Breakout Picks From Each Big East Team Prior to the 2023-24 Season

 UConn: Donovan Clingan, 7’2 265 sophomore 

Let’s start with the easiest pick. 

In the 2021-22 season, Purdue had the best one-two combination at center with senior starter Trevion Williams and sophomore Zach Edey off the bench. Edey’s absurd per-40 numbers that season (30.3p, 16.2r, 2.6b) foreshadowed his Associated Press Player of the Year award this season where he averaged 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.

This season, UConn spoiled its fans with their elite center rotation of All-Big East First Team selection Adama Sanogo and freshman Donovan Clingan, a 7’2 265 native of Bristol, Connecticut whose knowledge of the game, skills, swagger and comfort on the court far exceeded the performance of most highly touted freshman centers, arguably the position with the most patient developmental curve. 

Like Edey, Clingan’s per-40 stats behind Sanogo are off the charts: 21.1 points, 17.1 rebounds, 5.5 blocks. Combining that production with Sanogo’s foray to the pros, Clingan has unlimited potential as a prospective All-Big East and All-America First team candidate, as well as a potential lottery pick, especially if he is able to develop the perimeter game he has teased during shootarounds. 

Providence: Garwey Dual, 6’5 180 freshman

Originally committing to Providence prior to Ed Cooley’s surprise hire to Georgetown, Garvey Dual’s recommitment following the hiring of new head coach Kim English brought solace to the Friar Faithful as Dual becomes just the seventh top-50 recruit in the program’s history, according to 247’s composite rankings. 

At 6’5 with a long wingspan, Dual is a toolsy combo guard who is probable to start at point guard after averaging seven assists-per-game last year at Southern California Academy. A shifty guard who does most of his distributing after attacking the paint, Dual possesses a plethora of on-ball skills to lull his defender off balance. His shot is still a work in progress, but Dual has immediate two-way intrigue and legit NBA aspirations. 

Creighton: Mason Miller, 6’9 190 sophomore

With one of the smoothest shots in the Big East, Mason Miller, son of long-time NBA veteran Mike Miller, has a burgeoning profile similar to his dad: a knock-down shooter with size.

During his redshirt freshman season, over three-quarters of Miller’s shot attempts were from beyond the arc, converting at 37%, but in high school, Miller showed an ability to handle the ball and score in a variety of ways. 

With Arthur Kaluma both hitting the transfer portal and testing the NBA waters, Miller is Creighton’s most likely candidate to replace Kaluma’s spot in the starting lineup, but he’ll have to fend off Virginia transfer Isaac Traudt, a four-star redshirt freshman, for the spot. However, Greg McDermott loves shooters and Miller should be one of the Big East’s best for next year and beyond. 

Villanova: Mark Armstrong, 6’2 189 sophomore

A member of last year’s Big East All-Freshman Team, Mark Armstrong is looking to continue his development to the tune of taking over a vacant starting spot on the backcourt open with versatile guard Caleb Daniels graduating.

Out of St. Peter’s Prep, Armstrong was touted as a fluid combo guard with surprising strength and ability to score through contact, despite his slim frame. On the move, Armstrong was able to keep defenses honest by his hard to read handle, allowing Armstrong to pull-up cleanly or find open shooters on the move. 

In addition to his offensive versatility, Armstrong finished last season with strong defensive metrics, finishing the season as Villanova’s highest rated defender, according to Evanmiya.com.

 

With Justin Moore and Chris Arcidiacono returning for their fifth-years and Washington State transfer TJ Bamba in the fold, plus sophomore Brendan Hausen looking to expand his role, Armstrong will have plenty of competition to increase his impact with Villanova’s backcourt, but his two-way ability and unselfish style of play should continue to endear himself to head coach Kyle Neptune. 

Xavier: Desmond Claude, 6’5 195 sophomore

Another fellow member of last year’s Big East All-Freshman Team, Desmond Claude is looking to make his mark on Sean Miller’s rebuilt backcourt. Miller hit portal home runs by adding WKU combo guard Dayvion McKnight and Rice sharpshooter Quincy Olivari, but with Colby Jones chasing his NBA dream, Desmond Claude is one candidate to start alongside Miller’s newly acquired mid-major veterans.

A point guard by trade, Claude’s size, strength and ability to score in a variety of ways makes him a perfect backcourt mate alongside the smaller McKnight (6’1) and Olivari (6’3), providing Xavier with a versatile trio who all have scoring, handle and passing abilities. 

