BOSTON – The Vermont men's basketball team has been selected as the league favorite in the 2025-26 America East Preseason Poll. The Catamounts received seven first-place votes and scored 63 points in the poll. America East also announced its Preseason All-Conference Team, which featured UVM guards TJ Hurley and TJ Long.   
 
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Voting was conducted by the league's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own team. Maine and UAlbany were picked tied for second in the poll, Maine received a first-place vote and a score of 47 points and UAlbany received 47 points. UMass Lowell (39 pts and one first-place vote) and Binghamton (35 pts) rounded out the league's top five.
 
The Catamounts enter the 2025-26 campaign as preseason favorite for the ninth time in the last ten seasons. Vermont has been selected first in the preseason poll 11 times in 15 seasons under Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker.
 
Hurley receives a Preseason All-Conference honor after earning America East All-Conference First Team. The Pelham, Ontario native averaged 15.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and shooting 38% from 3PT last season.
 
Long receives a Preseason All-Conference honor after landing on the America East All-Championship Team and All-Conference Third Team in 2024. He led the America East in 3-point percentage (37.5%), while averaging 11.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per conference game in the 2023-24 season.
 

2025-26 Men's #AEHoops Preseason Poll
1. Vermont                     63 (7)
T2. Maine                       47 (1)
T2. UAlbany                   47
4. UMass Lowell            39 (1)
5. Binghamton               37
6. Bryant                        35
7. UMBC                        31
8. NJIT                           13
9. New Hampshire        12
 
2025-26 Men's #AEHoops Preseason All-Conference Team
Quincy Allen                 G              Sr.            Bryant
TJ Hurley                      G             Sr.            Vermont
Demetrius Lilley            C             Sr.            Binghamton
Amir Lindsey                 G             So.          UAlbany
TJ Long                         G             Gr.           Vermont
Josh Odunowo              F              Gr.           UMBC
 
UVM opens the 2025-26 regular season on Nov. 3 when they host Western New England at 7 p.m. ET. Prior to the regular season, the Cats will host exhibitions against Saint Michael's and Saint Anselm on Oct. 25 and Oct. 29.
 
For more news about the Vermont men's basketball program, follow @UVMmbb on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com.