Big news first reported by the Burlington Free Press.
Vermont star Anthony Lamb fractured his foot during practice on Thursday and the initial timetable is 8 weeks. This is the biggest news in the America East right now. Lamb was a contender for conference player of the year and was poised to lead Vermont to another championship. This turns the conference upside down and puts Vermont in a very difficult position. In the article Becker mentioned that the coaching staff was analyzing all of their options. After the Skyler Nash injury the staff was considering sacrificing a redshirt and now it is almost a certainty that someone is going to start playing. Bailey Patella's name was kicked around after Nash's injury and now Ra Kpedi's name is being thrown into the mix. It will be interesting to see what the staff does. The frontcourt is now dangerously thin which would make you think they might activate Kpedi, but it is going to depend on who they think is ready to contribute. Nate Rohrer becomes a very important player off the bench. Two years ago he played some strong minutes backing up a thin froncourt so he has been in this situation before. As far as the effect on the court Vermont is going to have to morph into a different team. They are going to end up playing small and spreading the floor more often. The offense is going to be even more predicated on dribble penetration and Trae Bell-Haynes is going to shoulder even more of a load. Where this is going to really hurt is on the defensive end. Vermont is already struggling with rim protection and they are now losing their best rim protector. I could see them trying a little more zone and throwing more double teams in the post. The conference outlook becomes very different as well. Albany now has to be the favorite to build on their hot start. I say this because their frontcourt has been incredibly good to being this season and losing Lamb is going to affect that particular matchup the most. It will obviously change all of the games from this point on, but the effect will be felt the most in those Albany games. Vermont is still a very good team without Lamb and will battle every night. For any team it is very hard to lose your best player and just continue humming along. It is time for the other guys to step up. This team is mentally tough and will continue to believe and strive for a championship. The game against Harvard will a great barometer for where this team will be during conference play. A tough road game against a team who has also been without their leading scorer. The Cats have a few days to come together as a team and make the necessary adjustments to continue to win games in Lamb's absence.
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Quinnipiac at Vermont 12/21/17
Vermont 80 Quinnipiac 73
Vermont closed out 2017 with a win against Quinnipiac. The Cats came out with a lot of fire on defense and played a strong first half. The second half was lackluster to say the least as their defense struggles once again let them down. It was disappointing to see such a drop off from the first half. It would have been nice to see Vermont make some strides on the defensive end before this long layoff. The Cats are really struggling to defend the three as they allowed Quinnipiac to make 13 in this game. The rotations are not just slow, there is often a lot of confusion. Quinnipiac was not a very strong team and to give up 73 points is disconcerting. Vermont has a lot of work to do over the holiday break. On the positive side their offense keeps humming right along. Anthony Lamb led the Cats once again with 20 points and 6 rebounds. He scored in a variety of ways and looks better and better on the offensive end. He has to cut down on the mental lapses and silly fouls to take the next step in his game. Trae Bell-Haynes was great in this game. He finished at the rim in all sorts of different ways and really stuffed the stat sheet. Bell-Haynes finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. He must continue to be a strong leader on this team as they prepare for the conference schedule. Ernie and Everett Duncan chipped in with 11 and 10 points respectively. Ernie really took the ball to the hole in this game which is a trend I can really get behind. It was nice to see Cam Ward play good minutes and hit a couple big shots. I though Samuel Dingba had his best minutes of the season. He got some good rebounds and played hard. Vermont had a tremendous 2017 and it is kind of sad to see it go. A year full of good basketball and exciting match-ups. I cant wait to see what 2018 brings. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Vermont closed out 2017 with a win against Quinnipiac. The Cats came out with a lot of fire on defense and played a strong first half. The second half was lackluster to say the least as their defense struggles once again let them down. It was disappointing to see such a drop off from the first half. It would have been nice to see Vermont make some strides on the defensive end before this long layoff. The Cats are really struggling to defend the three as they allowed Quinnipiac to make 13 in this game. The rotations are not just slow, there is often a lot of confusion. Quinnipiac was not a very strong team and to give up 73 points is disconcerting. Vermont has a lot of work to do over the holiday break. On the positive side their offense keeps humming right along. Anthony Lamb led the Cats once again with 20 points and 6 rebounds. He scored in a variety of ways and looks better and better on the offensive end. He has to cut down on the mental lapses and silly fouls to take the next step in his game. Trae Bell-Haynes was great in this game. He finished at the rim in all sorts of different ways and really stuffed the stat sheet. Bell-Haynes finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. He must continue to be a strong leader on this team as they prepare for the conference schedule. Ernie and Everett Duncan chipped in with 11 and 10 points respectively. Ernie really took the ball to the hole in this game which is a trend I can really get behind. It was nice to see Cam Ward play good minutes and hit a couple big shots. I though Samuel Dingba had his best minutes of the season. He got some good rebounds and played hard. Vermont had a tremendous 2017 and it is kind of sad to see it go. A year full of good basketball and exciting match-ups. I cant wait to see what 2018 brings. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Vermont vs St. Bonaventure 12/16/17
St. Bonaventure 81 Vermont 79
Matt Mobley hit a three pointer at the buzzer to sink the Catamounts in Rochester. Payton Henson's tip with five seconds left had given Vermont the lead before Mobley found space on the wing for the dagger. Anthony Lamb was a beast in his homecoming game pouring in 27 points and pulling down 8 rebounds. He has been getting to the line at a high rate and knocking them down when he gets there. He is poised for a tremendous rest of the season. Lamb is already a great player but I see him taking it to another level going forward. Vermont played well on offense and looked really good from the three point line. Everett Duncan looks better and better every game as he chipped in 11 points. Trae Bell-Haynes hit some tough shots down the stretch and finished with 13 points. Again it was the defense that let the Cats down. St. Bonaventure shot 60 percent from the field including 8/12 (66.7%) from three. Such uncharacteristic struggles for the Vermont defense. The Mobley shot to win it was made worse by the fact that it was his only made shot of the game. Vermont's defense had successfully held St. Bonaventure's leading scorer scoreless for 99.9% of the game. That loss hurts. Such a roller coaster of emotions in a great college basketball game, and Vermont just couldn't pull it off. The preseason hype was all about Vermont taking the next step and reaching the upper echelon of mid-major basketball. Maybe that hype was too much in the end as Vermont is sill a very good mid-major basketball team who hasn't quite made the leap. They whiffed on all of their chances for a signature road win which is how most of their non-conference schedules have gone. They demonstrated how much closer they are to reaching that next level but still have some work to do. This is certainly frustrating and a tad disappointing but they are exactly where they were at last season. I love statistics and I am going to delve into a deeper analysis of the Vermont season up until this point. I use the Ken Pomeroy rankings for a lot of my research because it is really good when used to compare teams for predictive purposes. All of his formulas are adjusted for strength of opponent and home/away/neutral so it offers an even playing field to see how teams stack up. I also have been using hoop-math.com to delve into some of the advanced statistics. All of the following numbers will be from those websites. Vermont has played the 21st toughest schedule according to kenpom. A further validation of the quality of opponent Vermont has had thus far. Vermont's current kenpom ranking is 70. They finished last year at 63 to give you a comparison. Their record broken down by opponents kenpom ranking are as follows :
1-100 (1-3)
101-200 (3-2)
200+ (2-0)
Throw in their non D1 win and you get their current 7-5 record. Buckell is one of those second tier losses and they are currently at 101, right on the border. The point here is that Vermont is right there against teams who are also in the upper tier. The highest ranked team they play the rest of this season is Albany and they are currently at 118. All of their other opponents are ranked below 150. This Vermont team is in the exact same position it was last season at this point. The only different the rest of the way is that Albany is better than they were a season ago. Does this mean they will go undefeated again? It is possible but unlikely. The defense is not quite where it was last season and that needs to improve in order for Vermont to make another big run. With a look behind the numbers there are two areas where Vermont is struggling on defense, at the rim and in transition. Opponents are getting to the rim about 10% more often and when they get their they are shooting it at a higher percentage. This is due to Vermont blocking less shots this season. Opposing teams are shooting 74% on unblocked shots at the rim which is a 12% increase on the same shots last season. This is the area where they miss Dre Wills, Kurt Steidl, and Darren Payen. Vermont is going to have to tighten that up by cutting off driving lanes to the rim due to the lack of consistent rim protectors outside of Lamb. Most of the other defensive numbers are the same. The most glaring weakness right now is Vermont's difficulties getting back in transition. Opposing teams are destroying the Cats in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock. Off a rebound Teams are shooting 31% better on threes and 21% better on jumpers. That is an astronomical increase. It happened several times in the game today and the game winning shot was a quick run up the floor after a made basket. The three from the wing in transition has absolutely killed Vermont this season. They are also committing more live ball turnovers this season which is leading to a 30% increase in shooting percentage at the rim in transition. Not all turnovers are created equal and even though Vermont has reduced their overall turnovers, more of them are leading to runouts. Opposing teams are getting the ball up the court fast and shooting a higher percentage as compared to last season. Now despite all of these bad numbers Vermont has still had chances to win in the last thirty seconds in 4 out of their 5 losses. Vermont has one game between now and January and if they can get together and clean up these defensive lapses they are poised to make another big run this season. This Vermont team is a very good team desite the non-conference disappointments and ready to start building momentum.
Matt Mobley hit a three pointer at the buzzer to sink the Catamounts in Rochester. Payton Henson's tip with five seconds left had given Vermont the lead before Mobley found space on the wing for the dagger. Anthony Lamb was a beast in his homecoming game pouring in 27 points and pulling down 8 rebounds. He has been getting to the line at a high rate and knocking them down when he gets there. He is poised for a tremendous rest of the season. Lamb is already a great player but I see him taking it to another level going forward. Vermont played well on offense and looked really good from the three point line. Everett Duncan looks better and better every game as he chipped in 11 points. Trae Bell-Haynes hit some tough shots down the stretch and finished with 13 points. Again it was the defense that let the Cats down. St. Bonaventure shot 60 percent from the field including 8/12 (66.7%) from three. Such uncharacteristic struggles for the Vermont defense. The Mobley shot to win it was made worse by the fact that it was his only made shot of the game. Vermont's defense had successfully held St. Bonaventure's leading scorer scoreless for 99.9% of the game. That loss hurts. Such a roller coaster of emotions in a great college basketball game, and Vermont just couldn't pull it off. The preseason hype was all about Vermont taking the next step and reaching the upper echelon of mid-major basketball. Maybe that hype was too much in the end as Vermont is sill a very good mid-major basketball team who hasn't quite made the leap. They whiffed on all of their chances for a signature road win which is how most of their non-conference schedules have gone. They demonstrated how much closer they are to reaching that next level but still have some work to do. This is certainly frustrating and a tad disappointing but they are exactly where they were at last season. I love statistics and I am going to delve into a deeper analysis of the Vermont season up until this point. I use the Ken Pomeroy rankings for a lot of my research because it is really good when used to compare teams for predictive purposes. All of his formulas are adjusted for strength of opponent and home/away/neutral so it offers an even playing field to see how teams stack up. I also have been using hoop-math.com to delve into some of the advanced statistics. All of the following numbers will be from those websites. Vermont has played the 21st toughest schedule according to kenpom. A further validation of the quality of opponent Vermont has had thus far. Vermont's current kenpom ranking is 70. They finished last year at 63 to give you a comparison. Their record broken down by opponents kenpom ranking are as follows :
1-100 (1-3)
101-200 (3-2)
200+ (2-0)
Throw in their non D1 win and you get their current 7-5 record. Buckell is one of those second tier losses and they are currently at 101, right on the border. The point here is that Vermont is right there against teams who are also in the upper tier. The highest ranked team they play the rest of this season is Albany and they are currently at 118. All of their other opponents are ranked below 150. This Vermont team is in the exact same position it was last season at this point. The only different the rest of the way is that Albany is better than they were a season ago. Does this mean they will go undefeated again? It is possible but unlikely. The defense is not quite where it was last season and that needs to improve in order for Vermont to make another big run. With a look behind the numbers there are two areas where Vermont is struggling on defense, at the rim and in transition. Opponents are getting to the rim about 10% more often and when they get their they are shooting it at a higher percentage. This is due to Vermont blocking less shots this season. Opposing teams are shooting 74% on unblocked shots at the rim which is a 12% increase on the same shots last season. This is the area where they miss Dre Wills, Kurt Steidl, and Darren Payen. Vermont is going to have to tighten that up by cutting off driving lanes to the rim due to the lack of consistent rim protectors outside of Lamb. Most of the other defensive numbers are the same. The most glaring weakness right now is Vermont's difficulties getting back in transition. Opposing teams are destroying the Cats in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock. Off a rebound Teams are shooting 31% better on threes and 21% better on jumpers. That is an astronomical increase. It happened several times in the game today and the game winning shot was a quick run up the floor after a made basket. The three from the wing in transition has absolutely killed Vermont this season. They are also committing more live ball turnovers this season which is leading to a 30% increase in shooting percentage at the rim in transition. Not all turnovers are created equal and even though Vermont has reduced their overall turnovers, more of them are leading to runouts. Opposing teams are getting the ball up the court fast and shooting a higher percentage as compared to last season. Now despite all of these bad numbers Vermont has still had chances to win in the last thirty seconds in 4 out of their 5 losses. Vermont has one game between now and January and if they can get together and clean up these defensive lapses they are poised to make another big run this season. This Vermont team is a very good team desite the non-conference disappointments and ready to start building momentum.
Monday, December 11, 2017
Siena at Vermont 12/11/17
Vermont 81 Siena 57
Home sweet home.
