USC 64 Vermont 56
Another hard fought game for Vermont where they struggled to get the big play needed to put them over the top. I neither watched nor listened to the game so all of my analysis comes form watching the highlights and analyzing the box score. The formula on the road remains the same for Vermont. Get down big in the first half by getting dominated inside and shooting poorly.The poor shooting includes struggling to finish at the rim. Followed by a spirited second half run where each time Vermont has the chance to take the lead or cut it to a one possession game, they make a crucial mistake or the ball just doesn't bounce their way. The most glaring example from this game is a Hector Harold near steal. As you can see at the end of the highlights, with a minute and a half to go, Harold has a full hand on the ball. If he is able to corral that lose ball Vermont has a fast break at the other end with a chance to cut the deficit to two or one. Instead the ball bounces around and ends up giving USC and easy lay in to push their lead to six. This effectively sealed the game for USC. It is moments like this that have been the bane of Vermont's existence this year. Nearly all of the road games have followed this pattern. The struggles in the first half are very concerning because this was something the last group struggled with too and it is very hard to play from behind every single game. It seems that it must be due to game preparation and that falls on the coaches to an extent. Maybe it is as simple as changing the pregame meal but something has to give. On the other hand the fight and tenacity the team comes out with in the second half is impressive. Maybe Becker should give a halftime speech before the game. Whatever the reason is, it is great to see a team battle back and play hard no matter the score. There is no head hanging with this group and I admire that. It would just be nice if Vermont wasn't down by such large deficits. It is great to see Kurt Steidl continue to fill up the box score. One Bid Wonders wrote a great piece on Steidl this week and it speaks to the maturity and progress he has made already just halfway through the season. Check it out here. Clancy Rugg made the leap at just about the same point during his sophomore season so it will be interesting to see if Steidl can carry this momentum into the conference schedule. Ethan O'Day also looked more aggressive and assertive on the offensive end. That is an absolute must for Vermont in the second half of the season. With 2014 in the books for the Vermont squad, reflection on the last year of basketball is inevitable. It was a year of highs and lows for the Vermont program as they lost only one regular season conference game (an impressive achievement), but were upset in the semifinals and missed out on the NCAA tournament. I am very excited for 2015 and I think it will be the most crucial year for the program in its history. Happy New Year everybody!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Vermont at St. Louis 12/21/14
St. Louis 58 Vermont 55
The road continues to be unkind to Vermont as they fall to 1-4 away from Patrick gym. The game was back and forth and for most of the game the lead was never above three for either team. The deciding factor in the second half came down to three point shooting. After making their first two threes in the first half, Vermont went cold and missed their next 11 shots from distance. Shooting that poorly is going to be the difference in a game with such slim margins. At the same time that Vermont went cold, St. Louis found their range and hit several timely threes in the second half. Each time Vermont looked poised to take control or go on a run, St. Louis was able to hit a three and swing the momentum. St. Louis also dominated the offensive glass. This is nothing new for this year's Vermont team and while they prevented St. Louis from converting on their second opportunities, it limited the amount of scoring chances the Cats had throughout the game. This was probably the most winnable game on the current road trip and Vermont could be looking at a prolonged losing streak. Young teams tend to have a tougher time winning on the road in a hostile environment. That seems to be holding true for Vermont thus far. To their credit they did mount a furious rally and never quit on the game. Most of that was due to Trae Bell-Haynes and his blinding speed. He continues to reinforce the nickname I have given him (one.man.run) because he can score in bunches with very little time going off the clock. Ethan O'Day had a very good scoring game and was able to stay out of foul trouble, He will have to have games like this one during conference play in order for Vermont to compete at the level they are accustomed. Zach McRoberts continues to impress on the defensive end and is showing great toughness as a rebounder. I think he has fallen in love a bit too much with the three and his offense remains a work in progress but I love the energy he brings to this team. Down the stretch of this non-conference schedule getting healthy will remain the top priority, Vermont has stayed poised and continues to put themselves in a position to win. They are playing very shorthanded right now and health will be the biggest indicator of their success during the conference schedule. Stony Brook, Albany, and Hartford have all righted the ship after some struggles a few weeks ago. The league is fairly wide open and every single game is going to matter and be a dogfight. The teams that avoid the bad loss and play well on the road are the teams that will finish near the top. Vermont is ready to compete for the title if they can continue to grow as a team and find a way to get healthy.
