ORONO – The University of Maine men’s basketball team was selected third in the America East preseason men’s basketball poll.

Vermont, who won its second consecutive title last season, was favored to repeat, receiving eight first-place votes and 80 points overall. Boston University was second, receiving the two remaining first-place votes and 69 points overall. After Maine (64 points) came Northeastern (59), Binghampton (50), Hartford (34), Stony Brook (30), Albany (28), New Hampshire (23) and UMBC (12).

If Maine does finish where it is picked, it will be just the second time since that 1995-96 season that the Black Bears finished in the top three in the America East regular season standings.