On Tom Brennan court night Vermont righted the ship and routed Siena. That is 8 straight wins in the series. The Cats had six players in double figures and were led by Drew Urquhart. Drew U continues to impress this season finishing with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. He knocked down another three and is shooting with confidence. Drew U kind of led the pack of "the other guys" in this game. Everett Duncan shot 4-4 from three for 12 points and pulled down another 5 rebounds. He also played a team high 27 minutes and is really settling nicely into his role. Stef Smith also chipped in 12 points while dishing out 5 assists. Smith stayed hot from three and is staring to find more consistency. Nate Rohrer came in and played strong minutes reminding Cats fans what a luxury it is to have a player like him at the end of the bench. His basketball sense is great and he finds ways to make positive plays. Trae Bell-Haynes returned from his one game absence and really stuffed the stat sheet. Bell-Haynes finished with 10 points, 4 assists, and a team high 7 rebounds. Vermont suffered another injury scare when Ernie Duncan went down under the hoop with what looked like a knee injury. He did return to the game later and looked to be okay. Hopefully it is nothing and he will be ready for Saturday's game. The highlight of the night had to be Bell-Haynes putting the ball through a defender's legs as he was breaking the press. I am hoping for a nice camera angle on the highlights. Vermont's defense looked better and they had more energy on the court. The crowd was great tonight and the court dedication ceremony was a great moment. Vermont also dished out 19 assists on 26 made field goals to get back to their style of basketball. A great win and now there are only two games over a 3 week period after the gauntlet to start the year. That should give the road weary Cats a nice break to get rested, healthy, and work out the kinks as they get ready for conference play. The matchup with St. Bonaventure on Saturday is another difficult game as Vermont continues to play one of the toughest schedules in the country. It should be a fun game at a neutral site in Rochester, NY and a homecoming game for Anthony Lamb.
Home sweet home.
On Tom Brennan court night Vermont righted the ship and routed Siena. That is 8 straight wins in the series. The Cats had six players in double figures and were led by Drew Urquhart. Drew U continues to impress this season finishing with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. He knocked down another three and is shooting with confidence. Drew U kind of led the pack of "the other guys" in this game. Everett Duncan shot 4-4 from three for 12 points and pulled down another 5 rebounds. He also played a team high 27 minutes and is really settling nicely into his role. Stef Smith also chipped in 12 points while dishing out 5 assists. Smith stayed hot from three and is staring to find more consistency. Nate Rohrer came in and played strong minutes reminding Cats fans what a luxury it is to have a player like him at the end of the bench. His basketball sense is great and he finds ways to make positive plays. Trae Bell-Haynes returned from his one game absence and really stuffed the stat sheet. Bell-Haynes finished with 10 points, 4 assists, and a team high 7 rebounds. Vermont suffered another injury scare when Ernie Duncan went down under the hoop with what looked like a knee injury. He did return to the game later and looked to be okay. Hopefully it is nothing and he will be ready for Saturday's game. The highlight of the night had to be Bell-Haynes putting the ball through a defender's legs as he was breaking the press. I am hoping for a nice camera angle on the highlights. Vermont's defense looked better and they had more energy on the court. The crowd was great tonight and the court dedication ceremony was a great moment. Vermont also dished out 19 assists on 26 made field goals to get back to their style of basketball. A great win and now there are only two games over a 3 week period after the gauntlet to start the year. That should give the road weary Cats a nice break to get rested, healthy, and work out the kinks as they get ready for conference play. The matchup with St. Bonaventure on Saturday is another difficult game as Vermont continues to play one of the toughest schedules in the country. It should be a fun game at a neutral site in Rochester, NY and a homecoming game for Anthony Lamb.
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Vermont at Northeastern 12/9/17
Northeastern 71 Vermont 67
The road weary Cats dropped their third straight game to a red hot Northeastern team. Vermont was playing without Trae Bell-Haynes and it showed. Bell-Haynes is the key cog in so much of what the Cats do offensively and defensively. As a result Vermont turned the ball over repeatedly and Northeastern scored 21 points off of those mistakes. Vermont's offense was completely one dimensional without Bell-Haynes. His ability to get by defenders and either score or kick out is difficult to replace. That one dimension was strong in this game as Anthony Lamb set a new career high with 32 points, but it was not enough. Lamb was a perfect 15-15 from the line and tried to will the Cats back into game. In both this game and the Bucknell game they had a possession to tie the game or take the lead late and could not convert. Earlier in the year Vermont was converting in those situations so I guess this is a swift correction. The defense was only marginally better and the struggles are similar to the struggles Vermont experienced 2 seasons ago (which incidentally they also played without Dre Wills. You think he was a special kind of defensive force?). During that season teams would work the ball around with quick passes and eventually, late in the shot clock, knock down an open three. That has happened to Vermont three games in a row and is definitely a concerning trend. The Cats also force very few turnovers and as a result they rely on forcing teams to shoot a poor percentage for their defense to be effective. They have to tighten up their rotations or this trend is going to continue. There is no time to hang their heads with a quick turnaround for the game on Monday night. It is court dedication night as Tom Brennan gets recognized for his tremendous contributions to the Vermont program. It is probably going to be a sellout and this losing streak adds another layer to what was already going to be a big game. If Bell-Haynes is forced to miss another game the Cats are going to be in trouble. It is hard to replace all of what Bell-Haynes does for Vermont. Siena has become an intense rivalry game and they play the type of defense that forces lots of turnovers. It is going to be another difficult game and Vermont will need to play significantly better if they want to end the losing streak.
The road weary Cats dropped their third straight game to a red hot Northeastern team. Vermont was playing without Trae Bell-Haynes and it showed. Bell-Haynes is the key cog in so much of what the Cats do offensively and defensively. As a result Vermont turned the ball over repeatedly and Northeastern scored 21 points off of those mistakes. Vermont's offense was completely one dimensional without Bell-Haynes. His ability to get by defenders and either score or kick out is difficult to replace. That one dimension was strong in this game as Anthony Lamb set a new career high with 32 points, but it was not enough. Lamb was a perfect 15-15 from the line and tried to will the Cats back into game. In both this game and the Bucknell game they had a possession to tie the game or take the lead late and could not convert. Earlier in the year Vermont was converting in those situations so I guess this is a swift correction. The defense was only marginally better and the struggles are similar to the struggles Vermont experienced 2 seasons ago (which incidentally they also played without Dre Wills. You think he was a special kind of defensive force?). During that season teams would work the ball around with quick passes and eventually, late in the shot clock, knock down an open three. That has happened to Vermont three games in a row and is definitely a concerning trend. The Cats also force very few turnovers and as a result they rely on forcing teams to shoot a poor percentage for their defense to be effective. They have to tighten up their rotations or this trend is going to continue. There is no time to hang their heads with a quick turnaround for the game on Monday night. It is court dedication night as Tom Brennan gets recognized for his tremendous contributions to the Vermont program. It is probably going to be a sellout and this losing streak adds another layer to what was already going to be a big game. If Bell-Haynes is forced to miss another game the Cats are going to be in trouble. It is hard to replace all of what Bell-Haynes does for Vermont. Siena has become an intense rivalry game and they play the type of defense that forces lots of turnovers. It is going to be another difficult game and Vermont will need to play significantly better if they want to end the losing streak.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Vermont at Marquette 12/5/17
Marquette 91 Vermont 81
Vermont ran into a hot shooting Markus Howard and fell to Marquette in the road. Howard was unbelievable in this one. He absolutely could not be stopped and the rest of his Golden Eagle teammates joined in the fun as Marquette shot 57% from the field. The Golden Eagles don't play much defense but they will win some games in the Big East this year by virtue of an incredibly efficient offense. Anytime an underdog is trying to pull an upset, it needs to be a combination of the underdog being hot and the favorite playing a little off. Both teams were hot in this one and as result Vermont didn't have enough to get the victory. Much will be written about the trouble Vermont is having at the defensive end but I am not ready to panic about the Cats defense. They played two very tough, offensively efficient opponents on the road. There are certainly some things to tighten up but I think some of the last two games had to do with very strong offensive performances by the Vermont opponents. This game has all the feelings of the Butler game last season that propelled Vermont to their win streak. I am not saying that they won't lose again this season, but I believe that this game can be a sign of how close they are but serve as a reminder of the work they have left to do. How about Stef Smith? Holy mackerel he single-handedly kept Vermont in the game. After struggling through the last few games Smith came out firing in this one and finished with a career high 20 points on 6/6 shooting from three. What a great game to build on and a tremendous confidence booster. Smith is a very gifted player and it looks like he is starting to get a feel for the college game. He certainly looks right on track to be a consistent contributor come conference schedule time. That will be a huge boost to add an instant offense piece off the bench. The bench was good in general tonight as Drew Urquhart had another strong game and Cam Ward knocked down some nice shots in his homecoming game. Anthony Lamb picked up some and fouls early and looked out of sorts for the rest of the game. He needs to get off to good starts as how he begins the game seems to dictate how the rest of the game will go. I was excited that Trae Bell-Haynes finally looked healthy and then he fell hard and hit his head on the floor at the end of the game. Hopefully he is ready to go because now comes the crucial part of taking away the "positives" from these losses. The game at Northeastern becomes a "must win" game now. The Cats are tired and weary from the road but they cannot take this next game lightly. Ideally they will come out and take it to Northeastern as they should be highly motivated to move on from this tough stretch. It is time to take the hard lessons and apply them to their next opponent so Vermont can get back on the winning track.
P.S. I actually work with a Marquette fan and we made a small "wear the opposing team's t-shirt" bet on this game, so tomorrow I will unfortunately be wearing the blue and gold all day. Ouch.
Vermont ran into a hot shooting Markus Howard and fell to Marquette in the road. Howard was unbelievable in this one. He absolutely could not be stopped and the rest of his Golden Eagle teammates joined in the fun as Marquette shot 57% from the field. The Golden Eagles don't play much defense but they will win some games in the Big East this year by virtue of an incredibly efficient offense. Anytime an underdog is trying to pull an upset, it needs to be a combination of the underdog being hot and the favorite playing a little off. Both teams were hot in this one and as result Vermont didn't have enough to get the victory. Much will be written about the trouble Vermont is having at the defensive end but I am not ready to panic about the Cats defense. They played two very tough, offensively efficient opponents on the road. There are certainly some things to tighten up but I think some of the last two games had to do with very strong offensive performances by the Vermont opponents. This game has all the feelings of the Butler game last season that propelled Vermont to their win streak. I am not saying that they won't lose again this season, but I believe that this game can be a sign of how close they are but serve as a reminder of the work they have left to do. How about Stef Smith? Holy mackerel he single-handedly kept Vermont in the game. After struggling through the last few games Smith came out firing in this one and finished with a career high 20 points on 6/6 shooting from three. What a great game to build on and a tremendous confidence booster. Smith is a very gifted player and it looks like he is starting to get a feel for the college game. He certainly looks right on track to be a consistent contributor come conference schedule time. That will be a huge boost to add an instant offense piece off the bench. The bench was good in general tonight as Drew Urquhart had another strong game and Cam Ward knocked down some nice shots in his homecoming game. Anthony Lamb picked up some and fouls early and looked out of sorts for the rest of the game. He needs to get off to good starts as how he begins the game seems to dictate how the rest of the game will go. I was excited that Trae Bell-Haynes finally looked healthy and then he fell hard and hit his head on the floor at the end of the game. Hopefully he is ready to go because now comes the crucial part of taking away the "positives" from these losses. The game at Northeastern becomes a "must win" game now. The Cats are tired and weary from the road but they cannot take this next game lightly. Ideally they will come out and take it to Northeastern as they should be highly motivated to move on from this tough stretch. It is time to take the hard lessons and apply them to their next opponent so Vermont can get back on the winning track.
P.S. I actually work with a Marquette fan and we made a small "wear the opposing team's t-shirt" bet on this game, so tomorrow I will unfortunately be wearing the blue and gold all day. Ouch.
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Vermont at Bucknell 12/2/17
Bucknell 81 Vermont 77
Vermont battled hard but fell to Bucknell to snap their 6 game win streak. In a matchup between two conference preseason number ones, the game did not disappoint. It was a back and forth affair with neither team able to take control. It was a fun game to watch with great basketball players on both sides. Bucknell caught fire from three down the stretch and made their free throws to ice the game. Once again the comeback Cats somehow climbed back into the game from a large deficit late. Payton Henson had a nice look from three that would have put Vermont up by one with 30 seconds left but couldn't get it to fall. I guess eventually Vermont had to miss one of those big late game shots they have made a living on this season. The most surprising thing from this game was how the Bison defense made Vermont into a one on one offensive team. The Cats' assist/turnover ratio was an abysmal 5/11. Five assists on 26 made field goals. That is atrocious and wildly uncharacteristic for this team. I would imagine that is going to be a big point of emphasis before Tuesday's showdown with Marquette. Trae Bell-Haynes is definitely playing through a nagging injury as he just does not have the same burst out on the court. The result is that he is having an incredibly hard time finishing at the rim. Vermont played well overall in this one, Bucknell just played better. Winning on the road is a tough thing to do and while no one likes to lose I am of the mind that when a team inevitably loses it can be a learning experience and a time to refocus, especially during the non conference schedule. I thought some of the biggest moments that helped Vermont last year were in losses. Losing to Houston and Northeastern were two losses last year that because of the way they lost, I felt had a very positive impact on Vermont's mentality as a team. It is kind of cheesy but you don't learn how to win until you learn how to lose. When you win as many close games and comeback games as the Cats have over the past few years, every end game situation gives you fuel for that situation in the future. Vermont will be able to tighten up some of the things that cost them this game and be even better prepared for the next time they are in a dog fight. The most immediate concern is that the Cats let this game get away from them due to defending the three poorly down the stretch. Their next game is against Marquette, a team who loves the three about as much as any team in the country. No time to hang their heads, the three point defense will need to be tightened up immediately. Marquette is also an offensive minded team who spread the floor with shooters at every position. Another tough test for Vermont.
