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America East Basketball: Vermont, Stony Brook, 2019 conference tournament favorites

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 18: UMBC Retrievers fans holds signs during their game against the Kansas State Wildcats in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 18, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 18: UMBC Retrievers fans holds signs during their game against the Kansas State Wildcats in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 18, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Teams To Watch

Favorite – Vermont Catacombs

With two of the best players in the conference combined (Lamb and Duncan) with almost winning all of the games in the conference combined with their third championship in three years, it is no shock that the Catacombs are the favorite to win this year’s tournament. A team that will raise some questions later this month if they get a bid over whether or not they will be able to make the Sweet 16. Yes this is a Sweet 16 capable team, almost like the Vermont team from two seasons ago. With one of their two conference losses having them have Anthony Lamb be out, they have, are, and will be practically unstoppable until the season ends.

Top Contender – Stony Brook Seawolves

After finishing fifth in the conference last year, the Seawolves are now second in the conference this season thanks in part to the America East Rookie of the Year (Elijah Olaniyi) and a second team all-conference player(Yeboah). Even though they lost to Vermont twice, including a 73-52 loss at home, they are still a threat as they have won 24 games this season including games against teams in conferences such as the SEC  and A10.

Dark Horse – UMBC Retrievers

More like an underdog, but seriously the Retrievers are a team to watch out for in this tournament. Remember how Vermont only has two conference losses, while both of those are to UMBC.  After shocking the world last year, the Retrievers had a taste of tournament glory and they’ll do anything to win it back and possibly even improve on what they did. UMBC in one game has proved to the NCAA that the America East has the talent to beat any team. Sure, they may be missing two staring seniors from last year, but they also weren’t the one-seed last year.

With them being the only team to beat Vermont in the conference and beating the two-seed Stony Brook, UMBC has proven that they have the capabilities to win the America East Tournament.