Men’s basketball hasn’t kept pace with the women in terms of statewide or national notoriety at the NCAA Division III level in recent seasons.
The men do bring strength in numbers, however, meaning depth from top to bottom. While three or four women’s programs are likely to dominate the scene this winter, there shouldn’t be many blowouts when in-state men’s rivals meet.
Optimism reigns in the University of Maine at Farmington camp, as the Beavers expect their imposing high-low combination to further improve a team that won 15 games a year ago.
Seniors Travis Magnuson and Trafton Teague and sophomore Matt St. John lead the backcourt, while standout sophomores Tom Labrie of Lewiston (6-foot-8) and Sean Fry of Jay (6-4) and senior Travis Carrier of Auburn (6-7) help anchor the middle.
Maine’s three representatives in the New England Small College Athletic Conference share similarly high hopes, with many key contributors riding the crest of a winning season at each school in 2004-05.
Point guard Zak Ray and forward Rob Stockwell of Bates return as juniors after earning second-team all-NESCAC recognition. Stockwell averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game, while Ray dropped a dozen points per night and sank 87 percent of his free-throw attempts.
Bates’ promising freshman class includes forward Thomas Kothe, formerly of Oxford Hills, and Gorham High School graduate Ben Thayer.
Five players who saw significant time in the starting lineup are back for Colby, most notably explosive junior big man Drew Cohen (15.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg). Kyle Petrie (16 ppg) once again patrols the paint for Bowdoin.
Husson remains a consistent power with point guard Jason Harvey, high-scoring forward Tyler Muzzy and center Buddy Leavitt leading the way. Senior captains Bill Hardwick and Jesse McKinnell will present matchup problems inside for anyone facing Southern Maine, while guard Chad Pulkkinen makes neighboring Saint Joseph’s go.
Closer to home, Central Maine Community College has already started its season, splitting a pair of games against Canadian foes in Fort Kent last weekend.
Kaleb Violette, Jon Gilson and Richie Danieli are keys for the youthful Mustangs.
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