P.S. I get that one of the announcers was a fan who won a prize but wow, that was a tough broadcast to listen to. I am all for rooting for your team but a little bit of moderation goes a long way.
Vermont battled hard but fell to Bucknell to snap their 6 game win streak. In a matchup between two conference preseason number ones, the game did not disappoint. It was a back and forth affair with neither team able to take control. It was a fun game to watch with great basketball players on both sides. Bucknell caught fire from three down the stretch and made their free throws to ice the game. Once again the comeback Cats somehow climbed back into the game from a large deficit late. Payton Henson had a nice look from three that would have put Vermont up by one with 30 seconds left but couldn't get it to fall. I guess eventually Vermont had to miss one of those big late game shots they have made a living on this season. The most surprising thing from this game was how the Bison defense made Vermont into a one on one offensive team. The Cats' assist/turnover ratio was an abysmal 5/11. Five assists on 26 made field goals. That is atrocious and wildly uncharacteristic for this team. I would imagine that is going to be a big point of emphasis before Tuesday's showdown with Marquette. Trae Bell-Haynes is definitely playing through a nagging injury as he just does not have the same burst out on the court. The result is that he is having an incredibly hard time finishing at the rim. Vermont played well overall in this one, Bucknell just played better. Winning on the road is a tough thing to do and while no one likes to lose I am of the mind that when a team inevitably loses it can be a learning experience and a time to refocus, especially during the non conference schedule. I thought some of the biggest moments that helped Vermont last year were in losses. Losing to Houston and Northeastern were two losses last year that because of the way they lost, I felt had a very positive impact on Vermont's mentality as a team. It is kind of cheesy but you don't learn how to win until you learn how to lose. When you win as many close games and comeback games as the Cats have over the past few years, every end game situation gives you fuel for that situation in the future. Vermont will be able to tighten up some of the things that cost them this game and be even better prepared for the next time they are in a dog fight. The most immediate concern is that the Cats let this game get away from them due to defending the three poorly down the stretch. Their next game is against Marquette, a team who loves the three about as much as any team in the country. No time to hang their heads, the three point defense will need to be tightened up immediately. Marquette is also an offensive minded team who spread the floor with shooters at every position. Another tough test for Vermont.
P.S. I get that one of the announcers was a fan who won a prize but wow, that was a tough broadcast to listen to. I am all for rooting for your team but a little bit of moderation goes a long way.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Vermont at Richmond 11/29/17
Vermont 71 Richmond 65
Good teams win even when they are not at their best.
Vermont shook off an uncharacteristically sloppy game and executed down the stretch for a nice win against Richmond. It is their first win over an A10 opponent since 2008 and their first road win over an A10 opponent since 1976. Another example of the current trajectory of this team and the Vermont program. The early injury to Trae Bell-Haynes seemed to take the life out of the Cats. Bell-Haynes ended up playing the rest of the game with a sleeve on his knee but looked hobbled and a step slow. He gutted it out because he is a fierce competitor and I hope that he is okay. These next two games are very tough and his health with have a significant impact on the Cats game plan. Bell-Haynes and Payton Henson struggled in this one but kept fighting and never got down on themselves. Bell-Haynes fought through the injury and committing 6 turnovers to knock down two crucial free throws. Henson struggled to score but pulled down a team high 8 rebounds. Ernie Duncan was the star of this game. He knocked down big shots all night en route to 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was 5/8 from three and hit a layup to beat the shot clock buzzer down the stretch to squash the Spiders comeback bid. His willingness to go to the rim and shoot off the dribble more this season is making him a more dangerous scorer. No longer can teams just treat him as a shooter and close him out hard at the three point line. Anthony Lamb also had a strong game finishing with 14 points and 6 rebounds. He has clearly been working on how to make quick decisions when a double team is coming as that area has improved since his early season struggles. Both Cam Ward and Everett Duncan hit big threes in the second half. It was nice to see Ward get one to go down. Overall it was a very inconsistent game for the Cats. Several times it looked like they were poised to take control of the game, only to let Richmond crawl back in. Some poor shot selection and bad live ball turnovers really disrupted the flow of Vermont's offense. They are going to need a much tighter more complete effort on Saturday night against Bucknell. That will be a marquee mid-major matchup between two of the top mid-major programs in the country. Catamount fans should take a moment and reflect on what Vermont has accomplished thus far this season. To be 6-1 with the schedule they have played is impressive. They have played one of the most difficult schedules in the country up until this point and keep finding ways to win. An incredible start to the season and a great opportunity against another top notch opponent on Saturday night.
Good teams win even when they are not at their best.
Vermont shook off an uncharacteristically sloppy game and executed down the stretch for a nice win against Richmond. It is their first win over an A10 opponent since 2008 and their first road win over an A10 opponent since 1976. Another example of the current trajectory of this team and the Vermont program. The early injury to Trae Bell-Haynes seemed to take the life out of the Cats. Bell-Haynes ended up playing the rest of the game with a sleeve on his knee but looked hobbled and a step slow. He gutted it out because he is a fierce competitor and I hope that he is okay. These next two games are very tough and his health with have a significant impact on the Cats game plan. Bell-Haynes and Payton Henson struggled in this one but kept fighting and never got down on themselves. Bell-Haynes fought through the injury and committing 6 turnovers to knock down two crucial free throws. Henson struggled to score but pulled down a team high 8 rebounds. Ernie Duncan was the star of this game. He knocked down big shots all night en route to 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was 5/8 from three and hit a layup to beat the shot clock buzzer down the stretch to squash the Spiders comeback bid. His willingness to go to the rim and shoot off the dribble more this season is making him a more dangerous scorer. No longer can teams just treat him as a shooter and close him out hard at the three point line. Anthony Lamb also had a strong game finishing with 14 points and 6 rebounds. He has clearly been working on how to make quick decisions when a double team is coming as that area has improved since his early season struggles. Both Cam Ward and Everett Duncan hit big threes in the second half. It was nice to see Ward get one to go down. Overall it was a very inconsistent game for the Cats. Several times it looked like they were poised to take control of the game, only to let Richmond crawl back in. Some poor shot selection and bad live ball turnovers really disrupted the flow of Vermont's offense. They are going to need a much tighter more complete effort on Saturday night against Bucknell. That will be a marquee mid-major matchup between two of the top mid-major programs in the country. Catamount fans should take a moment and reflect on what Vermont has accomplished thus far this season. To be 6-1 with the schedule they have played is impressive. They have played one of the most difficult schedules in the country up until this point and keep finding ways to win. An incredible start to the season and a great opportunity against another top notch opponent on Saturday night.
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Vermont at Yale 11/25/17
Vermont 79 Yale 73
Vermont kicked off their 5 game road trip with a nice win over Yale. Anthony Lamb led the way with 22 points and 7 rebounds. He took advantage of Yale's lack of size and dominated on the inside. He threw in a couple of blocks on the defensive end controlling the game at both ends of the floor. Payton Henson was right their with him scoring 19 points of his own including 3-5 from three. Henson looks quicker and more athletic this year. He has been particularly strong on the offensive glass grabbing three more offensive rebounds in this game. Ernie Duncan threw in 12 points and continues to improve on the defensive end. Always stays in front, takes charges, and is a general bother to opposing players. He gets into passing lanes when he is off the ball and cuts off drives very effectively when he is on the ball. Everett Duncan continues his strong rebounding as he was second on the team with 5 including what seemed like all the big ones down the stretch. Trae Bell-Haynes struggled throughout the game but hit a big shot late and dished out 10 assists for the second time in his career. He got the ball to guys in great spots in this game and played tough despite his struggles. In four career games against Yale, Bell-Haynes struggled to only a 6 points per game average. They are certainly one of the few teams who was consistently able to bother him throughout his career. Now it is off to Richmond to face the Spiders. Always a tough place to play against a very strong Atlantic 10 program. The Cats passed test number one and are ready for whats next. As a final thought, I know comparing game scores in not a very sound way of assessing performance at all but Albany beat Yale by an almost identical score of 80-72. The Albany/Vermont battles are going to be epic this season.
Vermont kicked off their 5 game road trip with a nice win over Yale. Anthony Lamb led the way with 22 points and 7 rebounds. He took advantage of Yale's lack of size and dominated on the inside. He threw in a couple of blocks on the defensive end controlling the game at both ends of the floor. Payton Henson was right their with him scoring 19 points of his own including 3-5 from three. Henson looks quicker and more athletic this year. He has been particularly strong on the offensive glass grabbing three more offensive rebounds in this game. Ernie Duncan threw in 12 points and continues to improve on the defensive end. Always stays in front, takes charges, and is a general bother to opposing players. He gets into passing lanes when he is off the ball and cuts off drives very effectively when he is on the ball. Everett Duncan continues his strong rebounding as he was second on the team with 5 including what seemed like all the big ones down the stretch. Trae Bell-Haynes struggled throughout the game but hit a big shot late and dished out 10 assists for the second time in his career. He got the ball to guys in great spots in this game and played tough despite his struggles. In four career games against Yale, Bell-Haynes struggled to only a 6 points per game average. They are certainly one of the few teams who was consistently able to bother him throughout his career. Now it is off to Richmond to face the Spiders. Always a tough place to play against a very strong Atlantic 10 program. The Cats passed test number one and are ready for whats next. As a final thought, I know comparing game scores in not a very sound way of assessing performance at all but Albany beat Yale by an almost identical score of 80-72. The Albany/Vermont battles are going to be epic this season.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Maine-Fort Kent wrap-up/Road trip preview
Vermont 90 Maine-Fort Kent 54
The starters got some much needed rest and the bench got a chance to show their stuff in Vermont's win over Maine-Fort Kent. The sub division one game on the schedule is always a tough one to gauge. The challenges of getting home games means that this game is going to continue to be part of the schedule. Some years they are tough to watch, and some years they serve a good purpose. This year was the latter as the Cats were coming off a tough weekend tournament and are about to embark on a 5 game road trip. This Vermont team also needs time to develop a bench and what better way to get the bench some playing time than in a game that is clearly in hand. The bench development is very much a work in progress and this game cemented that the starters are going to be playing big minutes this year. As long as guys stay healthy that is not necessarily a negative as having the best players on the court as much as possible is a good thing. It is just a big shift from how Vermont teams have been typically constructed over the past few years. This game was much like an audition for minutes and I though Ben Shungu looked really good in his first real game action. He is strong and a good finisher around the rim. He used his year off to work on his shot and it does look much improved. The battle between him and Stef Smith for minutes is going to be a interesting thing to follow as the season wears on. They each bring a different skill set and both have the ability to contribute. Samuel Dingba got his first game action as a Catamount and worked off some of his rust. On the one hand he has a ridiculous wingspan which makes him both a threat on the glass and as a shot blocker. On the other hand he is wild and struggles to gather the ball. He has the chance to work his way into minutes as a defensive specialist due to the lack of frontcourt depth. Dingba has a long way to go before he gets there as he tries to get up to speed after the year off. Cam Ward as of right now looks like the odd man out. He struggled to contribute last season and so far it has carried over to this season. He is struggling to make shots and is not playing with confidence. He has shown in the past he can be a big time contributor and I hope before the end of the season he finds his way again. Now the Cats gets to enjoy a nice Thanksgiving before heading off on a grueling five game road trip. None of the games are going to be a cakewalk and Bucknell/Marquette is a particularly difficult two game stretch. This makes the Yale game to kick it off very important. Yale has lost two major contributors to injuries but is still a very talented team. Road games are tough to win no matter what and Vermont is going to have to find a way to get off to better starts than they have thus far this season. Falling behind on the road can be a particularly difficult thing to overcome. As far as the chance for big wins and having a good non conference record goes, this is the stretch. Each of these games is a real test and this is their best opportunity for some strong wins. They have been close to getting that signature non conference win over the past few seasons and this is the opportunity to get over the hump. On this holiday I am thankful that there are people out there who actually enjoy reading this rambling blog. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
The starters got some much needed rest and the bench got a chance to show their stuff in Vermont's win over Maine-Fort Kent. The sub division one game on the schedule is always a tough one to gauge. The challenges of getting home games means that this game is going to continue to be part of the schedule. Some years they are tough to watch, and some years they serve a good purpose. This year was the latter as the Cats were coming off a tough weekend tournament and are about to embark on a 5 game road trip. This Vermont team also needs time to develop a bench and what better way to get the bench some playing time than in a game that is clearly in hand. The bench development is very much a work in progress and this game cemented that the starters are going to be playing big minutes this year. As long as guys stay healthy that is not necessarily a negative as having the best players on the court as much as possible is a good thing. It is just a big shift from how Vermont teams have been typically constructed over the past few years. This game was much like an audition for minutes and I though Ben Shungu looked really good in his first real game action. He is strong and a good finisher around the rim. He used his year off to work on his shot and it does look much improved. The battle between him and Stef Smith for minutes is going to be a interesting thing to follow as the season wears on. They each bring a different skill set and both have the ability to contribute. Samuel Dingba got his first game action as a Catamount and worked off some of his rust. On the one hand he has a ridiculous wingspan which makes him both a threat on the glass and as a shot blocker. On the other hand he is wild and struggles to gather the ball. He has the chance to work his way into minutes as a defensive specialist due to the lack of frontcourt depth. Dingba has a long way to go before he gets there as he tries to get up to speed after the year off. Cam Ward as of right now looks like the odd man out. He struggled to contribute last season and so far it has carried over to this season. He is struggling to make shots and is not playing with confidence. He has shown in the past he can be a big time contributor and I hope before the end of the season he finds his way again. Now the Cats gets to enjoy a nice Thanksgiving before heading off on a grueling five game road trip. None of the games are going to be a cakewalk and Bucknell/Marquette is a particularly difficult two game stretch. This makes the Yale game to kick it off very important. Yale has lost two major contributors to injuries but is still a very talented team. Road games are tough to win no matter what and Vermont is going to have to find a way to get off to better starts than they have thus far this season. Falling behind on the road can be a particularly difficult thing to overcome. As far as the chance for big wins and having a good non conference record goes, this is the stretch. Each of these games is a real test and this is their best opportunity for some strong wins. They have been close to getting that signature non conference win over the past few seasons and this is the opportunity to get over the hump. On this holiday I am thankful that there are people out there who actually enjoy reading this rambling blog. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Vermont wins the inaugural Islands of the Bahamas Showcase
Vermont 66 Northern Kentucky 64
Trophy time.
