BOSTON – The 2025-26 basketball season begins on Monday with all seven of nine teams in action. The remaining two teams open their season on Tuesday. Bryant is the defending champion but brings back a complete roster after taking down Maine in last year's championship. The new-look Black Bears enter this year after ending Vermont's three-year reign as conference champions in the conference semifinals.
The Preseason Poll and Preseason All-Conference Team were released on Oct. 20 and can be viewed here. The Catamounts were picked first once again, while Maine and UAlbany both tied for second with 47 points.
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UAlbany:
Record: 17-16 Overall, 8-8 AE (4th).
Offense: 74.6 PPG | Defense: 73.8 PPG.
Last Game: Lost 91-78 vs. Bryant (AE Semifinals)
After taking a major step forward last season, UAlbany enters 2025–26 as one of the most intriguing teams in the America East. The Great Danes were picked tied for second in the preseason poll with a completely retooled their roster with some big impact transfers. With improved depth and experience across the board, UAlbany will be in the mix for another top-four seed in the conference tournament.
UAlbany lost its top six scorers from last season, but one key returning piece is Amir Lindsey, named to the 2025–26 Preseason All-Conference, who is expected to take on a larger role for the Great Danes. UAlbany added a large transfer class for 2025–26, featuring guards Will Richardson, Jaden Kempson, Nasir Muhammad and Abdoulaya Fall as well as frontcourt pieces such as Yaya Keita, Isaac Abidde, Tarique Foster, Ife West-Ingram and Okechukwu Okeke.
UAlbany will open the 2025–26 season at Marquette (Nov. 3). With a new veteran transfer group expected to contribute immediately, the Great Danes are positioned to challenge near the top of the America East if their new pieces can gel quickly.
Binghamton:
Record: 15-17 Overall, 7-9 AE (5th)
Offense: 69.7 PPG | Defense: 71.5 PPG
Last Game: Lost 69-66 at UAlbany (AE Semifinals)
Binghamton enters 2025–26 with aspirations of returning to the top half of the America East after going 2-5 over the final seven games of the season. Though the team posted a losing record, their conference showing landed them in the middle of the pack. Under head coach Levell Sanders, now entering his fifth season at the helm, the Bearcats seek to earn an elusive top-four seed in the tournament.
The Bearcats lost their top five scorers from the past season, but returning a pair of strong guards in Wes Peterson, Jr. and Evan Ashe who each had big moments last season. This year Sanders brought in a number of newcomers who should make a difference, including Preseason All-Conference selection Demetrius Lilley who averaged 7.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for La Salle last year.
If the incoming transfers can contribute immediately, Binghamton has enough pieces to push up in the standings and secure a home playoff contest.
Bryant:
Record: 23-12 Overall, 14-2 AE (1st)
Offense: 81.8 PPG | Defense: 74.2 PPG
Last Game: Lost to No. 2 Michigan State, 87-62 (NCAA First Round)
Bryant arrives in 2025–26 as the defending conference champion but with a completely different starting five this year, along with a brand new coaching staff led by Jamion Christian. After dominating the conference with a 14–2 mark, the Bulldogs will look to build on that momentum with Christian and the impressive group of newcomers he has welcomed.
The most experienced newcomer is Jakai Robinson who appeared in 33 games last year with ten starts while averaging 5.8 points per game. The Bulldogs won’t be a small team, with seven players at 6-8 or taller, led by Quincy Allen who is a smooth 6-8 guard that averaged 9.6 ppg and 5.6 for Chicago State last season. Freshman Ty Tabales could also be someone that makes an impact for the Bulldogs.
Despite the lack of Division I experience on the roster Christian has shown he can get buy in and lead teams to championships, so the Bulldogs should be ready for their title defense next month.
Maine:
Record: 20-14 Overall, 10-6 AE (3rd)
Offense: 70.9 PPG | Defense: 66.1 PPG
Last Game: Lost to Bryant, 59-77 (AE Championship)
Maine enters 2025-26 as one of the America East's most intriguing teams, fresh off a 20-win season and a runner-up finish in the conference tournament. The Black Bears finished third in the regular season but have to replace some key players if they want to replicate last season’s success.
The Black Bears last their top five scorers from last year, but do bring back skilled big man Keelan Steele, who started 32 games, and Killian Gribben. Their retooled roster has a number of transfers, including Mehki Grey, who previously played at NJIT and UMass Lowell. Freshman Ace Flagg is the team’s most high profile freshman while TJ Biel should be an impact transfer from Southeast Missouri State University.
Maine's identity has been built on balanced scoring and disciplined defense, ranking among the top teams in the conference in both categories last season. Though they won’t have their defensive stopper from previous years, Markwood will have his team locked in and ready to compete every night.
