Long continues to impress, scorching the nets with 6/7 shooting from three and leading the Cats with 20 points. His shooting efficiency is going to benefit greatly from the Vermont system. A big shout out to Michel Ndayishimiye on getting extended playing time and scoring 11 points on 3/4 shooting from three. With TJ Hurley and Jackson Skipper sitting out, Michel took advantage and had a awesome game. Nice to see his hard work pay off. 

Now for the first big test of the season at the Myrtle Beach Invitational on Thursday at 11:30am (ugh, I will have to watch it on replay after work). Charleston is one of the best mid-major programs in the country and Vermont's frontcourt depth will be tested for the first time. The tournament field has mostly strong teams across the board so all three games should be highly competitive and fun to watch. Vermont has often had success in these tournaments and who doesn't love having so many games to watch!

P.S.

My daughter is fully recovered from her appendicitis and she is back home. Thanks for the kind and healing thoughts!

Vermont vs Merrimack 11/6/23

Vermont 67 Merrimack 55

Shamir Bogues scored 17 first half points as Vermont raced to an early lead and never looked back. Merrimack is an interesting opponent and their games often end up like they did this evening, tough, physical, and slow paced. Their defensive system is very unique and they pose a interesting challenge. Vermont responded well to every peak and valley in the game tonight. A typical season opener with stretches of brilliance followed by stretches of sloppy play. The Cats defense was tough from the get go and they played with great poise in the face of a tough and frantic defense. What a cool home doubleheader for both Vermont basketball programs and a great sweep for the Cats. 

Bogues was electric in his Catamount debut finishing with 19 points on 7-9 shooting. His speed is really impressive and you can see the relentless energy that he brings. When he is on the floor there is an electricity that seems to energize his teammates. He looks poised for a big season. All offseason the discussion has been who steps in the unique role that Robin Duncan played for the Cats. In tonight's game, Sam Alamutu did his best Robin impression finishing with 4 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block. His energy and physicality changed the momentum. He was certainly the unsung hero tonight and so great to see his hard work paying off. His rebounding ability in the small ball lineup could be a huge asset this season. Matt Veretto battled through foul trouble and finished with 14 points. He is still finding his footing in his new offensive role but battled hard and made big shots. TJ Long scored 10 points in his Catamount debut as well and chipped in 3 assists and 3 rebounds. Aaron Deloney shook off a tough start and made big shots down the stretch to round out the double digit scorers with 11 points. Ileri Ayo-Faleye also battled through some foul trouble and ripped down 6 rebounds.

A strong opener that gave glimpses of what this Cats team can do when they are firing on all cylinders. Opening day of college basketball in one of my favorite days of the year. 

Vermont 23-24 season preview

Before I begin my preview I wanted to take a minute to recognize a milestone. November 5th 2013 was my very first post and this one will be my 470th. A whole decade of blogging. Writing this blog has been such a cool experience and being a part of this little community that it has created brings me great joy. I am so thankful to all the people who have come along on this journey with me. I certainly never imagined when I started I would still be writing 10 years later and am excited to see where the next 10 take me. So thanks for reading, reaching out, and cheering on Vermont basketball. 

Once again Vermont enters this season with high expectations. As is par for the course, the Cats are expected to come out on top despite integrating eight new players into the program. Vermont was in a similar situation last season and managed to overcome early season struggles to raise the trophy once again. The integration process last season was slow and had many twists and turns. This group already looks to have a leg up in that department, looking ahead of the game in building team chemistry. From the jump it seemed like this group was focused and together. This years team has the look of a team ready to drive towards a championship. So let us dive in and take a look at this year's team. 

Projected record: 24-7 (13-3) 1st in America East, NCAA tourney berth

The non conference slate is not nearly as daunting this season and I would expect Vermont to come together as a team on a more accelerated timeline than last season. That is not to say that they don't have some very tough teams on their schedule and the Myrtle Beach Invitational will be a tremendous early season litmus test. The opening game of that tournament against Charleston is one of the best early season mid-major matchups. Then comes a great home slate of northeast mid major basketball. Both Yale (picked 1st in Ivy) and Colgate (picked 1st in Patriot) visit Patrick Gym the first two Saturdays in December. Those should be incredible, high level matchups. As far as the conference schedule goes, it starts with three home games and then a daunting stretch in mid January where the Cats have to go to Binghamton, UMass Lowell, and Bryant consecutively.