The road continues to be unkind to Vermont as they fall to 1-4 away from Patrick gym. The game was back and forth and for most of the game the lead was never above three for either team. The deciding factor in the second half came down to three point shooting. After making their first two threes in the first half, Vermont went cold and missed their next 11 shots from distance. Shooting that poorly is going to be the difference in a game with such slim margins. At the same time that Vermont went cold, St. Louis found their range and hit several timely threes in the second half. Each time Vermont looked poised to take control or go on a run, St. Louis was able to hit a three and swing the momentum. St. Louis also dominated the offensive glass. This is nothing new for this year's Vermont team and while they prevented St. Louis from converting on their second opportunities, it limited the amount of scoring chances the Cats had throughout the game. This was probably the most winnable game on the current road trip and Vermont could be looking at a prolonged losing streak. Young teams tend to have a tougher time winning on the road in a hostile environment. That seems to be holding true for Vermont thus far. To their credit they did mount a furious rally and never quit on the game. Most of that was due to Trae Bell-Haynes and his blinding speed. He continues to reinforce the nickname I have given him (one.man.run) because he can score in bunches with very little time going off the clock. Ethan O'Day had a very good scoring game and was able to stay out of foul trouble, He will have to have games like this one during conference play in order for Vermont to compete at the level they are accustomed. Zach McRoberts continues to impress on the defensive end and is showing great toughness as a rebounder. I think he has fallen in love a bit too much with the three and his offense remains a work in progress but I love the energy he brings to this team. Down the stretch of this non-conference schedule getting healthy will remain the top priority, Vermont has stayed poised and continues to put themselves in a position to win. They are playing very shorthanded right now and health will be the biggest indicator of their success during the conference schedule. Stony Brook, Albany, and Hartford have all righted the ship after some struggles a few weeks ago. The league is fairly wide open and every single game is going to matter and be a dogfight. The teams that avoid the bad loss and play well on the road are the teams that will finish near the top. Vermont is ready to compete for the title if they can continue to grow as a team and find a way to get healthy.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Yale at Vermont 12/18/14
Yale 57 Vermont 56
"I guess this is what you have to go through"
I thought this comment from Coach Becker following the game summed it up perfectly. This team is right there and fighting and clawing every game. When it come down to the end game execution Vermont has struggled. These are the kind of games that this young team will have and one would hope that during the conference schedule they will be able to learn from these games and execute when it really matters. Every other piece is there or starting to improve. Vermont was able to hang tough on the boards, get several offensive boards, and get crucial offensive rebounds down the stretch. This has been Vermont's weakest area thus far and I do not think it is a coincidence that Zach McRoberts joining the lineup has coincided with improvements in rebounding. He does all of the little things and the hustle plays that an undersized team needs to hang tough. This is a perfect segue into why this game has positive takeaways: overcoming adversity. For Vermont to be this good and hang tough in these games is impressive considering the adversity and obstacles they have faced. Losing 6 seniors and starting with a very new and inexperienced team. Then losing players to injuries off and on. Followed by losing their top recruit and starting point guard for the year. Which is then followed up by losing their leading scorer and senior captain. If that wasn't enough Brendan Kilpatrick then goes down with another concussion and will probably be out for and extended time. When you lay it all out like that it is amazing how consistently this young team has been able to adapt and overcome. This fact alone continues to reinforce the idea that this team can compete for a title. This team is deep and can replace production from many different positions. That is the biggest indicator of future success for any team. The ability to overcome obstacles and never back down. There was a stretch in the second half where the officials made several questionable calls in a row that went against Vermont. Yale used this to swing the momentum in their direction. Vermont never let their heads hang and pushed forward. They were able to fight all the way back and put themselves in a position to win. It is very deflating to not get a shot off on a designed play at the end of a game. I will however tip my cap to Yale for making enough plays to win. On the last defensive possession Vermont did a great job forcing the ball to a secondary option and he was able to step up and knock down a shot. Sometimes that is the way the ball bounces. Individually Kurt Steidl looked great. Early in the year he struggled with his role and let his frustration manifest out on the court. He has improved each game and is starting to look like a player making the leap. Steidl had been playing tough defense while getting on the boards all year. In this game his offense flourished and he made big play after big play down the stretch. He is fast becoming a leader on this team and it will be a key for him to continue this momentum. I am interested to see if Vermont can play with the same intensity on the road. Sitting at 1-3 on the road for the season this road trip is a great opportunity for continued growth before diving into the conference schedule. Young teams tend to struggle on the road and the next step for this team is proving they can get it done in a hostile environment.
