What a difference a year makes.

After ending the 2005 year with a whopping 34-point loss at Utah State, the Bearcats stood at 3-9 with a tough conference schedule awaiting them.

Then came a new year and with it a brand-new basketball team. Gone are the costly turnovers and bad shot selection by the Bearcats. Instead, turnovers are down, defense is tight and players are hitting the timely basket.

“I think we’re really starting to come around,” said head coach Al Walker in a press release after BU’s first ever win at Boston University. “We understand that we can be good if we defend, rebound and take care of the ball.”

Good? Binghamton has been nothing short of spectacular in their five-game winning streak. Healthy Ian Milne has rescued what was a weak offensive frontcourt by capturing AE Rookie of the Week honors for his outstanding 21-point, 10-rebound performance against New Hampshire. Senior Andre Heard has recently added AE Player of the Week honors to his prolific Binghamton career for his back-to-back 20-point performances against Maine and Boston.

“Andre played the best [back-to-back] games of anyone in my six years coaching here,” Walker said. “He especially played very well against one of the best defensive teams in the nation [Boston].”

However, despite all the accolades and praise Heard and Milne receive, it’s the whole team that has contributed to this winning streak.

Whether it’s Troy Hailey deflecting the ball to point guard Mike Gordon for the game-winning layup against Hartford or reserve Giovanni Olomo pulling in 10 rebounds in the absence of Jordan Fithian against New Hampshire, the Bearcats are playing as a collective unit.

“We’re depending on each other and relying on each other to be there,” said senior forward Sebastian Hermenier after BU’s fifth straight win. “Early in the year, it seemed like we were sort of by ourselves. Now, we play as a team.”

During the winter break we learned two things: one, Binghamton definitely has enough talent on this team to be in the hunt for the AE championship; two, its fiercest competitors are going to be Vermont and Albany. Superstar Jamar Wilson and the Great Danes have already handed Binghamton its only conference loss while the Catamounts are patiently waiting for their first crack at the Bearcats tomorrow.

“We have earned four very hard road victories in the conference,” Walker said. “We’re really looking forward to coming home and playing Vermont.”

Bearcat fans are also looking forward to seeing their improved basketball team. Tomorrow could mark the first time March Madness hits the Events Center in January.