America East Preseason Basketball Polls Released

America East has released its preseason men's and women's basketball polls for the upcoming season.  Both polls were taken by conference officials and involved voting by the conference head coaches.  No coach could vote for his or her team.

The Bearcat women were selected to finish in third place which is tied for the highest they have ever been picked in preseason.  They also were predicted for a third place finish in three previous polls with the most recent in 2010.

New Hampshire was a unanimous selection to win the women's conference championship.  Picked for a second place finish is Albany.  The Bearcats are led by returning standouts and preseason all-conference picks Alyssa James and Imani Watkins.

In the men's poll the Bearcats were picked to finish in a tie for sixth place with UMass Lowell.  Binghamton has 11 lettermen returning and standouts Willie Rodriguez, J.C. Show and Thomas Bruce.

Vermont was a unanimous pick to win the regular season title.  Picked second was Albany followed by Stony Brook and New Hampshire.  Finishing behind the Bearcats and Lowell are Hartford and Maine.

Both Binghamton basketball teams open their season on Friday, November 10th.  The men host Morgan State while the women travel to West point to meet Army.  Both are set for 7 PM starts.