Sam Perkins takes us on a fun trip around the America East, with some dunks and some laughs.
Author: Sam Perkins
America East Notebook: Key Personnel
The league as a whole is more competitive, and more talented top to bottom than it has been since the “CAA 4” (Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, and Townson) bolted the America East for the Colonial Athletic Association. The America East is currently ranked 17th in RPI, up 10 spots from last season, and AE teams have come up with big wins (on the road no less) against the likes of Rutgers, Nebraska, Northeastern, and Air Force, and nearly pulled off the shocker of the year as Vermont lost on the road in overtime to Maryland.
America East Notebook: Top Plays and Performances of the Past Two Weeks
Wolff swished a 50-footer against as the buzzer sounded at the end of the first half. At the time it seemed like more of an anomaly than an impact play, as the Terriers entered the half leading the University of Maryland-Baltimore County by 17 points (39-22). Two overtimes later, Wolff’s heave stood out, as BU needed every single point in their 80-77 win.
Wildcats Hang Tough, Hold Off Quinnipiac
DURHAM, N.H. – Dane DiLiegro opened and closed the game with authority, but it took a team effort during his absence to overcome a tenacious Quinnipiac team and earn a 77-70 victory.
With the win UNH improved to 3-1 on the season. Eric Gilchrese scored 20 points, while Mike Christensen added 17 and Alvin Abreu came off the bench for 14, as the Wildcats overcame 25 points each from Quinnipiac’s combo of DeMario Anderson and Evann Baker.
The local media might still be ignoring the Wildcats, but it’s apparent to everyone who’s seen them play that this New Hampshire team is for real.
Terriers Outlast Seawolves in Game for the Ages
t took four overtimes: That’s twenty minutes, the equivalent of playing an entire extra half of basketball, before the game was decided. When the dust finally settled, it was BU who came away with a 99-97 victory in the greatest regular season game in America East history. “What a game. It’s a shame somebody had to lose,” remarked Stony Brook head coach Steve Pikiell.
America East Notebook – Separation at the Top
Vermont’s inside-outside combination of Mike Trimboli and Marqus Blakely has been the best duo in the conference, as both are playing like All-Conference first teamers, but it’s been the Catamounts’ supporting cast that has made them hands down the team to beat in the America East.
These Seawolves Have Teeth, More Importantly, Heart
Stony Brook has long been dismissed as the dregs of the America East conference: a perennial bottom-feeder with no hope in sight. But after a 71-50 come from behind win against Lehigh, the Seawolves showed that this year’s squad is everything that last year’s was not, as they played as a team, and more importantly, with heart.
BU to Harvard: “How Do You Like Them Apples?”
The weaknesses of the Boston University Terriers are as clear as day: They don’t rebound, don’t have a reliable low post scorer, and rely almost entirely on the three-pointer to generate offense. But I can’t help it. I like this Terriers team.
The Biggest Win
It’s been a very, very long four years for the Boston University men’s basketball team. But the Terriers may have finally exorcized some of their demons from the past four years with a huge victory over the Huskies of Northeastern.
Seawolves Showing Some Scrap
The Stony Brook Seawolves have been the definition of futility during the past three seasons, but the Seawolves have actually been one of the pleasant surprises of the young season.
