Laine Kurpniece: Laine was named second team all-conference last year and first team all-conference in the preseason poll this year. She is one of the most dominating inside players in the America East as few teams have anyone to match up against her. The Riga, Latvia, native led the Bearcats in scoring and rebounding last season and was named America East Player of the Week three times. Her dominating inside game is the closest thing Binghamton has to Shaquille O’Neal (but she can hit free throws).

Quote: “It’s hard to say, I need to go and see what the offense will let me do, and hopefully my game can go even farther this season.” — On her role in the team’s offense

Laura Franceski: “The Franchise” impressed everyone during her freshman season, and she could be the key to the Bearcats’ interior defense. She swatted six blocks, scored nine points and added seven rebounds in a game against New Hampshire last season, showing how dominating a force she can be. With a developing outside shot, Franceski could become one of the most complete players on the team.

Quote: “I hope to just bring more energy and some intensity, and hope to build my strength and my outside shot so I can become an inside-outside threat.” — On her role on the team

Brianna Thompson: It’s been an injury-plagued couple of seasons for Thompson, but now being 100 percent healthy, she can become a surprise threat for the team. Thompson typically plays the power forward spot, but saw some time at the wing position in the preseason and responded extremely well. Look for her to emerge as one of the vocal leaders on the team as well. Having Thompson in the rotation provides Conover with another inside and outside threat.

Quote: “Nobody can be Jen Haubrich — she was pretty unique, but I think we have different leaders who can step up and lead in different ways.” – On replacing graduated senior and vocal team leader Jen Haubrich

Laura Sario: Sario has quietly emerged as one of the main go-to players on this team. The junior from Espoo, Finland spent the offseason competing for Finland in the European Championships and could be an America East sleeper. Sario is one of the best shooters on the team and should fill the perimeter void left by the graduated Jen Blues. In 10 starts last season while Rachel Laws was hurt, Sario showed her mettle and proved to be one of the grittiest players on the roster.

Quote: “I think this year we are really close as a team and that will really help us in the games too. We still have the talent, we have stuff to work on, but I feel we’ll get there.” — On how this team can improve on last season

Rebecka Lindgren: Lindgren, one of two seniors on the team, should be a key cog in the offensive flow of the game. Whether spelling Shea Kenny at the point or playing the shooting guard position, Lindgren should make an impact whenever she is on the floor. She is an extremely intelligent player and a great ball handler who has a knack for making big shots and finding the open player.

Quote: “That’s a huge thing for us, we always play very well at home. We love the crowd and we love to play in front of the people that always come.” — On hosting the America East tournament

Shea Kenny: Easily the most important player on the team. Kenny is a floor general and one of the most fluid passers in the conference; she’s lightning-quick and easily breaks down defenses. Also one of the most accurate perimeter shooters on the team, Kenny possesses that Jason Kidd-like ability to make every player around her better. If she emerges as the leader she should be, the team will be OK.

Quote: “I don’t think it’s something you can prepare yourself for. Mentally I know I need to be more vocal, but on top of that I just need to lead by example and make people go out there and want to work hard.” — On being a team leader

Darryll Peterson: Peterson is an extremely versatile freshman who comes as one of the most talented high school players in Baltimore. She has a sweet shot and looks extremely quick getting to the basket as well. As someone who can play all over the court, Peterson adds yet another dimension to Rich Conover’s attack, and should see significant time as a freshman.

Quote: “I’m just hoping to be a good team player and contribute and provide an outside game.” — On her role with the team

Juta Jahilo: Juta is a bruising, punishing rebounder and talented post player who should compete for a starting job up front. She rarely has been asked to be a scorer, as her strength is her defensive prowess and her ability to grab rebounds and kick-start the game on both ends of the floor. The native of Helsinki, Finland, is one of the best bench players in the conference and provides an instant spark whenever she comes in.

Quote: “The post game is going to look different because we have bigger post players this year. It’s going to look more powerful.” — On the team’s new look post game

Erica Carter: Carter was a deadly shooting guard on a Naperville High School team that won the Illinois state title twice with Carter in the back court. She is a tremendous athlete with great speed and a great outside shot. She was a high school teammate of Tennessee Volunteer and former high school slam-dunk champion Candace Parker, and with her winning history and outside skills, she could make an immediate impact.

Quote: “We’re all great freshmen and I think we can contribute right away.” — On coming in as freshman trying to replace the three departed seniors

Lauren Regan: Regan spent last season as a medical red shirt, so Bearcat fans couldn’t really get a feel for what she adds to the game. She is an outstanding outside shooter and brings great size for a guard. She scored over 1,000 points in high school in Patchogue, N.Y., and could be a valuable role player this season for the Bearcats.

Quote: “Hopefully I can add a little bit, shoot the ball and just go out there and help the rest of the team. ” — On her role with the team

Muffy Sadler: Muffy, a freshman from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, should see significant time backing up Shea Kenny at point guard. She has already looked very solid in exhibition play and brings with her an extremely impressive high school resume. She possesses a great knowledge of the game, and left high school as her school’s all time assist leader. She could also see time at the two-guard position.

Quote: “I can be a leader on the floor as a point guard because I’m supposed to know what everyone needs to do and be a leader at the same time.” — On her role as a point guard

Erin Owens: In limited playing time last season Owens showed the potential she has to become a solid interior post player. She has soft hands and good maneuverability around the basket. Owens could be a valuable rotation player adding a quick influx of size and post play to any game. In high school she was a Street and Smith America nomination, and is her school’s all time scoring leader.

Quote: “It’s great that it’s here because we definitely have the best facility of all the teams in the America East — just the energy level for the games is going to be great.” — On hosting the America East Championship

Rich Conover: Conover, the 2004 America East Coach of the Year, has guided this team for the past four seasons and has transformed the team from a transitioning D-I squad into a top tier team in a highly respected conference. Last season Conover led his squad into the conference semifinals for the first time since joining the conference in 2001. He has a daunting task ahead of him this season, trying to replace 3,000 points and one of the best senior classes in team history, but if the past is any indication, Conover should be just fine.

Quote: “The America East is one of the best mid-major conferences in the country. I think that will be the same this year. We need to protect our home court, go on the road and steal some wins and get a good seed for the conference tournament.” — On the competitiveness of the America East