Men’s basketball preview: Bearcats look for offensive boost

Binghamton men’s basketball has built a reputation for stout defense and team rebounding during the Levell Sanders era. The Bearcats have increased their win total in three straight seasons and have reached the America East semifinals in two of those campaigns. Last season’s squad ranked first in the conference in rebound margin and third in points allowed.

With that strong foundation, Sanders and his staff have pinpointed the offense, particularly 3-point and free throw shooting, as areas of emphasis heading into 2024-25. Binghamton ranked last in both categories last winter. Those points left behind played a role in four single-digit conference defeats that wound up being the difference between the team’s 7-9 record and a top-3 finish.

With the departure of polished veterans Armond Harried and Symir Torrence, the mantel of team leader has been passed to graduate guard Tymu Chenery, who enters his final collegiate season in 2024-25. Chenery averaged a team-high 14.9 points and logged 31 minutes a game last season. He ranked among the America East top-10 in scoring, blocks, field goal percentage and free throw percentage. He enters his final campaign with 1,044 career points.

“Tymu has worked hard to get to this position as the No. 1 option on the team,” Sanders said. “He needs to be really good offensively and defensively every night and needs to help make his teammates better for us to get where we want to be. I expect him to have a big year.”

The backcourt

Torrence gave Sanders a coveted pass-first point guard to run Binghamton’s offense in 2023-24 and he responded by ranking fifth in the nation in assists with a program-record 7.2 per game. That vacancy was filled by sophomore transfer Jayden Lemond, who began his collegiate career in a back-up role at William & Mary last season. Lemond was a top-35 national recruit coming out of high school and Sanders points to his big upside.

“Jayden is a talented young point guard who makes some unbelievable plays,” Sanders said. “He’s still learning but he has good size and athleticism and as a pass-first player, reminds me a little of Symir.”

Junior Masud Stewart has played 25 games in his first two collegiate seasons and remains an option off the bench. He’s a physical defender and as a third-year Bearcat, is the program’s most veteran player.

Sophomore Evan Ashe has emerged as a confident shooting guard and could be poised for a breakout season. He played in 16 games as a freshman, averaging 14 minutes a game, and showed his promise with a 15-point performance at Pitt. He is a slasher and rebounder and has an aerial game that will excite Events Center fans. Ashe could also see time at point guard.

“Evan has had a tremendous summer and fall preseason,” Sanders said. “His confidence is high, he can get to the rim, rebound and play both sides of the ball. He could be our x-factor this season.”

Senior guard Chris Walker returns for his second season as a Bearcat and his increased impact will help determine the team’s success. Walker played 17 minutes a game last season and put up the third-most 3-point attempts behind graduated sharpshooter Dan Petcash and Chenery. He showed his flash with five 3s and 19 points in a win over Marist and also hit for 17 points against New Hampshire. Sanders likes Walker’s size and versatility on the floor.

“Chris can play all over the court,” Sanders said. “He’s an excellent athlete and 3-point shooter who had a good summer. If he can show his shooting form for us, he will make a good impact this season.”

Three newcomers — senior Wes Peterson Jr., graduate Jackson Benigni and sophomore Dominic Capriotti are expected to contribute once each returns to form after missing time.

Peterson played three seasons at Delaware and is a team-first, superior athlete who can play the two, three or four spots on the floor. He shot 48% in 24 games off the bench for the Hens last season and was a member of their 2022 NCAA tournament team.

“Wes can defend, shoot it, drive and get out in transition,” Sanders said. “The more comfortable and confident he gets, he could surprise people and have a really good year.”

The Bearcats saw Benigni up close when they faced his Stonehill team last season. He averaged 11.3 points on 40% shooting for the season and scored a dozen against the Bearcats. An injury has slowed Benigni’s transition to Binghamton but he could be a key spark from the perimeter closer to the start of conference play.

Capriotti is another sharpshooter whose contributions have been slowed by injury. He was the Southland Conference Freshman of the Year for Houston Christian last winter after shooting 39% from beyond the arc.

Second-year guard Max Sims brings another good frame and shooter to the backcourt, while senior Robby Phillips sets the tone with his work ethic and team-first focus.

The frontcourt

Senior Nehemiah Benson and sophomore Gavin Walsh are back to occupy important roles after each shined during his inaugural Binghamton season.

Benson averaged 10.4 points on 61% efficiency in the post (third in AE). He netted a season-high 21 points against Bryant and hit for double figures 16 times. Benson, a co-captain, put in the work over the summer to improve his conditioning and outside shot and Sanders will lean on him for interior scoring, rebounding and leadership.

“Nehemiah is our 1A option after Tymu,” he said. “We will look for him to score inside and stay patient and make the right decision when the double-team comes. He can shoot a high percentage and we will rely on him to be one of our leaders.”

Walsh earned America East All-Rookie honors after a strong opening season. He played 17 minutes a game and stepped up his production in late season, averaging 10 points and just under eight rebounds over the final six regular-season games. Walsh displayed a relentless work ethic and handles the ball well for a post player of his size.

“Gavin had an excellent summer and has improved his shooting numbers from the 3-point and free throw lines,” Sanders said. “We are expecting a big sophomore year from him.”

Graduate transfer Ben Callahan-Gold is perhaps the best equipped to boost Binghamton’s 3-point production. A 6-foot-8 forward from Trinity College (Conn.), Callahan-Gold led the Bantoms to a 30-2 mark and a trip to the NCAA Division III semifinals last season. He scored 1,074 points in three seasons at Trinity after beginning his collegiate career at Tulane. Callahan-Gold is a career 37% shooter from beyond the arc and Sanders hopes his shooting and veteran leadership gives the Bearcats a boost.

“We brought in Ben to be a sniper,” Sanders said. “He’s a really good shooter and when he gets hot, that can give us that outside threat we need.”

Redshirt freshman Stephan Snagg brings another high-energy, athletic option to the post, though his impact will be delayed due to an offseason injury. Snagg is a lean, vertical forward who can block shots, rebound and finish around the rim. The team is hopeful he can begin to contribute by conference play.

The schedule

The 2024-25 schedule is road-heavy with eight of the team’s first 11 games away from home. Challenging matchups at Penn State (Nov. 4), University of Miami (Nov. 10) and Fordham (Nov. 12) plus a home game against NCAA tournament team Longwood (Nov. 19) will push the Bearcats early. Five straight road games close out the tough stretch, which includes three-games-in-three-days at the Lafayette Tournament.

The 16-game America East schedule begins in January and the two-month conference grind closes the first week in March. On the list of team goals will be a top 4 America East finish, which would bring a home playoff game to the Events Center for the first time in 16 years.

The top-tier in the conference again features Vermont, UMass Lowell and Bryant, but many of the games between the remaining six teams are won by narrow margins.

“It’s the little things in conference play,” Sanders said. “Not turning the ball over and not giving up easy baskets. If you don’t do those things well, it adds up to something big and you lose. We are focused on limiting turnovers and executing on our possessions.”

The Bearcats have a good rotation of skilled guys who can spread the floor, play up-tempo and continue the team’s hallmark defensive prowess. If the shooting accuracy improves and the turnovers are trimmed, Binghamton has a chance to move up in the standings.

“We have missed out on hosting a quarterfinal by only one to two games these last few years,” Sanders said. “We keep improving our win total and want a winning season. We would love to win a championship — that’s what everyone plays for. We have to go out and take the steps to be successful.”