BOSTON – After claiming the program’s fifth #AEHoops Championship in the last six years, Vermont was once again selected first in this year’s America East Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll. The Catamounts return multiple starters, including a pair of Preseason All-Conference selections.
Vermont was a unanimous selection, capturing all eight possible first place votes and 64 total points. The Catamounts went 28-7 last year, including an impressive 15-1 in conference play. They bring back seven of their top nine scorers, including Preseason All-Conference selections TJ Long and Shamir Bogues who were first and second on the team in scoring.
The #AEHoops runner-up the past two seasons, UMass Lowell, was picked second again, capturing 55 points and the remaining first place vote. The River Hawks were 22-10 overall and bring back four of their top five scorers from a season ago, including Preseason All-Conference selection Max Brooks in the middle. Bryant was selected third after going 11-5 in league play and 20-13 overall. Preseason All-Conference selection Earl Timberlake returns to anchor the offense once again.
Maine was picked fourth in the poll with 39 points, while UMBC took fifth with 31 points. Binghamton was close behind in sixth (30), with UAlbany (26), NJIT (15) and New Hampshire (12) rounding out the final three teams.
2024 Men’s #AEHoops Preseason Poll
| School |
Pts (1st) |
| Vermont |
64 (8) |
| UMass Lowell |
55 (1) |
| Bryant |
52 |
| Maine |
39 |
| UMBC |
31 |
| Binghamton |
30 |
| UAlbany |
26 |
| NJIT |
15 |
| New Hampshire |
12 |
This year’s Preseason All-Conference Team features a trio of former First-Team All-Conference selections, as well as two guards that earned Third-Team All-Conference honors last season.
Men’s #AEHoops Preseason All-Conference Team
Marcus Banks Jr, UMBC – Sr., Guard
- Averaged 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game with 85 three-point field goals.
- 2023-24 Third-Team All-Conference.
- Averaged 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in conference play.
- Played previously at Odessa College and Western Carolina.
Shamir Bogues, Vermont – Sr., Guard
- Averaged 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game while shooting .513 from the field.
- 2023-24 First-Team All-Conference & Newcomer of the Year.
- Named Most Outstanding Player of #AEPlayoffs.
- Member of 2023-24 All-Defensive Team.
Max Brooks UMass Lowell – Gr., Forward
- Averaged 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.6 assists per game while shooting a league-best .621 from the floor
- 2023-24 First-Team All-Conference
- Three-time #AEHoops All-Defensive Team honoree
- Career averages of 9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.9 bpg while shooting .623 in 118 career games.
TJ Long, Vermont – Sr., Guard
- Averaged 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assist per game with 77 threes while shooting .363 from beyond the arc.
- 2023-24 Third-Team All-Conference.
- Named to 2023-24 #AEPlayoffs All-Championship Team.
- Played previously at Fairfield, earning MAAC Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2022-23.
Earl Timberlake, Bryant – Sr., Guard
- Averaged 14.6 points, 9.0 rpg, 3.9 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game while shooting .620 from the field.
- 2023-24 First-Team All-Conference.
- 2022-23 Second-Team All-Conference.
- Career averages of 14.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.1 spg in 58 contests at Bryant.
The preseason poll and preseason all-conference team were voted on by the league’s nine head coaches who were not allowed to vote for their own team.
The 2024-25 season begins on November 4 with all nine teams in action. Conference play starts on January 4 and concludes on March 4. Every round of the Jersey Mikes #AEPlayoffs will take place on the higher seed’s home court and earning home court advantage will prove crucial once again. Full Composite Schedule
The league champion will earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship.
Fans will once again be able to watch every #AEHoops home game on The AE on ESPN with all games airing on ESPN+ or ESPN3 domestically and AmericaEast.TV internationally.
Follow the @AEHoopsNews X (Formerly Twitter) account to stay up-to-date on #AEHoops news all season long.
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