After a disappointing end to last season, the loss of a key player, and with the head coach on leave, the faith of America East coaches remains steadfast. Despite these setbacks, Bryant’s men’s basketball team is expected to excel in the 2023-24 season. In the conference’s preseason poll released on Wednesday, the Bulldogs were ranked third. The defending champion, Vermont, and UMass Lowell each received first-place votes, with Vermont securing six and UMass Lowell earning three. Bryant was ranked ahead of Binghamton, Maine, UMBC, Albany, New Hampshire, and NJIT. The preseason all-conference team includes Sherif Gross-Bullock and Earl Timberlake from Bryant.
More: Bryant basketball reshapes roster after last year’s late-season fade
“In today’s college basketball landscape, having returning players is crucial,” said acting head coach Phil Martelli Jr. “Fortunately, we have a strong core of returning players.”
The Bulldogs struggled in the latter part of the 2022-23 season, losing five out of their last six games, including a quarterfinal loss in the league tournament. Charles Pride, a key player, transferred to St. Bonaventure. Head coach Jared Grasso has been on leave since early October and is awaiting arraignment after an arrest by North Smithfield police. Martelli commented on the situation, stating, “I don’t have much information about it. We addressed it and then continued with our regular practices. We’ve been operating as usual.”
Gross-Bullock was named the league’s Newcomer of the Year and top scorer last season, averaging 17.1 points per game. He was a consistent shooter, making 65 3-pointers, and contributed 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Martelli plans to utilize Gross-Bullock in multiple positions this season. Timberlake, on the other hand, averaged 13.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting an impressive 52.6% from the field. He ranked third in the league in rebounding and has showcased his talent during previous stints with Miami and Memphis.
“We’ll experiment with different roles for Gross-Bullock,” Martelli revealed. “He will have the flexibility to play all over the court.” As for Timberlake, he is highly respected by his teammates. Martelli acknowledged Timberlake’s influence, stating, “When he speaks, the team listens.”
The preseason all-conference team also includes Abdoul Karim Coulibaly (UMass Lowell), Clarence Daniels (New Hampshire), Aaron Deloney (Vermont), and Kellen Tynes (Maine). Daniels averaged a double-double, and Deloney has been named Sixth Man of the Year twice. Coulibaly led the league in field goal percentage, and Tynes holds the title of reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
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