2021 America East Conference Tournament Info, Facts, & Preview Links
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021
Game 1: (7) Stony Brook (9-13 overall; 7-9 conf) vs. (6) UMass Lowell (8-11 overall; 7-8 conf) at 1 p.m. ET (Durham, NH) (ESPN+)
Game 2: (9) Binghamton (4-13 overall; 4-10 conf) at (4) Hartford (11-8 overall; 8-6 conf) at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Game 3: (8) NJIT (7-11 overall; 6-10 conf) at (5) Albany (6-8 overall; 6-6 conf) at 5 p.m. ET (West Hartford, CT) (ESPN+)
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Game 4: (7) Stony Brook/(6) UMass Lowell winner at (3) New Hampshire (10-8 overall; 9-6 conf) at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Game 5: (8) NJIT/(5) Albany winner vs./at (9) Binghamton/(4) Hartford winner at 3 p.m. ET (West Hartford, CT) (ESPN+)
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Game 6: Lowest-Remaining Seed at (1) UMBC (14-5 overall; 10-4 conf) at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN3/ESPN+)
Game 7: Highest-Remaining Seed at (2) Vermont (10-4 overall; 10-4 conf) at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN3/ESPN+)
Saturday, March 13, 2021
Championship Game-(at highest remaining seed)
Game 11: Championship Game (Auto Bid) at 11 a.m. ET (ESPN2)
Tournament Winners (last 10 years):
2020: Cancelled due to scourge known as COVID
2019: (1) Vermont (27-7 overall; 14-2 conf)
2018: (2) UMBC (25-11 overall; 12-4 conf)
2017: (1) Vermont (29-6 overall; 16-0 conf)
2016: (1) Stony Brook (26-7 overall; 14-2 conf)
2015: (1) Albany (24-9 overall; 15-1 conf)
2014: (4) Albany (19-15 overall; 9-7 conf)
2013: (4) Albany (24-11 overall; 9-7 conf)
2012: (2) Vermont (24-12 overall; 13-3 conf)
2011: (2) Boston U. (21-14 overall; 12-4 conf)
NET ratings through games of 2/25/21 (347 teams)
Vermont-100
UMBC-126
Hartford-196
Albany-212
UMass Lowell-219
Stony Brook-224
New Hampshire-241
NJIT-261
Binghamton-292
Maine-301 (ended season early due to COVID issues; finished 2-7, 2-6 in conference)
Kenpom ratings as of 2/25/21
Vermont-119
UMBC-161
Hartford-224
Stony Brook-229
UMass Lowell-235
Albany-237
New Hampshire-261
NJIT-288
Binghamton-317
Maine-344 (ended season early due to COVID issues; finished 2-7, 2-6 in conference)
Here are some links for previews of the 2021 America East Conference tournament and the official tournament championship page (in no particular order):
America East Conference official tournament championship page (with 3+ minute video preview): https://americaeast.com/tournaments/?id=3261
NBC Sports Washington preview link: https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/ncaa/america-east-tournament-2021-bracket-how-watch-dates-preview-location
Fansided/Busting Brackets preview link: https://bustingbrackets.com/2021/02/25/america-east-basketball-2021-conference-tournament-preview-predictions/
Mid-Major Madness preview link (very enjoyable preview imo): https://www.midmajormadness.com/2021/2/22/22294479/america-east-aeplayoffs-bracket-streaming-info-umbc-vermont-basketball-2021
Sports Betting Dime preview link: https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/news/ncaab/2021-america-east-conference-tournament-odds-bracket-picks/
Three-man-weave preview link: https://www.three-man-weave.com/3mw/america-east-tournament-preview-2021
My brief take on this tournament: It seems obvious to most everyone that this should come down to Vermont vs. UMBC in the title game. It always seems like when that is the case, it does NOT happen. My guess is one team gets upset and the one that does not get upset in the semis wins the auto bid. As to which one, I have no idea. I honestly didn't watch much America East basketball this year mainly because they didn't play many non-conference games and that's typically where I learn about the mid-majors. Anyways, if you force me to pick a team, I will go with 1-seed UMBC as the 1-seed has won 4 of the last 5 America East conference tournaments played. As for my rooting interest for this league, I will be pulling for a Vermont-UMBC final so we get a quality team in the Big Dance either way. Enjoy!
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