LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has rolled out its men's basketball Skye Division preview for the 2023-24 season. The Skye Division consists of nine teams, with each program squaring off against one another twice in conference play.
Six of those teams will earn bids to the postseason which begins on Saturday, February 17, 2024 with the Divisional First Round. Winners of that round will then square off in the Divisional Semifinals on Monday, February 19, 2024. The Divisional Final will then take place on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
The Skye Division Champion will then square off against the Volt Division Champion in a culminating Championship on Saturday, February 24, 2024. The winner of that match will be crowned United East Champion and earn the conference's automatic qualifier into the Division III NCAA Championship.
Saint Elizabeth University
James Adams enters his third season as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Saint Elizabeth University in 2023-24. The Eagles qualified for the CSAC conference tournament last season with one of the youngest rosters in the league in which six freshmen averaged at least 10 minutes per game during that season. However, the Eagles have a strong veteran presence with senior forward Pierre Harden (2022 and 2023 CSAC Defensive Player of the Year, 18 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.5 bpg), senior center D’Angelo Blackmond (16 ppg, 10 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 2020 Rookie of the Year), and junior guard Jonathan Ramos (8 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg, 43 career starts in 2 seasons). The Eagles open their season with rival Drew University on November 8th and have a game on ESPN 3 when they take on Central Connecticut State on December 30th.
Coach’s Outlook: “I think that we're right on schedule with how we wanted to build this program. We have seen the fruits of our labor in the development department as each of our returners has gotten significantly better. With now having so many experienced guys, the chemistry and flow of the team has only increased since the end of last season."
Bryn Athyn College
Coach Sean Westerlund begins his 4th season at Bryn Athyn, 3rd on the bench, looking to continue the upward trend that the Lions have been on over the past couple of years. Though four starters have departed from the 2022-23 season, sophomore guard Will Little (15 ppg, 5 rpg, 50% FG%), senior guard Derreck Orr Jr. (7.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg), and junior guard Jalen Cary (4.5 ppg, 2 rpg, 45% 3FG%) provide leadership on the court. Bryn Athyn opens up the non-conference schedule at Rutgers-Camden before hosting Washington College for the home opener. A holiday trip to Randolph-Macon, fresh off of their 2022-23 Sweet Sixteen appearance, has matchups with the host and either North Carolina Wesleyan or Penn State Harrisburg on the schedule as well.
Coach’s Outlook: “We have almost an entirely new group coming in after losing four starters which included two all-league players and two all time leaders in our program's history. We are coming off the best record in program history, but our returners and new guys are not satisfied and want to continue to hunt excellence. We believe we brought in some really talented transfers who will compliment our returners. The challenge and the goal will be getting all the new talent to come together with our returners to play Bryn Athyn basketball. We believe we will be in the hunt to continue the upward trend our program has been on the last two seasons.”
University of Valley Forge
Dominique Boone begins his first season at the helm of the Valley Forge men’s basketball program in 2023-24. He’ll have a trio of veterans ready to set the standard moving forward led by senior guard Jason Bontempts (10 ppg), sophomore forward Isaiah Reece (9 ppg, 5 rpg), and senior forward Aaron Boone (4 ppg, 5 rpg). The Patriots have non-conference matchups with Immaculata, Pratt, and Neumann in addition to the United East schedule.
Coach’s Outlook: “The University of Valley Forge Men's Basketball Team will look to establish a championship culture in its first year. We have a roster of tough and scrappy players ready to raise the standard of UVF Basketball.”
Keystone College
Andrew Kettel begins his first season at the helm of Keystone College in 2023-24 after a finals appearance last season. Though key pieces are gone from that team, junior guard Jack Anderson (19.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4 apg, 49% FG%, 42% 3PT%) returns after a season in which he was named CSAC Player of the Year and picked up Second Team honors from the NABC and d3hoops.com. Senior forward Marcus Bauman (4.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and junior forward Redio Risell provide veteran leadership to a young team. The Giants have Division I contests against Binghamton University on November 12th and James Madison on December 3rd.
