From domination to dominated. Start to finish Quinnipiac out muscled, out hustled, and flat out out worked Vermont. As mentioned in my last post, this was a strength versus weakness game and Quinnipiac's strength won big time. Vermont looked small and timid for much of the game. The first half set the tone with Quinnipiac grabbing every rebound and Vermont getting nothing going to the basket. Vermont had 6 rebounds at the half. I don't think I have ever seen a number that low. Quinnipiac is currently the best rebounding team in the nation and they played like it. It also marked the first time this season a guard was able to blow by Vermont's perimeter defense at will. This led to Quinnipiac's post players being comically wide open for much of the game. Vermont played better for stretches in the second half but each time they had a chance to cut the deficit to single digits they made a crucial mistake. Vermont definitely showed their youth in this game and the thin frontcourt was exposed for the first time. Ethan O'Day is a very good player but his lack of rebounding ability continues to be puzzling. He is going o have to find a way to get tough down low. Time to regroup and prepare for a very difficult conference opener against a Hartford team that just beat this same Quinnipiac team 54-50. As for some positive moments from this game in a season of progress, there were a few. Vermont only committed 6 turnovers and passed the ball with more efficiency. This was partially due to Cam Ward playing his best game. Ward looked confident with the ball in his hands and made good decisions. He is a very crafty scorer and has unlimited range behind the three point arc. Lost thus far in the season behind Duncan's back uncertainty and Bell-Haynes' emergence, Ward plays the game with a great calm and reminds me a bit of Sandro Carissimo. Ryan Pierson looked more effective and actually led the team in both shots (10) and scoring (14). That is not exactly a recipe for success but he has to show he can make positive contributions on the court. On the injury front, Brendan Kilpatrick took a hard foul and crashed to the floor. He left the game and did not return. That is not a good sign for someone who can't seem to get rid of the injury bug. Ernie Duncan did not play and there are whispers of a possible redshirt. To me that seems like the most intelligent move if it is still an option. He hasn't played a ton but you never know how the NCAA is going to rule on a medical hardship. With Ward getting stronger and a championship run no sure thing, I personally would rather have four healthy years from Duncan. Becker is preaching the "process" and he will have plenty to preach about after this game. I don't mind this loss in the sense that going into the first conference game for a young team, having a chip on their shoulder is a bonus. I am sure part of this loss was feeling a little to good about how well they played against Bryant. It is tough to stay mentally focused and as a player it can be easy to take your foot off the gas and expect everything to bounce your way. Hopefully Becker can use this as motivation for the Hartford game.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Bryant at Vermont 11/26/14
Vermont 73 Bryant 47
From the opening tip Vermont steamrolled Bryant in their most dominating performance of this young season. The intensity was clear from the very beginning as the Cats were diving for every loose ball and getting their hands in every passing lane. The energy was electrifying and they completely overwhelmed Bryant. Vermont imposed their will and knocked Bryant on their heels. The final score doesn't even do the game justice. With nine minutes to go the score was 53-23. If not for a few garbage time threes, Bryant would have struggled to break 40 points. For all of the improvements on offense (which are numerous), it was the defense that set the tone. Dre Wills is a lock-down perimeter defender and is capable of shutting down the opposition's best guard. Dyami Starks led the NEC in scoring last season and dropped 30 on Vermont last year. Wills was in his grill all night and he struggled to get shots off. Prior to garbage time he was in single digits in the scoring column. The team seemed to take Wills lead and played with tremendous intensity. The thought was that this team would take a large step back on the defensive end with the graduation of some very good defenders. After the first five games, I think the defense is going to continue to be a strength for Vermont. The ability to guard the perimeter and get out in transition is a huge advantage. Having Ethan O'Day to protect the rim and alter shots allows the guards to be even more aggressive. On the offensive side of the ball Vermont continues to score with tremendous efficiency. As I stated in my last post, Vermont is able to outscore their opponents in the paint by getting high percentage shots at the rim. This game was no different as Vermont outscored Bryant 38-14 in the paint. As a result the Cats shot 59% from the field. Regression is inevitable but Vermont is currently shooting 53% on the season. That is an impressive number and speaks to the play-making and shot-making ability of this team. Seemingly getting to the rim at will in this young season, Vermont is set up for future offensive success. The maturation and improvement of Wills in the early part of the season is fun to watch. I personally have always liked the way Wills plays. Last year he looked so good in spurts but was too raw and the minutes just weren't there. He also battled injuries and never quite looked 100%. This year he is aggressively getting to the rim and has a tremendous motor. Wills is all out on every play and has a nose for the ball. I said in my season preview that he was the best rebounder on this team and that ability was on display several times during the Bryant game. Wills has tremendous potential and is still scratching the surface of what he can do. A 14 pt, 9rb, 3ast, 4stl, 2 block game will play on any team. He also manged to play great defense while only committing one foul. Here is a link to a piece on Dre Wills from One Bid Wonders. Bookmark that website for all your America East news. They do great work. It was nice to see Brandon Hatton get into the game after missing the early part of the season with a concussion. His offensive game is smooth and as he gets used to the college game and learns the defensive side of the ball, he has the potential to be a great spark off the bench. It was great to see what this team can do when firing on all cylinders and this would be the perfect time to be playing their best basketball. The next game is a very tough road game against Quinnipiac. That will be one of those strength vs. weakness games. Quinnipiac is one of the best rebounding teams in the country and it is a clear area of weakness for Vermont. After that game is a very important early conference home game against Hartford. That game will be a very clear indicator of where this Vermont team fits in the America East hierarchy. The Hartford game is followed by the best home game on the schedule this season as Harvard comes to Patrick Gym on December 6th. That game is followed by two more home games to finish a four game homestand. This is the crucial part of the non-conference schedule and will be a great barometer for the rest of the season.
