Bates

Last year: 12-13, lost in NESCAC Quarterfinal

Top Returning Players: Jr. G Mark Brust, Sr. F John Squires, Sr. G Kyle Philbrook, Sr. C Ryan Weston, Sr. F Reid Christian, Sr. G Will Furbush.

Overview: The Bobcats lost three of their top four scorers from last year. Brust averaged 9.3 points while Squires chipped in 6.7 points. Former Mountain Valley standout Cam Kaubris joins Bates this year. Bates won seven of its first eight last year but won just five games the rest of the way.

Bowdoin

Last year: 14-10, lost in NESCAC Quarterfinal

Top Returning Players: Sr. G Will Hanley, Sr. G Ryan O’Connell, Sr. G Justin Nowell, Jr. C Max Staiger.

Overview: Bowdoin returns its top three scorers, including Hanley (19.8 ppg), an All-NESCAC first teamer. O’Connell (13.7 ppg) and Nowell (11.8 ppg) give the squad balance.

Colby

Last year: 11-13

Top Returning Players: Sr. G Ben Foreman, Sr. F Eric Beaulieu, Sr. F Kyle Donovan, Sr. F Alex Swanson.

Overview: Colby graduated its two double-digit scorers. Foreman averaged 7.6 points while Donovan and Beauleiu chipped in 8.0 and 6.5 respectively. The White Mules only have a few seniors that saw regular time last year. The rest of the squad is made up of 10 underclassmen.

Husson

Last year: 21-7, won NAC title and lost in NCAA Tourney first round

Top Returning Players: Jr. C Marc Zaharchuk, Jr G Daeshawn McMorrin, Jr. F Brooks Spaulding, Jr. F Wes Murphy, Jr. F Jon Flages.

Overview: Husson was picked to finish second in the NAC preseason poll. The squad has eight players back but also has 11 new players on the roster. Zaharchuk (9 ppg) and McMorrin (8 ppg) are the two top returning scorers.

Maine Martime Academy

Last year: 10-15

Top Returning Players: Sr. G Tyler Pineo, Sr. F Shawn Dostie, Jr. G Scott Alexander, So. F Andy Ball, Jr. Ben Russell.

Overview: MMA has six freshmen on its roster of 11 players. Three of the new players are 6-foot-5 or taller. Dostie led the returnees with 13 points and eight rebounds last year.  Russell, a former Mt. Blue standout, chipped in 6.2 points.

Saint Joseph’s College

Last year: 20-8, lost in GNAC title game

Top Returning Players: Sr. F Zach O’Brien, Sr. G Chris Petzy, Jr. G Julio Vazquez, Jr. C Clark Noonan.

Overview: The Monks have four starters back and five of its top six scorers returning. O’Brien was a first team GNAC pick, averaging 16 points. Petzy averaged 15 points and led the league in three-point shooting, helping the Monks post a 43 percent success rate behind the arc. In addition to experience, the Monks have depth, including former EL standout James Philbrook coming off the bench.

Thomas

Last year: 15-12, lost in NAC semifinal

Top Returning Players: Jr. G Jarrad DeVaugh, Jr. G Antonio Juco, So. G Franklin Salvador, So. G Stanley Green, Jr. G, Ryan Lagasse.

Overview: Thomas was ranked No. 1 in the NAC preseason poll. The club averaged 90 points per game last year and return DeVaugh, a two-time NAC all-star, who lead the team with 21 points per game. Salvador added 12 points per game while Green chipped in 7.9 points.

University of Maine at Farminton

Last year: 10-15

Top Returning Players: Sr. G Dan Kane, Sr. F Kevin Leary, Sr. F Tim Gingras, Sr. G Shane Tracy, Sr. G Zach Keene, So. Yusuf Iman.

Overview: UMF was picked fourth in the NAC preseason poll. The Beavers graduated most of its experienced scoring. There’s a solid group of returning seniors and a sophomore group that chipped in well last year. UMF has 14 underclassmen on the roster.

University of New England

Last year: 4-21

Top Returning Players: Jr. G Charles Fenner, Jr. G J.D. Winn, Sr. F Ryan Knotek, Jr. G Sam Simpson.

Overview: UNE was picked to finish ninth out of 10 teams in the CCC. Fenner and Winn led the team last year averaging 15.1 and 14.3 points respectively. Knotek added 10.1. Former EL guard Tim Mains is among the newcomers on the squad.

University of Southern Maine

Last year: 10-15

Top Returning Players: Sr. F Ethan Cushman, Sr. C Jeremy Jackson, Sr. G Chris Pagentine, Sr. G Mike Poulin

Overview: Pagentine and Jackson were both new additions last year and are two of the top returning players this year. Pagentine averaged nine points while Jackson chipped in five points.