America East Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2020-21 season

8) Binghamton

2019-2020 Record: 10-19 (4-12 AEast)

Key Returning Players

Another disappointing campaign in 2019-2020 in Vestal, making it now 11 straight seasons finishing below .500. But even with a combined record of 67-180, head coach Tommy Dempsey is back again trying to desperately turn things around. Dempsey will be relying on George Tinsley to be the guy next year. After a very productive freshman season averaging 11.6 points and 7.4 rebounds, Tinsley is poised to take another step up in 2021. Fellow freshman Brenton Mills will need to be Tinsley’s robin next year. A 6’3 combo guard who can create his own shot, shoot the three, and is the team’s best-returning defender.

Key Losses

Sam Sessoms annouced shortly after the season concluded that he would be entering the transfer portal before ultimately landing at Penn State. Sessoms was by far the most productive player for the Bearcats putting up 19.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Earning him a spot on the all American East conference second team. Surely on the biggest departures in the American East. Key big man Pierre Sarr will also be out of eligibility. Sarr led the team in rebounding with 7.4 a game and helped was the Bearcat’s best pick and roll player.

Key Newcomers

As it sits Richie Greaves is the only incoming recruit for coach Dempsey for 2020. Greaves is a two-star recruit out of Roselle Catholic High School. Primarily a point guard in high school who will surely see some time with the absence to Sessoms.

Bottom Line

If Sessoms didn’t transfer the story would be so much different. But when you lose by far your most productive player it is going ti have major repercussions. George Tinsley and Brenton Mills will need to continue to improve if Binghamton wants to have any sort of success next year. And hope some role players can plug in and fill the void Sessoms left on the program.