Maine Black Bears Preview: Sleeper Pick or Perennial Underachievers?

Last Season: 15-15, 9-7

Head Coach: Ted Woodward

Key Losses: Troy Barnies, Sean McNally, Murphy Burnatowski (transfer)

Newcomers: Zarko Valjarevic, Noam Laish, Xavier Pollard, Justin Edwards, Kilian Cato, Ethan Mackey, Stefano Mancini

Projected Lineup: 

- G: Raheem Singleton, Sr.
- G: Gerald McLemore, Sr.

- G: Justin Edwards, Fr. (Andrew Rodgers will probably start in this spot h/t comm thread)

- F: Alisdair Fraser, So.

- F: Mike Allison, Jr.

- Bench: Svetolav Chetinov Sr. C, John McAllian Jr. G, Andrew Rogers Sr. G, Travon Wilcher Sr. F

Look Back: 

Maine was 8-1 mid way through league play last year. Troy Barnies appeared from nowhere to score and rebound (and earn all-conference honors). Raheem Singleton played a masterful point, Gerald McLemore had a few off nights but was as dangerous a 2 guard as the AE had. The bulky boys pounded the glass and they won in everyone’s gym. Then, tragically, January ended. From there, the Black Bears lost every game save one night in Durham. Whether you view it as forgettable (Woodward) or bleak (fans), the chances of repeating it is nearly impossible.

Hoards of Talent for a Team Picked 6th in a weak conference (sleeper alert):

Barnies graduated and Murphy Burnatowski, who was once thought to be a future AE superstar, transferred to Colgate, but Maine retains more than adequate talent and depth. Raheem Singleton is one of the league's better pure point guards (and he's a year to learn the offense) and Gerald McLemore is one of the league's best shooters. A year ago, it seemed like McLemore was a lock to be the next in the succession of easy POY choices -- but he sputtered at times and didn't take on a lead role. Don't doubt though, that he has the talent for it.  

Scot, Scot, Scot:

I've made it pretty clear already with a sleeper profile and naming him a top-10 player in the league, but I think Ali Fraser has more than an outside chance to be the best post-player in the league -- and that bears repating. 

Americans Need Not Apply:

The incoming class includes a Canadian, Israeli, Fin, and Serbian. Who are these assistant coaches? And why aren't they working for the UN?!?

Best Recruiting Video:

....after the jump!

Maine brings in a number of talented 6'3-4 guards (Perkins' thinks Pollard from the Bronx will be a stud and Edwards was a top-10 high school player in Canada), but the one I'm rooting for the hardest is Zarko Valjeravic. In addition to a headshot that makes him look Bond villain, he enters college with this incredible workout video that I believe was filmed is next door to where Rocky trained before the Drago fight. 

Best Case:

Someone steps up (a la Barnies a year ago) to take the pressure off McLemore on offense, the defense kicks back in, and they make good on their sleeper potential. 

Worst Case:

Regardless, it can’t be worse than February of 2011.