Mascot Spirit

Check out some clips of your favorite mascots showing some school spirit at the America East Men's and Women's Basketball Championship, presented by Newman's Own!



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Watch the live streams at www.americaeast.com

Day One Recap

The action stretched late into the evening on the first day of the America East hoops tourney as the two first round games did not disappoint.

Maine and Stony Brook went down to the wire in the evening's first game with Maine pulling out the win 49-43 over the Seawolves. The win is the Black Bears' first tournament win since the 2006 season when they defeated Albany in the first round game.

On the men's side, Binghamton and UMBC squared off in the nightcap. The Bearcats and Retrievers went to overtime before Jimmy Gray and Ben Dickinson propelled their Binghamton team to its second win in four games, 73-67.

Earlier yesterday afternoon the women's all-conference teams and major award winners were unveiled.Check out the video recap of the reception.

Men's America East Tournament Predictions

After giving you my predictions for the Women's America East Tournament last night, I had a lot of thinking to do about the men's draw. A lot of flip flopping went into this bracket. Let's get into it.

First, in tonight's opening round game, I have Binghamton getting a win over UMBC. I expect this game to be one of the hidden gems of the tournament. Binghamton's Ben Dickinson will be the difference maker.

Quarterfinals

In the quarters, I have nothing but chalk advancing into the semifinals. I feel as if the top four seeds in the tournament separated themselves from the pack during the regular season, and I expect that to show in the round of eight. Stony Brook, Albany, Vermont, and Boston U. all advance.

Semifinals

The semis are where things get a lot more interesting. One one side you have Stony Brook taking on UAlbany, while Boston U. and Vermont tangle for a chance to go to the title game.

I hate to say it, but it seems as if the UAlbany/Stony Brook semifinal would go in the favor of the tournament's top seed in the Seawolves. Stony Brook seems to be in the head of the Great Danes, with wins at last year's America East quarterfinals, then a season sweep this season that included a win at SEFCU Arena during UAlbany's Big Purple Growl.

The real difference between these two teams is depth. The UAlbany bench is getting better and better, especially in the last few weeks when filling in for stars such as Gerardo Suero, Logan Aronhalt, and Luke Devlin. But the Stony Brook bench is unbelievable, thanks to guys such as Marcus Rouse, Leonard Hayes, and Anthony Jackson will be difference makers down the stretch, as their fresh legs will have an advantage over the tired legs of UAlbany's more shallow squad. Stony Brook advances and hosts the final.

On the other side of the bracket, I see experience as the deciding factor. Vermont has been a great team this year and has really impressed me with the way its youth has performed all season long. I just think that the championship experience of the Boston Terriers is what is going to set them apart in the semifinals.

The best player on the court will be last year's America East Player of the Year Darryl Partin, just like he was last year when he helped BU get to the NCAA Tournament. I expect more of the same as BU will defeat the Catamounts behind an out of this world performance from Partin, as well as the dynamic DJ Irving.

Championship

I once again think that it would be a shame if these two teams didn't play for the America East crown. Not because both have been head and shoulders above the competition, but because we could be witnessing one of the best rivalries in the history of the conference if it were to happen for a second straight year.

If it is to happen, I expect the Seawolves to get revenge on the Terriers for last year's defeat at Case Gym in the America East Championship game. Stony Brook is next to impossible to beat at home, and their team defense (help defense may be my favorite thing to watch in college basketball) should do just enough to stop Partin and get the win.

No matter what happens, I am beyond excited for this weekend. I'm sure you all are too. I'll see you in Hartford, everybody! Enjoy the games.

Women's America East Tournament Predictions

It is that time of year again. The time where nine schools, eighteen teams and their fans converge on one arena to decide two championships and determine who is going to be a part of March Madness.

The arena is Chase Family Arena in Hartford, and the event is the America East Basketball Championships.

