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.
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