"I guess this is what you have to go through"
I thought this comment from Coach Becker following the game summed it up perfectly. This team is right there and fighting and clawing every game. When it come down to the end game execution Vermont has struggled. These are the kind of games that this young team will have and one would hope that during the conference schedule they will be able to learn from these games and execute when it really matters. Every other piece is there or starting to improve. Vermont was able to hang tough on the boards, get several offensive boards, and get crucial offensive rebounds down the stretch. This has been Vermont's weakest area thus far and I do not think it is a coincidence that Zach McRoberts joining the lineup has coincided with improvements in rebounding. He does all of the little things and the hustle plays that an undersized team needs to hang tough. This is a perfect segue into why this game has positive takeaways: overcoming adversity. For Vermont to be this good and hang tough in these games is impressive considering the adversity and obstacles they have faced. Losing 6 seniors and starting with a very new and inexperienced team. Then losing players to injuries off and on. Followed by losing their top recruit and starting point guard for the year. Which is then followed up by losing their leading scorer and senior captain. If that wasn't enough Brendan Kilpatrick then goes down with another concussion and will probably be out for and extended time. When you lay it all out like that it is amazing how consistently this young team has been able to adapt and overcome. This fact alone continues to reinforce the idea that this team can compete for a title. This team is deep and can replace production from many different positions. That is the biggest indicator of future success for any team. The ability to overcome obstacles and never back down. There was a stretch in the second half where the officials made several questionable calls in a row that went against Vermont. Yale used this to swing the momentum in their direction. Vermont never let their heads hang and pushed forward. They were able to fight all the way back and put themselves in a position to win. It is very deflating to not get a shot off on a designed play at the end of a game. I will however tip my cap to Yale for making enough plays to win. On the last defensive possession Vermont did a great job forcing the ball to a secondary option and he was able to step up and knock down a shot. Sometimes that is the way the ball bounces. Individually Kurt Steidl looked great. Early in the year he struggled with his role and let his frustration manifest out on the court. He has improved each game and is starting to look like a player making the leap. Steidl had been playing tough defense while getting on the boards all year. In this game his offense flourished and he made big play after big play down the stretch. He is fast becoming a leader on this team and it will be a key for him to continue this momentum. I am interested to see if Vermont can play with the same intensity on the road. Sitting at 1-3 on the road for the season this road trip is a great opportunity for continued growth before diving into the conference schedule. Young teams tend to struggle on the road and the next step for this team is proving they can get it done in a hostile environment.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Wagner at Vermont 12/14/14
Vermont 61 Wagner 47
A win is a win. This was a tough game to watch because there was zero flow. Wagner had one skilled player and absolutely no organization or discipline. They were lucky to score 47 as much of their offense came from about 25 feet from the hoop. The Wagner players committed fouls on nearly every play and the referees inconsistently enforced the rules throughout the game. This would have all been fine if Vermont had not started slow and played down to Wagner's level for much of the game. It took about 10 minutes for Vermont to get their first hoop and they never got in rhythm. Not having Hector Harold hurt the offensive flow as he can really stretch the floor and create driving lanes for the guards. Seeing him in a walking boot on the sidelines is discouraging. Vermont can't seem to get healthy. With the offense sputtering the defense was solid from the opening tip. This team can really clamp down and force teams into tough shots. Trae Bell-Haynes looked solid down the stretch and hit his free throws, which right now seems to be a challenge for most of the Vermont players. Team free throw shooting continues to be an adventure and makes each trip to the line tough to watch. Brandon Hatton maintained his strong stretch of play. He has a scorers mentality and is always ready to shoot. His defense is improving and he is clearly starting to carve out a role on this team. Cam Ward came up with another circus shot from three and it couldn't have come at a better time. It stretched the lead and took the wind out of Wagner's sails. He has looked a little tentative over the last two games and seems a little unsure what he wants to do when the ball is in his hands. The turning point in the game was Dre Wills going up for a monster dunk to give Vermont momentum......and then he gave it right back by getting a technical foul for taunting. I love Wills' enthusiasm and hustle but he is going to have to watch some of his on the court extracurriculars. That is already two technicals on the season and this one really hurt the team. Instead of a double digit lead and Wagner on their heels, Wagner seemed to rally and made their run directly following the technical foul. What is most frustrating is I have been waiting for Wills to dunk like that on someone and it was a bittersweet moment. I am sure Wills will be able to clean it up and there will be many more dunks. The Yale game on Thursday is going to be a tough hard nosed game and will provide this young team another difficult test.