I have been waiting for this year's tournament ever since the last one ended with a thrilling game between Boston University and Stony Brook, a game that BU ultimately won on their way to facing Kansas in the NCAA Tournament. There is just something so exciting about a tournament in which the playing field becomes level, and where one good run of play can reserve your date with destiny.

Let's get into my picks for this year's America East Women's Tournament. In the opening round game, I have Maine defeating Stony Brook.

Quarterfinals

I think that the top three seeds in the women's tournament (Boston U, UAlbany, Hartford) have really separated themselves from the pack this season, despite the fact that the competition in the conference was outstanding. I see the top three teams advancing to the semis with relative ease.

The most interesting game of the quarterfinal round is the 4/5 game between UMBC and New Hampshire. UMBC, the preseason number one team in the America East, takes on a New Hampshire team that I think matches up very well with the Retrievers. Both teams are in the top half of the conference in scoring offense, but I like New Hampshire to win that game based on their size advantage. Expect a big game from Denise Beliveau.

Semifinals

In the semifinals, I see Boston U defeating New Hampshire and UAlbany advancing past our hosts from Hartford.

I took New Hampshire over UMBC thanks to their size advantage, but that size advantage is all but wiped out by the Terriers' front line thanks, in large part, to Boston's Rashidat Agboola, who has been great in just her sophomore season for BU. Her efforts combined with the always stellar play of Mo Moran, my pick for America East Player of the Year, give them the edge to advance to the title game (which they would host with a win).

In the UAlbany/Hartford game, expect revenge to be on the minds of the Great Danes. Fans of both sides remember last year's quarterfinal matchup in the tournament, which Hartford won on their way to a conference championship and date with UConn in the NCAA Tournament.

Both teams have improved since that day, but Albany has improved more in my opinion, especially with the recent contributions of Megan Craig.

Craig, a 6'9" freshman from New Zealand scored 19 points on 9 of 11 shooting in the Great Danes' final regular season game against Binghamton, and she did that in just 19 minutes of play. Thanks to her, UAlbany has become the America East's version of Lob City, and I expect them to use that to their advantage against a skilled Hartford front line led by Ruthanne Doherty. The Great Danes set up a 1 vs. 2 matchup at Case Gym with a win.

Championship

Both of these teams have been so spectacular this season that it would be a shame not to see them square off for the conference title next weekend. If it does happen, I expect the top seed to fall.

Both teams won a game in their season series, but Boston U's win came on a night where UAlbany was missing a real leader in Cassandra Callaway. Her presence back in the lineup will be key to neutralizing the strong guard play of BU, as we saw in the Great Danes' victory over Boston later in the year.

In addition to that, as I mentioned before, Albany is now Lob City. Megan Craig only logged six minutes in the loss to BU, scoring four points. If she logs close to 20 minutes a game in the tournament, UAlbany is going to blow the competition away. I also expect last year's Defensive Player of the Year Ebone Henry to lock down Moran, who only scored two points in the game UAlbany took at Case Gym.

I expect a great game between these two teams, one that will make the America East proud. And I expect history to repeat itself at Case Gym. Lob City will win the America East.

I'll be back later today with a men's preview. Enjoy the games.

America East Daily Word - February 27

He’s the longest tenured men’s basketball coach in the America East right now and Albany’s Will Brown can add a couple of years to that resumé.

The University and Brown reached an agreement last week that will keep Brown on the Great Danes bench for the foreseeable future. Terms of the contract extension will not be released until the season concludes.

When Brown became the program’s head coach at the end of the 2002 season, Albany was coming off an eight-win season but he quickly turned things around. During his 11-year tenure with Albany, he has led two teams to America East Championships and the NCAA Tournament while compiling a 147-178 record.

“Will Brown has constructed a men's basketball program that reflects the mission and values of the University," University at Albany athletic director Lee McElroy said. "Our student-athletes are coming off a successful 2012 regular season where academics, athletics and service to the community were at the forefront of their activities.”