From the opening tip Vermont steamrolled Bryant in their most dominating performance of this young season. The intensity was clear from the very beginning as the Cats were diving for every loose ball and getting their hands in every passing lane. The energy was electrifying and they completely overwhelmed Bryant. Vermont imposed their will and knocked Bryant on their heels. The final score doesn't even do the game justice. With nine minutes to go the score was 53-23. If not for a few garbage time threes, Bryant would have struggled to break 40 points. For all of the improvements on offense (which are numerous), it was the defense that set the tone. Dre Wills is a lock-down perimeter defender and is capable of shutting down the opposition's best guard. Dyami Starks led the NEC in scoring last season and dropped 30 on Vermont last year. Wills was in his grill all night and he struggled to get shots off. Prior to garbage time he was in single digits in the scoring column. The team seemed to take Wills lead and played with tremendous intensity. The thought was that this team would take a large step back on the defensive end with the graduation of some very good defenders. After the first five games, I think the defense is going to continue to be a strength for Vermont. The ability to guard the perimeter and get out in transition is a huge advantage. Having Ethan O'Day to protect the rim and alter shots allows the guards to be even more aggressive. On the offensive side of the ball Vermont continues to score with tremendous efficiency. As I stated in my last post, Vermont is able to outscore their opponents in the paint by getting high percentage shots at the rim. This game was no different as Vermont outscored Bryant 38-14 in the paint. As a result the Cats shot 59% from the field. Regression is inevitable but Vermont is currently shooting 53% on the season. That is an impressive number and speaks to the play-making and shot-making ability of this team. Seemingly getting to the rim at will in this young season, Vermont is set up for future offensive success. The maturation and improvement of Wills in the early part of the season is fun to watch. I personally have always liked the way Wills plays. Last year he looked so good in spurts but was too raw and the minutes just weren't there. He also battled injuries and never quite looked 100%. This year he is aggressively getting to the rim and has a tremendous motor. Wills is all out on every play and has a nose for the ball. I said in my season preview that he was the best rebounder on this team and that ability was on display several times during the Bryant game. Wills has tremendous potential and is still scratching the surface of what he can do. A 14 pt, 9rb, 3ast, 4stl, 2 block game will play on any team. He also manged to play great defense while only committing one foul. Here is a link to a piece on Dre Wills from One Bid Wonders. Bookmark that website for all your America East news. They do great work. It was nice to see Brandon Hatton get into the game after missing the early part of the season with a concussion. His offensive game is smooth and as he gets used to the college game and learns the defensive side of the ball, he has the potential to be a great spark off the bench. It was great to see what this team can do when firing on all cylinders and this would be the perfect time to be playing their best basketball. The next game is a very tough road game against Quinnipiac. That will be one of those strength vs. weakness games. Quinnipiac is one of the best rebounding teams in the country and it is a clear area of weakness for Vermont. After that game is a very important early conference home game against Hartford. That game will be a very clear indicator of where this Vermont team fits in the America East hierarchy. The Hartford game is followed by the best home game on the schedule this season as Harvard comes to Patrick Gym on December 6th. That game is followed by two more home games to finish a four game homestand. This is the crucial part of the non-conference schedule and will be a great barometer for the rest of the season.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Vermont at St. Joseph's 11/22/14
St. Joseph's 68 Vermont 60
Playing in a hostile environment, Vermont came out hot to start the game and then succumbed to the weight created by their turnovers. The difference in the turnovers this game versus the first few was that many of them were live ball turnovers that led directly to St. Joe's baskets. This is definitely going to be this teams biggest issue in the early part of the year. The inexperience and youth is most evident in this category. Other than that I thought Vermont showed very well. This was a very tough roadvgame against an good A-10 opponent. St. Joe's is competitive year in and year out and has a fringe NBA player in DeAndre Bembry. Through all of the turnovers and large second half deficits, Vermont never panicked and multiple times fought back into the game. They were a bounce here or there from making the game very interesting. I absolutely love the grit of this team and even in the small amount of time playing together you can see the confidence and the chemistry building. What I find most promising is the offensive firepower. This team can really shoot the ball and more importantly get to the rim. With the sample size getting larger it is now time to believe that this team will consistently outscore teams in the paint. Their ability to do this does not come from a dominant post game but instead from having several players who can create off the dribble and find the open man. I have been blown away by how many easy buckets this team can get on a nightly basis. In this game Dre Wills was able to get to the rim on three consecutive crucial possessions in the second half to get Vermont within striking distance. He continues to fill up the stat sheet and is getting more and more comfortable on the court. It was a small sample but Drew Urquhart is rapidly passing Ryan Pierson on the depth chart. He looked good in his limited minutes, showing toughness on the boards and making his free throws. He missed a couple bunnies but the potential is starting to be put into action. I also will give a shout out to Kurt Steidl's improved rebounding ability. He has grabbed at least 5 rebounds in three consecutive games and looks much stronger than a year ago. Also who didn't love that circus shot three that Cam Ward made? So far this year Kilpatrick looks every bit a player who is coming off major surgery and a year off. I am hopeful he will be able to shake off the rust but he is nowhere near 100%. Ernie Duncan started this game like he has started every other one, a beautiful pass for an easy bucket and a three pointer. No seriously, that is exactly how he has started every game. Then his back gives out and we don't see him again. I really don't know what to think of this injury. It is something that he must not experience at all times, but when his body is moved in just the right way it must be aggravated. This will certainly be the ongoing saga until it either clears up or he sits out indefinitely. It is really to bad because he would put this team over the top. All in all a very good showing and the team is moving in the right direction. Now back to Patrick Gym for Joe O'Shea's homecoming which I really hope Vermont spoils.
