MEDIA INFORMATION
Media Entrance
The media entrance of Agganis Arena is at the Feld Public Skating Entrance on Harry Agganis Way and is clearly marked (see page 2). Credentials will be available for pick-up at the table inside the media entrance on Friday beginning at 4 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday starting at 9 a.m.
Media Parking
Media, with proper parking passes, will be admitted to Agganis Arena Garage (see page 2) and will park in location marked P1. From the Agganis Arena Garage, take the West Elevator to Level 1. Additional media parking will be available in the Babcock Street Lot, one block from Agganis Arena.
Directions to Agganis Arena
Agganis Arena is located at 925 Commonwealth Avenue on the Boston University campus.
From the North: Take I-93 or Route 1 South to Boston. Exit onto Storrow Drive to Kenmore Square Exit (left exit). At first set of lights turn right onto Beacon Street. Bear right at second set of lights onto Commonwealth Avenue. Follow Commonwealth Avenue for approximately one mile. Agganis Arena is on right.
From the South: Take I-93 North to Boston. Exit onto Storrow Drive to Kenmore Square Exit (left exit). At first set of lights turn right onto Beacon Street. Bear right at second set of lights onto Commonwealth Avenue. Follow Commonwealth Avenue for approximately one mile. Agganis Arena is on right.
From the West: Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) East to Exit 18 Brighton/Cambridge (left exit). Follow signs to Cambridge. At second set of lights, turn right onto Soldiers Field Road/Storrow Drive. Continue on Storrow Drive to Boston University exit. Take right onto Commonwealth Avenue. Agganis Arena is on right.
From Logan International Airport: Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) West to Exit 18 Brighton/Cambridge. Follow signs to Cambridge. At second set of lights, turn right onto SoldiersField Road/Storrow Drive. Continue on Storrow Drive to Boston University exit. Take right onto Commonwealth Avenue. Agganis Arena is on right.
From Royal-Sonesta-Boston: Take right out of hotel garage onto Edwin H. Land Boulevard. Take right at light onto Monsignor O’Brien Highway. Take right onto Storrow Drive to Kenmore Square Exit (left exit). At first set of lights turn right onto Beacon Street. Bear right at second set of lights onto Commonwealth Avenue. Follow Commonwealth Avenue for approximately one mile. Agganis Arena is on right.
MBTA: Take the “B” train of the Green Line to the St. Paul or Pleasant Street stops directly in front of Agganis Arena. PLEASE NOTE: If leaving from Lechmere Station, take “E” train of the Green Line to Government Center and transfer to “B” line (no charge) there.
Media Workroom
Agganis Arena’s media workroom is located in the northwest corner of the building on the Event Level and is available to all working media with proper credentials. Game notes, statistics and media guides will be available in the media room during all games of the 2007 America East Men's Basketball Championship. In addition to the wireless internet access throughout Agganis Arena, the media room is equipped with individual Ethernet ports, telephone lines and electrical outlets for your convenience. The SSID for wireless internet access is simply "Agganis". The Ethernet ports in the media room are open to all clean machines. If your laptop has a virus, then it may be quarantined by the Boston University Network. To dial a local or toll free number from any of the lines in Agganis Arena, press "9" and then the number. All non-local or toll calls should be made on a COLLECT or CREDIT CARD basis. A fax machine is available in the media work room as well.
Media Seating
Due to limited space, press row seating will be assigned on a priority basis to media outlets that cover America East basketball regularly throughout the regular season. A press row seating chart will be posted in the media workroom and on the north side of press row. Media members not appearing on the seating chart can find seating in the media overflow area on a first come, first served basis. The hockey press box, located on the concourse level on the west side of the building, with serve as media overflow seating. Members of the media not on the press row seating chart or not actively covering a game in progress are encouraged to watch the action from the hockey press box (located behind section 113). Cheering is prohibited in all media designated areas.
In-Game Statistics
A limited number of statistic monitors will be placed along press row during all games of the tournament. If a stat monitor is not in your viscinity, then live stats will be available online through www.AmericaEast.com. Boxscores will also be distributed along press row at all media timeouts, at the half and following the contest. Complete boxscores will be distributed at the postgame press conference and will be available in the media work room throughout the entire tournament.
Press Row Phone Lines
Phone lines located on press row are available on a priority basis. Radio stations will be given first-right of refusal on all lines with print media having the potential to obtain a line if any remain. To dial out on the phones in Agganis Arena, press "9". Toll calls are not permitted. Please make toll calls on a COLLECT or CREDIT CARD basis.
Postgame Press Conferences
Postgame press conferences with each team’s coach and two selected players are held following a cooling-off period in the interview room (adjacent to the media workroom) located in the northwest corner of the arena. The winning coach and two student-athletes are required in the media interview room no later than 10 minutes following the conclusion of the game. The coach will start the press conference with an opening statement. Questions will then be asked for the student-athletes only. When there are no further questions for the student-athletes, they will be dismissed and questions will be asked of the coach. The session with the winning team will be limited to 15 minutes. The losing coach and two student-athletes (if requested) are required in the media interview room following the winning team. The coach will start the press conference with an opening statement. Questions will then be asked for the student-athletes only. When there are no further questions for the student-athletes, they will be dismissed and questions will be asked of the coach. The session with the losing team will be limited to 10 minutes. After fulfilling the commitment to the media interview room, coaches and student-athletes may participate in any interview requests, which should be made via the team's respective SID. America East will provide a conference moderator for the media interview room. Press conference quotes will also be made available in the media room in a reasonable amount of time following the conclusion of the game and will also be posted on www.AmericaEast.com. Locker rooms are CLOSED to all media at the America East Men’s Basketball Championship.
Halftime Interviews
Halftime interviews are permitted on the court when requested by television or radio. Please contact K.J. Cardinal of America East to request such interviews.
Postgame Interviews
Postgame interviews are permitted on the court when requested by television or radio. Media members wishing to do so much get clearance from the respective SID as well as America East.
Officials Interviews
Game officials shall not conduct interviews with the media without the expressed permission of America East.
Photography
Photographers are restricted to the "photographers' box" at either end of the court. Flash photography is not permitted while on press row.
