America East Tournament Preview and Predictions

America East Tournament Preview and Predictions

Favorite

Vermont

Vermont used to be one of the most disappointing mid-majors in the country after starting non-conference play 2-7. They played some rough competition, and it’s very possible that the combination of these rough opponents paired with a team full of transfers could have led to their rough start.

Despite that, Vermont looked like a new team in their last noncon game of the year against a very good Colgate team, picking up that win heading into conference play. And, despite a relatively deep AmEast this year, Vermont went 14-2 and has won their last 10 games.

They’re led by Bellarmine transfer Dylan Penn, who carried them through non-conference play and continues to be one of the best players on their team. However, their recent success is due to new talent around Penn, as Finn Sullivan, Aaron Deloney, and Matt Veretto have emerged to complement Penn with their high shooting efficiency. 

Sleeper

Bryant

Bryant looked like by far the best team in the America East coming into the season with an insanely stacked lineup.

Bryant began the off-season by bringing in St. Peter’s star Doug Edert, a very good high-major player in Earl Timberlake from Memphis, two very good A-10 guys in Sherif Gross-Bullock and Antwan Walker, as well as returning second-leading scorer Charles Pride and some other role players.

The non-conference season got off to a good start as well, beating Syracuse. However, once America East play started, they weren’t the same, losing to Vermont and UMBC in two games straight. They ended up finishing conference play 8-8 with some close losses, but it was still far from what they hoped for.

However, they still have that high ceiling that we saw against Syracuse and could definitely make a run and win the America East.

Bracket Prediction