Playing in a hostile environment, Vermont came out hot to start the game and then succumbed to the weight created by their turnovers. The difference in the turnovers this game versus the first few was that many of them were live ball turnovers that led directly to St. Joe's baskets. This is definitely going to be this teams biggest issue in the early part of the year. The inexperience and youth is most evident in this category. Other than that I thought Vermont showed very well. This was a very tough roadvgame against an good A-10 opponent. St. Joe's is competitive year in and year out and has a fringe NBA player in DeAndre Bembry. Through all of the turnovers and large second half deficits, Vermont never panicked and multiple times fought back into the game. They were a bounce here or there from making the game very interesting. I absolutely love the grit of this team and even in the small amount of time playing together you can see the confidence and the chemistry building. What I find most promising is the offensive firepower. This team can really shoot the ball and more importantly get to the rim. With the sample size getting larger it is now time to believe that this team will consistently outscore teams in the paint. Their ability to do this does not come from a dominant post game but instead from having several players who can create off the dribble and find the open man. I have been blown away by how many easy buckets this team can get on a nightly basis. In this game Dre Wills was able to get to the rim on three consecutive crucial possessions in the second half to get Vermont within striking distance. He continues to fill up the stat sheet and is getting more and more comfortable on the court. It was a small sample but Drew Urquhart is rapidly passing Ryan Pierson on the depth chart. He looked good in his limited minutes, showing toughness on the boards and making his free throws. He missed a couple bunnies but the potential is starting to be put into action. I also will give a shout out to Kurt Steidl's improved rebounding ability. He has grabbed at least 5 rebounds in three consecutive games and looks much stronger than a year ago. Also who didn't love that circus shot three that Cam Ward made? So far this year Kilpatrick looks every bit a player who is coming off major surgery and a year off. I am hopeful he will be able to shake off the rust but he is nowhere near 100%. Ernie Duncan started this game like he has started every other one, a beautiful pass for an easy bucket and a three pointer. No seriously, that is exactly how he has started every game. Then his back gives out and we don't see him again. I really don't know what to think of this injury. It is something that he must not experience at all times, but when his body is moved in just the right way it must be aggravated. This will certainly be the ongoing saga until it either clears up or he sits out indefinitely. It is really to bad because he would put this team over the top. All in all a very good showing and the team is moving in the right direction. Now back to Patrick Gym for Joe O'Shea's homecoming which I really hope Vermont spoils.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Southern Vermont College at Vermont 11/19/14
Vermont 86 SVC 41
There is not much you can take a way from a game against such inferior competition. This game was not about anything but getting some of the new players more game experience. With that in mind I would just like to recognize the efforts of Drew Urquhart and Cam Ward. Drew had only played a combined four minutes through the first two games. He is clearly more skilled than Ryan Pierson and needs to be able to earn minutes. For a player who missed his entire senior year of high school basketball, it is of the utmost importance that he gets game experience no matter the competition. Drew definitely took advantage of his opportunity. After struggling with foul trouble in the first half, he showcased a smooth offensive touch and shooting ability. That ability to stretch the floor would be a great dimension to add to this team. He also pulled down some tough rebounds showing nice timing and footwork. I hope this performance earns him more minutes because Pierson is really struggling. Pierson had a hard time holding his own against the smaller SVC post players and is clearly not ready to play extended minutes for this team. Ward got the start in place of an injured Ernie Duncan. He handled the ball well and knocked down shots from the perimeter. He will need to play a role if Duncan's injury continues to cause him to miss significant time. Those are the two performances that stood out and it is nice to see depth even without the currently injured players. Now it is on the road to play St. Joes!
There is not much you can take a way from a game against such inferior competition. This game was not about anything but getting some of the new players more game experience. With that in mind I would just like to recognize the efforts of Drew Urquhart and Cam Ward. Drew had only played a combined four minutes through the first two games. He is clearly more skilled than Ryan Pierson and needs to be able to earn minutes. For a player who missed his entire senior year of high school basketball, it is of the utmost importance that he gets game experience no matter the competition. Drew definitely took advantage of his opportunity. After struggling with foul trouble in the first half, he showcased a smooth offensive touch and shooting ability. That ability to stretch the floor would be a great dimension to add to this team. He also pulled down some tough rebounds showing nice timing and footwork. I hope this performance earns him more minutes because Pierson is really struggling. Pierson had a hard time holding his own against the smaller SVC post players and is clearly not ready to play extended minutes for this team. Ward got the start in place of an injured Ernie Duncan. He handled the ball well and knocked down shots from the perimeter. He will need to play a role if Duncan's injury continues to cause him to miss significant time. Those are the two performances that stood out and it is nice to see depth even without the currently injured players. Now it is on the road to play St. Joes!