Finishing the season as Xavier’s second highest rated defender, according to Evanmiya.com, most of Claude’s minutes were at the 3-guard spot, a role that best suits his strength and size. Although Claude averaged just 4.7 points-per-game in his freshman season, his scoring upside was also teased in March when he reached double-digits in three of the last five games. 

St. John’s: RJ Luis, 6’7 196 sophomore

After four uninspiring seasons under the leadership of Mike Anderson, Rick Pitino surprised the college basketball world by jet setting from Iona to St. John’s, where he quickly assembled a rebuilt roster with eleven new pieces, balanced nicely with grad transfers, former Iona Gaels, high-major veterans, one high school graduate and transfers with multiple years of eligibility.

Of his younger transfers, UMass transfer RJ Luis has the most immediate upside for next season as an exciting, bouncy wing who can score at all three-levels, push the tempo with transition offense and provide length to be a versatile defender.

With injuries abound, UMass coach Frank Martin had to rely more on Luis later in the season, where he averaged 14.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.7 free throw attempts and shot an impressive 54.3 2P%, 37.0 3P% and 85.7 FT% over the last fifteen games. 

At the very least, Luis will be an impactful weapon off-the-bench, but with the ability to play both forward positions, Luis could relegate either Oregon State transfer Glenn Taylor or Iona grad transfer Quinn Slazinski to the bench, setting Luis up to be potentially a starring role at St. John’s.

Marquette: David Joplin 6’7 220 junior

Spending last season backing up NBA draft hopeful Olivier-Maxence Prosper, junior David Joplin has a golden opportunity to parlay his strong shooting from last year, like Mason Miller, to a more complete role in Marquette’s starting lineup. 

Last year, Joplin converted 40% of his three-point attempts, but his strong frame allows him to impact the game in more ways than a typical stretch forward, most importantly on the boards which happened to be Marquette’s greatest weakness last season. Joplin does not possess the same length and athleticism of Prosper, but his gritty motor will continue Joplin’s growth on the defensive end. 

Averaging over nine points-per-game last season, Joplin is the most proficient returning scorer on this list, but with an expected uptick in playing time, don’t be surprised if Joplin finishes the season with a few double-doubles, providing Shaka Smart with a tough, steady shooting forward to go along with his cavalcade of guards.   

Seton Hall: Elijah Hutchins-Everett, 6’11 255 junior

Originally from Orange, NJ, Seton Hall transfer pickup Elijah Hutchin-Everett returns home after playing two seasons at Austin Peay prior to finishing his high school career at Putnam Science Academy. 

On offense, Hutchins-Everett trunk allows him to do most of his work down low, but has surprisingly quick feet for his strong frame and capable range, hitting 32 threes in his career at 31.7 3P%. With KD Ndefo graduating, Tyrese Samuel transferring to Florida and Trey Jackson to Michigan, Elijah Hutchins-Everett will be competing with Santa Clara grad transfer Jaden Bediako for the starting center role.   

Georgetown: Rowan Brumbaugh, 6’4 190 redshirt freshman

Transferring to Georgetown after a redshirt freshman season at Texas, Rowan Brumbaugh will be returning to his hometown of Washington D.C, with many expecting him to be a key cog in Ed Cooley’s rebuilt Hoyas program in his first season at the helm. 

With a strong frame for the point guard position, Brumbaugh’s style of play is crafty in his ability to shift gears easily thanks to his incredible ball-handling and threat to score off the bounce. Like most pure point guards, Brumbaugh’s passing is excellent but his perimeter offense still needs improvement, but with his profile of basketball IQ, facilitating and ability to carve the defense inside the arc, Brumbaugh will look to captain the Hoyas’ offense early on. 

Butler: Pierre Brooks, 6’6 220 junior

A former Michigan Mr. Basketball winner hailing from Detroit, Michigan State transfer Pierre Brooks is the type of big guard that Tom Izzo loves: physical and strong. Since committing to Michigan State, Brooks has grown from 6’5 180 to an imposing 6’6 220, yet possesses quick footwork and change-of-pace ability to get to the basket. 

A two-way contributor who averaged just over 14 minutes per game in his sophomore season, Brooks is one of Butler’s six transfer additions, looking to break out on the starting lineup alongside new backcourt mates Posh Alexander from St. John’s and DJ Davis, a sharpshooter from UC Davis. Posh’s dishing and Davis’ spacing makes for lovely compliments to Brooks’ attacking style of offense.