Defining roles

The biggest discussion topic during the offseason has been the amount of talented players that Vermont has. It has been clear throughout that the Cats have ready contributors all the way down the line. That means the competition for playing time is going to be fierce. This is both a good problem to have and a challenging one to manage. It is going to be very easy to nitpick and what decides playing time could be some of the most minute differences in performance. On the plus side all reports thus far are that guys are fully invested in winning and being ready when their number is called. That type of chemistry and programmatic buy in is crucial with such a deep team. However, when the rotation inevitably shrinks or players are slumping, the coaches are going to have the hard job of motivating and supporting each player to find and excel in whatever role they have. 

Changing expectations

Every single player on this year's team is in a situation that is different from their previous college experiences. Aaron Deloney is going from instant offense bench scorer to main option. Matt Veretto is going from surprise contributor and feel good story to being counted on for production. The new players are coming into a program where winning a title is not just the goal, but the expectation. All of these new experiences can be tough and there have certainly been players in the past who rise up and meet the expectations right away and others that take time to find their place. This years non conference schedule will be all about the players and coaches finding the role that puts each player in the best position to succeed.

Point guard?

As kind of a secondary part to the new roles discussion is who emerges as the Cats point guard. Vermont has a lot of great guards who are ready to initiate the offense and make plays for their teammates, but outside of Jace Roquemore, none are pure point guards. Last season it was the switch of responsibilities between Finn Sullivan and Dylan Penn that unlocked the Cats offense and I would expect a similar learning curve this season as the players and coaching staff figure out who to give the keys to. Having good point guard play has been the absolute hallmark of Vermont basketball year in and year out and how this role ends up being distributed will have one of the biggest impacts on the Vermont season. 

Rebounding

I feel like I write about rebounding in every season preview and every year Vermont finds a way to excel at what I will call "rebound prevention". The Cats have been one of the best teams in the nation over the last few seasons in defensive rebounding percentage. Vermont keeps teams off the offensive glass and shoots efficiently on the offensive end, leading to less rebounding opportunities. The Cats have always sacrificed playing at a faster pace with making sure that everyone gets to their rebounding assignments and keeps teams off the glass. There has been some discussion of playing faster and taking more chances and it will be interesting to see how that is balanced with being strong on the boards. There is no clear strong rebounder this season and much like Robin Duncan last season, someone is going to have to make a big jump in their rebounding numbers. Much like at point guard, there are a lot of good candidates on the roster.

In the Nick of time?

I know, I know, a terrible pun. Couldn't help myself. In all seriousness, Nick Fiorillo can have a big impact on this team if he can get healthy. He knows the system and is able to do whatever the team needs him to do. If he can make it back for conference play he will give the team a big boost in not just some added frontcourt depth, but as leader. He can continue to play that leadership role on the bench but being able to get back on the court can give that leadership another dimension. Nick is a classic "impact goes beyond the box score" player. 

Breakouts incoming

With so much talent and potential on the roster, breakout seasons could come from anywhere. The biggest factor in the sustained success of the Vermont program is the player development from season to season. Every year someone (often more than one someone) makes a big jump and steps into a larger role. So far TJ Hurley and Ileri Ayo-Faleye look to have the inside track on returners making a big jump. Matt Veretto already had a large role last season and will be looking to get a bump up as well. Through the two exhibition games TJ Long has demonstrated all the hallmarks of a guy that is ready to thrive in the Vermont ecosystem. Shamir Bogues will be looking to get going after a missing some exhibition time with what looks like a minor injury. Some of the younger guys will likely get a shot as well but as is the trend across college basketball, veterans are king. 

Defense

Just one last quick note. Death, Taxes, Vermont's defense. Nothing new there. This team however has a chance to be special for a couple of reasons. One, they have lots of strength and length. Up and down the roster they have physically capable defenders to integrate into the Vermont system. That aspect looks solid and predictable. One little wrinkle that will be a fun thing to monitor is having a player like Bogues who thrives in a more aggressive, in the passing lanes style that has not been a hallmark of the Vermont system. Despite being a great defensive team, the Cats are rarely big on forcing turnovers. Bogues has the ability to be a one man wrecking crew in that department and coupled with the rest of the good defenders, could give the defense a dimension it has rarely had. 

Overall my gut says that this team has a chance to be special. as I said earlier, there is a feel when watching them play that this group came to Vermont to win. Now all that is left is to play the games. 

P.S. 

    On a personal note the beginning of this season is going to be a little bit different for me as I am actually writing this post "right across the street" in the UVM children's hospital with my daughter as she recovers from a bought of appendicitis. She will be here all week so I will be watching the opener with her in her room. 

