[2024] NSNN's CMBB 2024 Conference Preview - American East

[nemolee.exe]

NEMO'S SPORTS NEWS NETWORK
Your Source of Everything Sports. By Fans. For Fans.

The wait is almost over, and it's time for another college basketball season. With all the hype incoming for the new season, it's time to see what fans can expect from their teams. With a deep analysis of each player on the team, fans can see what to expect from their teams for the year. From the best of the best to the lowest of lows, this is a comprehensive look at what to expect for each team for the upcoming season, with some getting the benefit of everything more than all of the others. With all of this being said, here is a comprehensive list of all of the teams for the upcoming season and how they fare against the rest. Note this is based on player ratings from our ranking systems, so take this with a grain of salt. Just because a team is low does not mean they will be among the worst, as anything can happen here in college sports.

Coming up next is the America East Conference, the first of the minor conferences and another conference that saw no major conference changes. This conference is what you would expect from a conference of this caliber, but there are two sure teams that stand out over the rest. We can expect the two to fight for the championship later on, allegedly. Let's take a look at how high of a level each team is at the beginning of this 2024-25 season. 

9. NJIT
NSNN Team Grade: 309.5
NSNN Average Grade: 25.79
Team Overall Rank: 364
NSNN Offensive Rank: 363
NSNN Defensive Rank: 242
Key Player: SF Richard Washington

NJIT was arguably the America East team with the most struggle last year, and we do not expect the needle to move for them this year, either. This team ranks amongst the bottom 10 of all of Division I yet again, in addition to being last in these pre-rankings for the conference. The offense also ranks in the bottom 10 in all of Division I, so expect them to struggle right out of the gate in that regard. There are also not many players that stand out. Richard Washington can help crash the boards for NJIT to keep them competitive, but that's pretty much it. But there is a saving grace for NJIT, and that is their defense. Freshman guard Darryl Steptoe is the best defender on the team, and might help bring a positive to this weak NJIT team.  

8. Bryant
NSNN Team Grade: 324
NSNN Average Grade: 27.00
Team Overall Rank: 337
NSNN Offensive Rank: 303
NSNN Defensive Rank: 331
Key Player: PF Anthony Sanders

We don't have to look long for the next team on our list. Enter Bryant, which entered the American East conference last year and is still struggling to make ends meet. While NJIT has woes on the offensive side and a glimmer of hope on the defense, Bryant is the exact opposite. They have only one player with a high defensive IQ, Anthony Sanders. Even then, they struggle on the interior defense, which means easy points in the paint for anyone playing against them simply. On the other side, the offense stands at a much better pace. Kenneth Azan has high finishing and Jeff Griffin leads the charge for an impressive two-point barrage for the Bulldogs. However, it might not be enough to elevate them to the next level this year. 

7. Albany
NSNN Team Grade: 332.5
NSNN Average Grade: 27.71
Team Overall Rank: 305
NSNN Offensive Rank: 231
NSNN Defensive Rank: 259
Key Player: SG Robert Brogan

The team last year for Albany was almost close to terrible for the Great Danes. However, a spark of optimism can only go up from here. This team somewhat improved from last year in their offensive and defensive ranks, and that is all thanks to their incoming freshman class. Take in new shooting guard Robert Brogan from Lowell High School in Lowell, Massachusetts. He takes a huge task for the Great Danes, and as of now, he stands as the best player on the team, highly scouted for his extraordinary skills in finding the paint, being in the top 10 in the Merrimack Valley Conference in 2-Point Field Goal percentage. This team might look sluggish this year, but the future still looks bright for the Albany Great Danes. 

6. UMass Lowell
NSNN Team Grade: 336.5
NSNN Average Grade: 28.04
Team Overall Rank: 292
NSNN Offensive Rank: 301
NSNN Defensive Rank: 314
Key Player: PF Cameron Bird

It will not be long before we see our first top-300 team at the conference, but this team might be slightly worse than its ranking suggests. The UMass Lowell Riverhawks might be the weirdest team so far, cracking a top-300 rank when their offense and defense both rank in the 300s this year. This team is an okay team; it's nothing fancy, but that does not mean that they don't have any playmakers on the team, as they have a pretty good senior class. Cameron Bird has great shooting skills, at least at the 2-point line. And Dennis Duffy is an excellent ball handler. And even if things don't work now, they are somewhat prepared for the future, at least for next year. From a team with mostly 1-star players, the team managed to get a couple of two stars, as well as a 3-star on the roster. UMass Lowell should be fine this year. 

