Conference preview: America East

Albany's Great Danes had a very successful run last season, winning both the America East regular season and tournament titles.

This season could be more of the same.

Reigning America East Player of the Year Jamar Wilson and third-team all-league member Brent Wilson return to lead Albany's attack.

Although Albany seems to be the team to beat, several America East teams could prevent a Danes repeat.

Vermont, league tournament runner-up last season following a subpar regular season, returns all five starters and should be near the top of the standings. The Catamounts won three consecutive America East tournaments (2003-05) under former coach Tom Brennan, and second-year Mike Lonergan hopes to go to the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

New Hampshire returns four starters to a team that reached the America East semifinals for the first time since 1995. Second-year coach Bill Herrion appears to have the Wildcats headed in the right direction.

Maine returns four starters, and will add Buffalo junior transfer Brian Andre in January. The Black Bears had hoped to have Rashad Turner, who averaged 10.8 points last season, but he has left the team.

Boston University includes 11 freshmen and sophomores, so coach Dennis Wolff, in his 13th season, will be looking for leaders to emerge.

Junior Mike Gordon returns for Binghamton, which finished the 2005-06 regular season by winning 12 of its final 16 games. Gordon was a member of the league's all-defensive team last season.

Stony Brook is coming off a 4-24 season, but second-year coach Steve Pikiell will be adding four freshmen, a junior transfer (6-foot-9 Emanuel Neto, San Jacinto College), and senior guard Ricky Lucas, who transferred from George Washington and sat out last season.

Maryland-Baltimore County, a young team, and Hartford, under new coach Dan Leibovitz, figure to be at or near the bottom of the league standings.

Team to beat

Albany: The Danes include two Wilsons who form the league's best inside-outside combination. Jamar Wilson won player of the year honors in 2005-06 after averaging 17.7 points and 4.9 rebounds. The 6-1 guard is an all-around threat who can light it up from beyond the arc. Brent Wilson, a 6-8 forward, averaged 10.4 points last year. Sixth-year coach Will Brown will be looking for a trio of big men -- 6-7 junior Jimmie Covington, 6-9 freshman Mike Yocum and 6-11 freshman Brett Gifford -- to contribute.

Watch out for

New Hampshire: Bill Herrion, who had a 167-71 record while at Drexel from 1991-1999, is trying to build another strong America East program. Australian senior Blagoj Janev leads the Wildcats. Herrion hopes at least one of two freshmen -- 6-11 Sam Herrick or 6-7 Seth Price -- can help with the rebounding. Junior college transfer Jude Roybel should help at point guard.

Player of the Year

Jamar Wilson, Albany: Besides being player of the year last season, Wilson earned all-conference honors for the second time. He's the first Albany player to combine for more than 1,500 points and 300 assists in a career. Wilson, who has 1,544 career points, will have an opportunity to break the school's career scoring record next season. (Gary Holway scored 1,851 points from 1955-59.) The Bronx, N.Y., native is a career 82.3 percent free-throw shooter and last season shot 45.4 percent from the field. He also finished 2005-06 fourth in America East in scoring, fourth in assists and first in free-throw percentage.