A win is a win. This was a tough game to watch because there was zero flow. Wagner had one skilled player and absolutely no organization or discipline. They were lucky to score 47 as much of their offense came from about 25 feet from the hoop. The Wagner players committed fouls on nearly every play and the referees inconsistently enforced the rules throughout the game. This would have all been fine if Vermont had not started slow and played down to Wagner's level for much of the game. It took about 10 minutes for Vermont to get their first hoop and they never got in rhythm. Not having Hector Harold hurt the offensive flow as he can really stretch the floor and create driving lanes for the guards. Seeing him in a walking boot on the sidelines is discouraging. Vermont can't seem to get healthy. With the offense sputtering the defense was solid from the opening tip. This team can really clamp down and force teams into tough shots. Trae Bell-Haynes looked solid down the stretch and hit his free throws, which right now seems to be a challenge for most of the Vermont players. Team free throw shooting continues to be an adventure and makes each trip to the line tough to watch. Brandon Hatton maintained his strong stretch of play. He has a scorers mentality and is always ready to shoot. His defense is improving and he is clearly starting to carve out a role on this team. Cam Ward came up with another circus shot from three and it couldn't have come at a better time. It stretched the lead and took the wind out of Wagner's sails. He has looked a little tentative over the last two games and seems a little unsure what he wants to do when the ball is in his hands. The turning point in the game was Dre Wills going up for a monster dunk to give Vermont momentum......and then he gave it right back by getting a technical foul for taunting. I love Wills' enthusiasm and hustle but he is going to have to watch some of his on the court extracurriculars. That is already two technicals on the season and this one really hurt the team. Instead of a double digit lead and Wagner on their heels, Wagner seemed to rally and made their run directly following the technical foul. What is most frustrating is I have been waiting for Wills to dunk like that on someone and it was a bittersweet moment. I am sure Wills will be able to clean it up and there will be many more dunks. The Yale game on Thursday is going to be a tough hard nosed game and will provide this young team another difficult test.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Harvard at Vermont 12/6/14
Harvard 64 Vermont 52 2OT
A hard fought game that ended in heartbreak for Vermont. For the first 45 minutes of game-time Vermont went punch for punch with Harvard and played their hearts out. The wear and tear and inexperience finally caught up with the Cats in the second overtime. It was an unfortunate way for the game to end because it was a tough, gritty, and exciting college basketball game. Harvard is a very tough team who was in the preseason top 25 before losing a game early in the season. They are battle tested and experienced. To push that team to the brink is impressive to say the least. Becker said after the game that "there are no moral victories here". I understand where he is coming from because Vermont had several chances to win and couldn't put the game away. I am sure as a coach those crucial mistakes are going to haunt him for a few days. However, I do believe that this game is further evidence that this group can compete for the America East title. All season it has been about the process and building the program. If these early games are any indication, Vermont is ready to compete for the title this year. The improvement halfway through the non-conference schedule is definitely ahead of schedule. Harvard completely took Vermont out of its comfort zone and the Cats were still able to adapt and stay in the game. So far this year Vermont has relied on penetration and getting to the rim as their offensive