Exhibition: Vermont vs St. Michael's

Vermont 65 St Michael's 47

Vermont closed out exhibition season with a dominant defensive effort. This game was the perfect tune up for the season opener next week against Merrimack. The Purple Knights played a tough, physical zone from start to finish. Merrimack is one of the few division one teams that employs zone as their main defensive scheme. Getting an early game against a rare style of play and an early rock fight against a very motivated and physical team is a great way to be challenged. Initially in the first half, the Cats were a little back on their heels. Too many turnovers and missed shots. The offense settled in in the second half and Vermont was able to pull away. The most encouraging takeaway was that the Cats defense was there from the tip. Guys were really walling up drivers and forced St. Mike's into tough shots all night. TJ Hurley and TJ Long were particularly tough, locking guys up on drives and staying strong without fouling. Aaron Deloney also played tough physical defense. Ileri Ayo-Faleye had a strong all around game, leading the Cats in scoring. Jace Rocquemore, Brenton Mills, and Sam Alamutu also came off the bench with a strong defensive mindset. Seth Joba got extended minutes and showed flashes of his potential. As I said after the last exhibition, Long is the guy who can get a bucket when the team needs it. When the Cats finally started to pull away in the second half, it was due to Long getting a tough layup and a three on back to back possessions. He looks like a perfect fit in the Vermont system. This Cats team really needs a healthy Shamir Bogues as Vermont really misses his speed on both ends of the floor. Bogues is already proving his value as a leader by picking up the balls after shootaround and pulling guys aside and talking to them during the game. Those little things go a long way. That type of camaraderie is apparent with this group and it bodes well for how this team will grow and progress throughout the season. Can't wait for the season opener and will post my Vermont season preview this weekend! 

Exhibition: Vermont vs Catholic 10/28/23

Vermont 85 Catholic 59

Basketball is officially back!

First look at the new team this afternoon at Patrick and it did not disappoint. What a nice full circle moment for Becker coaching against his alma mater. Catholic played hard and certainly made the Cats run all over on the defensive end. Takeaways from these early games against the lower tier competition are always challenging to sort through but there is always a lot of value in seeing the guys during game action and how they respond to differing challenges and how they make adjustments. The first half was electric on both sides of the ball for Vermont. Shamir Bogues was as advertised on the defensive end with a few great steals and is an absolute hawk in the passing lanes. Unfortunately he rolled his ankle at the end of the first half and sat out the entire second half. It didn't look too serious so I will hope for a speedy recovery. His injury really deflated the atmosphere and Vermont came out very flat in the second half which demonstrated his importance to the team. Matt Veretto looked good, knocking down some early threes and getting come nice hoops going to the rim. If he is able to expand his game by adding some more chances at the rim he could really explode this season and get that "final season bump" we have seen from other seniors. Aaron Deloney looked as cool and calm as ever, seamlessly transitioning into the starting lineup and a leadership role. Deloney was knocking down shots with ease and led the Cats with 4 assists, which has been an area of emphasis for him this offseason. The most impressive performance was from Fairfield transfer TJ Long. He led the Cats with 17 points in a team high 24 minutes. Long was 3-8 from three and had some nice finishes at the rim. He is TOUGH and plays with an edge. He is going to be one of those guys that could explode at any minute and can make tough shots when the offense needs a bucket. I could see him sliding in the Deloney role off the bench as the guy that Becker can go to for some offensive punch. TJ Hurley looked good as well and if you blink you could confuse the two TJs. Their games are very similar and they give Becker great interchangeable pieces as shooters who are also big and strong enough to get to the rim if the defense commits to hard on the close out. Ileri Ayo-Faleye lived up to the preseason hype, looking much calmer and more under control. He has a defined role this season as the starter in the middle and looks ready to take advantage. Jackson Skipper looked a little overly hyped up for his first game action but was able to settle down in the second half and make some nice plays. Jace Roquemore really impressed in the second half, stepping in at point guard with Bogues going down. Roquemore has a very calm presence and made good decisions with the ball. He knocked down a three and had a nice dunk on the baseline.  Brenton Mills gives the Cats a nice veteran presence off the bench and knocked down his free throws. Seth Joba and Noah Barnett played sparingly with Barnett demonstrating great hustle and Joba making some nice passes. Overall takeaways are that this team has elite defenders in Bogues and Ayo-Faleye and elite shooters in Deloney, Veretto, Hurley, and Long. Those two strengths are going to win the Cas a lot of games. Concerns from this game are similar to last season with the frontcourt a little thin and inexperienced. Rebounding will be key as they are going to again have to rely on strong team rebounding. Last year Robin Duncan saved them on the boards and someone is going to have emerge from this group to be a leader and set the tone on the boards. I will go more in depth into all things Catamount basketball in my season preview which I will post next weekend before the season opener. So glad to have basketball back!