Vermont overcame a 13 point second half deficit to take the championship game of the Islands of the Bahamas Showcase. An incredible win. I admit I was starting to lose faith when they got down 59-46. I was beginning to think about how tired the Cats looked and that the heavy minutes the starters played were catching up to them. However this team proves time and time again that mentally, they are a different beast. The way in which they are able to will themselves back into games is incredible. They believe so strongly that they can win no matter the situation. I have never seen anything like it. It is the most incredible thing about this group. They take every challenge head on and never stop fighting. I was one game off on the Anthony Lamb comeback, but boy what a comeback it was. Northern Kentucky made the mistake of not doubling him and they payed dearly. It was clear after this game that the double teams were throwing Lamb off and he needed to get a few shots to fall in order to give him some momentum. Once he sensed that he could get his shots up, he was quite the force. Lamb was all over the court finishing with 26 points and 14 rebounds. Several times he emerged out of a group of rebounders with the ball and willed his way to the basket. Just a incredible performance in a big game. Trae Bell-Haynes took the baton from Lamb and exploded in the second half. During the 20-5 run the Cats went on to finish the game, Bell-Haynes got to the rim at will both finishing for himself and dishing to open teammates. The court looked like it tilted in the direction of the Cats. Bell-Haynes finished with 19 points and hit the game winning floater with 2 seconds left. An incredible run by the senior leader. Payton Henson struggled most of the night but came up with some key buckets down the stretch, His 4 point play gave the Cats life and he hit the go ahead shot at 64-62 to give Vermont their first lead since early in the game. A tremendous example of mental toughness as he looked exhausted for most of the game. Drew Urquhart had a quiet game but did continue his dunk streak with an incredible one handed putback slam. I am going to continue to put a plug in for Everett Duncan as he is doing all the little things to help this team win. Tonight it was his continued strength on the boards as he finished with 7 rebounds. He got some big boards down the stretch and has a calming presence on the court. A ton of credit goes to the starters who played some serious minutes in this tournament. It has been a while since there has been a Vermont team where the starters play so many minutes. This is a great win as not only was it for a championship, but Northern Kentucky is a very strong team. They sped Vermont up for the most of the game and forced them into a ton of first half turnovers. It wasn't until that late game run that the Cats were able to slow the game down and play at their pace. What an incredible trip for the Cats. They can rest easy and enjoy this one for a few days, but with this team they probably won't. These Cats are ready to get right back to work as they have their sights set on even loftier goals.
Trophy time.
Vermont overcame a 13 point second half deficit to take the championship game of the Islands of the Bahamas Showcase. An incredible win. I admit I was starting to lose faith when they got down 59-46. I was beginning to think about how tired the Cats looked and that the heavy minutes the starters played were catching up to them. However this team proves time and time again that mentally, they are a different beast. The way in which they are able to will themselves back into games is incredible. They believe so strongly that they can win no matter the situation. I have never seen anything like it. It is the most incredible thing about this group. They take every challenge head on and never stop fighting. I was one game off on the Anthony Lamb comeback, but boy what a comeback it was. Northern Kentucky made the mistake of not doubling him and they payed dearly. It was clear after this game that the double teams were throwing Lamb off and he needed to get a few shots to fall in order to give him some momentum. Once he sensed that he could get his shots up, he was quite the force. Lamb was all over the court finishing with 26 points and 14 rebounds. Several times he emerged out of a group of rebounders with the ball and willed his way to the basket. Just a incredible performance in a big game. Trae Bell-Haynes took the baton from Lamb and exploded in the second half. During the 20-5 run the Cats went on to finish the game, Bell-Haynes got to the rim at will both finishing for himself and dishing to open teammates. The court looked like it tilted in the direction of the Cats. Bell-Haynes finished with 19 points and hit the game winning floater with 2 seconds left. An incredible run by the senior leader. Payton Henson struggled most of the night but came up with some key buckets down the stretch, His 4 point play gave the Cats life and he hit the go ahead shot at 64-62 to give Vermont their first lead since early in the game. A tremendous example of mental toughness as he looked exhausted for most of the game. Drew Urquhart had a quiet game but did continue his dunk streak with an incredible one handed putback slam. I am going to continue to put a plug in for Everett Duncan as he is doing all the little things to help this team win. Tonight it was his continued strength on the boards as he finished with 7 rebounds. He got some big boards down the stretch and has a calming presence on the court. A ton of credit goes to the starters who played some serious minutes in this tournament. It has been a while since there has been a Vermont team where the starters play so many minutes. This is a great win as not only was it for a championship, but Northern Kentucky is a very strong team. They sped Vermont up for the most of the game and forced them into a ton of first half turnovers. It wasn't until that late game run that the Cats were able to slow the game down and play at their pace. What an incredible trip for the Cats. They can rest easy and enjoy this one for a few days, but with this team they probably won't. These Cats are ready to get right back to work as they have their sights set on even loftier goals.
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Islands of the Bahamas Showcase: Vermont vs Coastal Carolina
Vermont 80 Coastal Carolina 67
Vermont overcame another sluggish first half by ratcheting up their defense and Ernie Duncan put Coastal Carolina away with a big second half run. Duncan was incredible down the stretch and finished with 19 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. He drove hard to the rim and had some beautiful finishes and dump offs to teammates. It was great to see him use the fear of his three point shot to get by defenders and get to the rim. Drew Urquhart turned in another incredible performance setting a new career high with 15 points. He is attacking the rim with authority and looking to dunk the ball every chance he can. He also pulled down 5 rebounds and has improved his ability to battle for the ball in traffic. What a great start to his senior year. Trae Bell-Haynes finished with 15 points as well and made 6 out of 9 from the free thrown line to get himself headed in the right direction. He also dished out 5 assists as Vermont assisted on 17 of their 25 made shots. Everett Duncan knocked down a couple threes and did a lot of little things to help the Cats win. I really like the court sense he possesses. Payton Henson continued to be his consistently good self. Henson hit some big shots and has looked even better on the boards thus far this season. Becker went with his "no mistakes lineup" down the stretch after the freshman let Coastal Carolina back into the game with some bad turnovers. Anthony Lamb also did not play much down the stretch, as for the second straight game he looked lost out on the court. It is so strange to see him struggle so much. He is definitely not playing with confidence right now. Opposing teams are throwing a lot of different looks at him, especially immediate double teams and he is having a hard time adjusting. He is the focal point of opposing defenses and there is going to be an adjustment period for him. So far in every game this season Vermont has been better in the second half, particularly on defense. They are making good half time adjustments but tomorrow night they are going to have to get off to a better start. Because I love patterns I am going to continue to reference how similar this tournament is unfolding when compared to last years tournament. In the second game of the tournament last year Vermont found their offense and won by double digits with, you guessed it again, Ernie Duncan as their leading scorer. Totally irrelevant but fun. It will be a battle tomorrow night for the championship as both Iona and Northern Kentucky will be difficult matchups. The three teams left in this tournament field all made the NCAA tournament last season. Can't wait to see how the Cats some out in tomorrow nights game with a chance to bring home the championship.
Vermont overcame another sluggish first half by ratcheting up their defense and Ernie Duncan put Coastal Carolina away with a big second half run. Duncan was incredible down the stretch and finished with 19 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. He drove hard to the rim and had some beautiful finishes and dump offs to teammates. It was great to see him use the fear of his three point shot to get by defenders and get to the rim. Drew Urquhart turned in another incredible performance setting a new career high with 15 points. He is attacking the rim with authority and looking to dunk the ball every chance he can. He also pulled down 5 rebounds and has improved his ability to battle for the ball in traffic. What a great start to his senior year. Trae Bell-Haynes finished with 15 points as well and made 6 out of 9 from the free thrown line to get himself headed in the right direction. He also dished out 5 assists as Vermont assisted on 17 of their 25 made shots. Everett Duncan knocked down a couple threes and did a lot of little things to help the Cats win. I really like the court sense he possesses. Payton Henson continued to be his consistently good self. Henson hit some big shots and has looked even better on the boards thus far this season. Becker went with his "no mistakes lineup" down the stretch after the freshman let Coastal Carolina back into the game with some bad turnovers. Anthony Lamb also did not play much down the stretch, as for the second straight game he looked lost out on the court. It is so strange to see him struggle so much. He is definitely not playing with confidence right now. Opposing teams are throwing a lot of different looks at him, especially immediate double teams and he is having a hard time adjusting. He is the focal point of opposing defenses and there is going to be an adjustment period for him. So far in every game this season Vermont has been better in the second half, particularly on defense. They are making good half time adjustments but tomorrow night they are going to have to get off to a better start. Because I love patterns I am going to continue to reference how similar this tournament is unfolding when compared to last years tournament. In the second game of the tournament last year Vermont found their offense and won by double digits with, you guessed it again, Ernie Duncan as their leading scorer. Totally irrelevant but fun. It will be a battle tomorrow night for the championship as both Iona and Northern Kentucky will be difficult matchups. The three teams left in this tournament field all made the NCAA tournament last season. Can't wait to see how the Cats some out in tomorrow nights game with a chance to bring home the championship.
Friday, November 17, 2017
Islands of the Bahamas Showcase: Vermont vs Bradley
Vermont 65 Bradley 64
Nothing but drama to start the season.
Vermont got their first win on the season in a nail biter against Bradley. Trae Bell-Haynes made his first free throw of the season with two seconds left, lifting the Cats to victory. Bell-Haynes continues to struggle at the line furthering a trend which began last season. It is some kind of irony that his first made free throw won the game. It will be interesting to see if Bell-Haynes can right the ship at the line. The story in this game was Stef Smith. He came off the bench and in his first real game action pumped in 14 points including 3-5 from deep. He was really the only Vermont player who was a threat from the perimeter in this game. The hype surrounding Smith from the preseason has carried over and it looks like he will have a major impact this year and beyond. Drew Urquhart looked great once again and is playing with incredible confidence. He looks faster and more decisive on the court. Ernie Duncan is struggling with his shot to start the season and I have to wonder if his preseason injury is to blame. He worked on his back on the sideline every time he sat out and can't seem to get into a rhythm. It will be a situation to monitor for sure. Anthony Lamb picked up two fouls almost immediately, drew the wrath of Becker on the sidelines, and was never able to get back into a rhythm. Some of that credit has to go to Bradley as they ran a strong double team at him every time he had the ball. I expect Lamb to bounce back in a big way for tomorrow's game. This game is almost identical to the way Vermont began the Gulf Coast Showcase last season. They slogged though a poor first half with an 11:00 start time. They never really found their shooting rhythm but fought through it and won 60-59, you guessed it, on a shot from Trae Bell-Haynes. I guess the Cats aren't morning people. Good teams find a way to win even when they don't have their best stuff and Vermont did just that. Bradley was a tough, physical team that played good defense. A good early test and now the Cats can sleep in and get ready for Coastal Carolina. This three games in three days format is such a good barometer for the rest of the season as it really challenges the mental toughness of a team. I though Vermont learned a lot about themselves during the Gulf Coast Showcase last year and I expect they will do the same this year.
Nothing but drama to start the season.
Vermont got their first win on the season in a nail biter against Bradley. Trae Bell-Haynes made his first free throw of the season with two seconds left, lifting the Cats to victory. Bell-Haynes continues to struggle at the line furthering a trend which began last season. It is some kind of irony that his first made free throw won the game. It will be interesting to see if Bell-Haynes can right the ship at the line. The story in this game was Stef Smith. He came off the bench and in his first real game action pumped in 14 points including 3-5 from deep. He was really the only Vermont player who was a threat from the perimeter in this game. The hype surrounding Smith from the preseason has carried over and it looks like he will have a major impact this year and beyond. Drew Urquhart looked great once again and is playing with incredible confidence. He looks faster and more decisive on the court. Ernie Duncan is struggling with his shot to start the season and I have to wonder if his preseason injury is to blame. He worked on his back on the sideline every time he sat out and can't seem to get into a rhythm. It will be a situation to monitor for sure. Anthony Lamb picked up two fouls almost immediately, drew the wrath of Becker on the sidelines, and was never able to get back into a rhythm. Some of that credit has to go to Bradley as they ran a strong double team at him every time he had the ball. I expect Lamb to bounce back in a big way for tomorrow's game. This game is almost identical to the way Vermont began the Gulf Coast Showcase last season. They slogged though a poor first half with an 11:00 start time. They never really found their shooting rhythm but fought through it and won 60-59, you guessed it, on a shot from Trae Bell-Haynes. I guess the Cats aren't morning people. Good teams find a way to win even when they don't have their best stuff and Vermont did just that. Bradley was a tough, physical team that played good defense. A good early test and now the Cats can sleep in and get ready for Coastal Carolina. This three games in three days format is such a good barometer for the rest of the season as it really challenges the mental toughness of a team. I though Vermont learned a lot about themselves during the Gulf Coast Showcase last year and I expect they will do the same this year.