game plan. Harvard cut off every possible driving lane and made the Cats use every second of the shot clock. Instead of looking panicked and lost, Vermont adapted and made enough plays to give themselves a chance to win. The most important take away from this game is that this years team is actually better defensively than last years. I think everyone was expecting a significant drop off defensively with this new group. So far, they are better able to contain guards and force more turnovers. Last years group was great at holding a team to one shot and making them shoot a low percentage. This years group can force turnovers and get out in transition which makes up for the drop off in rebounding. For what it is worth, Vermont hung tough on the boards and ended up out rebounding Harvard by a slim margin. They did make some crucial rebounding errors when the game was on the line but over the course of the game held their own. The new found speed and athleticism makes Vermont much tougher to guard on defense and tougher to attack on offense. In the end the Cats ran out of gas and the thin front line to finish the game was too much to overcome. Hector Harold rolled his ankle and did not return and Ethan O'Day fouled out. The fact the O'Day continues to struggle with foul trouble is concerning on a team with an already thin front line. He has to play smarter because he needs to stay on the court. The freshman guards struggled with the physical play of Harvard and as a result did not shoot well. The two players that stood out in the game were Kurt Steidl and Zach McRoberts. Steidl played very tough perimeter defense and continued to get tough rebounds. These are pieces of his game I did not expect to see this year. His offensive game has not progressed like I thought it would but the rest of his game is rounding out very nicely after some early season struggles. It seems like he wanted to expand his offensive game (and be the main scoring option) early in the season but has seen the positive results of expanding the other aspects of his game. He still has a beautiful stroke form three and is not afraid to take the big shot. In his first game of the year Zach McRoberts played all of the crucial minutes down the stretch and was asked to guard Harvard's best player on defense. I was blown away by his defensive ability and basketball IQ. He is still clearly not at 100% but was able to come up with big defensive plays an grab key rebounds. Diving all over the floor and playing much bigger than his frame, McRoberts is going to help solidify the frontcourt and improve the team's rebounding. If he can stay healthy he is going to completely change the makeup of this team I just cant say enough good things about how well he played after missing so much time. It is unbelievable how college ready these freshman are and that bodes well for the future of this program and the level of recruits that Becker is getting at Vermont. Another piece for the future of the program is UVM announced that Ernie Duncan will redshirt this season in an attempt to solve his back issue. I am very glad the team made this move because if Duncan can get fully healthy he will have his full four years of eligibility left. No sense in wasting a year struggling through an injury. He gets to be in the same freshman class as his brother and his buddy Josh Speidel, so it almost seems like a better situation for him. This is all possible if his back problem can be solved. The school called it a "complex back injury" so it will be interesting to see how it will be treated. I am sending positive thoughts his way for a full recovery. The game did not end that way that Vermont wanted but the journey to get to there was filled with positive moments. Hopefully these young players can learn from their mistakes and execute differently down the stretch in a future game. With a week off for exams they will have plenty of time to get healthy, get hungry, and get ready to come back and challenge Wagner next Sunday.
