Daily Word: Weekend Preview

Which team will win this year's volleyball crown?

For the fourth consecutive weekend, we will crown an America East Champion. To recap up to this point, the Stony Brook men and women were crowned in cross country, Albany won the field hockey title, Stony Brook won the women's soccer championship as a No. 6 and UMBC bested New Hampshire in penalty kicks to win men's soccer. Got all that?

This weekend we move indoors for the America East volleyball tournament. Four teams will come to Albany vying for the title, including the Great Danes themselves. What else is on the slate this weekend? Tonight, UMBC tries to become the ninth America East men's soccer team in 12 years to win a game in the NCAA Tournament. On top of that there are 21 men's and women's basketball games and four schools in action in the pools. As always, we're in for another exciting here at the America East.

Men's Soccer

After advancing to the College Cup for the second time in three years, UMBC is looking for another tournament win in 2012. Last time around, the Retrievers downed Princeton 1-0 before falling to William & Mary after PK's. If they win again in 2012, they'll likely do so with their leading scorer either out or at less than 100%. Pete Caringi III went down in just the third minute of the America East Championship game with an apparent ankle injury and did not reenter. UMBC will be looking to recreate its stellar defensive effort in order to continue on into the second round of the College Cup.

How about the opposition? Old Dominion comes into the game as the 24th ranked team in the country, having gone 11-3-2 on the year. The Monarchs, however, have not played since November 2, as they were ineligible for postseason play in the Colonial, following the announcement that they will be moving to Conference USA next year. However, Old Dominion brings a formidable offense to the table nonetheless. Ranked 14th in goals per game with 2.06, the Monarchs are led by junior forward Tim Hopkinson.

You can keep track of the game, which kicks off tonight at 7 p.m., via live stats courtesy of Old Dominion.

Volleyball

The tournament will get started on Friday night as No. 2 Binghamton plays No. 3 UMBC at 4 p.m., followed by top seed Albany taking on No. 4 New Hampshire at 7 p.m. The Great Danes have won six of the last eight America East Championships, including the last two in a row. UMBC was one of two teams to beat Albany during the regular season, but the Retrievers will have to get past a Binghamton squad against which they were 1-1.

AmericaEast.com is your source for everything about the upcoming tournament. Here is a preview and visit Championship Central for the schedule, past results and much more.

How will Mike Black and Albany
follow up their big win?

Men's Basketball

Binghamton at Army, Friday 4 p.m.
Sacred Heart at Hartford, Friday 7 p.m.
George Washington at Boston U., Saturday 1 p.m.
New Hampshire at Bryant, Saturday 1 p.m.
Albany vs UMKC^, Saturday 2:30 p.m.
Vermont at Northeastern, Saturday 7 p.m.
Brown at Maine, Saturday 7 p.m.
Albany vs. TBA^, Sunday
Sacred Heart at Stony Brook, Sunday 2 p.m.
Saint Peter's at Binghamton, Sunday 2 p.m.

^ = Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off

Some huge non-conference matchups this weekend all around the America East. Albany will be looking to follow up its thrilling victory over Washington from a few nights ago, while Stony Brook looks to stay undefeated on Sunday. Visit AmericaEast.com for all the live streaming and stats links.

Women's Basketball

Richmond at Boston U., Friday 7 p.m.
Hartford at Central Connecticut St., Friday 7 p.m.
Brown at Vermont, Saturday 1 p.m.
New Hampshire at Holy Cross, Saturday 1 p.m.
Maine vs UNLV^, Saturday 2 p.m.
Loyola at UMBC, Saturday 2 p.m.
Maine vs. TBA^, Sunday
Richmond at Hartford, Sunday 2 p.m.
Albany at Western Michigan, Sunday 2 p.m.
Stony Brook at Morgan St., Sunday 2 p.m.
Binghamton at Austin Peay, Sunday 3 p.m.

^ = Subway Classic at Minnesota

Maine will be a team to watch this week, going up against either Ohio or Minnesota on Sunday after facing a UNLV squad that was in the NIT last season. A pair of America East squads will try their hand at knocking off Richmond this weekend. The Spiders were also an NIT squad a year ago. Visit AmericaEast.com for all the live coverage links.

Check out this week's release for all the Swimming and Diving news and the weekend schedule.

Linked Up

ESPN's Graham Hayes takes a look at the big time rivalry that is Hartford versus Marist women's basketball.

Will Brown talks about Albany's upset win over Washington in this College Insider podcast.

New Hampshire announced two men's basketball signings for the 2013-14 season.

In case you missed it yesterday, Albany and Vermont men's basketball will be a part of this year's ESPN Bracketbusters Pool.

An excellent read from the Baltimore Sun today on UMBC goalie Phil Saunders, who is honoring his father with his play this season.