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Vermont at Kentucky 11/12/17
Kentucky 73 Vermont 69
What a way to open the season.
On the road, against a top 5 team, facing a double digit deficit, the Vermont Catamounts railed and gave themselves several chances to take control of the game before falling to the Wildcats. The shots didn't go down at the end but the Cats showed what they are made of. It is rare when a game actually lives up to the hype. Vermont looked liked they belonged and the box score reflects that as well. There is a lot to unpack from this game but the first thing I want to say is a big congratulations to Drew Urquhart. Drew U has gone through some ups and downs in his career and persevered through it all. He has always accepted his role, held his head high, and been ready when called upon. This afternoon he put together the finest game of his career. Drew U finished with 13 points, hit a huge three pointer late in the game, and battled on the defensive end with the giants of Kentucky. What a great game and it always great to see a senior seize the moment. This is the jumping off point for what could be a strong final season. The game itself was great. Vermont struggled to hit shots early in their first regular season half of basketball. Then Trae Bell-Haynes got into foul trouble. Things were trending in the wrong direction. The Cats kept themselves in the game with strong defense. Then early in the second half shots started to fall for both teams and it looked as though Kentucky was ready to pull away. But Vermont hung around and then Bell-Haynes went on one of his one.man.run streaks. He is just such an incredible player and even against elite, future NBA talent he is fast and finishes with strength at the rim. He is set up for another strong year and looks fully healthy from the injury scare. The Cats had some good looks down the stretch but couldn't get them to fall. A great effort against a difficult opponent and now the task is to take the lessons from that game and go out and get the wins they are looking for in their very tough non-conference schedule. You never want to celebrate a loss, but it is hard for the Cats to hang their heads after this one. Anthony Lamb looked strong once again with 15 points and 7 rebounds. The perimeter shot is there as almost all of his points in this game came from his jumper. If that shooting stoke continues the way it was at the end of last season, watch out. Payton Henson hit a big three down the stretch and held his own down on the block. I still am both impressed and intrigued by Everett Duncan's rebounding ability. He has a nose for the ball and held his own on defense. It was nice to see Skyler Nash come in and immediately drain a three. That has got to give him a nice confidence boost going forward. Vermont only turned the ball over 7 times and shot 45% from the field despite the incredible length that Kentucky puts out on the floor (I mean how many times did ESPN put up the wingspan graphic?). The only area where Kentucky had a significant advantage was at the free throw line. Here I was all worried about the defense and it looked good in their first game action. Shows what I know. One of the interesting observations is for the first time in a while it looks like Becker will be giving his starters more minutes. The rotation looks to be smaller and unlike in years past the starters might inch closer to 30 mins per game. That will certainly be an interesting development throughout the season. Also with Ra Kpedi in street clothes the redshirt must be official. I like the move because with a year to get stronger and up to speed, I think he can make an impact. I equate this game to the Houston game last season. It was a game where they competed and had chances to get a signature win but fell short. I actually think not winning that Houston game last season helped keep the Cats grounded and hungry for more. I believe this game will have the same effect. This Vermont team is not going to be satisfied with just competing with Kentucky. Now that they have been so close this Vermont team is going to be ready for the next time this opportunity presents itself and they wont let it pass them by. Now it is on to the Bahamas for a weekend tournament where they are the favorites to win. Anything can happen in a three games in three days format but I expect the Cats to come out hungry.
What a way to open the season.
On the road, against a top 5 team, facing a double digit deficit, the Vermont Catamounts railed and gave themselves several chances to take control of the game before falling to the Wildcats. The shots didn't go down at the end but the Cats showed what they are made of. It is rare when a game actually lives up to the hype. Vermont looked liked they belonged and the box score reflects that as well. There is a lot to unpack from this game but the first thing I want to say is a big congratulations to Drew Urquhart. Drew U has gone through some ups and downs in his career and persevered through it all. He has always accepted his role, held his head high, and been ready when called upon. This afternoon he put together the finest game of his career. Drew U finished with 13 points, hit a huge three pointer late in the game, and battled on the defensive end with the giants of Kentucky. What a great game and it always great to see a senior seize the moment. This is the jumping off point for what could be a strong final season. The game itself was great. Vermont struggled to hit shots early in their first regular season half of basketball. Then Trae Bell-Haynes got into foul trouble. Things were trending in the wrong direction. The Cats kept themselves in the game with strong defense. Then early in the second half shots started to fall for both teams and it looked as though Kentucky was ready to pull away. But Vermont hung around and then Bell-Haynes went on one of his one.man.run streaks. He is just such an incredible player and even against elite, future NBA talent he is fast and finishes with strength at the rim. He is set up for another strong year and looks fully healthy from the injury scare. The Cats had some good looks down the stretch but couldn't get them to fall. A great effort against a difficult opponent and now the task is to take the lessons from that game and go out and get the wins they are looking for in their very tough non-conference schedule. You never want to celebrate a loss, but it is hard for the Cats to hang their heads after this one. Anthony Lamb looked strong once again with 15 points and 7 rebounds. The perimeter shot is there as almost all of his points in this game came from his jumper. If that shooting stoke continues the way it was at the end of last season, watch out. Payton Henson hit a big three down the stretch and held his own down on the block. I still am both impressed and intrigued by Everett Duncan's rebounding ability. He has a nose for the ball and held his own on defense. It was nice to see Skyler Nash come in and immediately drain a three. That has got to give him a nice confidence boost going forward. Vermont only turned the ball over 7 times and shot 45% from the field despite the incredible length that Kentucky puts out on the floor (I mean how many times did ESPN put up the wingspan graphic?). The only area where Kentucky had a significant advantage was at the free throw line. Here I was all worried about the defense and it looked good in their first game action. Shows what I know. One of the interesting observations is for the first time in a while it looks like Becker will be giving his starters more minutes. The rotation looks to be smaller and unlike in years past the starters might inch closer to 30 mins per game. That will certainly be an interesting development throughout the season. Also with Ra Kpedi in street clothes the redshirt must be official. I like the move because with a year to get stronger and up to speed, I think he can make an impact. I equate this game to the Houston game last season. It was a game where they competed and had chances to get a signature win but fell short. I actually think not winning that Houston game last season helped keep the Cats grounded and hungry for more. I believe this game will have the same effect. This Vermont team is not going to be satisfied with just competing with Kentucky. Now that they have been so close this Vermont team is going to be ready for the next time this opportunity presents itself and they wont let it pass them by. Now it is on to the Bahamas for a weekend tournament where they are the favorites to win. Anything can happen in a three games in three days format but I expect the Cats to come out hungry.
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Vermont Season Preview 2017-2018
It is time to begin another season in Catamount country. The hype and expectations surrounding this group are massive. The Vermont program is getting national attention and all eyes will be on this team throughout the season. After finally reaching the NCAA tournament this group comes in with a different set of challenges than the ones they faced a year ago. Instead of playing with a chip on their shoulder or revenge on their mind, they are the hunted. Bringing back the core of last years team and the potential for improvement is the foundation on which all of this hype has been built. Anthony Lamb, Trae Bell-Haynes, Payton Henson, and Ernie Duncan are ready to build on last years exceptional play and lead Vermont back to the NCAA tournament. Cam Ward, Drew Urquhart and Nate Rohrer also return to give the Catamounts some experienced depth off the bench. This team has the potential to again be very special and here is how I see the season playing out.
Record: 25-6 (15-1) 1 seed, Win in the championship game against Albany.
Starters: Trae Bell-Haynes
Ernie Duncan
Everett Duncan
Anthony Lamb
Payton Henson
It goes without saying that this team is going to very similar to last years team. Efficient offensively and with the ability to blow games wide open with their relentless ability to attack the basket. This team has so many weapons on the offensive end that is is hard for an opposing defense to pick out a player that they are going to stop. On any given night, any one of the starters could put up 20 points. This ability to score in bunches from anywhere is what wore teams down last year, particularly in the conference portion of the schedule. Last year Becker proved that he could teach his defensive scheme and have it be effective with offensively minded players. The defense will be the question mark to begin the season. Kurt Steidl and Dre Wills were not just good defenders. They were elite defenders. No one on this years team is ready as of right now to reach the defensive levels those two players had achieved, particularly on the ball. Vermont had the luxury of being able to lock down or at least make life difficult for most of the perimeter scorers they encountered. It is going to take a strong team effort to bring the defense along and have it be humming by the time the conference schedule rolls around.
Keys to success:
Depth: Last year the Cats were able to mix and match lineups based on the game, who was hot, who was struggling, or to deal with foul trouble. This depth gave them a huge advantage as most teams were unable to make the same level of adjustments during the game. That depth is going to be tested this season. With so many newcomers, it is going to take some time for roles to be defined. It is going to be especially crucial on the defensive end as Coach Becker's defensive scheme is not easy to pick up. Even Anthony Lamb went through a significant period of struggle as he was trying to figure out his role on the team and learn the defensive rotations. It also means that Vermont my not be able to adapt as easily to the flow of the game or if they get into foul trouble. By the conference schedule the depth could be a strength as the young players get up to speed but it will be one of the big early season story lines.
The new faces: After the exhibition games two things were clear: The new additions have an incredible amount of potential and like all freshman, they are going to be inconsistent. Stef Smith is going to be spark plug off the bench and will be able to bring instant offense. Everett Duncan is going to be another threat from the perimeter. Skyler Nash, Bailey Patella, Ben Shungu, and Ra Kpedi all showed flashes of what they can bring to the table as they get used to the college game. Samuel Dingba had a poor exhibition showing and it will be interesting to see what he has to offer down the road. It all comes down to how quickly can they learn to play within themselves and the team while limiting mistakes.
Staying Hungry: After last year I have no doubts about the mental toughness and resolve of this team. Throughout last season the were able to meet each challenge head on and proved to be an incredibly focused team. However, finally reaching your goal and being talked up so much in the preseason can have a completely different effect. The challenge now is not to "believe the hype" and be satisfied with just getting to the NCAA tournament. This team has the potential to compete with the big boys if they can bring that focus and mental toughness with them this season as well.
Worse......but better? How do you improve on an undefeated conference season? This is the challenge facing the Cats. They played an entire year without really playing a bad game or having an off night. They won 21 games in a row and set all sorts of records. What happens when they lose? How will they and the fans handle it? These are all fair questions. Eventually you would think that the ball wont bounce their way and they will lose a conference game. This to me is going to be the biggest challenge this season. It sounds weird but they can still be a better team this season even if they have a worse record. Their non-conference is incredibly challenging and Albany is going to be much improved and hungry this season.
Schedule: Coach Becker talked at length about how hard it was to put a schedule together this offseason. As a result Vermont is on the road against very difficult opponents. The Cats face 5 teams that were picked first or second in their conference preseason poll. Becker has called it the most challenging schedule they have put together. That can take a toll. Night in and night out against tough competition can make you tougher come March, but it can also sap your confidence going into the conference schedule. Keeping the focus on getting better everyday and the ultimate goal will be key early in the season.
New Arena/The Future: One of the last things I want to mention is how the new arena proposal plays out this year. Becker has said he wants to see this thing through and be a part of the program as long as it is moving forward. He made it very clear that the new arena was a big part of that. As Vermont continues to build momentum and garner national attention, capitalizing on this success and getting that new arena built is the single important most factor in the future success of the Vermont program.
I believe that this team has the opportunity to break through and get some big non-conference wins. The versatility of the team and the offensive firepower is going to surprise some teams. The newcomers have a tremendous amount of potential. The speed and scoring ability that has been added to this year's team is only going to make the Cats even more difficult to guard. I think the league as a whole will be similar to where it was last season. While there is a lot of returning talent, most teams are replacing a significant part of their rotation. Albany is going to be improved and once again they are ready to be Vermont's biggest challenger. That rivalry is going to be at a high level this season. I am incredibly excited to see what this team can accomplish this year and expect them to steal a game or two in the non-conference schedule. 3:30 on Sunday can't come soon enough.
Record: 25-6 (15-1) 1 seed, Win in the championship game against Albany.
Starters: Trae Bell-Haynes
Ernie Duncan
Everett Duncan
Anthony Lamb
Payton Henson
It goes without saying that this team is going to very similar to last years team. Efficient offensively and with the ability to blow games wide open with their relentless ability to attack the basket. This team has so many weapons on the offensive end that is is hard for an opposing defense to pick out a player that they are going to stop. On any given night, any one of the starters could put up 20 points. This ability to score in bunches from anywhere is what wore teams down last year, particularly in the conference portion of the schedule. Last year Becker proved that he could teach his defensive scheme and have it be effective with offensively minded players. The defense will be the question mark to begin the season. Kurt Steidl and Dre Wills were not just good defenders. They were elite defenders. No one on this years team is ready as of right now to reach the defensive levels those two players had achieved, particularly on the ball. Vermont had the luxury of being able to lock down or at least make life difficult for most of the perimeter scorers they encountered. It is going to take a strong team effort to bring the defense along and have it be humming by the time the conference schedule rolls around.