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Vermont at Siena 11/17/14
Vermont 84 Siena 76
What a way to bounce back. After dropping a tough opener Vermont turned around and played their hearts out. Last nights win was not just a win, but a statement by a young team. This team showed their toughness and grit and willed themselves to victory. The game demonstrated the heart of a hungry young team eager to prove themselves and make each game a chance to learn a new lesson. The lesson learned in this game was about toughness. Siena (more importantly Jimmy Patsos) physically overpower opponents and wear teams down. Last years game featured 63 combined fouls and several foul outs. This years game was not far behind with 58 combined fouls and four Vermont players fouling out. The Cats finished the game with six healthy players and 24 turnovers. Several times their backs were against the wall but each time they were able to regroup and battle back. Early in the second half the wear and tear seemed to start to take effect for Vermont. Siena took a nine point lead with about 12 minutes to go and things were starting to look bleak. But then all of a sudden the one man run Trae Bell-Haynes took over. His speed and ability to finish around the rim is a thing of beauty. Just watch the highlights. After struggling in the first half, Bell-Haynes turned on the jets and just blew through the Siena defense at will. I love his tenacity and fearlessness when driving towards the hole. I mean that eurostep???? Killer. The beginning of the highlight video is an Ernie Duncan teaser. I am trying not to be too hopeful as the back injury seems to be fairly debilitating and will most likely linger all year. However, anyone watching that video has to just be drooling about his passing ability. His passing skills are on another level. He has elite court vision and puts the ball in the exact position for the player to finish in stride. He managed to lead the team in assists with four even though he only played 11 minutes. I find myself daydreaming about a backcourt with Bell-Haynes at the point and Duncan at the two guard. The potential for this group is definitely sky high. It was nice to see Kurt Steidl get back into the action and hit some big shots. The three from the corner to put Vermont up 75-71 was a killer blow. This game also demonstrated that when Hector Harold is not a walking turnover, he can be a very effective scorer. Unfortunately he has 11 turnovers through two games. Ethan O'Day turned in a stellar performance going 8-8 from the field and leading the team in scoring. He looks like he will thrive in the more uptempo system this year. He also blocked shots on two consecutive plays down the stretch with Siena trying to claw back into the game. This team is definitely going to lose some head scratchers and pull some upsets as they work out the kinks. The fun thing for the fans is the ability to climb back into a game with offensive firepower rather then relying solely on getting stops. Vermont outscored Siena 42-16 in the paint including 24-4 in the second half. That is the recipe for a potent offense. Throw in shooting a ridiculous 68% including an unreal 76.5% in the second half and you have a team that can put the ball in the hoop. It certainly seems like night in and night out you never know what this team will bring, but last night they proved that toughness and grit will be a big part of what this team can bring.
What a way to bounce back. After dropping a tough opener Vermont turned around and played their hearts out. Last nights win was not just a win, but a statement by a young team. This team showed their toughness and grit and willed themselves to victory. The game demonstrated the heart of a hungry young team eager to prove themselves and make each game a chance to learn a new lesson. The lesson learned in this game was about toughness. Siena (more importantly Jimmy Patsos) physically overpower opponents and wear teams down. Last years game featured 63 combined fouls and several foul outs. This years game was not far behind with 58 combined fouls and four Vermont players fouling out. The Cats finished the game with six healthy players and 24 turnovers. Several times their backs were against the wall but each time they were able to regroup and battle back. Early in the second half the wear and tear seemed to start to take effect for Vermont. Siena took a nine point lead with about 12 minutes to go and things were starting to look bleak. But then all of a sudden the one man run Trae Bell-Haynes took over. His speed and ability to finish around the rim is a thing of beauty. Just watch the highlights. After struggling in the first half, Bell-Haynes turned on the jets and just blew through the Siena defense at will. I love his tenacity and fearlessness when driving towards the hole. I mean that eurostep???? Killer. The beginning of the highlight video is an Ernie Duncan teaser. I am trying not to be too hopeful as the back injury seems to be fairly debilitating and will most likely linger all year. However, anyone watching that video has to just be drooling about his passing ability. His passing skills are on another level. He has elite court vision and puts the ball in the exact position for the player to finish in stride. He managed to lead the team in assists with four even though he only played 11 minutes. I find myself daydreaming about a backcourt with Bell-Haynes at the point and Duncan at the two guard. The potential for this group is definitely sky high. It was nice to see Kurt Steidl get back into the action and hit some big shots. The three from the corner to put Vermont up 75-71 was a killer blow. This game also demonstrated that when Hector Harold is not a walking turnover, he can be a very effective scorer. Unfortunately he has 11 turnovers through two games. Ethan O'Day turned in a stellar performance going 8-8 from the field and leading the team in scoring. He looks like he will thrive in the more uptempo system this year. He also blocked shots on two consecutive plays down the stretch with Siena trying to claw back into the game. This team is definitely going to lose some head scratchers and pull some upsets as they work out the kinks. The fun thing for the fans is the ability to climb back into a game with offensive firepower rather then relying solely on getting stops. Vermont outscored Siena 42-16 in the paint including 24-4 in the second half. That is the recipe for a potent offense. Throw in shooting a ridiculous 68% including an unreal 76.5% in the second half and you have a team that can put the ball in the hoop. It certainly seems like night in and night out you never know what this team will bring, but last night they proved that toughness and grit will be a big part of what this team can bring.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Vermont at Canisius 11/15/14
Canisius 64 Vermont 60