23-24 America East Conference preview

Exhibition week is nearly upon us and that means it is time for preview season. Predications are a fickle business but fun nonetheless. With so much roster turnover across the league it is increasingly hard to get a gauge on a team's true identity before the season starts. One of the effects the COVID years and the transfer portal has had is that leagues like the America East get old instead of young. Certainly in previous eras it was all about highlighting the contributions of young talent and the development of future stars. With minutes and opportunities for young players continuing to dwindle, reloading rosters with transfer talent is a must, particularly in a mid major league. The rosters of the America East title contenders this season are littered with 5th year college players. This is exciting for the competitiveness of the league as teams looks to use that veteran experience to stabilize these fluid rosters. America East success is almost always defined by teams that have strong, composed, workmanlike execution and the teams that rise to the top this season will be no different. Let's dive in.

1. Vermont

    Another year, another preseason at the top. Vermont is the favorite to win again with a heralded transfer class and a small group of strong returners. The Cats are in a similar situation last year with a combination of known contributors and new faces. The difference this season is that the several of the new faces are experienced college basketball veterans versus the young inexperienced group last season. As a result this team has a completely different feel. The cohesiveness and understanding of what it takes to win is already light years ahead of where the team was last season. Aaron Deloney returning as the unquestioned leader was the defining moment of this offseason. His ability to pass on the knowledge to this next group of Catamounts of what it takes to be a part of the Vermont program is crucial to their success this season and beyond. He is poised for a big year. Matt Veretto was the spark that changed the outlook last season, coming out of nowhere to become an indispensable part of the Cats attack. His continued ascension with a full offseason under his belt will be fun to watch. The transfer group of Brenton Mills, TJ Long, Jace Rocquemore, and Shamir Bogues immediately infuses the roster with a plethora of college game experience. Bogues in particular will be a fan favorite and has all conference potential. With the Nick Fiorillo injury shaking up the frontcourt, Ileri Ayo-Faleye will be tasked with making a big jump, particularly adding a little more offensive impact to his stellar defense. It also gives freshman Seth Joba a chance to make a immediate impact. This team has all the talent to make a run at the title and the major question facing the team is can they put all of the potential into practice when the step on the court. 

2. UMass Lowell

    

    Lowell put together a strong season, falling just short of their goal, losing to Vermont in the title game. Once again this season they will look to challenge the Cats for the top spot. The River Hawks return their strong frontcourt duo of Max Brooks and preseason all conference big man Abdoul Karim Coulibaly. Second season breakout candidate Cam Morris III also returns to give Lowell a powerful post rotation. This group will anchor both their defense and provide the foundation for their efficient offense. Ayinde Hikim and buzzy breakout candidate Brayden O'Conner return to lead the backcourt. Last year what put the River Hawks over the top was a huge jump in three point shooting efficiency from Everette Hammond and Allin Blunt. That duo has graduated and leave behind the biggest question mark for Lowell. Where does the perimeter shooting come from? They have a strong group of candidates to fill that role in returner Yuri Covington and newcomers Andres Fulgencio, Jordan Thompson, and Xzavier Lino. Finding reliable perimeter shooting to make room for their post players to operate will be the deciding factor in the River Hawks season. 

3. Bryant

    Bryant's first season in the America East was a roller coaster as they struggled to adapt to the slower paced more methodical style of play that most teams in the conference are comfortable in. The Bulldogs offseason was thrown into turmoil when their head coach Jared Grasso was placed on leave in what seems to be a strange and messy situation. Coaching turmoil is always challenging for a team to navigate so it will be interesting to see how this situation plays out. The Bulldogs do boast one of the strongest groups of returners including the preseason all conference duo of Sherif Gross-Bullock and Earl Timberlake. Gross-Bullock will make a run a the conference scoring title and Earl Timberlake is a stat stuffing monster. The biggest struggle for Bryant last season was finding consistent production from three, particularly on the road. They will be looking to Tyler Brelsford in a larger role and St, John's transfer Rafael Pinzon to bring some perimeter punch. Kvon Kramer steps in a big role underneath for what will be a slightly undersized Bulldogs team. It will be interesting to see if the coaching staff makes any adjustments in year two to adapt to the America East style of play. Bryant will be tough, physical, relentless, and if they are able to put it all together will be a strong contender. 