DePaul: Elijah Fisher, 6’6 190 sophomore

Prior to reclassifying from the Class of 2023, Elijah Fisher was a consensus five-star recruit out of Crestwood Prep in Ontario who committed to Texas Tech, a program known more for their defensive prowess than the offensive freedom Fisher will receive more of at DePaul. 

An athletic and physical swingman, Fisher’s appeal comes with his versatility as a capable rim-attacker, active rebounder, creative passer, versatile defender who is also active on hustle plays, the profile that has compared him to former high-end NBA role players like Lance Stephenson.

As one of the youngest players in the Big 12, Fisher was surprisingly efficient inside the arc, scoring on 53.3% of his interior shot attempts, a rate that highlights his surprising strength and hints at his role next season as a valuable interior weapon for DePaul. 

With potential impact with or without the ball, expect Fisher to play at both forward positions, nicely complimenting his more ball-dominant teammates Caleb Murphy and Zion Cruz. 

A Look at Saint Peter's Backcourt Rebuilt in Short Order

 At the conclusion of Bashir Mason’s first season at Saint Peter’s, the graduation of leading scorer Isaiah Dasher and the team’s most efficient three-point shooter Jaylen Saddler made it clear that the Peacocks were in store for a retooling of their backcourt, especially after reserve guards Kyle Cardaci and Alex Rivera hit the portal in search of a potential new home in their last season of eligibility. 

However, in early May, Saint Peter’s were gut-punched when incoming junior guard Jaylen Murray, a three-star recruit who was previously recruited by Texas Tech, Seton Hall and a variety of A-10 and MAAC schools, announced his entry into the transfer portal. 

Following that major loss, just one true guard remained on the roster: fifth-year returnee Latrell Reid, a physical 6’3 two-way point guard who led the team in steals and assists and was second only to Mouhamed Sow in rebounds. Reid is a consummate glue guy who does the little things well, but is mostly a non-factor on offense.

Simply put, Saint Peter’s was in dire need of backcourt help, especially in the guard-centric MAAC, but Mason and his staff have worked hard, adding four backcourt additions this week.

On Monday, Roy Clarke was the first commit, a 6’4 210 grad transfer who averaged 6.2 points, 2.3 assists and a 32.5 three-point percentage in 26.5 minutes per game for St. Francis College in Brooklyn, a now dissolved program after the school decided to end their athletics programs schoolwide. A former standout at West LA College, where he showcased his two-way ability averaging 1.7 steals and nearly a block per game, Clarke has the versatility and physicality to contribute at a variety of positions next season.

Initially starting the offseason in the portal, incoming sophomore guard Brent Bland announced his return to Saint Peter’s on Tuesday. Ranked by EvanMiya.com as the Peacocks’ most efficient defender, it makes sense that the 6’3 205 Bland was previously recruited by Shaheen Holloway as his physicality and lunch-pail ability to defend multiple positions will earn him valuable playing time next season. 

Two days later, Willingboro native and Richmond transfer Marcus Randolph announced his return to his home state after earning a regular rotation role with the Spiders during his sophomore season. At 6’5 195 and with a career 39.6 three-point percentage, Randolph provides a much needed shooting boost for a team that finished the season with the seventh worst three-point percentage in the nation at an inauspicious 29.0%. 

Between the defense of Bland, Reid and Clarke, the passing of Reid and the shooting of Randolph, there is a balanced synergy in these three guards but the Peacocks were missing a true bucket-getter to help provide an instigator on offense.

That need was met on Friday with the commitment of Jaheim Tanksley. The 5’10 160 incoming junior from Moberly Area Community College, Tanksley scored in a variety of ways, averaging 16.6 points and 5.5 free throw attempts per game while averaging a 32.0 3P% and dishing 2.8 assists per game. An undersized combo guard, Tanksley’s scoring ability could force him into the starting lineup alongside Reid and even spell Reid of point-guard duties when Reid is on the bench. 

Even though his size might keep him off the backcourt, it would be remiss not to include incoming senior Elijah Wood as part of this retooled offense. Originally a three-star commit by Nebraska, Wood has grown to 6’7 185 and most recently played at Colby Community College, where he averaged ten points and nearly three assists per game, now providing the Peacocks with a point forward option to play alongside or behind incoming sophomore and potential breakout star Corey Washington. 

