America East Basketball News & Notes: Title Tilt at the ’Peake

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This morning in Baltimore, Maryland, the Jersey Mike’s America East Men’s Basketball Championship will take center stage, marking the official start of “Championship Saturday.” The top-seeded UMBC Retrievers (23–8, 14–2) will host the second-seeded Vermont Catamounts (22–11, 12–4) at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line.

This matchup represents the 20th time in conference history—and the fourth time since 2022—that the top two seeds have met for the title. Historically, the advantage lies with the favorites; number one seeds have gone 14–5 in these specific head-to-head title games. Overall, the top seed in this tournament holds a dominant 108–15 record, appearing in 25 championship games and coming away with the trophy 19 times. Conversely, the number two seed has captured 11 titles in 29 total appearances. Home-court advantage remains a massive factor in this format; since the league adopted the current “highest seed hosts” model in 2015, home teams are 63–12 overall and 34–7 in championship games, having won the last six straight titles.

Saturday’s contest marks the fourth time these two programs have battled for the conference crown. Vermont previously claimed victory in 2019 and 2022, while UMBC secured their historic win in 2018. The Retrievers are currently enjoying one of the finest seasons in program history, as their 14 league wins set a new school record. They enter the morning on an 11-game winning streak and have been an offensive juggernaut in the postseason, averaging 86 points over two playoff games. However, they will be tested by a Vermont defense that has allowed just 55.5 points per game in the tournament. This will be the 19th title game for the Catamounts—their ninth in the last 11 years—while UMBC is making its sixth appearance with a 2-3 record in previous finals.

The game features significant star power, including three of the five First Team All-Conference selections. Vermont is led by America East Player of the Year TJ Hurley and Newcomer of the Year Gus Yalden. On the other side, UMBC features Coach of the Year Jim Ferry and Sixth Man of the Year Caden Diggs. Vermont head coach John Becker is a fixture in this event, coaching in his 11th championship game in 15 years at the helm. With the Catamounts having reached 20 wins for the 17th time in program history and currently riding a five-game winning streak, both teams are playing their best basketball at exactly the right time.