LEC preview

Tomorrow kicks off the LEC season, a great time for a preview both the men and the women:

men:
1) Keene state.  They have the best player in the league this year (Ryan Martin) and 4 starters back from a team that finished 19-8 and beat undefeated Middlebury.  However, that same roster lost 4 of 5 to close the season blowing a 2 game lead with 3 to play in the process.
2) Rhode Island College.  Lost some big scorers in Mike Akinrola and Mason Choice, however they have some good playmakers coming back in Tom DeCiantis and Tahrike Carter.  Bob Walsh is one of the best coach in the conference.  They usually struggle early on, but turn it on in mid January.
3) Western Connecticut.  They lose 4 of 5 starters and all time school scoring leader DaQuan Brooks is currently playing with the Maine Red Claws of the NBDL.  They have good outside shooters, Russ Payton back after missing last year and will have more balanced scoring this year then the last 4 season.
4) Eastern Connecticut.  Another Connecticut state school that loses 4 starters.  Brian Salzillo played well at the conclusion of the season, and their hopeful to get Mike Garrow back this season after he missed all but 10 games last year.
5) Southern Maine.  They play well at home.  Since the conference isn't nearly as good this year as it was last year no reason they can't go 5-2/6-1 in home conference games this year
6) Plymouth.  Another team that plays well at home and has to take advantage of a down year.
7) Massachusetts-Dartmouth.  They finished 5th last year.  Last year they compiled a 7-7 record, but they went 1-7 against the four teams that finished above them and 6-0 against the 3 teams that finished below them.  Losing their 3 best players, I don't like them, but the coaches do, pegging them 5th in the preseason poll.
8) Massachusetts-Boston.  6 of their top 7 scorers from last year were freshmen.  The cupboard isn't at all bare, but I think they'll struggle this year
Official preseason poll: http://littleeast.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/news/20111213-mbkb-preseasonpoll

women:
1) Western Connecticut.  Play great defense and have 4 of 5 starters back from a year ago.
2) UMass-Dartmouth.  As long as they can keep Colleen Moriarty and Erika Bordeman on the court all season they'll be a threat.  Like Western, they only lose 1 starter.
3) Southern Maine.  They rarely lose at home which bodes well.  They lose all conference selection Courtney Cochran but bring in Rebecca Knight, a division 1 transfer from the University of Maine who will help immensely.
4) UMass-Boston.  Kirsten Morrison is the reigning LEC rookie of the year and Lauren Perra also averaged double figures, but they need a 3rd option.
5) Plymouth state.  Colleen O'Hara and Kellie Walsh are two great guards that can score the ball.  They've gone 2-26 in their last 28 LEC games however.
6) Eastern Connecticut.  After a massive team suspension last season at New Years which derailed a team that was having a good season up until that point will look towards stability this year.
7) Rhode Island College.  Massive graduation loss as 4 of their 5 starters graduated, and their coach departed. 
8) Keene state.  Another team that suffered mass graduation as they lose 4 of 5 starters.  Siobhan Carnall will be leading the Owls and how she goes, so goes the Owls.  This is going to be an extremely young team.
Official preseason poll: http://littleeast.com/sports/wbkb/2012-13/news/20121113-wbkb-preseasonpoll