Bryant picked second, Pride and Timberlake named to preseason team
BOSTON -- The Bryant University men's basketball team has been picked to finish second in the America East Preseason Coaches Poll announced as part of America East Virtual Media Day on Thursday. Senior guard Charles Pride and junior guard Earl Timberlake were additionally named to the preseason all-conference team.
Bryant received two of a possible nine first-place votes, coming in second behind defending champion Vermont. The Catamounts received the other seven first-place votes. UMass Lowell, Binghamton, UMBC, UAlbany, New Hampshire, NJIT and Maine round out the poll.
Pride and Timberlake occupy two of the six spots on the preseason all-conference team. They are joined by the Vermont duo of Dylan Penn and Finn Sullivan, UML guard Max Brooks and Binghamton guard Jacob Falko.
This season will mark the Bulldogs' first season in the America East. The Black and Gold won a Division I program record 22 games last season, claiming Northeast Conference Regular Season and Tournament titles. Bryant competed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time at the Division I level, falling in the First Four. The Bulldogs have been one of the top mid-major programs in the Northeast since Jared Grasso took over in 2017-18, winning 62 games in that span. Bryant has won 15+ games in each of the last three seasons and is 24-2 at home over the last two years.
Pride was a key part of Bryant's championship run last season, producing one of the best all-around seasons in program history. He averaged 17.7 ppg and led all NCAA guards with 8.6 rpg, becoming just the third player in DI program history to reach 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in a career. Pride posted 10 double-doubles and 11 20-point games on the season.
Timberlake is one of nine newcomers on this year's roster, joining the Bulldogs as a transfer from Memphis. A native of Washington, D.C., Timberlake attended DeMatha Catholic before making stops at Miami (Fla.) and Memphis before making his way to Smithfield. Timberlake averaged 9.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 2.5 apg at Miami and 4.7 ppg and 3.4 rpg at Memphis.
America East Preseason Coaches Poll
No. School Points (1st Place Votes)
1. Vermont 63 (7)
2. Bryant 58 (2)
3. UMass Lowell 47
4. Binghamton 42
5. UMBC 40
6. UAlbany 25
7. New Hampshire 23
8. NJIT 14
9. Maine 12
2022-23 America East Men's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team
Name School Yr. Pos.
Max Brooks UMass Lowell Jr. Forward
Jacob Falko Binghamton Sr. Guard
Dylan Penn Vermont Gr. Guard
Charles Pride Bryant Jr. Guard
Finn Sullivan Vermont Gr. Guard
Earl Timberlake Bryant Jr. Guard