A hard fought game that ended in heartbreak for Vermont. For the first 45 minutes of game-time Vermont went punch for punch with Harvard and played their hearts out. The wear and tear and inexperience finally caught up with the Cats in the second overtime. It was an unfortunate way for the game to end because it was a tough, gritty, and exciting college basketball game. Harvard is a very tough team who was in the preseason top 25 before losing a game early in the season. They are battle tested and experienced. To push that team to the brink is impressive to say the least. Becker said after the game that "there are no moral victories here". I understand where he is coming from because Vermont had several chances to win and couldn't put the game away. I am sure as a coach those crucial mistakes are going to haunt him for a few days. However, I do believe that this game is further evidence that this group can compete for the America East title. All season it has been about the process and building the program. If these early games are any indication, Vermont is ready to compete for the title this year. The improvement halfway through the non-conference schedule is definitely ahead of schedule. Harvard completely took Vermont out of its comfort zone and the Cats were still able to adapt and stay in the game. So far this year Vermont has relied on penetration and getting to the rim as their offensive game plan. Harvard cut off every possible driving lane and made the Cats use every second of the shot clock. Instead of looking panicked and lost, Vermont adapted and made enough plays to give themselves a chance to win. The most important take away from this game is that this years team is actually better defensively than last years. I think everyone was expecting a significant drop off defensively with this new group. So far, they are better able to contain guards and force more turnovers. Last years group was great at holding a team to one shot and making them shoot a low percentage. This years group can force turnovers and get out in transition which makes up for the drop off in rebounding. For what it is worth, Vermont hung tough on the boards and ended up out rebounding Harvard by a slim margin. They did make some crucial rebounding errors when the game was on the line but over the course of the game held their own. The new found speed and athleticism makes Vermont much tougher to guard on defense and tougher to attack on offense. In the end the Cats ran out of gas and the thin front line to finish the game was too much to overcome. Hector Harold rolled his ankle and did not return and Ethan O'Day fouled out. The fact the O'Day continues to struggle with foul trouble is concerning on a team with an already thin front line. He has to play smarter because he needs to stay on the court. The freshman guards struggled with the physical play of Harvard and as a result did not shoot well. The two players that stood out in the game were Kurt Steidl and Zach McRoberts. Steidl played very tough perimeter defense and continued to get tough rebounds. These are pieces of his game I did not expect to see this year. His offensive game has not progressed like I thought it would but the rest of his game is rounding out very nicely after some early season struggles. It seems like he wanted to expand his offensive game (and be the main scoring option) early in the season but has seen the positive results of expanding the other aspects of his game. He still has a beautiful stroke form three and is not afraid to take the big shot. In his first game of the year Zach McRoberts played all of the crucial minutes down the stretch and was asked to guard Harvard's best player on defense. I was blown away by his defensive ability and basketball IQ. He is still clearly not at 100% but was able to come up with big defensive plays an grab key rebounds. Diving all over the floor and playing much bigger than his frame, McRoberts is going to help solidify the frontcourt and improve the team's rebounding. If he can stay healthy he is going to completely change the makeup of this team I just cant say enough good things about how well he played after missing so much time. It is unbelievable how college ready these freshman are and that bodes well for the future of this program and the level of recruits that Becker is getting at Vermont. Another piece for the future of the program is UVM announced that Ernie Duncan will redshirt this season in an attempt to solve his back issue. I am very glad the team made this move because if Duncan can get fully healthy he will have his full four years of eligibility left. No sense in wasting a year struggling through an injury. He gets to be in the same freshman class as his brother and his buddy Josh Speidel, so it almost seems like a better situation for him. This is all possible if his back problem can be solved. The school called it a "complex back injury" so it will be interesting to see how it will be treated. I am sending positive thoughts his way for a full recovery. The game did not end that way that Vermont wanted but the journey to get to there was filled with positive moments. Hopefully these young players can learn from their mistakes and execute differently down the stretch in a future game. With a week off for exams they will have plenty of time to get healthy, get hungry, and get ready to come back and challenge Wagner next Sunday.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Hartford at Vermont 12/3/14
Vermont 81 Hartford 69
"I don't think anyone underestimated us, this is Vermont"