Camera/Microphone Placement
Television cameras or microphones shall be allowed in team huddles, the team bench area, or in the locker rooms for pregame or halftime only upon the granting of permission prior to the game by the institution involved. Additionally, coaches and bench personnel may be wired with television microphones during games upon receiving permission by the institution.
Media Meals
Food and light snacks will be available in the interview room during all games of the 2007 America East Men's Basketball Championship with meals being served at designated times on Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4. The media meals will be available in Media Hospitality, also known as the Shell Room, which is located on the west side of the arena on the Level 1.
Saturday, March 3
? Continental Breakfast/Brunch 11 a.m.
? Deli Spread 5 p.m.
Sunday, March 4
? Continental Breakfast/Brunch 11 a.m.
Meals are on a first come, first served basis.
Hotel Hospitality
America East media members are invited to partake in the hospitality suite, located in the Skyline A and B at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, on Friday, March 2 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Royal Sonesta is the host hotel of championship.
CHAMPIONSHIP NOTEBOOK
Tourney Returns To Beantown
The America East Men's Basketball Championship returns to Boston for the 12th time in league history. Four conference tournaments and 12 title games have taken place in Beantown. Twice the tournament has been played in Boston from start to finish (2002 and 2003).
TV Exposure
Both semifinal games of the 2007 America East Men’s Basketball Championship on Sunday, March 4 will be televised as part of the America East TV package. Eric Frede will handle the play-by-play duties for the AE-TV broadcasts with Tom Herrion serving as the color analyst. Time Warner Cable (Albany) and ESPN Full Court will carry the action live and America East Zone will provide a live-streaming video feed for free at www.AmericaEast.com. The championship game will be played Saturday, March 10, and will be televised by ESPN2, beginning at 12 noon.
An Online Experience
All games of the 2007 America East Men's Basketball Championship played at Boston University's Agganis Arena will be available free online through America East Zone on www.AmericaEast.com.
Title Trio
The top three seeds ? No. 1 Vermont, No. 2 Albany and No. 3 Boston University ? are the only teams currently in the conference to have ever won an America East championship. The Terriers have capture the most conference crowns under the league's current membership with five titles (1983, 1988, 1990, 1997, 2002), while the Catamounts boast three (2003, 2004, 2005) and the Great Danes one (2006). If history repeats itself, then one of these three will win the 2007 title as the top seed (17), the second seed (six) and the third seed (one) have combined to win all 24 conference crowns since seedings began in 1983.
A long Wait
Border neighbors Maine and New Hampshire, charter members of America East (1979-80), are looking for their first NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship appearance. The Black Bears are playing their 87th year of basketball, the Wildcats their 103rd. Maine has been a game away four times, losing the America East title game in 2004 (a 72-53 loss at Vermont), 2002 (a 66-40 loss at Boston University), 1994 (a 86-78 loss at Drexel) and 1991 (a 57-46 loss at Northeastern). New Hampshire has never advanced to an America East Championship game.
Others In Waiting
Hartford, which became eligible for the America East Championship in 1988, has failed to make the title game in any of its previous 18 seasons. Binghamton and Stony Brook joined America East prior to the 2001-02 season, although Binghamton is eligible for the America East Championship for the only the fourth time this season after completing its transition to NCAA Division I. University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is in its fourth season in America East after leaving the Northeast Conference. The Retrievers are looking for their first trip to the NCAA Division I Championship, since moving up from Division II in 1989-90.
Storied History
Several former America East Champions are still coaching at the collegiate level. Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun won five titles (1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986) while at Northeastern; Mike Brey won back-to-back titles at Delaware (1998, 1999) before moving to Notre Dame and passing the baton to Villanova’s Jay Wright, who was a back-to-back champion at Hofstra in 2000 and 2001. In addition, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino guided Boston University to an America East title in 1983.
Reggie Lewis Award
The Reggie Lewis Award is given each year to the most outstanding player in the America East Men’s Basketball Championship. The award was named in memory of Lewis, the former Northeastern star, prior to the 1993-94 season. Lewis was drafted in the first round of the 1987 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, and was captain of the Celtics at the time of his death on July 27, 1993. Past winners include Norman Richardson (2001), who played two seasons in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers, and Speedy Claxton (2000) and Malik Rose (1995, 1996), each of whom won NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003. Claxton (Hawks) and Rose (Knicks) are still currently playing in the NBA.
NCAA Championship
America East has never sent more than one team to the NCAA Championship since its inception as a basketball conference in 1980.
NCAA Seed
Albany nearly became the first 16 seed in the history of the NCAA to knock off a No. 1 seed as the Great Danes gave top-ranked Connecticut all it could handle. Albany led by 12 points in the second half before the Big East power took over down the stretch, recording a 72-59 win. Vermont earned a No. 13 seed in 2005 and knocked off No. 4 Syracuse in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. UVM was a 16th-seed in 2003 and a 15th-seed in 2004. America East Champions also received a No. 13 seed in 2001 and 1999 and received a 12 seed in both 1996 and 1997 (Boston University).
Cinderella in Green & Gold
Vermont played the role of Cinderella at the 2005 NCAA Tournament as the No. 13 Catamounts shocked No. 4 Syracuse in overtime, 60-57. UVM became the first America East team to win a game in the NCAA Championship since the Malik Rose-led Drexel Dragons defeated Memphis, 75-63, in the first round of the West Regional at Albuquerque in 1996.
NIT
America East has placed at least one team in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in three of the last four years, including two in 2005 for the first time in conference history. Boston University has appeared in the NIT three of the last four seasons.
Mr. Wilson
Albany's Jamar Wilson (Bronx, N.Y./Our Savior New American School) was named the Reggie Lewis Most Outstanding Player of the America East Championship last season after guiding the Great Danes to their first-ever league title and subsequent berth to the NCAA Tournament. Wilson averaged 18.3 ppg in three tournament games played last season, but saved his best performance for the title game as he poured in 29 points with eight rebounds and four assists in the title game versus Vermont.
Magic Mike
Binghamton's Mike Gordon (Plainfield, N.J./Plainfield) has earned the nickname "Magic Mike" after pulling off late game heroics on several occassions this season. Gordon knocked down two game-winning field goals to defeat Hartford in both regular-season meetings this year and pulled off one of the most improbable plays in recent memory to defeat Stony Brook. With 0.6 seconds remaining, Gordon bounced the ball off the back of a Seawolves' defender and laid the ball in at the buzzer to give Binghamton the win. The 6-0 junior has been a key contributor to the Bearcats’ consecutive trips to the America East semifinals. In four tournament games played, Gordon is averaging nearly five assists per game.