Keys to success:
Depth: Last year the Cats were able to mix and match lineups based on the game, who was hot, who was struggling, or to deal with foul trouble. This depth gave them a huge advantage as most teams were unable to make the same level of adjustments during the game. That depth is going to be tested this season. With so many newcomers, it is going to take some time for roles to be defined. It is going to be especially crucial on the defensive end as Coach Becker's defensive scheme is not easy to pick up. Even Anthony Lamb went through a significant period of struggle as he was trying to figure out his role on the team and learn the defensive rotations. It also means that Vermont my not be able to adapt as easily to the flow of the game or if they get into foul trouble. By the conference schedule the depth could be a strength as the young players get up to speed but it will be one of the big early season story lines.
The new faces: After the exhibition games two things were clear: The new additions have an incredible amount of potential and like all freshman, they are going to be inconsistent. Stef Smith is going to be spark plug off the bench and will be able to bring instant offense. Everett Duncan is going to be another threat from the perimeter. Skyler Nash, Bailey Patella, Ben Shungu, and Ra Kpedi all showed flashes of what they can bring to the table as they get used to the college game. Samuel Dingba had a poor exhibition showing and it will be interesting to see what he has to offer down the road. It all comes down to how quickly can they learn to play within themselves and the team while limiting mistakes.
Staying Hungry: After last year I have no doubts about the mental toughness and resolve of this team. Throughout last season the were able to meet each challenge head on and proved to be an incredibly focused team. However, finally reaching your goal and being talked up so much in the preseason can have a completely different effect. The challenge now is not to "believe the hype" and be satisfied with just getting to the NCAA tournament. This team has the potential to compete with the big boys if they can bring that focus and mental toughness with them this season as well.
Worse......but better? How do you improve on an undefeated conference season? This is the challenge facing the Cats. They played an entire year without really playing a bad game or having an off night. They won 21 games in a row and set all sorts of records. What happens when they lose? How will they and the fans handle it? These are all fair questions. Eventually you would think that the ball wont bounce their way and they will lose a conference game. This to me is going to be the biggest challenge this season. It sounds weird but they can still be a better team this season even if they have a worse record. Their non-conference is incredibly challenging and Albany is going to be much improved and hungry this season.
Schedule: Coach Becker talked at length about how hard it was to put a schedule together this offseason. As a result Vermont is on the road against very difficult opponents. The Cats face 5 teams that were picked first or second in their conference preseason poll. Becker has called it the most challenging schedule they have put together. That can take a toll. Night in and night out against tough competition can make you tougher come March, but it can also sap your confidence going into the conference schedule. Keeping the focus on getting better everyday and the ultimate goal will be key early in the season.
New Arena/The Future: One of the last things I want to mention is how the new arena proposal plays out this year. Becker has said he wants to see this thing through and be a part of the program as long as it is moving forward. He made it very clear that the new arena was a big part of that. As Vermont continues to build momentum and garner national attention, capitalizing on this success and getting that new arena built is the single important most factor in the future success of the Vermont program.
I believe that this team has the opportunity to break through and get some big non-conference wins. The versatility of the team and the offensive firepower is going to surprise some teams. The newcomers have a tremendous amount of potential. The speed and scoring ability that has been added to this year's team is only going to make the Cats even more difficult to guard. I think the league as a whole will be similar to where it was last season. While there is a lot of returning talent, most teams are replacing a significant part of their rotation. Albany is going to be improved and once again they are ready to be Vermont's biggest challenger. That rivalry is going to be at a high level this season. I am incredibly excited to see what this team can accomplish this year and expect them to steal a game or two in the non-conference schedule. 3:30 on Sunday can't come soon enough.
Ryan Davis commits to Vermont
Vermont received a commitment from the post player they were looking for last night. Ryan Davis, a 6-8 270 lb forward from Hoffman Estates, Illinois gave his verbal commitment to the Catamounts. I have been closely following Davis all summer. From the time of his offer in May I thought he was a player that fit really well in the Vermont program. He has great footwork both driving from the perimeter and with his back to the basket. I thought he would be one of those players Vermont offers before the AAU circuit who blows up after the July recruiting period. He certainly blew up at the mid-major level fielding many offers including Bucknell, Toledo, and South Dakota. I then happened to be on church street and saw him on a visit toward the end of the summer. Full disclosure, I have been obsessively searching Twitter for information ever since. During this search I saw that he was drawing strong interest from Wisconsin who went to see his open gym several times. I was a little discouraged in thinking that the he might slip through Vermont's fingers. His commitment is great because he fits so well into the group that will be carrying on the tradition. I think Davis has a chance to be an all league performer. He is comfortable with both his back to basket and facing up on the perimeter. He has great size and a college ready body which he uses effectively to finish around the rim. His jump shot looks good and being able to be a stretch big in today's game is huge. It is great to get a post player who can face up and stretch the floor but is also comfortable with his back to the basket. That versatility is going to be very valuable. I am very excited about this commitment and this recruiting class. With Robin Duncan and Isaiah Moll signing their national letters of intent, this recruiting class is looking like another good one. I believe Moll has all league potential as well and is also ready to contribute right away. Duncan has tremendous potential as a floor leader and team leader as he has the same strong basketball sense as his brothers. Another strong Vermont recruiting class that is still unfinished. I have to think the next player in this class will be a small forward to round out some depth for next season. The recruiting momentum continues!
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Exhibition: St. Michael's at Vermont 11/4/17
Vermont 102 St. Michael's 53
Time for the real thing.
Vermont overwhelmed St. Michael's to finish out the exhibition portion of their schedule with another win. With Trae Bell-Haynes and Ernie Duncan sitting, the young guys got a chance to showcase what they can bring to the table. Coach Becker said that the two starters were being held out as a precaution and that they would both be ready to go. I am glad to hear that they are both okay. Even thought there was a clear disparity between the two teams this game was a great opportunity for the guys fighting for roles to have an opportunity to play through mistakes and build some confidence. Drew Urquhart made a few nice plays and it will be crucial for him to have some positive energy as he is going to be a key player for this team. Samuel Dingba has a ways to go before he is ready to contribute after his year off and Urquhart has to be the one to provide depth in the frontcourt. Sticking in the frontcourt, Ra Kpedi still would benefit from a redshirt year and maybe I am still higher on him than most, but he is going to be a good player for Vermont. With the way his minutes went in the preseason I have a feeling that the coaching staff wants to redshirt him this season. If he gets stronger and is able to learn the system, I think he makes a big impact down the road. In the battle for minutes in the backcourt, Ben Shungu made some strides. He is a very strong finisher around the rim and his outside jumper has improved since last year. I like his physicality and he is player who could have a role on this years team. Stef Smith made some more great plays but showed a little bit of inexperience in this game. His shot selection was not great and he played too fast, resulting in too many turnovers. He has a very strong ability to score the ball but needs to work on his passing and feel for the offense. In the battle for minutes at the small forward position vacated by Kurt Steidl, there are still a lot of questions. Everett Duncan and Skyler Nash have been the early favorites but both of them are having a tough time of the defensive side of the ball. Duncan again impressed with his rebounding ability grabbing 6 boards in 16 minutes. He will get the first crack at minutes but he has far to go to get up to speed defensively. Nash looked more comfortable and got a few shots to fall and that will help him build confidence. Bailey Patella had some nice moments and he has a lot of potential as he gets stronger. There are going to be some intense playing time battles all year in practice and it will be interesting to see as the season progresses how the minutes play out. The progression during the non-conference schedule will be a great story line as there are a lot of minutes available for the second unit and there are still a lot of roles up in the air after the exhibition schedule. Next Sunday is going to a daunting task but I think it is a great way to start the season. My Vermont season preview will be out sometime before the game on Sunday.
P.S.
I feel the need to address the comments from the crowd while the players from St. Michael's were kneeling during the anthem. It was embarrassing as a Vermonter to hear some of the comments that were directed at the protesters. If respect for America is what you are after than respect for your fellow American has to be there first. That is what this protest is all about. Equality and fair treatment for everyone. I hope we as Vermonters can show that we are forward thinking, fairminded, supportive, and thoughtful human beings as I am very sure we will continue to see these protests throughout the season.
Time for the real thing.
Vermont overwhelmed St. Michael's to finish out the exhibition portion of their schedule with another win. With Trae Bell-Haynes and Ernie Duncan sitting, the young guys got a chance to showcase what they can bring to the table. Coach Becker said that the two starters were being held out as a precaution and that they would both be ready to go. I am glad to hear that they are both okay. Even thought there was a clear disparity between the two teams this game was a great opportunity for the guys fighting for roles to have an opportunity to play through mistakes and build some confidence. Drew Urquhart made a few nice plays and it will be crucial for him to have some positive energy as he is going to be a key player for this team. Samuel Dingba has a ways to go before he is ready to contribute after his year off and Urquhart has to be the one to provide depth in the frontcourt. Sticking in the frontcourt, Ra Kpedi still would benefit from a redshirt year and maybe I am still higher on him than most, but he is going to be a good player for Vermont. With the way his minutes went in the preseason I have a feeling that the coaching staff wants to redshirt him this season. If he gets stronger and is able to learn the system, I think he makes a big impact down the road. In the battle for minutes in the backcourt, Ben Shungu made some strides. He is a very strong finisher around the rim and his outside jumper has improved since last year. I like his physicality and he is player who could have a role on this years team. Stef Smith made some more great plays but showed a little bit of inexperience in this game. His shot selection was not great and he played too fast, resulting in too many turnovers. He has a very strong ability to score the ball but needs to work on his passing and feel for the offense. In the battle for minutes at the small forward position vacated by Kurt Steidl, there are still a lot of questions. Everett Duncan and Skyler Nash have been the early favorites but both of them are having a tough time of the defensive side of the ball. Duncan again impressed with his rebounding ability grabbing 6 boards in 16 minutes. He will get the first crack at minutes but he has far to go to get up to speed defensively. Nash looked more comfortable and got a few shots to fall and that will help him build confidence. Bailey Patella had some nice moments and he has a lot of potential as he gets stronger. There are going to be some intense playing time battles all year in practice and it will be interesting to see as the season progresses how the minutes play out. The progression during the non-conference schedule will be a great story line as there are a lot of minutes available for the second unit and there are still a lot of roles up in the air after the exhibition schedule. Next Sunday is going to a daunting task but I think it is a great way to start the season. My Vermont season preview will be out sometime before the game on Sunday.
P.S.
I feel the need to address the comments from the crowd while the players from St. Michael's were kneeling during the anthem. It was embarrassing as a Vermonter to hear some of the comments that were directed at the protesters. If respect for America is what you are after than respect for your fellow American has to be there first. That is what this protest is all about. Equality and fair treatment for everyone. I hope we as Vermonters can show that we are forward thinking, fairminded, supportive, and thoughtful human beings as I am very sure we will continue to see these protests throughout the season.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
America East Preview 2017-2018
It is time to once again make some predictions. Last year the final standings were very different than the preseason polls. Stony Brook and UMBC greatly exceeded expectations while Binghamton suffered through injuries on their way to another tough season. Who will be the surprise team this year? Will Vermont be able to live up to their lofty expectations? Here is how I see the year playing out in the America East.
1. Vermont
All across college basketball, Vermont is getting attention as a top mid major program. Winning the title last year and returning the core of their team has rocketed them into a different stratosphere. Anthony Lamb is ready to breakout and compete for the conference player of the year. Payton Henson, Trae Bell-Haynes, and Ernie Duncan are locked in to their roles and ready to make another run at the title. However, this years team has more questions marks than the one that cruised through the league last season. Losing Dre Wills, Kurt Steidl, and Darren Payen is more significant than most people think. Vermont is going to rely on young, inexperienced players to fill those roles. Much of what those graduated players brought to the table is tough to replace because it was intangible "beyond the box score" type production. It will be interesting to see how the defensive side of the ball progresses throughout the season. Vermont has some young, intriguing talent and the progression of their roles will be the key to Vermont's success. Last year the Cats motivation was to erase the sting of their postseason disappointments and this year their motivation is to stay on top. Those are two very different mentalities and it will be interesting to see if that has any effect on this Vermont team.
2. Albany
Albany is again poised to push Vermont for the top spot in the league. They too return the core group from last years team including the dynamic duo of Joe Cremo and David Nichols. Travis Charles is going to have an expanded role this year after a very successful year coming off the bench. Albany and Vermont are in very similar situations where they are asking their newcomers to make an immediate impact. The two flagship America East programs seemed destined to clash once again as the top two teams in the conference. The x-factor for Albany will be what they get out of graduate transfer Alex Foster. He is 6-8 forward who began his career at Texas Tech and gives them some much needed frontcourt depth. Will Brown will have his team ready and this year they are the team looking to erase the sting of a postseason disappointment.
3. UMBC
The Retrievers came out of nowhere last year and took the league by storm. In a league of methodical teams, they were the foil. A fast paced high octane system caught many teams off guard and they relentlessly attacked opponents. UMBC returns Jairus Lyles and KJ Maura to lead this undersized unit. They will miss the production of Will Darley who allowed them to use small lineups and spread the floor with his shooting ability. Replacing his production will be key to the Retrievers success.
4. Stony Brook
Stony Brook has the look of a team that is one year away from returning to the top. They have a good young group and Jeff Boals is making some noise on the recruiting trail. Akwasi Yeboah is poised for breakout year and Anthony Ochefu leads a pack of impact freshman. The loss of Lucas Woodhouse is going to make it tough to stay at the top this season. So much of Stony Brook's success last year was dependent on his steady hand at the controls. They are going to be a fun team to watch and they have to chance to push the top teams.
