ORONO, Maine -- Coming off their second consecutive America East Championship, the University of Maine women's basketball team has earned a unanimous No. 1 ranking in the 2019-20 America East Preseason Coaches Poll, as released on Wednesday, Oct. 16 by the league office.
Individually,
Blanca Millan has been named to the America East Preseason All-Conference Team for the second-straight season.
All eight opposing league coaches selected the Black Bears No. 1 in the America East Preseason Coaches Poll as the Black Bears received the maximum 64 points in the poll. Stony Brook earned a second place selected with 55 points and were followed by UAlbany with 52 points and one first place vote. Binghamton was slotted fourth in the poll at 41 while 2018-19 America East runners-up Hartford placed fifth with 32 points. Vermont (29), New Hampshire (23), UMBC (16) and UMass Lowell (12) rounded out the nine team field.
The poll is voted on by the league's nine head coaches. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own teams.
The Black Bears are looking to become the fifth team in league history to complete a three-peat of the league championship after earning America East Tournament titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Maine earned four-straight titles during the 1994-98 seasons. This year's team returns three starters and three of the top five scorers from a year ago in seniors
Blanca Millan and
Fanny Wadling and junior point guard
Dor Saar. In 2018-19, Millan became the fourth player in America East history to earn both America East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the same season. Millan led the America East in scoring at 17.2 points per game and ranked at the top of the league leaders in steals per game at 2.8. Wadling led the America East in rebounding, averaging 9.0 boards per game, to go along with 6.7 points and 3.0 assists while racking up five double-doubles in 23 games. Saar, who earned her first America East All-Conference accolade with a third team selection in 2018-19, started all 33 games for the Black Bears while averaging 9.4 points and a team-best 4.9 assists. Saar ranked second among America East leaders in both assists per game and assist to turnover ratio (2.5).
Season memberships for the 2019-20 season are on sale for as low as $120 and fans can purchase a Hoops Pack for every men's and women's home game for just $180. Fans also have the option of being up-close with the action as Quirk Auto Group Courtside Seats can be purchased for $200 per season membership. New this year, the Black Bears are excited to introduce special half season plans! Fans have the option of purchasing a half-season membership to seven select games for just $70! Single game tickets may be purchased by visiting the Cross Insurance Center box office during regular operating hours or online atÂ
TicketMaster.com (additional fees will apply online).
The Black Bears begin action with exhibition contests against Stonehill (Oct. 27) and McGill (Nov. 3) before officially starting the regular season on Nov. 8 with a trip to Delaware. Maine hosts Boston University on Nov. 17 in the home opener at the Cross Insurance Center.
2019-20 America East Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
No.        School                                  Points (1st Place Votes)
1.           Maine                        Â
           64 (8) – unanimous
2.           Stony Brook                         55
3.           UAlbany                                52 (1)
4.           Binghamton                          41
5.           Hartford                                32
6.           Vermont                               29
7.           New Hampshire                   23
8.           UMBC                                  16
9.           UMass Lowell                      12
2019-20 America East Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team
Blanca Millan, Sr., Guard – Maine
Kai Moon, Sr., Guard – Binghamton
Hanna Crymble, Sr., Forward – Vermont
India Pagan, Jr., Forward – Stony Brook
Kyara Frames, Jr., Guard – UAlbany
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