America East Early Season Report: Catamounts Lead the Way as NJIT Surprises

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The college basketball season is only two weeks old, but the landscape of the America East Conference is already beginning to take shape. While the overall results for the league have been mixed in the early non-conference schedule, the top of the standings features the usual powerhouse, a solid challenger, and one very welcome surprise. The Vermont Catamounts (4-0) are up to their old winning tricks, the UMBC Retrievers (3-1) are demonstrating grit in close games, and the NJIT Highlanders (3-1) are proving to be the early-season dark horse.

Vermont: The TJ Long Show

A dominant road game and a historic individual performance have fueled the Catamounts’ perfect 4-0 start. In week one, forward TJ Long earned the league’s first Player of the Week honor after he erupted for a 40-point, 13-rebound double-double against Brown. This was the first 40-point performance in the nation this season and put Long in elite Catamount company, joining former Vermont greats Tyler Coppenrath and Jameei Wamey as the only America East players to record a 40-point double-double. Vermont needed every one of those points to secure the 89-84 road victory in double overtime.

Vermont continued its strong road performance this past Saturday, defeating Northeastern 85-74. After trailing by three at the half, the Catamounts outscored the Huskies 55-41 in the second period, demonstrating their championship pedigree. Four players, including two starters and two reserves, finished the game in double figures.

UMBC: Overtime Grit and Depth

The UMBC Retrievers are off to a solid 3-1 start, winning their last two games in consecutive nail-biters. On Sunday, UMBC edged Wagner 71-70 in overtime, winning the extra period by an 11-10 margin. Guard Jah Likai King led the way with 21 points, as three players finished the game in double figures. This followed a tight 81-79 road victory over Morgan State in week one, where Daylon Dickerson stepped up with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Three of the five starters also reached double digits in that contest, highlighting the team’s balanced scoring ability.

NJIT: The Surprise Contender

The New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders are the early-season surprise, matching UMBC with a 3-1 record. They started their campaign with an impressive 72-61 road win over Fordham of the A-10 Conference, showcasing a balanced attack led by starter David Bolden’s 18 points and a team total of 14 assists on 28 made baskets. In their home opener on Saturday, the Highlanders routed FDU 93-81. Six players, four of them starters, finished in double figures, with Ari Fulton recording a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Highlanders never trailed in the contest. Freshman guard David Bolton also turned heads, earning the AE Rookie of the Week honor for his opening week performance, where he averaged 15 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 steals.

The rest of the league is still finding its footing in the early non-conference schedule, but the top three teams—Vermont, UMBC, and NJIT—have established themselves as the programs to watch as the season moves forward.