#6 – UMBC Retrievers
UMBC enters the 2019-2020 season playing four big non-conference game @ Florida Gulf Coast (Atlantic Sun), @ Louisiana State (Southeastern), @ Georgetown (Big East), and @ George Mason. UMBC returns K.J. Jackson (12.8 ppg), Brandon Horvath (9.1 ppg), and Arkel Lamar (9.3 ppg). With Joe Sherburne graduating, UMBC’s top scorer last season, Jackson will need to play a big role. Sherburne averaged around 14 ppg, so the Retrievers will have to really make the senior run point so he can facilitate and lead his team to victory.
The Retrievers had lots of players who shot 40% from the field last year, even if they only shot the ball a few times each game. Jackson and Sherburne each shot the ball around 11 times each game, with Jackson averaging 41% and Sherburne averaging 48% from the field. Overall, the team shot 43% from the field the whole season, and even though they lose Sherburne this year, that is still impressive and good for Ryan Odom.
#5 – Maine BlackBears
After finishing last season with a 5-27 overall record, the Black Bears have a lot to improve on. With Maine returning their top three scorers in Andrew Fleming (13.8 ppg), Isaiah White (13.5 ppg), and Sergio El Darwich (10.4 ppg). The Black Bears leading rebounder last year was Fleming with 7 a game. He does have to work a lot on his free throw percentage. Only shot 56% from the free-throw line. The Black Bears do have to work on their 3 point shooting. The whole team shot 31% from 3 throughout the season and need to improve in order to compete in the America East.
Maine has three really good non-conference games and one game that sounds like a fun trip. They play @ Washington (PAC-12), @ Virginia (Atlantic Coast), @ Connecticut (Big East), and then the fun trip to Hawaii (Big West). Playing in Hawaii sounds like a whole lot of fun. Overall, four huge games for the Black Bears and lots of potential for Andrew Fleming.