Vermont began the season with a tough road loss against Canisius. This was one of the few winnable games on this year's non-conference schedule as Canisius is one of the teams on the schedule with as many freshman and as little experience as the Cats. Vermont's defense broke down in the second half and allowed Canisius to shoot a blistering 56%, including 6-8 from three. The first half for Vermont was marred by turnovers and missed shots.When the coaching staff added so many shooters to this team, I was excited to see the team three point shooting improve. So far this has not materialized and that is somewhat surprising. This is definitely the type of game this team is going to have this year. It is just too bad that they couldn't take advantage of a good match-up. The 17 turnovers will not win many games and the frustrating thing is 8 of those turnovers were Harold and Kilpatrick. Harold being asked to play a larger role is going to be one of the key areas for this team. He has demonstrated wild inconsistency and is very turnover prone. As an elder statesman on this team he is going to need to clean up his play. Duncan's back is clearly going to be a problem for the entire year and that is really going to handicap this team. It is really to bad for Duncan and I would have to imagine he is incredibly frustrated. The one very bright spot from this game was Trae Bell-Haynes. Throughout the summer he was the leading scorer for Vermont but his turnovers were limiting his effectiveness. For one game at least, he took care of the ball and showcased his tremendous speed and tenacity. Bell-Haynes gets up the floor very quickly and is able to score in transition. He has also demonstrated an ability to finish strong in traffic and make his free throws. This is a great recipe for future success and if he is able to limit his turnovers he will be a very effective player. Bell-Haynes is already a very polished defender and with his offensive abilities coming along seemingly ahead of schedule, he will play big minutes for this team. It does not get any easier as Vermont travels to Siena tomorrow for what will be a very difficult match-up. Siena is big, physical, and forces their opponents into unforced errors and mental mistakes. This will be a quick turnaround for the freshman and a much stronger opponent. Becker is preaching each game this season as part of the process and if the players can maintain that attitude and make small gains each game, Vermont will be headed in the right direction.
Vermont began the season with a tough road loss against Canisius. This was one of the few winnable games on this year's non-conference schedule as Canisius is one of the teams on the schedule with as many freshman and as little experience as the Cats. Vermont's defense broke down in the second half and allowed Canisius to shoot a blistering 56%, including 6-8 from three. The first half for Vermont was marred by turnovers and missed shots.When the coaching staff added so many shooters to this team, I was excited to see the team three point shooting improve. So far this has not materialized and that is somewhat surprising. This is definitely the type of game this team is going to have this year. It is just too bad that they couldn't take advantage of a good match-up. The 17 turnovers will not win many games and the frustrating thing is 8 of those turnovers were Harold and Kilpatrick. Harold being asked to play a larger role is going to be one of the key areas for this team. He has demonstrated wild inconsistency and is very turnover prone. As an elder statesman on this team he is going to need to clean up his play. Duncan's back is clearly going to be a problem for the entire year and that is really going to handicap this team. It is really to bad for Duncan and I would have to imagine he is incredibly frustrated. The one very bright spot from this game was Trae Bell-Haynes. Throughout the summer he was the leading scorer for Vermont but his turnovers were limiting his effectiveness. For one game at least, he took care of the ball and showcased his tremendous speed and tenacity. Bell-Haynes gets up the floor very quickly and is able to score in transition. He has also demonstrated an ability to finish strong in traffic and make his free throws. This is a great recipe for future success and if he is able to limit his turnovers he will be a very effective player. Bell-Haynes is already a very polished defender and with his offensive abilities coming along seemingly ahead of schedule, he will play big minutes for this team. It does not get any easier as Vermont travels to Siena tomorrow for what will be a very difficult match-up. Siena is big, physical, and forces their opponents into unforced errors and mental mistakes. This will be a quick turnaround for the freshman and a much stronger opponent. Becker is preaching each game this season as part of the process and if the players can maintain that attitude and make small gains each game, Vermont will be headed in the right direction.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Vermont Season Preview
On the eve of the college basketball season, it is time to make a few predictions. This is the hardest year to predict in a while for Vermont. There is so much up in the air and the team that begins the season will likely look very different from the team at the end. But, predictions are fun and the unknown is part of the game. Without further adieu, here are some thoughts about the upcoming season.
Record: 14-15 (9-7) 4/5 seed, loss in the semifinals to Stony Brook
Starting lineup: Ernie Duncan, Dre Wills, Kurt Steidl, Hector Harold, Ethan O'Day
Leading Scorer: Tough Call. There will be very balanced scoring, leaning towards O'Day.
Rebounds: Wills if he plays starters minutes
Assists: Duncan
This season will be a trying one for the Vermont Catamounts. There is going to be a significant amount of changes and the team will most likely be in flux throughout the year. Playing time will come and go, players will get hot and clod. This is a very different feel from the last group as they had very dependable abilities and performance (most players don't start from day one and then never miss a game). Injuries can make a huge difference on any team, much less a team that is a young as Vermont is this year. There have already been a few injuries and I believe that to be the biggest factor in this team's success. Anyone who watched the one game that Ernie Duncan played could see that he is a cut above and crucial to this team success. If his back injury lingers this team could win far less games. If he is fully healthy it might bump up their win total. Duncan is a college ready player and may immediately one of the best players in the conference. Asking freshman to play large roles is tough. Even the most talented freshman can struggle with adjusting to the college game. Injuries can force players into tough positions before they are ready. The offense is going to be completely different and the pace of play much faster. Regardless of wins and losses this will be a welcome change for Vermont Fans. The games themselves should feature a more exciting pace of play and with a better offense fans will not have to grind it out on every possession. This team's biggest weakness will be on the boards. Teams with a strong post presence are going to be a tough match-up all year. Vermont will need to be very efficient with their possessions to make up for the rebounding difficulties. The other key will be maturity. With a young team there is an increased likelihood of mental mistakes and that can lead to poor chemistry. The veterans on this team are going to have to teach the new players how to pick each other up and not dwell on the mistakes. The faster this process happens, the better this team will play.