A statement from Cam Ward following the game in which he and the rest of the Catamounts made a statement by dominating Hartford from start to finish. The rest of league has now been put on notice that this will be a reload year for Vermont as opposed to a rebuild. Hartford is the most senior laden and experienced team in the league. That is why they were picked to finish second while Vermont was picked fourth. After watching that game an observer would think those roles were reversed. Vermont played with great poise and precision. The offense for the Cats has been machine-like in its execution and as a result Vermont continues to shoot the ball at a high percentage while outscoring their opponents in the paint. What a stark contrast to the Vermont teams of the past decade, which relied on defense and maximizing the abilities of each individual player. This team has many moving parts and each player is multifaceted and ready to contribute. As far as depth of talent this team is far superior to any team that Vermont has put on the floor. There have been better individual players and teams that did certain things well in the past but none that can match this team's versatility. In years past there was one way and one style of game in which Vermont could win. This team can beat their opponent in many different ways. On the offensive side of the ball There are several players (Wills, Ward, Bell-Haynes) that can get to and finish around the rim with consistency. If a team decides to pack it in, Vermont can kick it out to several shooters (Harold, Steidl, Ward, Hatton). Defensively, Vermont can play tough perimeter defense and bother guards into making unforced errors. At the back end Ethan O'Day can protect the rim. Solid rebounding teams will give Vermont trouble all year but their versatility will win them a lot of games. Dre Wills is improving at a rapid rate and is becoming the player that Vermont runs their offense through. Short on pure basketball ability but loaded with athleticism and determination, Wills is becoming the heart and soul of this team. His ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor is allowing him to lead the team in just about every facet of the game. 11pts, 7rbs, 7ast, 6stls, 2blks is a very impressive stat line. The two blocks came in the same defensive sequence as he created a shot clock violation on his own by blocking two consecutive attempts at a three. He was all over the court and is electric every time he touches the ball. Cam Ward continued to take advantage of his increase in playing time and led the team in scoring with 19 points. He showed a beautiful stroke from three and finished around the rim with creativity. It is no accident that in the two games where he has played major minutes Vermont's turnovers have decreased dramatically. He is a calming presence on the court. Brandon Hatton is also looking great after missing the beginning of the season with a concussion. He held is own on the defensive side of the ball and his smooth shooting stroke was on display. I love the three in transition. His most exciting play was actually a beautiful lead pass on the fast break to Cam Ward. Check the highlights. Vermont getting the early conference win was very important for a young team and also important going into a very difficult game against Harvard. That game will be a great test and will provide another measuring stick for the early season progress of this team.
"I don't think anyone underestimated us, this is Vermont"
A statement from Cam Ward following the game in which he and the rest of the Catamounts made a statement by dominating Hartford from start to finish. The rest of league has now been put on notice that this will be a reload year for Vermont as opposed to a rebuild. Hartford is the most senior laden and experienced team in the league. That is why they were picked to finish second while Vermont was picked fourth. After watching that game an observer would think those roles were reversed. Vermont played with great poise and precision. The offense for the Cats has been machine-like in its execution and as a result Vermont continues to shoot the ball at a high percentage while outscoring their opponents in the paint. What a stark contrast to the Vermont teams of the past decade, which relied on defense and maximizing the abilities of each individual player. This team has many moving parts and each player is multifaceted and ready to contribute. As far as depth of talent this team is far superior to any team that Vermont has put on the floor. There have been better individual players and teams that did certain things well in the past but none that can match this team's versatility. In years past there was one way and one style of game in which Vermont could win. This team can beat their opponent in many different ways. On the offensive side of the ball There are several players (Wills, Ward, Bell-Haynes) that can get to and finish around the rim with consistency. If a team decides to pack it in, Vermont can kick it out to several shooters (Harold, Steidl, Ward, Hatton). Defensively, Vermont can play tough perimeter defense and bother guards into making unforced errors. At the back end Ethan O'Day can protect the rim. Solid rebounding teams will give Vermont trouble all year but their versatility will win them a lot of games. Dre Wills is improving at a rapid rate and is becoming the player that Vermont runs their offense through. Short on pure basketball ability but loaded with athleticism and determination, Wills is becoming the heart and soul of this team. His ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor is allowing him to lead the team in just about every facet of the game. 11pts, 7rbs, 7ast, 6stls, 2blks is a very impressive stat line. The two blocks came in the same defensive sequence as he created a shot clock violation on his own by blocking two consecutive attempts at a three. He was all over the court and is electric every time he touches the ball. Cam Ward continued to take advantage of his increase in playing time and led the team in scoring with 19 points. He showed a beautiful stroke from three and finished around the rim with creativity. It is no accident that in the two games where he has played major minutes Vermont's turnovers have decreased dramatically. He is a calming presence on the court. Brandon Hatton is also looking great after missing the beginning of the season with a concussion. He held is own on the defensive side of the ball and his smooth shooting stroke was on display. I love the three in transition. His most exciting play was actually a beautiful lead pass on the fast break to Cam Ward. Check the highlights. Vermont getting the early conference win was very important for a young team and also important going into a very difficult game against Harvard. That game will be a great test and will provide another measuring stick for the early season progress of this team.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)