History of Success
The Terriers boast twice as many wins (36) in the conference tournament than any other program in the league’s currently membership. Boston University’s five league titles are also one more than the rest of the conference squads combined.
Bo Knows Upsets
Hartford's Bo Taylor (Reston, Va./Paul VI Catholic/Bishop O’Connell/South Lakes) came off the bench to spark the No. 6 Hawks to an upset win over No. 3 Northeastern in the 2004 quarterfinals. Taylor poured in 10 points with 11 rebounds in 24 minutes played. The 6-5 senior has played in two tournament games, both coming back in the 2004 championship, and is averaging 8.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg in those contests.
Extra, Extra Reed All About it
Having played in seven America East Championship games, Kevin Reed (Yarmouth, Mass./St. Thomas More Prep) is the second-most experienced active player in the league when it comes to tournament games. The 6-2 senior averages 11.9 ppg and 4.7 rpg in seven championship games played, including a 28-point performance in the 2005 semifinals. Reed went 7-for-14 from three in that outing, tying the championship record for three-point field goals made.
Golden Child
Brian Hodges (Upper Marlboro, Md./Bishop McNamara) has been the key to UMBC’s success in the America East Championship over the past two seasons. In the Retrievers two wins he is averaging 30.5 ppg, compared to 11.5 ppg in their two losses. In four championship games played, the 6-3 junior is a perfect 29-for-29 from the charity stripe, including a flawless 10-for-10 performance in last year’s first-round win over Stony Brook. Hodges turned in his best tournament performance in the 2006 first round with 33 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while shooting 9-for-13 from the field, 10-for-10 from the line and 5-for-8 from three.
Aussie Rules
Last season, Blagoj Janev (Sydney, Australia/Australia Institute of Sport) led the Wildcats to the semifinals of the conference championship for the first time since 1995. In five tournament games played, the 6-8 senior is averaging 13.6 ppg and 4.2 rpg, while shooting 45.3 percent from the field.
Six Pack of Pop
With six America East tournament games under his belt, Stony Brook's Mike Popoko (Baltimore, Md./The McDonogh School) ranks tied for third among active players in championship experience. Only Vermont’s Martin Klimes (nine) and Maine’s Kevin Reed (seven) have played in more America East tournament games. In those six tournament games played, Popoko is averaging 11.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg. The 6-5 senior was instrumental in Stony Brook’s run to the semifinals of the 2004 conference championship as the No. 8 Seawolves defeated No. 9 UMBC and No. 1 Boston U.
Marty Time
Vermont's Martin Klimes (Prague, Czech Rep./Walsingham (Va.) Acad.) would join some elite company if selected to the 2007 America East All-Championship Team. The senior forward could become just the seventh player in league history to be named to the league's post-season all-star squad three times, trailing only former Drexel star Malik Rose (1993-96) who was chosen to the team four times.
? With nine tournament games played, Klimes has seen action in more America East Championship contests than any other active player in the league. The 6-8 senior was the only Catamount selected to the 2006 America East All-Championship Team. Klimes averaged 9.3 ppg to go along with 5.3 rpg in last year’s championship. He shot an impressive 12-for-13 from the field over the span of three tournament games played.
Where there's a Will There's A Way
Sixth-year head coach Will Brown has elevated the Albany basketball program to the top of America East. The Great Danes won their first-ever America East Championship and subsequent berth to the NCAA Tournament a season ago. Albany was picked to repeat as champions according to a vote of the league’s coaches.
? At the age of 35, Brown ranks 15th among the youngest Division I men’s basketball head coaches in the nation.
? Hired as an interim head coach on December 20, 2001, Brown was rewarded for his hard work with the full-time position on March 13, 2002.
Walk this way
Seventh-year head coach Al Walker ushered the Binghamton men’s basketball program into the Division I era six years ago. Walker’s Bearcats have posted double-digit win totals in six of his seven years on the Binghamton sideline. Binghamton has advanced to the semifinals of the conference championship in each of the past two seasons.
Dennis The Menace
The longest tenured coach in America East, Dennis Wolff is in his 13th season with the Boston University Terriers. The all-time leader in victories at Boston U., Wolff is a three-time America East Coach of the Year. Wolff has guided the Terriers to postseason appearances in four of the past five seasons (NCAA in 2002 and NIT in 2003, 2004 and 2005).
New Kid On The Block
A 10-year assistant at Temple under John Chaney, coach Dan Leibovitz is in his first season with the Hawks. While at Temple, Leibovitz helped lead the Owls to 10-straight postseason appearances, including five NCAA Tournaments (1997-2001) and a pair of Elite Eight appearances (1999, 2001).
The Maine Man
In his third season as head coach, Ted Woodward’s squad was picked to finish second in the annual preseason coaches’ poll. Woodward led the Black Bears to the America East semifinals in his first season as head coach. Prior to being named head coach in August of 2004, Woodward served as assistant coach (1996-2003) and associate head coach (2003-04) at Maine under John Giannini for eight seasons.
UMBC's Top Dog
Third-year head coach Randy Monroe led the Retrievers to their first victory in an America East Championship as UMBC downed New Hampshire, 78-73, in the first round of 2005 championship. The Retrievers also defeated Stony Brook in the first round last season. After serving as an assistant coach at UMBC for 10 years, Monroe made his head coaching debut in the first round of the 2004 tournament as he took over the reigns for Tom Sullivan who stepped aside earlier in the week.
Tournament Tested
Last season in his first campaign as head coach of New Hampshire, Bill Herrion continued his success in the America East Championship as he guided UNH to its first semifinal appearance since 1995. From 1991-99, Herrion guided the Drexel Dragons to an 18-5 (.783) record in eight tournament appearances, including three conference crowns (1994, 1995 and 1996). His 19 wins in league postseason play are the most in conference history, while his .760 win percentage ranks third in the league annals as well. Herrion’s 1996 Drexel squad, featuring future NBA standout Malik Rose, also won a game in the NCAA Tournament as the No. 12 Dragons upset No. 5 Memphis, 75-63 in Albuquerque, N.M.
