Black Bears are reportedly recruiting another player from the former National Elite Development Academy that produced UMaine freshmen Murphy Burnatowski and Mike Allison.
Now called the Regional Elite Development Academy, the Black Bears are reported to have interest in 6-2 point guard, Jahenns Manigat. He's from Ottawa. Check out some footage. Manigat is No. 4.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Bracketology Bears
Most hoop heads know how the "bracketology" game works at this stage of the season. Various college basketball experts from around the country make weekly stabs at forecasting the NCAA Tournament brackets and the subsequent placement of teams.
It's interesting to monitor. But it's especially interesting when and if: A.) You have tickets to one of the NCAA first- and second-round sites; and/or, B.) You're team is worthy of mention in the bracketology.
So, as presumptuous as it is at this point, it was a bit fun to check out Joe Lunardi's weekly update and see UMaine as a No. 15 seed opposite second-seeded Michigan State in Milwaukee. There's a lot of hay to bale before we get to March, but it sure is fun to see UMaine appearing on national websites visited by millions of hoop fans and players. It doesn't hurt. The ironic part of it is that more hoop fans outside the state of Maine are aware of what's going on than those within the state.
Now, if we can just start seeing the Black Bears slated for "The Dunk" in Providence where we'll be setting up shot in March ... that'd be good.
It's interesting to monitor. But it's especially interesting when and if: A.) You have tickets to one of the NCAA first- and second-round sites; and/or, B.) You're team is worthy of mention in the bracketology.
So, as presumptuous as it is at this point, it was a bit fun to check out Joe Lunardi's weekly update and see UMaine as a No. 15 seed opposite second-seeded Michigan State in Milwaukee. There's a lot of hay to bale before we get to March, but it sure is fun to see UMaine appearing on national websites visited by millions of hoop fans and players. It doesn't hurt. The ironic part of it is that more hoop fans outside the state of Maine are aware of what's going on than those within the state.
Now, if we can just start seeing the Black Bears slated for "The Dunk" in Providence where we'll be setting up shot in March ... that'd be good.
Monday, January 25, 2010
AE salutes G-Mac
As expected, Gerald McLemore earned America East Player of the Week honors. Not expected was that he had to share the award. He's the first Black Bear honored this season. Binghamton's Greer Wright shared the award with McLemore.
Wright and Binghamton went 1-1 on the week with Wright hitting for 30 Sunday in a win at Vermont. McLemore, meanwhile, helped UMaine to a 3-0 week, averaging nearly 20 a game, including a career high 27 Saturday at Hartford.
The America East release mistakenly referred to McLemore as a junior. He's a sophomore.
Wright and Binghamton went 1-1 on the week with Wright hitting for 30 Sunday in a win at Vermont. McLemore, meanwhile, helped UMaine to a 3-0 week, averaging nearly 20 a game, including a career high 27 Saturday at Hartford.
The America East release mistakenly referred to McLemore as a junior. He's a sophomore.
Voter appeal
The Black Bears picked up a few more votes in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll. UMaine has 10 points and resides at No. 43 among the teams receiving votes. Vermont dropped out of the 25th spot to No. 34.
New England teams appearing in the Top 25 are Northeastern (No. 15) and Harvard (No. 17).
New England teams appearing in the Top 25 are Northeastern (No. 15) and Harvard (No. 17).
Sunday, January 24, 2010
With a bullet
Don't look now, but at the 1/3 pole of the America East schedule, the Black Bears have moved into the top spot in the standings. Vermont's loss at Binghamton Sunday leaves UMaine percentage points in front of Stony Brook and Boston U. both of whom have 6-2 league records. The Black Bears are 5-1 with a home date against Boston U. on Wednesday.
It's been a while, but UMaine is now entering a new phase where they will actually be playing some BIG games.
It's been a while, but UMaine is now entering a new phase where they will actually be playing some BIG games.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
2011 AE tourney
Albany and the Times Union Center hosted America East officials Friday in pursuit of the 2011 America East Tournament. League officials will decide next year's site in March or April.
Also under consideration: Hartford (hosting the men's tourney for the first time this year), Binghamton and Boston University. There are also reports floating around that the AE office will looking into a neutral site, Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.
The official Black Bears Pit vote goes to (drum roll please) ..... anywhere but Binghamton. The tourney is fine at the Events Center, the lodging is inexpensive, but the trip is just long.
Preference, in order:
1. BU ... let's face it, a trip of less than 2 hours is a plus;
2. Albany ... if it's a combined men's/women's tourney at the Times Union Center;
3. Mohegan Sun ... something different and new, willing to give it a try;
4. Hartford ... although this vote may change depending on the experience this year. Steve went down to Hartford Saturday and gave a good initial report on the Chase Family Arena.
5. Binghamton ... Nice arena, good tourney vibe, but I-88 just stinks.
Also under consideration: Hartford (hosting the men's tourney for the first time this year), Binghamton and Boston University. There are also reports floating around that the AE office will looking into a neutral site, Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.
The official Black Bears Pit vote goes to (drum roll please) ..... anywhere but Binghamton. The tourney is fine at the Events Center, the lodging is inexpensive, but the trip is just long.
Preference, in order:
1. BU ... let's face it, a trip of less than 2 hours is a plus;
2. Albany ... if it's a combined men's/women's tourney at the Times Union Center;
3. Mohegan Sun ... something different and new, willing to give it a try;
4. Hartford ... although this vote may change depending on the experience this year. Steve went down to Hartford Saturday and gave a good initial report on the Chase Family Arena.
5. Binghamton ... Nice arena, good tourney vibe, but I-88 just stinks.
First AE/POW of the season?
Look for Gerald McLemore to become the first Black Bear of the season to earn Player of Week or Rookie of the Week honors in America East.
Unless somebody else goes completely off the charts Sunday, GMac should have a chance, averaging 24 points a game in road wins at Albany and Hartford.
Unless somebody else goes completely off the charts Sunday, GMac should have a chance, averaging 24 points a game in road wins at Albany and Hartford.
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