Each new addition brings his own flavor, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly how Mason will make his rotations. With four scholarships still open, a ton of variables are in play, but if the season were to start today, my prediction to the starting lineup would be:

PG - Latrell Reid 6’3 185 5Y

G - Jaheim Tanksley 5’10 160 3Y

G - Marcus Randolph 6’5 195 3Y

F - Corey Washington 6’6 180 2Y

F- Mouhamed Sow 6’9 195 3Y

After a Quiet Start to the Offseason, Quinnipiac's Latest Additions Provide Clarity to the 2023-24 Rotation

 Up until mid-May, most of the attention from Quinnipiac’s mens’ basketball team came from their previous head coach Baker Dunleavy suddenly resigning with a year remaining on his contract to return to Villanova, his alma mater, to serve as the newly minted role of General Manager.

In his place, Tom Pecora, former Associate Head Coach and most recently a special assistant under Dunleavy, was hired in his place, bringing a wealth of head coaching experience after fifteen years between Hofstra and Fordham.

An early success to the start of the Pecora era was his staff’s ability to retain some of the team’s top talent after a slightly disappointing, but still solid 20-12 overall record and 11-9 finish in conference play, headlined by fifth-year returning guards Matt Balanc (12.0 ppg), Savion Lewis (8.4p, 3.4 before previous injuries) and senior forward Paul Otieno (7.2p, 6.8r, 1.0b). 

The trio makes up the team’s dependable veteran core, but many question marks still remained as the offseason entered its second month.

Most notably, Quinnipiac needed quick help to replace the trio of backcourt transfers: fifth-year eligible guards Tymu Chenery (Binghamton), Dezi Jones (Austin Peay, a All-MAAC Third Team selection) and senior Luis Korthright (Rhode Island), who combined represented about 40% of the team’s total scoring.

On Wednesday, Quinnipiac got a huge boost to their backcourt, adding Midland College guard Doug Brown, a 6’0 senior out of Houston. Ranked by JUCOrecruiting.com as the 31st best junior college recruit of 2023, Brown’s attention from Pecora’s staff is obviously justified: finishing the season averaging 20.6 points, 3.1 assists, 4.7 free throw attempts and 80.3 free throw percentage, Jones immediately fits in as a rim-attacking scoring guard to potentially start alongside Lewis and Balanc. 

With Chenery transferred and Ike Nweke graduated, Wednesday’s signing of former UConn forward Richie Springs helped solve a major hole in the power forward position. Finishing his high school career at basketball powerhouse The MacDuffie School, Springs was heavily recruited by a wide-range of programs, including thirteen high-majors. 

Playing limited minutes behind a crowded and talented frontcourt that included Adama Sanogo, Alex Karaban, Donovan Clingan, Isaiah Whaley and Tyrese Martin, Springs will look to parlay his new opportunity to showcase a wide array of skills: “I’m excited to show my ability to make plays, handle the ball in transition and also showcase my improved outside,” Richie Springs wrote to me this afternoon.

With a 6’9 245 frame, athleticism and versatility to his game, the offensive-minded Springs pairs perfectly with defensive stalwart Otieno and backup big JJ Riggins. 

A championship ring to his name and four years of experience at Storrs, Springs also elaborated on the veteran leadership role he is poised to take on in Hamden: “I’m going to lead by example with my work ethic and how hard I go in practice everyday. Being on that championship team has taught me a lot and I can’t wait to bring what I learned to QU.”

Graduating from UConn last weekend, a redshirt freshman season provides Springs with two years of eligibility remaining, making Springs the second high-major transfer on this season’s roster along with former Notre Dame commit Elijah Taylor, who is looking to make his Quinnipiac debut after recovering from an ACL injury. 

That pair, along with incoming 6’7 junior Alexis Reyes, are the Bobcats’ most likely candidates to play at the power forward position, a notably bigger group of forwards after the 6’6 Chemery and even the 6’4 Balanc played time at the 4.

However, Bobcats fans have got to be salivating at what Springs can bring to the court. Not many teams on the MAAC field a forward with his size and willingness to run the floor and stretch the floor, making Springs an easy pick to breakout next season. 

As it stands, the Bobcats have two scholarships remaining and can use more backcourt depth to go along with their Wednesday haul, six returnees and three-man in coming freshman class, but today’s addition of Springs and Jones certainly provides the team a boost as the offseason chugs along. 

