2024 America East Conference Basketball Tournament Odds & Predictions

2024 America East Conference Tournament

The 2024 America East Conference Tournament kicks off the conference tournament season beginning on March 9 with games played on campus sites. The winner will get the conference’s lone bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Eight of the nine teams qualified for the tournament, with NJIT being the lone team that did not qualify. 

Note that this conference re-seeds after the quarterfinals, so the highest seeded team will host each matchup in the tournament.

How to Watch the America East Conference Tournament

When: March 9, March 12, March 16

Where: Campus sites

Format: Re-seeded after quarterfinals

Watch: ESPN+ & ESPN2; Championship Game on ESPN2 on March 16 at 11 a.m. ET

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America East Tournament Bracket

America East Conference Tournament Seeds, Teams and Odds

1. Vermont (-290)
2. U Mass Lowell (+370)
3. Bryant (+800)
4. New Hampshire (+2500)
5. Binghamton (+5000)
6. Maine (+3000)
7. UMBC (+6000)
8. Albany (+7000)

(odds from DraftKings Sportsbook accurate at time of publish)

Favorite To Win America East Conference Tournament

Vermont is the overwhelming favorite in this tournament at nearly 3:1 odds. My T Shoe Index echoes the sentiment, however I think the -290 price tag is a little steep when considering this from a betting perspective. I make Vermont a 4.5-point favorite over second-rated U Mass Lowell, which equates to about a -190 price to bet Vermont. Vermont also has the top-rated defense in the conference, according to TSI.

America East Conference Tournament Darkhorse

Maine as a +3000 longshot is really the only dark horse I would consider here, as Maine does have the second best defensive rating in the TSI, so they could potentially muck a game up against a better team to pull off the upset. They have a (relatively) respectable power rating for a mid-major at just a point below D1 average, so they’re a competent team with a price tag that could be worth a sprinkle. 

Players to Watch in America East Conference Tournament

New Hampshire forward Clarence Daniels leads the conference in scoring at 19.6 points per game on 46% shooting and 37% from the 3 point line, to go along with his 9.3 rebounds per game.

Albany guard Sebastian Thomas is another bucket-getter, averaging 19.2 points per game along with 4.3 rebounds and 5 assists with nearly a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio. 

A defensive standout to keep an eye on is Max Brooks of U Mass Lowell, who averages 2.2 blocks per game to go along with his 7.5 rebounds. He’s also shooting 63% from the field this year. 

Betting Pick to Win The America East Conference Tournament

If you’re looking for who should win this tournament, it’s definitely Vermont. They’re the oddsmakers’ favorite for a reason. As I mentioned, I’ve got them power-rated 4.5 points higher than the next best team, U Mass Lowell. I couldn’t justify laying -290 on them, though, so if you’re looking to invest in this conference, I think U Mass Lowell at +370 is a way better value play. 

T Shoe Index Power Ratings for the America East Conference

Pick: U Mass Lowell (+370)

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