Coach’s Outlook: “Being a young team with a new coach, I expect us to continue to get better throughout the season as we get more comfortable with each other. Our team has a competitive desire that will serve us well as we move forward.”
Clarks Summit University
Head Coach Brian Deschaine begins his 5th season in charge of the Clarks Summit University men’s basketball team. Though the 2022-23 season was challenging, the Defenders have an experienced veteran base led by junior guard Ashton West (19 ppg, all conference honorable mention), junior forward Hunter Plantz (10 ppg, 6 rpg), and senior guard Kelvin Chest (11 ppg, 40% 3 PT FG %). Clarks Summit opens the non-conference portion of the schedule with matchups against Marywood, King’s, and Wilkes before settling in for the United East campaign.
Coach’s Outlook: “We look forward to participating in a very competitive United East Skye division. Our focus is to bring honor to our God through our level of play and effort.”
Notre Dame of Maryland University
The Notre Dame of Maryland Men's Basketball team is entering its inaugural season of competition this winter under the leadership of head coach TJ Jordan. Jordan joins the Gators after serving as the head varsity boys basketball coach at the McDonogh School in Owings Mills for the last five seasons. He has built a roster made of a mix of seven freshmen and eight transfers.
Coach’s Outlook: “I am excited about our first season. The team comes every day ready to work and get better. They are a great group of young men that are becoming a cohesive group. The bond and trust has been something that we wanted to focus on first. I feel that we have begun to lay a great foundation.”
Wilson College
After back-to-back CSAC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances, the Wilson Phoenix are poised to continue successes in Head Coach Mark Seidenburg’s 3rd season at the helm. The veteran-laden team is led by senior forward Darryl Garib (18 ppg, 8 rpg, 31 min/g, 2x all-conference), senior guard Gary Robertson (12.5 ppg, 3 rpg, 6 apg, 36 min/g), and senior guard Jordan Miles (3 year starter, 3 year team captain). A strong non-conference schedule seeds the Phoenix going up against defending National Champion Christopher Newport University at home, Eastern University, and University of Mary Washington on top of United East Skye Division play.
Coach’s Outlook: “The Phoenix eagerly await the 2023-2024 basketball season. An exciting slate of non-conference games and a return to conference action and the anticipation that comes with the season starting have made early season practices energetic and fun. We are encouraged to have the leadership of seven returning players back with championship experience. With excitement we welcome our eight new recruits, six of which are transfers, to our Wilson College family. The Phoenix look forward to chasing a third straight conference championship.”
Rosemont College
Roberrt Hughes begins his 12th season in charge of Rosemont College Men’s Basketball and, despite losing some key players to graduation, look to keep up their winning ways in 2023-24. Junior guard Mike Herrin (11.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg), sophomore guard Denelle Holly (6.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), and senior guard Fatayn Wesley (5.2 ppg, 3 apg) provide experience and presence for the Ravens. Rosemont opens with a non-conference matchup against DeSales before facing defending national champion Christopher Newport on January 13, 2024 on top of the challenging United East schedule.
Coach’s Outlook: “We look forward to growing as a team this year and competing in the new United East Conference.”
Cairn University
After a regular season championship in 2022-23 the Cairn Highlanders are looking to maintain their postseason expectations this coming season in Head Coach Jason O’Connell’s 9th season at the helm. A talented group of seniors will lead the charge with guard Derian Bradford (14 ppg, 6 rpg, 51% FG%) following up on a First Team All-Conference season last year. Senior forward Owen Bradford (6 ppg, 4 rpg, 60% FG%) and senior guard Josh Forker (5 ppg) add leadership and veteran presence to the squad. A non-conference schedule is highlighted by two Division I exhibition games at Maryland Eastern Shore (November 11) and Lehigh (December 9) in addition to games versus United East partners Penn State Abington and Lancaster Bible College.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are ready to compete and grow together as a family. Our team has a good balance of returners who are ready to establish their legacy and new guys who are eager to make their mark. I am excited to see our players maximize their abilities and I have high expectations for this season.”
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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.