Way Too Early Vermont 2023-24 Preview

 Over the last two decades, the Vermont Catamounts have been a paragon of excellence in the America East with twelve regular season championships and nine tournament selections to their name.

Focusing on just the last seven seasons, head coach John Becker has led the Catamounts through quite a run: seven consecutive regular season championships, four conference championships and two straight tournament selections.

That level of consistency makes it clear that Becker and his squad never rebuild, they just keep reloading. Sounds familiar?

With twelve scholarships currently filled, the Catamounts are one of the few programs with a very clear outlook to the shape of their roster. 

However, with four fifth-year senior guards graduating, there is a lot of talent and leadership to replace: Kevin Roberson Player of the Year honoree Finn Sullivan, rebounding and assist leader Robin Duncan, leading scorer Dylan Penn and perimeter weapon Kameron Gibson. 

While the bedrock of Vermont’s success is from Becker and his staff’s ability to develop homegrown talent, most of the available minutes from the departing backcourt quartet will be filled by incoming transfers with Vermont being one of the most aggressive programs in the transfer portal.

Vermont’s first addition was Long Island native and Fairfield sharpshooter TJ Long. After shooting 50% from inside the arc and 40% from three in his freshman season, Long’s efficiency dropped as more shots came his way his sophomore season, averaging 10.5 ppg, but shooting just 43.5 2P% and 32.4 3p%. 

While this might cause some alarm, it is important to note that TJ Long was faced with more of a broad responsibility on the offensive end entering his sophomore year, partially due to injuries in the backcourt and also necessitated by underwhelming seasons from backcourt mates Jake Wojcik and Jalen Leach. Mostly a catch-and-shoot bench piece as a freshman, Long looked more the part of a three-level scorer last season.

Arguably the biggest Fairfield fan in the world, Fairfield Frank (@FfldFrank) was kind enough to share his thoughts on Long: “TJ Long is a willing shooter who thrives best in volume shooting. Quick release and is streaky at times. Average defensively and struggles against quicker guards on staying in front of them.” 

Most likely, the 6’4 190 Long will provide a potent one/two punch with returning sophomore perimeter weapon TJ Hurley as low-turnover, high-efficiency perimeter shooters with good size. 

Less than two weeks after landing Long, the Catamounts received word that two-time Sixth Man of the Year Aaron Deloney removed his name from the transfer portal and announced his return to Burlington for his extra year of eligibility. Reaching career highs in minutes played, points, rebounds, assists, three-points made and three-point percentage (11.6p, 2.3r, 1.8a, 1.9 3p%, 40.3 3P% in 22.9 mpg) last season, expect Deloney to start and achieve career highs yet again in many of these metrics.

The retention of Deloney on a Tuesday tapped off Vermont’s biggest week of the offseason. Just two days later former America East compadre Brenton Mills committed to Vermont after two seasons at Bowling Green. 

There is quite a dichotomy between Mills’ performance at Binghamton (11.2p, 1.9 3P%, 36.8 3p%) compared to Bowling Green (4.7p, 0.6 3PM, 27.4 3p%). Partly, the MAC is more competitive than the America East but also Michael Huger’s frenetic-paced offense did not yield strong shooting efficiency (Bowling Green never ranked higher than 7th in the MAC in EFG% in both of Mills’ seasons). 

Becker’s offensive system prioritizes shot selection over pace, so it comes to no surprise that newer Catamounts last season like Dylan Penn and Kam Gibson achieved career highs in three-point percentage in the greener pastures of Burlington. Expect a similar uptick in efficiency with Mills and Long. 

With three shooters in the fold, Vermont’s next additions shored up the team’s defensive versatility and snarl, starting with the commitment of UC San Diego guard Jace Roquemore. 

The 6’5 170 Roquemore played every backcourt position for the Tritons, finishing the season averaging 6.4p, 3.0r, 2.6a, 1.6 TO, 1.1s, and an eye-popping 43.3 3P% after shooting just 25.6% from the perimeter in the previous two seasons. Finishing the season with the team’s fourth highest defensive efficiency rating, according to EvanMiya.com, Roquemore’s length, athleticism and instincts will make him one of the Catamounts most versatile defenders.

While Roquemore brings defensive switchability, former Tarleton State guard Shamir Bogues is likely to become the key defensive catalyst for the Catamounts. 

