The Starting 5, presented by Town & Country Federal Credit Union, breaks down a busy week across Maine basketball with storylines at every level of the game.

We start with Saint Joseph’s men’s basketball, as the Monks deliver a dominant second-half performance to close out the holiday tournament and freshman Davis Mann continues his standout season with yet another GNAC Rookie of the Week honor.

From there, I highlight conference recognition for Maine-connected players, as Princeton freshman Landon Clark earns Ivy League Rookie of the Week honors and Saint Anselm’s sophomore Will Davies is named Northeast-10 Player of the Week after a career performance in a ranked win.

Conference play is officially underway in Orono, and we break down opening games for both UMaine programs, touching on defensive growth, late-game moments, and the search for consistency as America East play begins.

The Maine Celtics provide the drama at the Portland Expo, erasing a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to earn an overtime win, with former UMaine Black Bear Chris Mantis returning to Maine in a Capital City Go-Go uniform.

I wrap things up with NESCAC updates, including Bowdoin’s first loss of the season, Colby women battling back toward the national picture, and Bates men responding with statement wins as conference play approaches.

Plus, an interview with Brady King closes out the episode as we take a deep look into Maine high school basketball here in Southern Maine.