Pedigree For Success
Stony Brook second-year head coach Steve Pikiell was named head coach on April 13, 2005 and hit the ground running. Pikiell’s first recruiting class was highly touted as HoopScoop Online ranked the Seawolves’ class among the top 40 in the nation.
? The only two-time captain under Jim Calhoun at Connecticut, Pikiell led the Huskies to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8.
Be Like Mike
Second-year head coach Mike Lonergan kept Vermont’s postseason magic alive a year ago as he guided the sixth-seeded Catamounts to their fourth-straight America East title game. As the top-seeded squad this year, Lonergan's Catamounts look to become just the third team in league history to advance to the title game five-straight seasons.
Agganis Arena Advantage?
Agganis Arena opened its doors the first time for basketball on February 12, 2005 as the Terriers defeated Vermont, 61-55. UVM's Taylor Coppenrath poured in a game-high 37 points with 13 rebounds but it wasn't enough for the Catamounts. Boston University is just 2-6 all-time at Agganis Arena with both of its victories coming over Vermont. The Catamounts are 0-2 in the confines of Agganis Arena, with Maine (1-0) being the only other America East squad to face the Terriers in their secondary home facility.
THE SEEDS
No. 1 Vermont Catamounts
For the third time in program history, the Catamounts are the No. 1 seed for the America East Championship. UVM is 4-1 all-time when slotted into the tournament’s top slot, including taking home the title in 2004-05. The No. 1 seed boasts a 56-7 (.889) all-time record in the conference tournament, winning 17 of the previous 24 championships since seedings began in 1983.
No. 2 Albany Great Danes
The defending America East Champion Great Danes are the No. 2 seed for the conference tournament for the first time. Throughout tourney history, No. 2 seeds have combined to go 46-18 (.719), collecting six league crowns and advancing to the title game 17 times.
No. 3 Boston University Terriers
For the third-straight year the host Terriers are the No. 3 seed for the nine-team league tournament. Boston U. has lost back-to-back quarterfinal contests as the No. 3 seed, but is 6-6 all-time as that seed, advancing to the title game twice (1986, 1987). With a 25-23 (.521) all-time record in tournament play, the No. 3 seed is the lowest seed to ever win a league title.
No. 4 Maine Black Bears
The Black Bears are the No. 4 seed for the seventh time in tournament history. Maine is 4-6 in games as the fourth-seed with its best result from that position coming in 2004 when the Black Bears lost in the title game to Vermont. The No. 4 seed is 10-24 (.294) lifetime in tournament play, moving on to the title game twice.
No. 5 UMBC Retrievers
With the No. 5 seeding the Retrievers boast their best seeding since joining the conference for the 2003-04 season. The fifth seed has advanced to the title game three times and boasts a solid 19-24 (.442) mark in conference tournament play with much of its success coming versus the No. 4 seed. Having won four of the last five quarterfinal match-ups versus the No. 4 seed, including two straight, the team slotted in the fifth seed is 16-8 (.667) all-time against the fourth seed.
No. 6 Binghamton Bearcats
The Bearcats won two games to close out the regular season and secure the sixth seed for the first time since becoming eligible for the 2004 tournament. With a 7-24 (.225) all-time tournament record, the sixth seed has been the biggest spoiler of the past two America East Championships. Last season, the Catamounts became the first sixth seed to advance to the title game.
No. 7 New Hampshire Wildcats
For the second time in four years and the fourth time in league history, the Wildcats are the No. 7 seed for the America East Championship. UNH is 1-3 in tourney play as the seventh seed, with its lone win coming in the 2004 first round when the Wildcats toppled No. 10 Albany, 43-38, in the lowest scoring game in tournament history. The No. 7 seed is 6-23 (.207) in tournament play and has never advanced past the quarterfinal round. All six wins by the seventh seed have come in the first round versus the No. 10 seed.
No. 8 Hartford Hawks
Hartford is the eighth seed for the conference championship for just the second time in history. In 1992, the Hawks were No. 8 and fell to eventual champion and top-ranked Delaware, 92-56, in quarterfinal action. The eighth seed is 9-22 (.290) lifetime in championship contests, with eight of those nine victories coming in the first round. In 2004, Stony Brook became the first No. 8 to upset the No. 1 seed as the Seawolves downed host Boston University to advance to the league semifinals.
No. 9 Stony Brook Seawolves
For the second-consecutive season, the Seawolves are seeded ninth for the conference tournament. Last season, Stony Brook lost to No. 8 UMBC, 88-70, in first-round play. The No. 9 seed is 5-12 (.294) all-time in tournament action with all five victories coming in the first round.
One Shining Moment
Since America East began seeding teams in 1983, the No. 1 seed is 56-7 with 17 of the 24 titles. No. 1’s won each of the championships between 1994-2001. Last season, Albany became the second-straight top seed to win the America East Championship. Albany, Boston University and this year's top squad, Vermont, are the only current league teams to have garnered the No. 1 seed for the league tournament. The Great Danes are 3-0 as the top seed, while the Terriers are 8-2 and the Catamounts are 4-1.
Second Fiddle
No. 2 seeds have appeared in nine of the last 11 championship games. No. 2 seeds have won six championships overall, including three of the last five. No. 2 Boston University defeated No. 5 Maine, 66-40 at Case Gym in 2002 while No. 2 Vermont became the first team since 1993 to win a championship on the opponents’ home floor when the Catamounts defeated No. 1 Boston University, 56-55 in 2003. The Catamounts repeated as champion as the No. 2 seed in 2004, knocking off No. 4 Maine, 72-53, at Patrick Gym.
Third Degree
The lowest seed to win a championship. No. 3 Delaware won the 1993 title with a 67-64 win at No. 1 Drexel. No. 3 seeds are 25-22 overall and have not appeared in a conference championship game since 2000 when No. 1 Hofstra defeated No. 3 Delaware.
Fourth Down
No. 4 seeds are just 10-24 with Maine in 2004 earning only the second trip by a No. 4 seed to the championship game. Maine is the only team to win a 4-5 game as the No. 4 seed in the last 12 championships, doing it three times. The No. 4 Black Bears defeated No. 5 Binghamton, 79-77 in overtime in 2004 and defeated No. 5 Boston University, 87-83 in overtime in 2001 and defeated No. 5 Hartford, 76-71 in 1999.
