#2 – Stony Brook Seawolves
Stony Brook returns two of its top scorers in Elijah Olaniyi and Miles Latimer. Olaniyi averaged 12.3 ppg and Latimer averaged 10.6 ppg. Unfortunately, the Seawolves don’t return their leading rebounder, so guys will have to step it up in order to grab big boards in big-time situations. Elijah and Miles both shot above 38% from the field and shot above 31% from 3. Each was pretty decent from the free-throw line with both shooting near 70%.
Stony Brook has four big non-conference games you should be aware of. They play @ Seton Hall (Big East), @ Delaware (Colonial), @ Hofstra (Colonial), and @ Virginia (Atlantic Coast). each of these teams will test the Seawolves and most importantly their composure. Virginia likes to use the shot clock to their advantage and wait till the last second to run a play so they will need to adjust to the Cavaliers style in order to compete with the Cavaliers.
#1 – Vermont Catamounts
Vermont returns Anthony Lamb, who led the team with 21.2 ppg. Lamb also led the team in FG%, free throws attempted, rebounds per game, and blocks per game. One of the few players from last year’s team to start all the games he played in. The Catamounts also return Stef Smith who averaged 12.4 ppg. These two will be huge for the Catamounts to make a run back to the NCAA Tournament in 2020.
The Catamounts have six big games against quality opponents. They play @ St. Bonaventure (Atlantic 10), @ Bucknell (Patriot), @ St. John’s (Big East), @ Virginia (Big East), @ Cincinnati (American), and @ George Washington (Atlantic 10). These are huge games that will test the Catamounts early to give them exposure and to help them prepare for America East play. With Vermont also shooting 74.8% as a team from the free-throw line, I don’t see a problem for the Catamounts getting points on the board.
The Catamounts have a great chance to repeat as champions of America East Basketball this upcoming season. It’ll be interesting to see if any of the projected contenders can give the heavyweight program a real fight. If not, the real debate will be whether or not Vermont can make a run in the NCAA Tournament.