Key questions:
Will Steidl add pieces to his game and become a more well rounded scorer?
Can Dre Wills earn big minutes and become the glue guy on this team?
Will O'Day become the leader of this team?
Will Duncan's back hold up all year?
Can the team gel and mature early enough in the season to make an impact during the conference schedule?
Can a program change their entire identity in one year and still win games?
Will there be enough minutes to keep everyone happy?
As a fan, I am very excited to see what this team can do. For me this season is about more than wins and losses. I think everyone realizes that the goals for this years team are different than in years past. This season to me represents a watershed moment for the Vermont program. With the recruits for 2015 signed and the current crop of freshman ready to play, Vermont has broadened the type of recruit they can sell their program to. If this group can have success and create chemistry, next years team will be very dangerous. From that point who knows where this program can go. The flip side is if this team struggles and players become unhappy with losing or their role on the team, the program could end up in a very different direction. As a result I believe this is the most important year for the future of the Vermont basketball program. That adds intrigue beyond wins and losses and makes the games even more fun to watch. It all begins tomorrow and I have never been more excited.
Record: 14-15 (9-7) 4/5 seed, loss in the semifinals to Stony Brook
Starting lineup: Ernie Duncan, Dre Wills, Kurt Steidl, Hector Harold, Ethan O'Day
Leading Scorer: Tough Call. There will be very balanced scoring, leaning towards O'Day.
Rebounds: Wills if he plays starters minutes
Assists: Duncan
This season will be a trying one for the Vermont Catamounts. There is going to be a significant amount of changes and the team will most likely be in flux throughout the year. Playing time will come and go, players will get hot and clod. This is a very different feel from the last group as they had very dependable abilities and performance (most players don't start from day one and then never miss a game). Injuries can make a huge difference on any team, much less a team that is a young as Vermont is this year. There have already been a few injuries and I believe that to be the biggest factor in this team's success. Anyone who watched the one game that Ernie Duncan played could see that he is a cut above and crucial to this team success. If his back injury lingers this team could win far less games. If he is fully healthy it might bump up their win total. Duncan is a college ready player and may immediately one of the best players in the conference. Asking freshman to play large roles is tough. Even the most talented freshman can struggle with adjusting to the college game. Injuries can force players into tough positions before they are ready. The offense is going to be completely different and the pace of play much faster. Regardless of wins and losses this will be a welcome change for Vermont Fans. The games themselves should feature a more exciting pace of play and with a better offense fans will not have to grind it out on every possession. This team's biggest weakness will be on the boards. Teams with a strong post presence are going to be a tough match-up all year. Vermont will need to be very efficient with their possessions to make up for the rebounding difficulties. The other key will be maturity. With a young team there is an increased likelihood of mental mistakes and that can lead to poor chemistry. The veterans on this team are going to have to teach the new players how to pick each other up and not dwell on the mistakes. The faster this process happens, the better this team will play.
Key questions:
Will Steidl add pieces to his game and become a more well rounded scorer?
Can Dre Wills earn big minutes and become the glue guy on this team?
Will O'Day become the leader of this team?
Will Duncan's back hold up all year?
Can the team gel and mature early enough in the season to make an impact during the conference schedule?
Can a program change their entire identity in one year and still win games?
Will there be enough minutes to keep everyone happy?
As a fan, I am very excited to see what this team can do. For me this season is about more than wins and losses. I think everyone realizes that the goals for this years team are different than in years past. This season to me represents a watershed moment for the Vermont program. With the recruits for 2015 signed and the current crop of freshman ready to play, Vermont has broadened the type of recruit they can sell their program to. If this group can have success and create chemistry, next years team will be very dangerous. From that point who knows where this program can go. The flip side is if this team struggles and players become unhappy with losing or their role on the team, the program could end up in a very different direction. As a result I believe this is the most important year for the future of the Vermont basketball program. That adds intrigue beyond wins and losses and makes the games even more fun to watch. It all begins tomorrow and I have never been more excited.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Exhibition: St. Michael's
St. Michael's 63 Vermont 61
Wait everybody...take a deep breath...and don't panic.
It certainly never feels good to lose an exhibition game to a sub D1 team but this is no ordinary match-up. St. Mike's is a very good team. They won this game because they are a better team. They have experience and the drive to win. This was the most important game on their schedule. Many of the Purple Knights players have had this date circled because they knew this was the year they had a chance. They executed a game plan and clamped down when the game was on the line like experienced seasoned veterans do. They are going to have a very successful season and have a great chance to make the D2 tournament. Before you say, but they are D2? I would like to remind everyone that UMass Lowell with a completely D2 roster went 8-8 in the America East last year and finished 5th.