Number Five Alive
No. 5 seeds have won 10 of the last 12 quarterfinal games with their No. 4 counterparts. Three No. 5 seeds have advanced to the championship game, most recently Maine, a 66-40 loser to Boston University at Case Gym in 2002.
Sixth Sense
Vermont nearly won their fourth-straight league title a season ago all the way from the No. 6 spot. The Catamounts helped No. 6 seeds improve to 7-24 in conference tournament play, becoming the lowest seed in tourney history to advance to the title game.
Home cooking
Clinching the top seed for the America East Championship has been a critical marker for success in the league's tournament. The conference's top seed boasts a 56-7 (.888) record in tournament play, winning 17 of 24 crowns and making it to the title game 20 times. Furthermore, the title game has been played on the home court of one of the participating teams 22 times with the home squad winning 20 of those contests. The last team to go on the road and win the league title game was Vermont in 2003. The Catamounts' David Hehn netted a buzzer beater to give UVM a 56-55 win over Boston University at Case Gymnasium, starting a run to three-straight league titles for Vermont.
Home cooking, Part Deux
Further more, the top seed has hosted the title game on its own court 17 times with a 15-2 record in those outings. Only Vermont in 2003 and Delaware in 1993 have been able to upset the No. 1 seed on its home floor in the title game to come away with the conference crown.
Tonight's Pick Four: 1, 2, 5, 6
In each of the last two seasons, seeds 1, 2, 5 and 6 have been victorious in the quarterfinals of the conference championship. If this trend holds true, No. 1 Vermont, No. 2 Albany, No. 5 UMBC and No. 6 Binghamton will advance to the semifinals.
Quarterfinal Woes
No. 7 seeds are 6-23 in championship history, but are 0-21 in quarterfinal games. The seventh seed has won at least one game in two of the previous three conference tournaments, but both of those games were first-round contests versus the No. 10 seed.
Top Four Rarely Tango
Only five times in tournament history have the top four seeds all advanced to the semifinals of the conference championship in the same season. The last time seeds 1-4 all moved on to the semifinals was back in 1999, which also marked the fourth time in league history that the seedings held true throughout the entire tournament without a single upset.
Nine Lives
No. 9 seeds are 0-5 in quarterfinal games and 5-7 in first-round games (vs. No. 8 seeds).
THE MATCH-UPS
Hawks vs. Seawolves
Eighth-seeded Hartford and No. 9 Stony Brook will meet for the third time in championship history when the two get the 2007 America East Men's Basketball Championship underway with a first-round affair on Friday, March 2. The two split their previous postseason meetings between each other with No. 7 Stony Brook defeating No. 10 Hartford, 66-46, in a 2005 first round contest. In that outing, Mike Popoko (Baltimore, Md./The McDonogh School) led the Seawolves to victory with 14 points and five rebounds. The first-ever tourney tilt between the two came back in 2003 as the third-seeded Hawks downed No. 6 Stony Brook, 59-47. Hartford has never played the nine seed in tournament action, while Stony Brook is 0-1 versus the No. 8 squad.
Catamounts vs. Hawks
If Vermont and Hartford meet in the quarterfinals it will mark the fifth meeting between the two in tournament history. The postseason series is deadlocked at 2-2 with UVM eliminating the Hawks in semifinal action back in 2003 and 2004. Hartford beat Vermont back in quarterfinal play in 1997 and 1991. The Catamounts are 1-0 versus the No. 8 seed, while Hartford is 0-5 against the top-ranked team.
Catamounts vs. Seawolves
Stony Brook and Vermont could meet in tournament play for the first time since 2002 if the Seawolves advance past Hartford in the first round. In the only tournament meeting between the two, the Catamounts cruised to a 74-59 win over #8 Stony Brook in quarterfinal play. Vermont is 2-0 against the No. 9 seed, while the Seawolves are 1-1 versus the top-ranked team. Playing as the eight seed, Stony Brook shocked No. 1 Boston University, 62-58, in quarterfinal action of the 2004 America East Championship at Walter Brown Arena.
Black Bears vs. Retrievers
Maine and UMBC will meet for the first time in America East tournament history when the No. 4 Black Bears take on the No. 5 Retrievers in quarterfinal action on Saturday, March 3. Maine is hoping to end a two-game skid in championship play, while UMBC looks to win its first game of the league tourney for the third-straight season. The Black Bears are 3-3 versus the fifth seed, while UMBC has never faced the fourth-seeded squad in tournament play.
Great Danes vs. Wildcats
Albany and New Hampshire are matched up in the conference tournament for the third time in the last four seasons. The two split their previous league tourney meetings. Most recently, top-seeded Albany spoiled the fifth-ranked Wildcats' attempt at advancing to their first-ever title game a season ago with a 67-54 semifinal win in 2006. UNH was also the seventh seed the first time it took on Albany in the postseason as the Wildcats topped the No. 10 Great Danes, 43-38, in first round action at Boston University's Walter Brown Arena. Albany is 0-1 versus the No. 7 team and UNH is 0-3 against the second-seeded squad.
? The previous two postseason meetings between UNH and Albany, the Wildcats have been able to shutdown the Great Danes' yearly award winners. In 2004, America East Rookie of the Year Jon Iati was held scoreless in 40 minutes of action as he went 0-for-7 from the field, including 0-for-4 from three-point territory, with four turnovers. Despite losing last season's tourney game versus Albany, UNH limited America East Player of the Year Jamar Wilson to just eight points.
Terriers vs. Bearcats
Third-seed Boston University faces No. 6 Binghamton for the first time in tournament history. The Terriers are on a four-game losing streak in league tourney play, which began when No. 2 Vermont shocked top-seeded Boston University, 56-55, in the 2003 title game at Case Gymnasium. The Bearcats look to win their quarterfinal contest for the third-straight season. Binghamton's only loss in quarterfinal play came in overtime to Maine, 79-77, back in the 2004 tournament as Kevin Reed buried a three to sink the Bearcats. Boston U. holds a 6-2 advantage over No. 3 seeds in tourney history, while Binghamton is playing its first game versus the third seed.
Hawks vs. Retrievers
If Hartford and UMBC advance to the semifinals of the conference tournament it will mark the first-ever meeting between the two in postseason play. The Hawks are 1-3 all-time versus the No. 5 seed, while the Retrievers are 1-1 against the eighth-seeded team.
