Anyone who attends a game in which UMBC head coach Randy Monroe has ever participated has no doubt been affected by his intensity, probably drawing unwarranted conclusions.

The man who leads the Retrievers could be seen this past weekend at the America East tournament pacing the sidelines. The origin of that fire came from his early days, long before he became a coach.

“I coach the way that I played,” Monroe said. “I’m an intense guy, very serious, very into what I’m doing. And I love it, and I love it so much that sometimes people will say that ‘this guy’s a maniac.’ But those people have no idea of what it takes to get to know your players, help make your players into good people. There’s a lot that goes into it.”

Although he has at times lost his cool, Monroe explained that the reputation he has gotten over the years is not one that is completely befitting of his personality.

“Most people look at what you do on the sideline for two hours, and all of a sudden they have this picture painted of you that you’re some kind of monster, which is really not the case,” he said. “Sometimes perception is the root of all evil. But that’s certainly my persona as a coach, and my M.O. so to speak. Sometimes I just want to get our guys to play with that fire and passion that you need to compete at a very high level.”

Among the players that Monroe has helped compete at a high level are his current seniors Darryl Proctor and Jay Greene.

The pair are used to their names being right on the tips of many people’s tongues. Proctor was a top scorer and rebounder in the AE this season, while Greene topped the assists category and is one of the most exciting players in the conference to watch. However, Monroe pointed out that it wasn’t just those players that made UMBC a winning team. He was quick to praise another player, sophomore Rich Flemming.

“He may not put up huge numbers,” Monroe said. “He’s not there yet, but as long as he is doing those little things to help us, we’re well off to being a pretty good team.”

Reacting to a question regarding the tough players that Binghamton University puts on the court each game, including juniors D.J. Rivera, Tiki Mayben and Malik Alvin and senior Reggie Fuller, Coach Monroe acknowledged that it is never an easy task to play against the Bearcats.

“Without question, that’s a very tough team to beat,” he said. “That’s why they’re at the top of the league right now. They have balance, and Mayben and Rivera, they can score, and they always find ways to score, and that is what makes them so effective.”

This game will mark the third time that the two teams have played this season. With a win apiece, this will be the rubber match between the two squads. And although Binghamton has won its last 10 games, Monroe said that his team will not simply lay down and let the Bearcats run away with the AE title.

“Binghamton certainly has to beat us in order to get the championship, no question about that,” he said.

And although the championship game can only have two teams playing in it, Monroe was quick to point out that at no point this season has any game against any conference team been a cakewalk.

“In our league, every game was a dogfight,” Monroe said. “You couldn’t look at any game, and say ‘Oh, this will be an easy game.’ That never happened.”

In terms of repeating as America East Champions, Monroe pointed out that it would mean so much more than simply winning another accolade.

“It would be great for not only our basketball program,” he said. “But for the city of Baltimore and the state of Maryland. I think it would be great in terms of the recognition that we receive, not only from a basketball standpoint, but from a university standpoint. Knowing that we have a very great reputation both academically and athletically.”

In talking about Rivera, Monroe’s tone switched from one of a grizzled coach to one of sincere praise.

“He’s a Philly guy and I’m a Philly guy. Actually, we both played in the Philadelphia Catholic League,” Monroe said. “He’s just a terrific talent. He knows how to play and is just relentless. I think that D.J. and Darryl Proctor are similar in that there’s no clear-cut finesse about them. They just come straight at you, and that’s what I like about D.J. He’s a very good player.”

Monroe then went on to address the recent story regarding Rivera’s not being included on the America East first team.

“I know there’s a lot of things going on with him in terms of why and how he didn’t get first team All-Conference, but there’s no question that he is a first-team, All-League player,” Monroe said. “He’s definitely a top player in the league. I don’t see why he and Proctor couldn’t share that award together, and there is also no question that he is certainly a serious Player of the Year candidate.”

According to several players and coaches, Binghamton’s Events Center is a gem among the arenas of all the teams in the conference. Monroe offered his thoughts on the building, focusing not on its aesthetics, but rather its ambiance.

“I think that the atmosphere is going to be just spectacular,” he said. “I always enjoy coming to Binghamton and playing at the Events Center. I think it’s a terrific place to play. The atmosphere is euphoric, the fans are always into the game, especially the student body. I expect the place to be rocking. And that’s what it’s all about, and that’s what college basketball should be all about, being able to play in that kind of setting.”