Brown led the Danes to the No. 4 seed in this year’s America East Championship and will take on No. 5 New Hampshire on Saturday in the quarterfinals.

Read more about Brown’s extension from the Troy Record and Times Union.

It was a big weekend for spring sports as the baseball season officially kicked off and the defending champion Maine Black Bears knocked off No. 16 Clemson on Friday night. Mike Connolly drove in a pair of runs to cap an eighth-inning rally to give Maine the win. Check out more from the Bangor Daily News. Stony Brook also picked up wins during the opening weekend.

Women’s lacrosse teams put together a fine couple of days, collecting three wins. Stony Brook remained unbeaten after defeating Monmouth, while Vermont and UMBC also got into the win column.

In men’s lacrosse, UMBC notched an 11-7 win over Robert Morris and Binghamton downed Lafayette, 10-8.

Softball action saw Albany, Boston U. and UMBC all grab wins over the weekend.

Boston University’s swimming and diving teams swept the 2012 America East Championship this weekend. This marks the first time since 1994 that both Terrier teams won the titles.

Head over to AmericaEast.com to check out the full men’s and women’s basketball tournament brackets and the last weekly awards of the 2011-2012 season.

Getting That Home Game

AExtra continues to preview national broadcasts of America East basketball…

Maine at Stony Brook, 12 p.m. – CBS Sports Network

Stony Brook wants that home game.

The Seawolves can get it today before a national audience on the CBS Sports Network when they take on Maine in the regular season finale.

A win today for Stony Brook clinches the regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the conference tourney next weekend, meaning that the road to the NCAA Tournament would have to go through Long Island. Playing the conference championship game at home, should the Seawolves get there, would be a huge advantage because they have not lost at home all season.

After a five-game losing streak, Maine snapped out of the funk with a senior night win over New Hampshire on Wednesday behind 16 points from senior Gerald McLemore. Maine can lock up the No. 6 seed next weekend with a win over Stony Brook.

Pritchard Gym is already sold out, CBS Sports Network is in the building and postseason hopes are at stake. It doesn’t get much bigger than that.

AExtra spoke to Stony Brook senior Dallis Joyner and Maine’s McLemore about this afternoon’s game.

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McLemore on the win over UNH…

“It was definitely a big win. First, they are our rivals so it’s always nice to win against our rival. Secondly, they were coming off a big win over Boston so we knew they were capable of winning big games. We were excited about the challenge, and they came to our place and we beat them. It was definitely a positive way end our home season and a good win heading into Stony Brook.”

Joyner reflecting on the last four years at Stony Brook…

“Coming out of high school I wasn’t really sure what school I was going to and Coach Pikiell really sold me on Stony Brook. Even though the program wasn’t winning at that time, he sold me. I believed in him, he believed in me. The last four years we’ve been winning and it’s just an exciting time right now.”

McLemore on Stony Brook…

“They are always a good team. We know they are talented offensively and defensively they are strong, they are solid. But we know that if we play 40 minutes we can beat them. Anyone in our league can win on any given night. It comes down to executing and we’re definitely excited to play them on Sunday.

Joyner on Maine…

“Maine is a dangerous offensive team. They’ve got a couple guys, McLemore especially, that can really score the ball. We know they are a dangerous team. We just want to come in and play our defense and let our defense tell us if we’re going to win the game and let our offense tell us by how much. We’ve been watching a lot of film on the last game up there and we were real sloppy and we’ll need to tighten up on Sunday.”

McLemore on playing in a sold out Pritchard Gym…

“It’s pretty cool. It definitely ups the ante. It’s important that we stay within ourselves and continue to execute our stuff. We definitely know it’s our last regular season game, it’s on TV, the place is sold out so everything adds up. We need to go win with a lot of energy and get a ‘W.’”

Joyner on getting the No. 1 seed…

“We definitely want that home game. If we can get those two games in the tournament we definitely want to come back here, we’re undefeated at home. Coach has been talking about that since the beginning of the season – getting that home game.”