Hawks vs. Black Bears
Maine would look to stretch its postseason win streak versus Hartford to four games should the two happen to meet in the semifinals. The Black Bears lead the tourney series over the Hawks, 3-2. Maine won the only semifinal meeting between the two back in 1994, 79-74. Hartford is 2-1 versus the No. 4 seed, while the Black Bears are 1-0 against No. 8 opponents.
Seawolves vs. Retrievers
Stony Brook would look to avenge last season's 88-70 first-round loss to UMBC should the two meet in the league semis. Brian Hodges poured in 33 points to lead the No. 8 Retrievers past the No. 9 Seawolves in that 2006 contest, the only postseason meeting between the two. SBU has never faced the No. 5 seed in tourney play, while UMBC is 1-0 against the ninth seed.
Seawolves vs. Black Bears
Maine would look to improve to 2-0 versus Stony Brook in tournament play if the two should meet in the semifinals. The No. 4 Black Bears ended the No. 8 Seawolves cinderella-run in the 2004 semifinals, 78-54. That year, Stony Brook defeated UMBC in the first round and then shocked No. 1 Boston University in the quarterfinals. The Seawolves are 0-1 against the No. 4 seed, while the Black Bears are 1-1 against the ninth-ranked squad.
Catamounts vs. Retrievers
Vermont and UMBC could square off in the league tournament for the second time in the last three seasons if both clubs advance to the semifinals. No. 1 Vermont defeated No. 8 UMBC, 76-61, in the quarterfinals of the 2005 championship. The Retrievers are 0-2 versus the tourney's top seed, while UVM is 2-3 against the No. 5 squad.
Catamounts vs. Black Bears
If seedings hold, Vermont and Maine could meet in the semifinals, marking the sixth meeting between the two in postseason play. Maine leads the tourney series 3-2, but UVM most recently bested the Black Bears 72-53 in the 2004 title game at Patrick Gym. In that contest, Taylor Coppenrath poured in a championship-record 43 points. Maine is 1-6 all-time versus No. 1 seeds, while Vermont is 2-1 against No. 4 opponents.
Wildcats vs. Bearcats
With two upsets, New Hampshire and Binghamton could meet for the first time in tournament action with a semifinal showdown. The meeting would actually mark UNH's first contest against a No. 6 seed in 25 tournament appearances. The Bearcats are 1-0 versus the No. 7 seed.
Wildcats vs. Terriers
America East's most and least successful teams in tournament history would battle it out if Boston University and UNH advance to the semifinals. The Terriers boast the best tourney record among the league's current member with a 36-22 (.621) mark, while the Wildcats are 7-24 (.226) and at the bottom of the pile. Boston U. is a perfect 4-0 versus UNH in tournament action and holds a 6-0 mark against No. 7 seeds. UNH is 0-5 against third-seeded foes.
Great Danes vs. Bearcats
Empire State rivals would square off in the semifinals if Albany and Binghamton each win their quarterfinal contests. The fifth-seeded Bearcats downed No. 4 Albany in the 2005 quarterfinals, marking the only tournament meeting between the conference's most fierce rivals. The Great Danes are 1-0 against the No. 6 seed, while the Bearcats have never faced the tournament's second-ranked squad.
Great Danes vs. Terriers
Albany and Boston University could meet for the first time in tournament action if the two advance to the semifinals. The Great Danes are 0-1 versus opponents seeded third, while the Terriers are 3-4 against the No. 2 seed.
REGULAR-SEASON NOTEBOOK
America East 20th In RPI Report
The Collegiate Basketball News RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) Report was released on Monday (Feb. 26) and America East rose one spot to the 20th-ranked league in the nation. Vermont moved up 10 spots to 78 and remains the league's top squad. Albany jumped five spots to crack the top 100 at 99.
? As a conference, the league ranks 20th in the country, which is seven spots higher than last season's final RPI of 27, and 10th among other mid-major leagues. Most notably, America East ranks ahead of the MAAC (24th overall/14th among mid-majors) and the Ohio Valley (27th/17th).
? Six of the nine America East members boast higher RPIs than they finished with a season ago. See the list below that compares last year's final RPI with this year's current RPI and the number of spots each school has moved up.
School 2005-06 2006-07 Increase
Vermont 212 78 +114
UMBC 297 221 +76
Maine 281 238 +43
Stony Brook 310 272 +38
Hartford 268 233 +35
Albany 116 99 +17
Non-Conference Success
With the non-conference regular-season complete, America East squads sailed past last year's non-conference win total. America East teams are 49-64 (.434) in 2006-07, compared to just 33-69 (.324) a season ago. Forty-nine wins is the most since the league recorded 52 in 1994-95 when there were also nine teams in America East.
? Three league teams are .500 or better in non-conference play on the 2006-07 season. Last season, only Albany (8-8) posted a non-conference mark of .500 or better. Vermont (8-5) boasts the best non-conference record this campaign, followed by Binghamton (7-5), Albany (7-6), Hartford (6-7), Stony Brook (5-7), Maine (5-8) UMBC (4-9), New Hampshire (4-9) and Boston University (3-9).
Close Competition
With the 2006-07 regular-season conference slate complete, the competition around America East has been very close. Of the 72 league games played, 40 were decided by 10 points or less and 31 by five points or less. On the season, America East teams have combined to play a total of 258 games with 50.8 percent (131) decided by 10 points or less and 31.4 percent (81) decided by five points or less.
Road Warriors
The biggest component to America East's non-conference success this season has been the ability of league teams to win on the road. Conference teams have combined to win 29 non-conference road games in 2006-07, compared to just nine a season ago. The most notable road victory to date was Vermont's victory at #14 Boston College, but the overall road successes of the league could loom large when the league's automatic qualifier is seeded for the NCAA Tournament and for other postseason candidates as well.
Lights, Camera, Action
America East announced its most comprehensive television schedule in history with more than 50 men’s and women’s basketball games slated for broadcast in 2006-07 (see following page for complete schedule). Included in the package is the America East Men’s Basketball Championship, which will air live on ESPN2 on March 10 at 12 noon. It marks the 19th-consecutive year that the championship game will appear on ESPN/ESPN2. America East and ESPN Regional Television will team up to produce and distribute games throughout the America East geographic footprint, which includes several of the nation’s top 25 media markets including New York (No. 1), Boston (No. 5), Washington, D.C. (No. 8), Baltimore and Hartford. In addition, no fewer than 12 games will be included in the ESPN Full Court package, the subscription service provided by ESPN. The games will also be available on-line via video streaming at AmericaEast.com.