5. New Hampshire
NSNN Team Grade: 337
NSNN Average Grade: 28.08
Team Overall Rank: 290
NSNN Offensive Rank: 309
NSNN Defensive Rank: 192
Key Player: PF Jengo Faye

It theoretically isn't possible for a team with an offensive ranking below 300 to crack the 5th spot of a conference, but leave it up to the New Hampshire Wildcats to find a way. Any lack of offensive talent on their part they make up for in defense, as they are in the top 200 in that regard. This team was boosted by the incoming freshmen class, with a pair of 3-star freshmen that will help them stay competitive in the conference. These freshmen are, in fact, the reason why New Hampshire ranks high on the defensive front. Raju Yang is an all-out defensive powerhouse, with high marks on rebounding as well. Meanwhile, 3-star Jengo Faye, by far the best player on the team, also has the ability to crash the boards for the Wildcats, which is evidently something to be appreciated for New Hampshire. 

4. Binghamton
NSNN Team Grade: 349.5
NSNN Average Grade: 29.13
Team Overall Rank: 245
NSNN Offensive Rank: 242
NSNN Defensive Rank: 362
Key Player: PF Viet McKenzie

Despite having a low defensive ranking, bottom 10 of all of Division I, the Binghamton Bearcats managed to skate on by with, once again, a top-4 spot in the American East. This all can be credited with the teams' high offensive rank. It's only the 242nd-ranked offense in the country, but that is all that Binghamton needs to help them stay on top. Domenick Graber is one to watch on offense, as he still has the ability to crash the boards for the Bearcats. But that's not all; Binghamton should be intrigued by the incoming freshman class. Jon Dean was a 3-point sharpshooter in high school, Cory Lambert excelled in the 2-point shot, and Viet Mckenzie brought in his offensive talent, which includes his playmaking ability. Right now and in the future, Binghamton is looking towards American East superiority. 

3. Maine
NSNN Team Grade: 381.5
NSNN Average Grade: 31.79
Team Overall Rank: 194
NSNN Offensive Rank: 211
NSNN Defensive Rank: 233
Key Player: PG Timothy Cartwright

In an unexpected turn of events, the Maine Black Bears have turned themselves around from a bottom-5 team in the conference all the way to a top-3 finish in these preseason rankings. They won't blow you away, but there is a clear-cut reason as to why Maine finds itself where they are. Senior guard Timothy Cartwright made the decision to return to the team, and this is good news for the Black Bears. He is an average shooter, although he is above average beyond the 3-point line, and is a tremendous ball handler. But that's not all, as Maine has reinforced their roster to add reinforcements to the formerly-hapless squad. Mark Mayo and Jacob Torres should be an immediate help for the Black Bears, and this team desperately needs it at the moment. 

2. Vermont
NSNN Team Grade: 536.75
NSNN Average Grade: 38.34
Team Overall Rank: 136
NSNN Offensive Rank: 125
NSNN Defensive Rank: 76
Key Player: PG Andrew Reade

Now, here's a huge jump in the rankings. @iToxicKiddy and this Vermont squad have been a dominant force in basketball for a long time, especially in the American East. This year, that's good for second place once again. When you look at how this team is composed, you would think that this team is at least a mid-major team that is just guns blazing. There are very few errors on this Catamount squad, as they have shown time and time again. In fact, they have the prowess on defense, as they rank in the top 100 overall on defense. Andrew Reade will look forward to leading the helm of this talented Vermont in his final year but don't overlook the other talent on this roster. Transfer Grigor Vance is going to bring reinforcements on the defensive side, while Ronald Bodary is a prime candidate to take over as the best player for the Catamounts. 

1. UMBC
NSNN Team Grade: 736
NSNN Average Grade: 61.33
Team Overall Rank: 10
NSNN Offensive Rank: 45
NSNN Defensive Rank: 24
Key Player: SG Derek Ignacio

@Rocketcan and his UMBC Retrievers should very well handily win the conference again this year. With a team like this, you would never expect them to be in the American East, considering they rank in the Top 10 in the division. And it's not surprising to figure that out, given the playmakers on the team. Derek Ignacio is nearly perfect, and he's coming back for another year. Leonardo Fredrickson has had insane progression, considering he was a 2-star prospect coming out of high school. Team leader Robert Lampe is the defensive anchor for the team, and he has great offensive skills. And let's not forget about the team getting German sensation JS Bach. This team is not only the best team in the conference but one of the best in all of the NCAA. Expect them to breeze by to 1st this year and even gain some postseason wins while we are at it.   

MORE LIKE THIS:

NSNN's CWBB 2024 Conference Preview - American East

NFL Notes: Should we expect a rebuild for the Tennessee Titans? 

Jeremy Phillips on winning gold during 2024 Paris Olympics: "I am proud to be part of two great unstoppable teams." 

Dodgers' Rafael Marcano hopes to continue hot streak from 2023

[2024] NSNN's CMBB 2024 Conference Preview - Atlantic 10

EPL Power Rankings: Manchester City, Manchester United in dead heat

The Washington Way: No One Can Stop the Commanders

Predicting NBA awards for the 2024-25 season as we approach new year

Edited August 17 by nemolee.exe