Vermont 92 Binghamton 82 OT
Vermont survived to complete a 15-1 America East regular season. The Cats did not play particularly well but there was a reason for that. This was a terribly officiated game. I am talking about a game where there was literally a foul every other possession. There were 65(33 BU, 32 UVM) total fouls in this game. Neither team was allowed to play any semblance of defense because anytime anyone was close to an opposing player, a foul was called. It was bad both ways and most of the time all you ask for is consistency. In this case it did not make a difference. This was a free throw shooting contest and no one pays money to see a free throw shooting contest. The teams shot a combined 76-95(40-49 BU, 36-46 UVM) from the line. Officiating like what took place in this game infuriates me and is inexcusable. It only happens with officials who think that they above the game. They try to impose their will on the game instead of letting teams play. Officials are there to respond to the game and keep it from getting out of hand. They are not there to dictate the style of play. Binghamton played their hearts out and out muscled Vermont for the entire game. The officials fouled out 5 Binghamton players, including Jordan Reed, forcing them to play with a very small lineup. Reed was phenomenal in this game, getting to the rim at will and knocking down his free throws. He was flying all over the court, getting steals and rebounds while dominating the game all by himself. He fouled out on a ticky tack call 25 feet from the basket in overtime. That is inexcusable for an official to make a call like that. Once Reed fouled out Binghamton was finished as he was their whole offense and they were forced to play the end of their bench. It was sad to see their game end that way. Due to the constant whistle blowing there was absolutely no offensive flow and neither team could get a stop because every other trip down the floor resulted in free throws. There is no reason for an officiating crew to call a game the way it was called today. Let them play.
Now that I have vented I will talk about what Vermont did to win the game. As ugly as this game was, there is some value to gutting out a win. Vermont has been in almost no close game in conference and has also not had to play from behind very often. Playing in both of those situations today and pulling out the win are important. Playing in a game where as a team you need to overcome obstacles that are out of your control (i.e. terrible officiating) has great value as well. When entering the postseason it is crucial to have experience playing several different types of games and coming out on top. Vermont was able to make plays when it counted (except for a terrible final possession in regulation). Steidl, Carissimo, and Rusin all made big threes when the Cats needed a bucket. Rugg and Voelkel both made tough shots and were a combined 28-31 from the line. Voelkel's 15 points were crucial as every bucket counted in this one and his scoring was much needed for once. Clancy Rugg's free throw shooting has been a thing of beauty over the last few games. After going 19-21 in this game, Rugg is 45-49 over his last 5 games. That is amazing production. With those free throws, Rugg has now made the sixth most free throws (176) in a single season in UVM history. Also a shout out goes to Hector Harold who was 3-3 from behind the arc in this game, showing that he has officially broken out of his shooting slump. Also Josh Elbaum played extremely well today with 4 points and 5 assists in what was one of the best games I have ever seem him play. Voelkel is also now only 10 assists away from breaking his own single season record. That is enough about the individual accomplishments. What matters now is taking care of business in the tournament. I will post a preview mid week but I would like to say that I am glad the America East is moving to a campus sites format. Vermont clinches the number one seed, dominates the regular season like no one else has .........and is rewarded with a possible true road game in the semifinals. That to me is just ridiculous. Stony Brook knows exactly how difficult it is to beat Albany at their place. Vermont has had the same experience and it certainly gives them the toughest road to the championship. But Vermont has to win three games regardless of the opponent. Now it is time to go out and execute.
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