Albany Great Danes
Albany (20-9, 13-3 America East) reached the 20-win mark during the regular season for the first time as a Division I program in a 73-63 triumph against Boston University on Feb. 25... The Great Danes, who won 21 games last year, recorded back-to-back 20-win campaigns for the first time in 17 years... UAlbany went 20-8 in 1988-89 and 20-9 in 1989-90 as a NCAA Division III program... The Great Danes set the program’s Division I standard with their 11th home victory of the season and tied their best mark in league play with 13 conference wins... Jamar Wilson (Bronx, N.Y./Our Savior New American School) scored 19 of his 29 points in the second half as UAlbany rallied in the final period for the 10th time this year... Wilson, who has 2,082 points to rank seventh on America East’s career scoring chart, tallied 20 or more points for the 46th time as a collegian... The 6-1 senior became the first player in school history to score 500-plus points in three different seasons in a 66-46 win at Stony Brook on Feb. 22... Wilson had 19 points on his 23rd birthday as his team posted its ninth road victory, the highest total for the program at the Division I level... Jason Siggers (Dallas, Texas/Skyline) has reached double figures in 15 of his last 17 starts... Siggers, one of three seniors making his final home regular-season appearance on Feb. 25, had 13 points against Boston U... Jon Iati (York, Pa./York Catholic) netted 12 points off the bench and made 4-of-6 from three-point range in that same contest... Iati scored in twin figures for the first time since Feb. 3... Brian Lillis (Urbandale, Iowa/West Des Moines Dowling) had 11 points at Stony Brook, his 13th time in double digits at the collegiate level... Lillis is tied for 13th on UAlbany’s career steals list with 116... Brian Connelly (Audubon, N.J./Camden Catholic) is averaging 8.4 ppg over his last five outings... The Great Danes held an opponent under 40-percent shooting for the seventh time this season when Stony Brook was limited to 36.2 percent... UAlbany converted 10-of-20 from the three-point arc against the Seawolves, and has made 10-plus on 34 occasions at the Division I level.
Binghamton Bearcats
Binghamton (13-15, 6-10 America East) won its final two regular-season games to grab the No. 6 seed for the upcoming America East Championship... Having been picked sixth in the preseason poll, it marks the sixth-consecutive season that the Bearcats have met or exceeded preseason expectations... With a crowd of 3,855 for the Hartford game, Binghamton wrapped up its fourth-consecutive America East attendance title with a home average of 3,206... The 29-point rout of New Hampshire on the road was the second-largest margin of victory in the program's Division I tenure, surpassed only by the 30-point win over the Wildcats in 2003... Junior point guard Mike Gordon (Plainfield, N.J./Plainfield) won the Hartford game by hitting a three-pointer with 22 seconds left... It was Gordon's third game-winning shot this season and the third time in two years he has beaten the Hawks in the closing seconds... Gordon averaged 14.5 ppg for the week and extended his conference lead in steals with six in the two games... Freshman forward Lazar Trifunovic (Belgrade, Serbia/Secondary Railway) produced his third consecutive double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds at New Hampshire.
Boston University Terriers
Boston University (11-17, 8-8 America East) lost both games this past week to Vermont (57-55) and Albany (73-63)... The game against the Catamounts featured 11 ties and 12 lead changes, and Vermont’s five-point lead at the 16:21 mark in the first half was the largest held by either team for the game... Boston U. recorded seven blocks, one shy of its season-high eight established against UMBC on Jan. 21... Freshman Corey Lowe (Newton, Mass./Newton North) led all players with 22 points... He went to the line six times in the final 42 seconds, each time cutting the UVM lead to one, but the Terriers couldn’t make that final push... Boston U. out-rebounded Vermont 36-30, including 14 offensive rebounds... The Catamounts came into the game ranked first in the nation in rebounding margin (+9.9)... Albany opened the second half on a 10-4 run to take a 46-36 advantage at 16:49... Boston U. responded with a 16-2 rally and held a 52-48 edge with 10:28 left, but Wilson and Jon Iati combined to hit four three-pointers to swing the lead back to Albany for good... The Terriers shot 52.4 percent from the floor as a team in the second half and shot 47.7 percent for the game... Albany shot 52.9 percent from three-point range as a team, the highest three-point percentage by a Boston U. opponent this season... The No. 3-seeded Terriers face No. 6 Binghamton in the first round of the America East Tournament on Saturday, March 3 at 8:30 p.m. in Boston University’s Agganis Arena.
Hartford Hawks
Hartford (12-17, 6-10 America East) finished up the regular season with a pair of road losses at Binghamton and Vermont... The Hawks dropped a 55-53 decision to the Bearcats as Mike Gordon once again hit the game-winning shot... Hartford then fell 90-73 at Vermont after leading at the half... Freshman Joe Zeglinski (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) led the Hawks in scoring for the week at 16.0 ppg... He finished with a career-high 24 points at Vermont and also added five rebounds and five steals... He also became only the sixth player in school's Division I history to log more than 1,000 minutes in a season... Senior Bo Taylor (Reston, Va./Paul VI Catholic/Bishop O'Connell/South Lakes) leads the team in scoring at 14.9 ppg... He also averaged 15.3 ppg in conference play... Junior Rich Baker (Frederick, Md./Montrose Christian) dished out a career-high eight assists at Vermont, the best game he's played since returning from a foot injury... He also made his return to the starting lineup and played 34 minutes... The Hawks finished the regular season tied for sixth place but will be the eighth seed at the 2007 America East Men's Basketball Championship... Hartford will face ninth-seeded Stony Brook on Friday night at 7 p.m. for the right to play top-seeded Vermont on Saturday at noon. The Hawks swept the season series against the Seawolves.