5. New Hampshire
Tanner Leissner is ready for his senior campaign and Jacoby Armstrong returns from a one year absence. Along with Iba Camara, they form one of the leagues most formidable frontcourts. How will they fill the void left by Jaleen Smith and Daniel Dion? The Wildcats were a very inconsistent outside shooting team during those players careers and now face the tall task of finding shot makers to replace their production. Leissner is a tremendous talent but now he is going to face more intense defensive pressure as the main offensive weapon. The Wildcats are going to have to out physical opponents and play tough defense to compete with the top teams.
6. UMass Lowell
Finally eligible for the post season, the River Hawks look to build on flashes of brilliance over the last few years. Jahad Thomas is an incredible talent and the most versatile player in the conference. This team can score and is a very efficient offensive team. Their struggles in recent years have been on the defensive side of the ball. I think that being able to fight for a postseason spot will help this team remain focused and push through for the entire conference schedule. Look for Rinardo Perry to build off a strong freshman campaign.
7. Binghamton
I am going to echo what I say every year. Will the Bearcats make it through the year without an injury, a suspension, or some other controversy that hijacks their season? Last year the injury to JC Show killed their momentum. That was another moment in a long line of difficulties that the Binghamton program has faced. They have a veteran team comprised of mostly junior and seniors and they will be one of the more physical teams in the league. Making a significant jump is dependent on finding consistency.
8. Maine
Maine was again left in shambles after last season with more departures and public embarrassment over a locker room fight that resulted in a broken jaw. With constant roster turnover there is no way to build a program and much like Binghamton, until there is some year to year consistency it is hard to start winning games. Maine has a significant influx of JUCO players this season which may add some life into the program but I am not sure if it is going to transfer into wins.
9. Hartford
The difference between the teams toward the bottom of the league is fairly small. I am picking Hartford last because they did not have much success last year with Jalen Ross and now that he has graduated, they don't have a clear replacement. Jason Dunne will put up some big numbers but Hartford is still too reliant on outside shooting to bring game to game consistency. This might be a make or break year for John Gallagher.
1. Vermont
All across college basketball, Vermont is getting attention as a top mid major program. Winning the title last year and returning the core of their team has rocketed them into a different stratosphere. Anthony Lamb is ready to breakout and compete for the conference player of the year. Payton Henson, Trae Bell-Haynes, and Ernie Duncan are locked in to their roles and ready to make another run at the title. However, this years team has more questions marks than the one that cruised through the league last season. Losing Dre Wills, Kurt Steidl, and Darren Payen is more significant than most people think. Vermont is going to rely on young, inexperienced players to fill those roles. Much of what those graduated players brought to the table is tough to replace because it was intangible "beyond the box score" type production. It will be interesting to see how the defensive side of the ball progresses throughout the season. Vermont has some young, intriguing talent and the progression of their roles will be the key to Vermont's success. Last year the Cats motivation was to erase the sting of their postseason disappointments and this year their motivation is to stay on top. Those are two very different mentalities and it will be interesting to see if that has any effect on this Vermont team.
2. Albany
Albany is again poised to push Vermont for the top spot in the league. They too return the core group from last years team including the dynamic duo of Joe Cremo and David Nichols. Travis Charles is going to have an expanded role this year after a very successful year coming off the bench. Albany and Vermont are in very similar situations where they are asking their newcomers to make an immediate impact. The two flagship America East programs seemed destined to clash once again as the top two teams in the conference. The x-factor for Albany will be what they get out of graduate transfer Alex Foster. He is 6-8 forward who began his career at Texas Tech and gives them some much needed frontcourt depth. Will Brown will have his team ready and this year they are the team looking to erase the sting of a postseason disappointment.
3. UMBC
The Retrievers came out of nowhere last year and took the league by storm. In a league of methodical teams, they were the foil. A fast paced high octane system caught many teams off guard and they relentlessly attacked opponents. UMBC returns Jairus Lyles and KJ Maura to lead this undersized unit. They will miss the production of Will Darley who allowed them to use small lineups and spread the floor with his shooting ability. Replacing his production will be key to the Retrievers success.
4. Stony Brook
Stony Brook has the look of a team that is one year away from returning to the top. They have a good young group and Jeff Boals is making some noise on the recruiting trail. Akwasi Yeboah is poised for breakout year and Anthony Ochefu leads a pack of impact freshman. The loss of Lucas Woodhouse is going to make it tough to stay at the top this season. So much of Stony Brook's success last year was dependent on his steady hand at the controls. They are going to be a fun team to watch and they have to chance to push the top teams.
5. New Hampshire
Tanner Leissner is ready for his senior campaign and Jacoby Armstrong returns from a one year absence. Along with Iba Camara, they form one of the leagues most formidable frontcourts. How will they fill the void left by Jaleen Smith and Daniel Dion? The Wildcats were a very inconsistent outside shooting team during those players careers and now face the tall task of finding shot makers to replace their production. Leissner is a tremendous talent but now he is going to face more intense defensive pressure as the main offensive weapon. The Wildcats are going to have to out physical opponents and play tough defense to compete with the top teams.
6. UMass Lowell
Finally eligible for the post season, the River Hawks look to build on flashes of brilliance over the last few years. Jahad Thomas is an incredible talent and the most versatile player in the conference. This team can score and is a very efficient offensive team. Their struggles in recent years have been on the defensive side of the ball. I think that being able to fight for a postseason spot will help this team remain focused and push through for the entire conference schedule. Look for Rinardo Perry to build off a strong freshman campaign.
7. Binghamton
I am going to echo what I say every year. Will the Bearcats make it through the year without an injury, a suspension, or some other controversy that hijacks their season? Last year the injury to JC Show killed their momentum. That was another moment in a long line of difficulties that the Binghamton program has faced. They have a veteran team comprised of mostly junior and seniors and they will be one of the more physical teams in the league. Making a significant jump is dependent on finding consistency.
8. Maine
Maine was again left in shambles after last season with more departures and public embarrassment over a locker room fight that resulted in a broken jaw. With constant roster turnover there is no way to build a program and much like Binghamton, until there is some year to year consistency it is hard to start winning games. Maine has a significant influx of JUCO players this season which may add some life into the program but I am not sure if it is going to transfer into wins.
9. Hartford
The difference between the teams toward the bottom of the league is fairly small. I am picking Hartford last because they did not have much success last year with Jalen Ross and now that he has graduated, they don't have a clear replacement. Jason Dunne will put up some big numbers but Hartford is still too reliant on outside shooting to bring game to game consistency. This might be a make or break year for John Gallagher.
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Exhibition: Concordia at Vermont 10/29/17
Vermont 92 Concordia 64
And the state of Vermont collectively holds its breath.
Another strong exhibition showing but the Cats was marred by an injury to senior captain Trae Bell-Haynes. He came down awkwardly grabbing a rebound in the second half. He was in obvious pain and did not put any weight on his left leg. His teammates carried him of the court and behind the bleachers. He did return to the bench and walked through the handshake line and to the locker room under his own power but with a significant limp. It goes without saying that an injury to the reigning player of the year is significant. Vermont fans everywhere will be crossing their fingers hoping that Bell-Haynes avoided a significant injury. I will refrain from any more speculation until there is some word from the team. Ernie Duncan also seemed to leave the game with an injury or was a least being protected as he played a very small amount at the beginning of the game. He did go down hard toward the end of the game on Friday so I am hoping it was just precautionary. On to the actual game action. Bell-Haynes looked great going 7-7 from the field on route to 17 points. He had some incredible finishes weaving through the lane and continues to blow me away with his ability to finish at the rim. Stef Smith had another great showing and is definitely ready to contribute from day one. He knocked down two threes as part of his 10 points and played tough aggressive defense. Most of his mistakes are in the form of making the typical "freshman" passes that just don't work in the college game. He is ahead of schedule and will be a crucial part of this team. Everett Duncan knocked down 4-5 shots from behind the arc for 15 points. He looks ready to be the guy to pick up where Kurt Steidl left off. He may not be able to provide the intangibles that Steidl did right off the bat but his shooting ability will keep him on the court and contributing. The other parts of his game will hopefully continue to grow throughout the season and if they do he will be a very solid contributor. Payton Henson and Anthony Lamb continued to do their thing and they are going to be a tough cover this year. Bailey Patella looked very good in this game. He has a nose for the ball and has that innate feel for the game that you can't teach. I am sure his slight frame has people thinking redshirt and that may be the case but he has the skill set to contribute this year as well. Skyler Nash still seems to be getting a feel for the speed of the college game and the Vermont system. He needs more repetitions before he is ready to contribute. Vermont is going to be very thin up front this season and it is going to leave them open to difficulties with foul trouble. Samuel Dingba and Drew Urquhart are very up and down during their time on the court. They will need to find consistency over the next few weeks to help shore up the Cats' post depth. The defense has a long way to go to get up to the standard that Coach Becker is accustomed to and this is where they are going to miss the graduates from last year the most. The offense is there but last year they won a lot of games by making big defensive plays and getting big stops. The new guys have a long way to go and even the returners are getting used to playing without the senior defensive leaders from last season. It will be interesting to see how this affects the Cats through he first part of the non-conference schedule. I will be posting an America East preview this week and a Vermont team preview the following week before the Cats open their season against Kentucky.
And the state of Vermont collectively holds its breath.
Another strong exhibition showing but the Cats was marred by an injury to senior captain Trae Bell-Haynes. He came down awkwardly grabbing a rebound in the second half. He was in obvious pain and did not put any weight on his left leg. His teammates carried him of the court and behind the bleachers. He did return to the bench and walked through the handshake line and to the locker room under his own power but with a significant limp. It goes without saying that an injury to the reigning player of the year is significant. Vermont fans everywhere will be crossing their fingers hoping that Bell-Haynes avoided a significant injury. I will refrain from any more speculation until there is some word from the team. Ernie Duncan also seemed to leave the game with an injury or was a least being protected as he played a very small amount at the beginning of the game. He did go down hard toward the end of the game on Friday so I am hoping it was just precautionary. On to the actual game action. Bell-Haynes looked great going 7-7 from the field on route to 17 points. He had some incredible finishes weaving through the lane and continues to blow me away with his ability to finish at the rim. Stef Smith had another great showing and is definitely ready to contribute from day one. He knocked down two threes as part of his 10 points and played tough aggressive defense. Most of his mistakes are in the form of making the typical "freshman" passes that just don't work in the college game. He is ahead of schedule and will be a crucial part of this team. Everett Duncan knocked down 4-5 shots from behind the arc for 15 points. He looks ready to be the guy to pick up where Kurt Steidl left off. He may not be able to provide the intangibles that Steidl did right off the bat but his shooting ability will keep him on the court and contributing. The other parts of his game will hopefully continue to grow throughout the season and if they do he will be a very solid contributor. Payton Henson and Anthony Lamb continued to do their thing and they are going to be a tough cover this year. Bailey Patella looked very good in this game. He has a nose for the ball and has that innate feel for the game that you can't teach. I am sure his slight frame has people thinking redshirt and that may be the case but he has the skill set to contribute this year as well. Skyler Nash still seems to be getting a feel for the speed of the college game and the Vermont system. He needs more repetitions before he is ready to contribute. Vermont is going to be very thin up front this season and it is going to leave them open to difficulties with foul trouble. Samuel Dingba and Drew Urquhart are very up and down during their time on the court. They will need to find consistency over the next few weeks to help shore up the Cats' post depth. The defense has a long way to go to get up to the standard that Coach Becker is accustomed to and this is where they are going to miss the graduates from last year the most. The offense is there but last year they won a lot of games by making big defensive plays and getting big stops. The new guys have a long way to go and even the returners are getting used to playing without the senior defensive leaders from last season. It will be interesting to see how this affects the Cats through he first part of the non-conference schedule. I will be posting an America East preview this week and a Vermont team preview the following week before the Cats open their season against Kentucky.
Friday, October 27, 2017
Hurricane benefit
Vermont 87 BU 76
Basketball is back and balance is restored to my life.
Vermont opened its season for a good cause in a exhibition against old rival Boston University. The Cats woke up in the second half and seized control of the game, cruising to a sizable victory. It was a great opportunity to see Vermont get a game against division one competition to begin their season. It feels like a more accurate assessment of where they are at. There is a lot to sort through so lets get to it. The returning core looked ready and ahead of the curve. Anthony Lamb looked his dominant self out-muscling and outworking his opponents for rebounds and finishing through contact at the rim. With increased confidence and a year of college basketball under his belt, he is going to have a big year. His froncourt counterpart Payton Henson also looked strong with some creative finishes at the rim. He was a little overshadowed by Lamb's breakout last year but he is every bit a special and versatile player who creates matchup problems. Trae Bell-Haynes looked good as always even though he was battling through some foul trouble. I thought Ernie Duncan looked like the most improved player of the group. He drove to the rim with more determination and grit than I have seen him through his first two years. If he continues to develop that part of his game it makes him that much more dangerous. He only needs to drive the ball like that a few times a games to keep the defense honest. He knocked down 4 out of 5 threes and looked quicker and more decisive with the ball. With so many strong returnees it is weird to think they are also trying to incorporate seven new players into the rotation. The new guys were about where you would expect at this stage of the season. A step slow on the defensive rotations. A bit unsure on offense. This is to be expected as they foray into the college game for the first time. Stef Smith was the standout from the group as he put up 15 points and had 3 steals in 14 minutes. He was strong with the ball and attacked the rim with force (including a sweet fast break dunk). Smith looks ready to contribute this year. Everett Duncan hit the first shot of the season and played the most minutes of the new guys. He got stronger during his redshirt year and continues to impress me with his underrated rebounding ability. He looks to be the guy who is going to get the first crack at minutes and his playing time is going to hinge on his ability to play defense. Skyler Nash looked timid but solid in his minutes. The coaching staff clearly wants Samuel Dingba to be a part of their post rotation. He has the length but he is very raw and foul prone. The staff is going to have to deploy him in short spurts like they did with Darren Payen last year in order to maximize his efficiency. Ben Shungu, Bailey Patella, and Ra Kpedi didn't play quite enough to get an impression of what their roles might be. Overall Vermont looked very strong. The offense is going to be there this year and I think they are going to have close to 5 guys averaging double figures. The offensive efficiency and versatility is on track. The defense takes time and the defensive system is difficult to learn. The young guys have their work cut out for them in that department. With the loss of Kurt Steidl and Dre Wills I do think the defense, especially early in the season, will take a slight step back. Without the strong and experienced individual defenders Vermont is going to have to rely on each other more and function as a defensive unit. The returning core group hasn't skipped a beat and will be leaned on heavily to start the season. The depth may be an issue early on but the talent is there and come conference time the young guys will have carved out their roles. I already cant wait to be back at Patrick on Sunday.