On to the Cats. This is the beginning of separation in the some on the playing time battles. Due to Vermont being shorthanded many players were counted on to play bigger roles. There was definitely a Duncan effect in this game. It is already very apparent that he is a college ready point guard and the other freshman are not quite there yet. Ernie Duncan's health will be the difference for Vermont this year. Trae Bell-Haynes does a lot of nice things but he was exposed against the more experienced guards on St. Mikes. He tends to dribble too much and has not yet learned when to change speeds. He is always going a mile a minute and that created many, many turnovers. Until he adjusts to the college game he is much better suited as a backup guard. Brandon Hatton is going to have to work very hard to get minutes this year as he is a significant defensive liability. I love his shooting stroke but he is too slow to cover college guards. Cam Ward looked very good but he is too small to be an effective defender right now as well. With a smaller, quicker lineup for St. Mike's, Becker really needed Kilpatrick and McRoberts to effectively match-up. Urquhart and Pierson were to slow on defense. Kilpatrick's constant injury issues are definitely a concern. The biggest thing that concerned me in this game was Kurt Steidl's demeanor on the court. He was frustrated for much of the Concordia game and again against St. Mikes he never got in the flow. He yelled at several teammates and showed a general lack of maturity. As a guy I believe to be a future star, he has thus far not been demonstrating the mental fortitude he needs to do so. Time will tell.
As far as team performance, I am not going to over analyze the game. Without Duncan this team is different. All of the possible success of this team and the excitement surrounding it, is definitely with him a the point guard, There are going to be games where this team turns the ball over a ton. Right now everyone on this team is adjusting to the speed of the game, even the veterans, The entire pace of the offense is different than in years past and there is going to be an adjustment period. Right now there is a ton of one on one because everyone is moving an no one is sure who is going to take the shots. The other major takeaway is that with all of these new found shooters, Vermont can't fall in love with the three. In the second half the Cats settled for jump shot after jump shot. This game will help Becker reign these guys in and give him evidence to drive home the point of what needs to improve.
I will be putting out my season preview on Wednesday or Thursday of this week.
Wait everybody...take a deep breath...and don't panic.
It certainly never feels good to lose an exhibition game to a sub D1 team but this is no ordinary match-up. St. Mike's is a very good team. They won this game because they are a better team. They have experience and the drive to win. This was the most important game on their schedule. Many of the Purple Knights players have had this date circled because they knew this was the year they had a chance. They executed a game plan and clamped down when the game was on the line like experienced seasoned veterans do. They are going to have a very successful season and have a great chance to make the D2 tournament. Before you say, but they are D2? I would like to remind everyone that UMass Lowell with a completely D2 roster went 8-8 in the America East last year and finished 5th.
On to the Cats. This is the beginning of separation in the some on the playing time battles. Due to Vermont being shorthanded many players were counted on to play bigger roles. There was definitely a Duncan effect in this game. It is already very apparent that he is a college ready point guard and the other freshman are not quite there yet. Ernie Duncan's health will be the difference for Vermont this year. Trae Bell-Haynes does a lot of nice things but he was exposed against the more experienced guards on St. Mikes. He tends to dribble too much and has not yet learned when to change speeds. He is always going a mile a minute and that created many, many turnovers. Until he adjusts to the college game he is much better suited as a backup guard. Brandon Hatton is going to have to work very hard to get minutes this year as he is a significant defensive liability. I love his shooting stroke but he is too slow to cover college guards. Cam Ward looked very good but he is too small to be an effective defender right now as well. With a smaller, quicker lineup for St. Mike's, Becker really needed Kilpatrick and McRoberts to effectively match-up. Urquhart and Pierson were to slow on defense. Kilpatrick's constant injury issues are definitely a concern. The biggest thing that concerned me in this game was Kurt Steidl's demeanor on the court. He was frustrated for much of the Concordia game and again against St. Mikes he never got in the flow. He yelled at several teammates and showed a general lack of maturity. As a guy I believe to be a future star, he has thus far not been demonstrating the mental fortitude he needs to do so. Time will tell.
As far as team performance, I am not going to over analyze the game. Without Duncan this team is different. All of the possible success of this team and the excitement surrounding it, is definitely with him a the point guard, There are going to be games where this team turns the ball over a ton. Right now everyone on this team is adjusting to the speed of the game, even the veterans, The entire pace of the offense is different than in years past and there is going to be an adjustment period. Right now there is a ton of one on one because everyone is moving an no one is sure who is going to take the shots. The other major takeaway is that with all of these new found shooters, Vermont can't fall in love with the three. In the second half the Cats settled for jump shot after jump shot. This game will help Becker reign these guys in and give him evidence to drive home the point of what needs to improve.
I will be putting out my season preview on Wednesday or Thursday of this week.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Exhibition: Concordia
Vermont 80 Concordia 57
Felt good to be back in Patrick Gym for last nights game. There has been so much excitement and hype surrounding this team, it was nice to finally see some real game action.
Now it is time for me to add to the hype..... Holy Ernie Duncan!!!
The much heralded freshman made his debut last night and he did not disappoint. Duncan demonstrated a high level ability to create opportunities for his teammates. His court vision and anticipation of where his teammates are going to be is already off the charts. Check out the highlights. The rest of Duncan's game was on display as well. He scored in the mid range game and hit two threes. Equally as impressive was his vocal leadership on the court. He certainly looked every bit the current starter, point guard of the future, and leader on this team.
Now on to the team.......Speed? check. Talent? check. Multiple play-makers? check.
