The America East is kicking off its countdown to the
Basketball Tip-Off Event by previewing each of the 18 teams. Today, we preview
both the men’s and women’s basketball teams from UMBC
UMBC Retrievers Men's Preview: (Click Here for Full Preview)
Since its tremendous 2007-08 season, which saw UMBC win its
first America East championship and qualify for the NCAA tournament for the
first time in program history, head coach Randy Monroe has been looking for
ways to replicate that success. While the Retrievers had a strong 2008-09
campaign, including an appearance in the America East championship game, last
season failed to meet the expectations of anyone in the program. An extremely
difficult non-conference schedule saw UMBC enter America East play with a 1-11
record. The Retrievers were never able to rebound from their slow start, and
finished 4-26 (3-13 America East).
UMBC Retrievers Women's Preview: (Click Here for Full Preview)
Over the past couple of seasons, the UMBC women's basketball
team has been a consistent challenger for a spot in the upper-half of the
America East conference. However, head coach Phil Stern and his coaching staff
have yet to get the program back to the NCAA Tournament following the
incredible run in 2006-07 that saw the Retrievers win the America East
tournament as the #6 seed. With four starters and six upperclassmen on the
roster in 2009-10, this will be an experienced group that should make significant
improvements on the 13-17 (7-9 America East) record from last season.