Lyndon State at Vermont 11/19/16

Vermont 79 Lyndon State 20

Yikes. Lets never do that again.

I have remained positive over the years about adding the non division 1 team to the schedule. I never liked it but rationalized in every way I could. After today's game I can rationalize no more. That was not a game. That barely qualified as a scrimmage. I hope that the atrocity of today begins the conversation of ending this game being on the schedule each year. Lyndon State did not make a shot in the first half. 0-27. Zilch. Zero.  A 43-4 halftime lead is insane. There were no takeaways from this game other than Lyndon was completely over matched in every possible sense of the word. The only information to discuss from this game are some injury and playing time issues. First, Payton Henson was injured within the first 5 minutes of the game and did not return. It looked like a calf injury and his body language suggested to me that it was somewhat significant. The trainers worked on him the entire game and he iced and stretched all the way through. With three games in three days coming up any minor injury could be exaggerated by the lack of rest time. Calf injuries are notoriously difficult and it is a significant concern for the Cats. Josh Hearlihy did not play until very late in the second half which seemed very odd. If he was hurt I feel as though they wouldn't have played him at all. His usage made no sense. The biggest early season question for me right now is about Everett Duncan. He has not played at all and if he was ever going to play it would have been in this blowout. He dresses and warms up before every game which makes it seem like it is not injury related. That is a very strange situation for sure. This tournament in Florida will be interesting for Vermont. Playing  back to back to back games is taxing and always raises the injury risk. It is however an opportunity to play some good teams and work to improve their on court chemistry. The Cats depth will be tested and so will their team health. The game on Monday is at 11am so I will be unable to watch it. Wofford is going to be a tough matchup and it should be a good game.