UMBC:
Record: 13–19 Overall, 5–11 AE (8th)
Offense: 80.0 PPG | Defense: 78.8 PPG
Last Game: Lost 74–85 to Bryant (AE Quarterfinals)
After a turbulent 2024–25 season, UMBC looks to regroup under head coach Jim Ferry, now entering his fifth year leading the program. UMBC’s high-powered offense last season kept them in many games, but defensive lapses and inconsistency in the AE slate cost them in the standings.
UMBC lost some three-point shooting from last season, but looking to anchor the team this year will be Preseason All-Conference selection Josh Odunowo who averaged 11.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Ace Valentine should also be an asset after putting up 8.0 points, 3.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. Ferry brought in a number of transfers who will be able to keep up with the team’s breakneck offensive pace.
If UMBC can shore up its defensive identity, put its experienced core to work, and integrate its new transfers quickly, the Retrievers could surprise a few in America East play. The key will be consistency and maintaining balance between defense and offense.
UMass Lowell:
Record: 17–15 Overall, 6–10 AE (tied for 6th)
Offense: 79.5 PPG | Defense: 74.1 PPG
Last Game: Lost 64–72 at Maine (AE Quarterfinals)
UMass Lowell enters 2025–26 looking to push past last season’s sluggish finish after reaching the conference championship each of the two previous seasons. Last season UML tied for sixth in the America East and the River Hawks enter the 2025–26 season determined to bounce back and reestablish themselves as a contender.
It’s a completely new look for Dan Duquette after losing all his starters and top sixth man from last season. Shawn Simmons II comes to UMass Lowell after spending the past two seasons at Saint Joseph’s, where the 6-6 guard appeared in 52 games. Another intriguing newcomer is guard Darrel Yepdo who comes from DII where he averaged 14.9 ppg on a Saint Michael’s team which went 24-9 in 2023-24.
If Lowell can replicate its offensive success from last year and shore up its defense behind pieces, this team could surge back toward the top of the standings.
New Hampshire:
Record: 8–24 Overall, 6–10 AE (tied for 6th)
Offense: 66.4 PPG | Defense: 76.6 PPG
Last Game: Lost 57–64 at Vermont (AE Quarterfinals)
UNH looks to rebound in 2025–26 after a challenging season in which the team struggled with offensive inconsistency and lockdown defense. The Wildcats finished sixth in the conference and were often competitive in games but couldn’t finish the contest late.
The Wildcats averaged 66.4 points per game, the second lowest mark in the America East last season, while and lost five of their top six scorers from last season. Davide Poser is the team’s top returning player after averaging 6.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per game while shooting 40.3 percent from three. Head Coach Nathan Davis likes to play fast so it will be imperative that his newcomers are ready to play quick but also make the defensive plays necessary to pull out victories.
If the Wildcats can limit turnovers, find more efficient scoring options, and shore up their defense, they could position themselves for a noticeable step forward in the America East standings this season.
NJIT:
Record: 6-25 Overall, 3-13 AE (9th)
Offense: 65.3 PPG | Defense: 73.2 PPG
Last Game: Beat Binghamton 75-72 (failed to qualify for AE Tournament)
NJIT returns to the hardwood in 2025–26, looking to get into the conference tournament for the first time under third-year head coach Grant Billmeier. NJIT will have to reinvent itself and finish contests strong to take a leap forward in 2025-26.
Looking to help turn around the program is junior Sebastian Robinson, who last year finished third on the team in scoring (12.0), to go along with 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest. Rising sophomores Quentin Duncan and Ari Fulton showed promise last year as well, averaging 6.3 and 6.9 points per game. Fulton also averaged 5.4 boards per contest. Those three, combined with a solid group of newcomers will keep the Highlanders in a number of contests.
This season the Highlanders look to make a playoff push and if they can take their ability to compete against the best in the league and bring it every night they will challenge for a top-six seed.
Vermont:
Record: 21-12 Overall, 13-3 AE (2nd)
Offense: 66.6 PPG | Defense: 63.8 PPG
Last Game: Lost 42-57 vs. Maine (AE Semifinals)
Vermont enters 2025–26 as the benchmark in the America East, once again anchored by defensive strength and experience all over the court. Though they saw their consecutive regular season championship streak end at a league-record eight last year, the Catamounts remain the team to beat.
Vermont returns some key players from last year’s squad, including TJ Hurley, the league’s lone returning first-team all-conference player, who averaged 15.8 PPG, shot 38.2% from three, and converted 89.0% from the free throw line. Another key returning piece is TJ Long, who was a third-team all-conference pick in 2023-24 but was injured much of last year. Both were Preseason All-Conference selections this year. The Catamounts have additional backcourt pieces and brought in some depth up front in Gus Yalden and David Simon to shore up the scoring and rebounding alongside Noah Barnett.
With their identity rooted in defense, disciplined offense, and roster continuity, Vermont looks primed to reassert dominance this year. If the returners stay healthy and new additions adapt quickly, they should once again be the standard by which other teams are measured.
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