4. Binghamton

    The next tier of challengers feel pretty evenly split. There should be a tight middle group and really any of these teams could emerge out of the pack.  Binghamton continues to knock at the door, pushing the top teams with a physical style of play. This season will likely be more of the same with the Bearcats biggest transfer addition being Symir Torrence, a strong leader at the PG position known for his defense. Torrence is the type of lead guard who can raise the level of play for his entire team. Dan Petcash, Armon Harried, and Taveion White headline a group of returners looking to continue the recent success. The Bearcats biggest struggle last season was poor perimeter shooting. This remains a questions mark and Binghamton will be looking to newcomers Tymu Chenery and Chris Walker to give them a lift from the three point line. In order for Binghamton to break through they will need consistent offensive production as they have been prone to long cold shooting stretches over the last few seasons. 

5. Maine

    For the first time in a LONG time, Maine was able to hold on to and return a strong core that helped the Black Bears climb out of the basement and put together a competitive middle of the pack finish last season. Chris Markwood has the program headed in the right direction and there are real expectations in Orono this season. Leading the returners is preseason all conference and reigning defensive player of the year Kellen Tynes. Tynes was not just one of the best defensive players in the conference, he led the nation in steals last season. Between Shamir Bogues (Vermont) Symir Torrence (Binghamton), and Tynes the America East could be one of the toughest conferences for opposing guards. These matchups during conference play will be ones to watch. Jayden Clayton and Ja'Shonte Wright-McLeish also return for Maine to give them a dynamic backcourt. Okay Djamgouz headlines the newcomers, bringing a strong perimeter threat to the Black Bears. AJ Lopez, Quion Burns and Adam Cisse also look to make an impact from the transfer portal.  Peter Filipovity and Kristians Feierbergs return a scoring punch to the frontcourt. Last season Maine struggled with rebounding and particularly with rim protection, allowing teams to have their way underneath. Shoring up their froncourt, particularly on the defensive end will be crucial in order for Maine to take the next step. 

6. UMBC

   The Retrievers will be looking to continue to battle in the middle of the pack. In order to do that they will be relying on trio of transfers. Max Lorca-Lloyd, Khydarius Smith, and Bryce Johnson will step right in and be the leaders of this UMBC squad. Returning guards Devan Sapp and sophomore breakout candidate Dion Brown will look to provide a spark for Jim Ferry's squad. Last season UMBC struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball and that has often been a hallmark of Jim Ferry coached teams. The Retrievers will have to find a way to stay out of shootouts in order to climb out of the middle of the pack. UMBC is one of the few teams that has a large freshman class and if any of the young players find their way into the rotation it will certainly raise the ceiling of this group. 

7. New Hampshire

    For the first time in almost two decades, Bill Herrion will not be on the sidelines for the Wildcats. Nathan Davis takes over and unlike last season, UNH will have some returning contributors to lean on. Headlining the returners is preseason all conference forward Clarence Daniels. Daniels is one of the best returning players in the conference and should be able to keep the Wildcats knocking at the door in the middle of the pack. Jaxson Baker, Ridvan Tutic, Christian Moore, and Trey Woodyard also return for UNH. If the Wildcats are going to find success this season they will need to improve their offensive efficiency. Last season the Wildcats finished 358th out of 361 teams in 2pt field goal percentage. That is an appalling number and not a recipe for offensive success. UNH will be looking to newcomers Dior Davis, Ahmad Robinson, Naim Miller, and Paul Gakmar to give them a lift inside the arc. 

8. Albany

    From a pure talent perspective, Albany has a chance to far exceed this prediction. In the conference preview last season, I mentioned that Albany was the hardest team to predict and I feel similarly this season. They have strong returning talent and made nice additions through the portal. Dwayne Killings is on the hot seat this season after a tumultuous first two seasons. During his tenure the Great Danes have often looked disengaged and disconnected. Jonathan Beagle returns after winning rookie of the year and looks to make a big jump this season. Justin Neely, the 21-22 rookie of the year, returns after missing last season due to injury. Aaron Reddish, Marcus Jackson, and Ny'Mire Little round out the young returning core. Through the portal the Great Danes added former Binghamton guard Tyler Bertram, Sebastian Thomas, and Ama're Marshall. Marshall in particular has created significant buzz as a potential offensive spark plug. Last season the Great Danes were one of the worst defensive teams in the country and they will have to make significant strides on that end of the floor in order to stay out of the basement.  

9. NJIT

    It will be a complete rebuild in Grant Billmeier's first season. With nine freshman on the roster, there will likely be growing pains outside of the starting lineup. The Highlanders do return Adam Hess, Mekhi Gray, Justin Anderson, and Kjell de Graaf to provide the starting lineup with a veteran presence. They also bring in two graduate transfers in Elijah Buchanan and Daniel Schreier to give NJIT some experience to rely on as they navigate this transitional year. The Highlanders will just be looking to set new program expectations and to try and build some positive momentum for future success.