2009 America East Men’s Basketball Tournament Predictions

Written March 5, 2009 by Jason Lowry

America East Basketball The American East Men’s Basketball Tournament is scheduled to get underway this Friday, March 6, with No. 8 Maine taking on No.9 Hartford, while the rest of the 7 teams in this conference get the first day off. The tournament is set to take place at the University of Albany’s SEFCU Arena, but the Championship game on March 14 will be played at the highest remaining seeds’ arena. Binghamton earned the No. 1 seed but they tied with Vermont at 13-3 in conference pay. Here is a look at the 3 favorites to win the America East Tournament, and a sleeper that I feel could cause some problems and possibly steal away the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament from one of the top seeds. Bet America East Basketball Tournament at Bookmaker.com.

1. Binghamton Bearcats (20-8, 13-3 America East)

The Bearcats are rolling into postseason play, as they have won 8 straight conference games. The Bearcats are the only team in the conference to not lose to Vermont, but this team seems to be streaky so if it gets off to a good start Saturday against the winner of the 8/9 game, this team could be headed to the NCAA Tournament. The Bearcats will need a strong performance from D.J. Rivera, as he leads all Bearcats with 20.2 points per game, but he is not the only option, as the Bearcats have 4 other players averaging at least 10 points per game.

2. Vermont Catamounts (23-7, 13-3 America East)

The Catamounts started the season 0-2 in conference play, as it fell on the road to Binghamton and then at home to Albany, but this team really got on a roll to finish the season, as they we 13 of their final 14 conference games, with the only other loss coming once again to Binghamton 83-85. The Catamounts have a trio of scorers on their team, as Colin McIntosh (13.2), Marqus Blakely (15.7), and Mike Trimboli (16.3) all average in double figures. We think that the Catamounts will make it back to the finals and once again meet up with Binghamton, but this time they will be the ones victorious and heading onto the NCAA Tournament.

3. Boston University Terriers (17-12, 11-5 America East)

The Terriers finished the season winning 11 of their final 14 games, but the 3 losses during that stretch all came in a row. They have won 3 straight to finish the season, and have a key win over Binghamton that should give them the confidence if they meet up with them in the finals. The Terriers are led by John Holland’s 18 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, but will also need strong performances from Corey Lowe and Jake O’Brien if they are going to surprise everyone and win this tournament.

Sleeper: Albany Great Danes (14-15, 6-10 America East)

If the Great Danes were able to win this thing few would see it coming, as rarely do you get a team with this poor of conference record winning in a small school conference that are normally so top heavy. The reason we have the Great Danes in this spot is that they beat all 3 of the top teams listed above in a row this season.The Great Danes will need a strong showing from Tim Ambrose, as he leads the team with a solid 14 points and 5 rebounds per game.

Prediction: Vermont Catamounts

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