Kyle McDonald of WAC Hoops Digest (@WACHoopsDigest) was kind enough to provide me in-depth report on Bogues: “Catamounts got a good one. Bogues has the length, athleticism and good size for a guard who can play multiple positions. He’s not flashy or a guy that’s going to get 15-20 every night although he has the ability to do just that. He outworks players, uses great length, usually defends an opponent’s best player and causes problems. He can finish at the rim and knock down a perimeter shot but scoring isn’t his game although he can be streaky. Just look at the Sam Houston game in January where he went for 24 points on 9-15 shooting. It was the only time he had 20-plus points against a D1 team in 2022-23. At 6’4, but with great length, he can defend all three guard positions and even the four at times.”

Between Deloney, Hurley and the four transfer additions, Vermont’s backcourt is restocked with a cavalcade of shooters and defensive weapons. 

As it stands with just one scholarship remaining, Vermont’s frontcourt, on the other hand, is flush with familiar faces. 

Most notably, Matt Veretto is back after penning one of the more unique stories in college basketball. Playing his freshman season at Delaware, the 6’8 220 Veretto transferred to UConn to take three years off organized basketball, only to spurn a job on Wall Street and return to the court at Vermont. 

A rotation piece from day one, Veretto’s value skyrocketed after stepping into Nick Fiorillo’s starting role after sustaining an injury. Across the final twenty games of the season, Veretto averaged 11.7 points, 2.2 three-points made at 44.4% and 0.8 blocks, solidifying him as a no-brainer starter for the upcoming season.

It will be seen, however, whether Veretto will start alongside the previously Willy Pipp-ed Nick Fiorillo. Blossoming into an efficient three-level shooter and strong defensive rebounder as a sophomore, Fiorillo was unable to look like his former self in his return from injury, so a full offseason will only help the steady, veteran frontcourt piece. 

In the wake of Fiorillo’s injury, another forward who forced his way onto more playing time was Rhode Island transfer Ileri Ayo-Faleye. The 6’8 210 incoming junior split his time between both frontcourt positions, backing up both Robin Duncan and Veretto. The athletic, rim-running Ayo-Faleye was also able to diversify his offensive game, shooting 54.5 2P% and 30.0 3P% throughout a small sample size of 64 field goal attempts.  

While guard Robin Duncan started all but one game last season at the “power forward” position, expect some combination of Veretto, Fiorillo and Ayo-Faleye to play most of the key minutes in projected to be the team’s tallest starting frontcourt since the 2017-18 season with 6’9 Drew Urquhart and 6’8 Payton Henson.

Three-star frontcourt prospects Perry Smith (North Carolina Central) and Jorge Ochoa (undecided) both departed, leaving redshirt sophomore Sam Alamutu with an opportunity to carve out a more consistent role in the rotation after averaging 9.6 mpg in 24 games last season. 

The 6’5 215 wing out of Alax, Ontario, the hometown of former Catamount great Stef Smith, Alamutu profiles as a physical and versatile weapon who averaged a double-double in high school and also has the vision and passing skills to facilitate from the elbow at either forward position. 

Redshirted last year entering campus at a lithe 6’7 170, Jackson Skipper’s smooth shooting will earn him his first ticket into the rotation, but his length and potential as a rim-running, three-level scoring power forward could combine to make up Skipper’s ceiling when all is said and done. For now, Skipper will mostly be a perimeter piece as he continues to gain strength and experience.

Out of Orchard Park, NY, the 6’9 225 Seth Joba is Vermont’s sole high school recruit of the Class of 2023. Committing in January, Joba is a lefty-shooting big who combines traditional toughness and skill with an ability to stretch the floor. Committing to Vermont over eleven other offers, Joba will start the season deep in the depth chart and be able to develop at his own pace, but his long-term potential is obvious. 

Between Deloney and Veretto leading a cast of six returning rotation pieces and an exciting half-dozen additions to mix and match, yet again, Vermont will be a no-brainer pick to sit atop the America East preseason ranks.

 

Much of Vermont’s early season non-conference matchups are still up in the air, but a visiting tilt at a consistently strong Toledo squad and an invitation to the Myrtle Beach Invitation, along with Charleston, Coastal Carolina, Furman, Liberty, Saint Louis, Wichita State and Wyoming, will make up one of the most competitive mid-major tournaments this upcoming season.