Maine Black Bears
Maine (12-17, 7-9 America East) ended the season with a victory over Stony Brook to finish fourth in the America East standings... Maine was led by Kevin Reed (Yarmouth, Mass./Dennis-Yarmouth/St. Thomas More) who averaged 18.0 ppg on the week... Reed set a Maine record for career games played on Sunday when he played in his 118th career game... The previous mark for career games played with 117 held by Deonte Hursey... Jon Sheets (Grass Valley, Calif./Nevada Union/Yuba City CC) dished out 6.5 apg on the week, including a career-high seven on Thursday at UMBC... Sheets moved into a tie for sixth place on Maine's career three-point field goal list with 141... Rookie Junior Bernal (Manhattan, N.Y./Hyde School/MCI) recorded a career-high six steals in Maine's game at UMBC on Thursday... Senior Chris Bruff (Bloomfield, Conn./Northwest Catholic) ignited a run for Maine on Sunday as the Black Bears overcame a nine-point second half deficit... Bruff scored 19 points in the game, including 14 in the second half alone.. Sheets and Reed have combined to hit 149 three-point field goals this season... Sheets has 75 while Reed has drained 74... Before the game on Sunday, Maine honored seniors Olli Ahvenniemi (Vaasa, Finland/Vaasan Lyseon Lukio), Sheets, Bruff and Reed.
UMBC Retrievers
UMBC (11-18, 7-9 America East) junior guard Brian Hodges (Upper Marlboro, Md./Bishop McNamara) finished the season very strongly, averaging 19.7 ppg in his last three games and hitting 23 of his last 39 shots (59.0 percent) from the floor... He scored 19 points versus Maine, including 12 in the first half to help UMBC recover from a 10-point deficit and grab a three-point halftime lead... Hodges added 20 points versus UNH, his 21st game in double figures this season and seventh in a row... His 1,064 points is now 13th in school history and his 54 three-point goals in 06-07 is a new single season high for Hodges... Senior Chris Pugh (Clinton, Md./Oxon Hill) keyed the win over Maine in his final home game with 20 points, including four of six from behind the arc... Pugh has 97 career three-point goals, ninth on the team’s all-time list... classmate Mike Housman (Great Falls, Va./Langley) did not hit a three-point field goal in his first 109 career games, but was 2/2 from behind the arc in his final home appearance... The Retrievers were a sizzling 28 of 53 from the floor, hitting over 50 percent for the second straight game... In its 11 wins, UMBC hit 50.3 percent from the floor, while the Retreivers were at 39.3 percent in its 18 setbacks... UMBC finished 6-6 at home and drew a record 1,920 fans per game, an increase of 11 percent from a year ago... Of course, UMBC will face Maine for the second time in 10 days when the Retrievers and Black Bears meet in the America East quarter-finals... It will be the first meeting between those two teams in tournament play... UMBC’s seven America East wins is its best in four conference seasons.
New Hampshire Wildcats
New Hampshire (10-19, 6-10 America East) split a pair of games this week... In UNH’s most recent win last Sunday, the senior duo of Jermaine Anderson (Beverly, Mass./Phillips Exeter) and Blagoj Janev (Sydney, Australia/Australia Institute of Sport) carried the Wildcats to a 64-51 win over UMBC as the co-captains combined for 47 of the 61 points... Freshman forward Radar Onguetou (Yaound?, Cameroon/New Hampton School) posted a game-high nine rebounds along with eight points, while sophomore guard Tyrece Gibbs (Brockton, Mass./Thayer Academy) notched seven points and rebounds... The Wildcats fell to Binghamton University Feb. 20, 66-37, as Anderson posted a team-high 18 points in the loss... The win over the UMBC Retrievers paired with a Vermont victory over Hartford secured the seventh seed in the America East Championships at Agganis Arena in Boston for the Wildcats as they face defending conference champion and the second-seeded University at Albany... The Great Danes swept the season series this season against the Wildcats with a win on America East opening night (69-52) and a win on the road at UNH (71-64)... The contest is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start on Saturday with the winner facing either Boston University of Binghamton University.
Stony Brook Seawolves
Stony Brook (9-19, 4-12) fell in both of its contests this week and wrapped up the regular season... On Thursday Mitchell Beauford (Queens, N.Y./Christ the King) scored a game-high 20 points but it was not enough as Albany topped the Seawolves, 66-46... Ricky Lucas (Herndon, Va./Herndon/George Washington) added seven points as did Rio Pitt (Amityville, N.Y./Our Savior New American)... In the Seawolves regular-season finale, Ricky Lucas' half-court shot rimmed out as time expired as SBU was edged by Maine, 63-61.. The Seawolves, who shot 48 percent and went 5-of-7 from downtown in the first half, headed into the locker room with a 35-28 advantage, thanks much in part to Lucas' 16 points... Stony Brook rallied from eight points down to cut the lead to just two, but Lucas half-court shot was off... Lucas finished with a game-high 21 points and seven rebounds... Beauford added 16 points and seven assists and Mike Popoko (Baltimore, Md./The McDonogh School) recorded 10 points and seven rebounds.
Vermont Catamounts
Vermont (23-6, 15-1 America East) wrapped up the regular season last week with a pair of victories... UVM has won 11 straight and 18 of its last 19 heading into the America East Championship... The 11-game winning streak is tied for fifth in the nation... The 23 wins are the most in the regular season in school history and second most overall all-time... On Thursday the Catamounts clinched the America East regular-season championship outright with a 57-55 win on the road over Boston University... The victory was Vermont’s 11th straight on the road, which is the longest current streak in the nation... Sophomore Mike Trimboli (Norwalk, Conn./St. Luke’s) led the Catamounts with 15, while senior Chris Holm (Henderson, Nev./Green Valley) added 10 points and 11 rebounds... Vermont went 8-0 on the road in league play this season... The Catamounts defeated Hartford 90-73 on Senior Day in front of UVM’s third sellout crowd of the season... Junior Kyle Cieplicki (Shelburne, Vt./Rice) recorded a career-high 26 points and matched a career-high with seven assists... Holm added 17 points and 15 rebounds for his league-high 14th double-double of the season... Holm has 353 for the year which breaks the school single-season record of 350 that was set by Benny Becton in 1960-61... With the win, Vermont posted the best America East conference winning percentage in school history (.938)... The Catamounts will next play on Saturday in the America East Championship Quarterfinals at Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass. against the winner of the #8 Hartford/#9 Stony Brook game, as they will play on Friday night.