Everything that this team needed to make the transition to a different style is there. The offense was fast pace and featured quick decisive ball movement. The defensive pressure on the opposing guards was intense. Becker has these players bought into a fast paced style that is designed to maximize the talent of this team. O'Day and Pierson both looked slimmed down and much quicker. O'Day ran the floor well and was rewarded with several beautiful open court feeds. Is Pierson for real? Concordia was small and that clearly gave him an advantage but for the first time I thought he passed the eye test. He made quick decisions and showed some touch around the rim. I would love to see him build on that momentum and be an effective piece for this team. Both he and O'Day did struggle to corral rebounds and the ball was ripped or poked away several times. Rebounding was the glaring weakness with this group. It will be interesting to see if they can as a team learn to rebound the ball instead of relying on one individual. Vermont has had a top individual rebounder for 8 years in a row (Holm, Blakely, Voelkel). That will certainly be the biggest adjustment for both this team and the fans watching the game.
I was blown away by the depth of talent on this team. The battle for playing time is going to be an interesting development throughout the year. Practices are certainly going to be competitive as no one's role on this team can be guaranteed. Dre Wills built on his strong Canadian trip performance by stuffing the box score yet again. Last year Wills was lost on offense and struggled to adjust to the college game. In a limited sample this year he has been driving hard to the basket and putting himself and teammates in a positive position to score. He is the best rebounder on this team by far so it will be important for him to stay on the floor. His defense is lockdown and with the addition of Trae Bell-Haynes, Vermont now has two very quick on the ball defenders who can bother opposing guards. Brandon Hatton and Cam Ward also looked good. Hatton made several nice offensive moves and adds to the offensive depth of this team. If he can improve his defense and get time on the court he will be a positive contributor. Ward is confident with the ball and gives Vermont great depth at the point guard position. Once he adds strength he will give Becker the ability to play with several different lineups. Drew U played well and will give much needed depth in the frontcourt. Steidl and Kilpatrick both struggled mightily, but it is only the exhibition. It was a little concerning to see Steidl enter Becker's Doghouse so many times over the course of the game.
Obviously this was a game against inferior competition and it is hard to get excited after only one game. However, looking at the overall talent of this team had to get Vermont fans excited. There will be tough games and this team will take their lumps as the freshman adjust to the college game. If they can build chemistry through the non conference this team has an opportunity to make some noise during conference play.
One more exhibition next week and then the season begins.
Felt good to be back in Patrick Gym for last nights game. There has been so much excitement and hype surrounding this team, it was nice to finally see some real game action.
Now it is time for me to add to the hype..... Holy Ernie Duncan!!!
The much heralded freshman made his debut last night and he did not disappoint. Duncan demonstrated a high level ability to create opportunities for his teammates. His court vision and anticipation of where his teammates are going to be is already off the charts. Check out the highlights. The rest of Duncan's game was on display as well. He scored in the mid range game and hit two threes. Equally as impressive was his vocal leadership on the court. He certainly looked every bit the current starter, point guard of the future, and leader on this team.
Now on to the team.......Speed? check. Talent? check. Multiple play-makers? check.
Everything that this team needed to make the transition to a different style is there. The offense was fast pace and featured quick decisive ball movement. The defensive pressure on the opposing guards was intense. Becker has these players bought into a fast paced style that is designed to maximize the talent of this team. O'Day and Pierson both looked slimmed down and much quicker. O'Day ran the floor well and was rewarded with several beautiful open court feeds. Is Pierson for real? Concordia was small and that clearly gave him an advantage but for the first time I thought he passed the eye test. He made quick decisions and showed some touch around the rim. I would love to see him build on that momentum and be an effective piece for this team. Both he and O'Day did struggle to corral rebounds and the ball was ripped or poked away several times. Rebounding was the glaring weakness with this group. It will be interesting to see if they can as a team learn to rebound the ball instead of relying on one individual. Vermont has had a top individual rebounder for 8 years in a row (Holm, Blakely, Voelkel). That will certainly be the biggest adjustment for both this team and the fans watching the game.
I was blown away by the depth of talent on this team. The battle for playing time is going to be an interesting development throughout the year. Practices are certainly going to be competitive as no one's role on this team can be guaranteed. Dre Wills built on his strong Canadian trip performance by stuffing the box score yet again. Last year Wills was lost on offense and struggled to adjust to the college game. In a limited sample this year he has been driving hard to the basket and putting himself and teammates in a positive position to score. He is the best rebounder on this team by far so it will be important for him to stay on the floor. His defense is lockdown and with the addition of Trae Bell-Haynes, Vermont now has two very quick on the ball defenders who can bother opposing guards. Brandon Hatton and Cam Ward also looked good. Hatton made several nice offensive moves and adds to the offensive depth of this team. If he can improve his defense and get time on the court he will be a positive contributor. Ward is confident with the ball and gives Vermont great depth at the point guard position. Once he adds strength he will give Becker the ability to play with several different lineups. Drew U played well and will give much needed depth in the frontcourt. Steidl and Kilpatrick both struggled mightily, but it is only the exhibition. It was a little concerning to see Steidl enter Becker's Doghouse so many times over the course of the game.
Obviously this was a game against inferior competition and it is hard to get excited after only one game. However, looking at the overall talent of this team had to get Vermont fans excited. There will be tough games and this team will take their lumps as the freshman adjust to the college game. If they can build chemistry through the non conference this team has an opportunity to make some noise during conference play.
One more exhibition next week and then the season begins.
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