The University of Maine men's basketball team was selected to finish in last place in the 2017-18 America East Coaches' Poll that was released on Thursday, while the women's side was selected in sixth place

The Black Bears men's received just nine total points in the poll and were seven points behind the Hartford Hawks for eighth place.  Vermont was selected to finish in first place after going 16-0 in the regular season and winning the America East tournament.

UMaine was tied for eighth place in 2016-17 with a 3-13 conference mark and a 7-25 overall record.

2017-18 Men's #AEHoops Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank         School                   Pts (1st-Place Votes)
1.                Vermont                            64 (8) - unanimous
2.                Albany                              57 (1)
3                 UMBC                              45
4.                Stony Brook                     38
5.                New Hampshire               37
T6.              Binghamton                      29
                   UMass Lowell                   29
8.                Hartford                            16
9.                Maine                                9

The UMaine women's side received 31 total votes in the poll, which put them three votes behind UMBC for fifth. The Black Bears side made it to the America East championship a year ago, but lost to Albany by a score of 66-50 for the second year in a row.  Maine was 18-16 overall and 9-7 in conference play during the 2016-17 season.  The program lost Sigi Koizar to graduation and All-Rookie selection Laia Sole to transfer for the team from last season.

UMaine will open up the regular season versus Tulane on November 10th as part of the Tip-Off Tournament in Orono.

 

More From 92.9 The Ticket