Basketball is back and balance is restored to my life.
Vermont opened its season for a good cause in a exhibition against old rival Boston University. The Cats woke up in the second half and seized control of the game, cruising to a sizable victory. It was a great opportunity to see Vermont get a game against division one competition to begin their season. It feels like a more accurate assessment of where they are at. There is a lot to sort through so lets get to it. The returning core looked ready and ahead of the curve. Anthony Lamb looked his dominant self out-muscling and outworking his opponents for rebounds and finishing through contact at the rim. With increased confidence and a year of college basketball under his belt, he is going to have a big year. His froncourt counterpart Payton Henson also looked strong with some creative finishes at the rim. He was a little overshadowed by Lamb's breakout last year but he is every bit a special and versatile player who creates matchup problems. Trae Bell-Haynes looked good as always even though he was battling through some foul trouble. I thought Ernie Duncan looked like the most improved player of the group. He drove to the rim with more determination and grit than I have seen him through his first two years. If he continues to develop that part of his game it makes him that much more dangerous. He only needs to drive the ball like that a few times a games to keep the defense honest. He knocked down 4 out of 5 threes and looked quicker and more decisive with the ball. With so many strong returnees it is weird to think they are also trying to incorporate seven new players into the rotation. The new guys were about where you would expect at this stage of the season. A step slow on the defensive rotations. A bit unsure on offense. This is to be expected as they foray into the college game for the first time. Stef Smith was the standout from the group as he put up 15 points and had 3 steals in 14 minutes. He was strong with the ball and attacked the rim with force (including a sweet fast break dunk). Smith looks ready to contribute this year. Everett Duncan hit the first shot of the season and played the most minutes of the new guys. He got stronger during his redshirt year and continues to impress me with his underrated rebounding ability. He looks to be the guy who is going to get the first crack at minutes and his playing time is going to hinge on his ability to play defense. Skyler Nash looked timid but solid in his minutes. The coaching staff clearly wants Samuel Dingba to be a part of their post rotation. He has the length but he is very raw and foul prone. The staff is going to have to deploy him in short spurts like they did with Darren Payen last year in order to maximize his efficiency. Ben Shungu, Bailey Patella, and Ra Kpedi didn't play quite enough to get an impression of what their roles might be. Overall Vermont looked very strong. The offense is going to be there this year and I think they are going to have close to 5 guys averaging double figures. The offensive efficiency and versatility is on track. The defense takes time and the defensive system is difficult to learn. The young guys have their work cut out for them in that department. With the loss of Kurt Steidl and Dre Wills I do think the defense, especially early in the season, will take a slight step back. Without the strong and experienced individual defenders Vermont is going to have to rely on each other more and function as a defensive unit. The returning core group hasn't skipped a beat and will be leaned on heavily to start the season. The depth may be an issue early on but the talent is there and come conference time the young guys will have carved out their roles. I already cant wait to be back at Patrick on Sunday.
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Isaiah Moll commits to the Catamounts
Vermont received their second commitment for the 2018 class today from Isaiah Moll, a 6-7 230 pound forward from Albany, NY. The two things about Moll's game that jump out are his strength and versatility. In his highlights Moll is highly involved in every aspect of the game. He shows the capability to put the ball on the floor, shoot from the outside, and set up his teammates. Another one of the players Vermont likes to get that can do a little but of everything. His scoring and rebounding inside look like they could have a instant impact for the Cats. He has a big body and uses very smooth footwork to finish at the rim. Getting a big man with a college ready body is crucial for Vermont considering that there will be significant minutes available for the class of 2018. Moll is exactly the type of post player that can flourish in the America East and looks to be a instant impact freshman. The New York recruiting connection pays off again. The 2018 recruiting class is all about solidifying the Cats frontcourt. There is depth at guard in the 2017 class and with Robin Duncan as the other 2018 commit. The frontcourt depth takes a big hit with Payton Henson, Drew Urquhart, and Nate Rohrer graduating after this season. Coach Becker always talks about how he feels post players take a little longer to pick up the college game than guards so I would imagine that there will be more post players in the 2018 recruiting class. Another strong get for the Vermont coaching staff as the countdown to the new season marches on.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
A Duncan Trifecta
Vermont received its first commitment for the 2018 class today from a familiar source. Robin Duncan (sound familiar?) a 6-5 PG will join his brothers Ernie and Everett at Vermont. I have been following Robin for a while as the Cats seemed like a good possibility from the beginning. The part of Robins' game I like the most is his court sense. Like his brothers he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and making good decisions on the court. He put up good all around numbers last year at Harrison High School in Indiana. He affected the game in a lot of different ways, stuffing the stat sheet and dishing out almost 8 assists a game. Robin also has great size for a point guard and is a gym rat who works hard to make himself better. I see him as a player who will develop in a floor leader/glue guy who will do everything well and make the players around him better. Another great addition to the Catamount family and it shows that his brothers are enjoying their experience at Vermont. Robin had several offers, including several good in state programs (Ball State, IUPUI). Robin fits right in with the team first, winning is everything attitude that the Vermont program has come to embody. The 2018-2019 season will give the brothers an opportunity to play together. The Cats continue to add multi-dimensional players who strive to improve themselves on and off the court. This is a great start to the 2018 recruiting class following an incredible 2017 class. Now lets get that new arena done!! Happy Fourth!!
Monday, June 5, 2017
A few offseason thoughts
Hello all!! With a few interesting tidbits this week it was time for a new post. Today it was announced that Kian Dalyrimple will be leaving the program. This departure comes as no surprise for a couple of reasons. If you go back and read my post when Dalyrimple committed I detailed my thoughts on his possible career paths and this was one of them. The other reason is since his commitment, Vermont has received commitments from two other players who play his position. This made his window for playing time narrow even further. I wish him the best of luck on his future. It will be interesting to see what the coaching staff does with the available scholarship. It is fairly late in the game for a 2017 commitment but a transfer would make sense. The Cats already have some sizable playing time battles in the upcoming season so adding another player for this year would not make much sense. Also this week there was significant information on the non-conference schedule. The big news is the game at Kentucky during the opening weekend of the college basketball season. This is an incredible opportunity to continue to raise the profile of the Vermont program. What a great way to open the season. Games against St. Bonaventure and Richmond are great mid major battles that give the Cats a chance to get some big road wins. They will also be in a tournament in the Bahamas much like the Gulf coast showcase last year. The Bahamas tournament has a strong mid major field and as of right now it looks like Vermont will be billed as the "favorite". This is a very aggressive schedule that gives Vermont a chance to make some noise and build the resume to improve their seed in the event of a March Madness trip. There is already and will be more buzz around the Vermont program as they are attracting the attention as one of the top mid majors in the country next season. It is never too early to get excited about next season.
Also a shout out to Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) for the heads up about the tournament in the Bahamas.
Also a shout out to Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) for the heads up about the tournament in the Bahamas.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Skyler Nash commits to Vermont
I told you I would be posting today!
Vermont finished out the 2017 recruiting class by getting a commitment from 6-5/210 shooting guard Skyler Nash. He is a player who has overcome a lot and taken a circuitous route to reach his goal of playing division one basketball. Nash is from Chicago, IL where he was being heavily recruited by Big 10 schools early in his high school career. He then got very sick and during the process of figuring out the cause, doctors discovered a carcinoid tumor. Nash had the tumor removed and the cancer has been in remission. The recovery took a long time and as a result Nash missed a substantial part of his high school career. He decided to go to Gould Academy, a prep school in Maine, to restart his basketball career. He was able to do so and now he has been able to reach his goal of playing college basketball. What an incredible story of perseverance and drive. Now on the basketball court Nash is going to bring athleticism and toughness. He has a strong body and can finish around the rim with authority. Has a nice looking outside shot and should be a very good rebounder for Vermont. Looks like one of those players who will be able to do a little bit of everything to help his team win. He has a chance to be a great player for Vermont and contribute from day one. His commitment completes what I think might be the best recruiting class Becker has put together. The big 2014 freshman class was very good and has proven to be a very strong class. This class is diverse, brings a high level of athleticism, and looks to be full of mentally strong players. Between Stefan Smith, Bailey Patella, Ra Kpedi, and now Nash, Vermont has another great group to help take the reins when this senior class departs. This group will have a chance to compete for minutes right away and learn from the tremendous upperclassmen currently on the roster. Vermont is going to incorporate eight new players next season between the four redshirts and the four recruits. That is a lot of new blood and energy that will be infused into an already strong roster. The trajectory the Vermont program is on right now is incredible and it is a credit to the family atmosphere and winning culture that the coaching staff has cultivated. Getting a recruit to visit the school, fall in love, and commit directly following the visit shows how easy it is to tell that playing at the University of Vermont is a special experience. There is going to be an incredible amount of excitement surrounding this program again next season and it would really reach a fever pitch if the new area plan is officially implemented. Go Cats Go!!
Vermont finished out the 2017 recruiting class by getting a commitment from 6-5/210 shooting guard Skyler Nash. He is a player who has overcome a lot and taken a circuitous route to reach his goal of playing division one basketball. Nash is from Chicago, IL where he was being heavily recruited by Big 10 schools early in his high school career. He then got very sick and during the process of figuring out the cause, doctors discovered a carcinoid tumor. Nash had the tumor removed and the cancer has been in remission. The recovery took a long time and as a result Nash missed a substantial part of his high school career. He decided to go to Gould Academy, a prep school in Maine, to restart his basketball career. He was able to do so and now he has been able to reach his goal of playing college basketball. What an incredible story of perseverance and drive. Now on the basketball court Nash is going to bring athleticism and toughness. He has a strong body and can finish around the rim with authority. Has a nice looking outside shot and should be a very good rebounder for Vermont. Looks like one of those players who will be able to do a little bit of everything to help his team win. He has a chance to be a great player for Vermont and contribute from day one. His commitment completes what I think might be the best recruiting class Becker has put together. The big 2014 freshman class was very good and has proven to be a very strong class. This class is diverse, brings a high level of athleticism, and looks to be full of mentally strong players. Between Stefan Smith, Bailey Patella, Ra Kpedi, and now Nash, Vermont has another great group to help take the reins when this senior class departs. This group will have a chance to compete for minutes right away and learn from the tremendous upperclassmen currently on the roster. Vermont is going to incorporate eight new players next season between the four redshirts and the four recruits. That is a lot of new blood and energy that will be infused into an already strong roster. The trajectory the Vermont program is on right now is incredible and it is a credit to the family atmosphere and winning culture that the coaching staff has cultivated. Getting a recruit to visit the school, fall in love, and commit directly following the visit shows how easy it is to tell that playing at the University of Vermont is a special experience. There is going to be an incredible amount of excitement surrounding this program again next season and it would really reach a fever pitch if the new area plan is officially implemented. Go Cats Go!!
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Ra Kpedi commits to Vermont
In the first recruiting news since the end of the season, Vermont received a commitment from Ra Kpedi a 6-9/220 PF from Lawrence North High School in Indiana. He is the recruit I have wanted the most to round out the 2017 recruiting class. I have been looking for Vermont to add a true big man to the roster as a complement to the stretch big men that are currently on the team. Kpedi fits that mold perfectly. His number one skill is rebounding. He is very strong on the offensive glass and plays with a high motor. I followed his senior season and he put up big numbers on a very good team. Kpedi averaged a double double and often came up big down the stretch. He will instantly give Vermont a boost on the boards. He is raw offensively but looks to have the ability to become a good finisher around the rim. In reading about Kpedi, he is young for his high school class and considered completing a post grad year. He had offers from other mid majors (IUPUI, Ball State, Northern Kentucky, Monmouth, New Orleans) so this is a big get for the Catamounts. He has the potential to develop into a great rebounder in the America East. The thing that is most exciting is the fit for the Catamounts. He is the perfect complement to the current roster and fills a need going forward. I am very high on Kpedi and think he is going to be a very good player for Vermont.
In other news Josh Hearlihy is transferring out of Vermont. This is really not much of a surprise as he had slipped out of the rotation late season and was going to be in a battle for minutes with all of the new additions to the Catamounts. Hearlihy never quite found his footing and although he showed flashes, was never able to find the consistency he needed. I wish him the best of luck on his future. With his scholarship opening up I think there will be more recruiting news in the near future. Skyler Nash, a recruit who Vermont had on campus this past weekend, is announcing his college decision tomorrow. I have a very strong feeling I will be posting again tomorrow regarding his college choice.
In other news Josh Hearlihy is transferring out of Vermont. This is really not much of a surprise as he had slipped out of the rotation late season and was going to be in a battle for minutes with all of the new additions to the Catamounts. Hearlihy never quite found his footing and although he showed flashes, was never able to find the consistency he needed. I wish him the best of luck on his future. With his scholarship opening up I think there will be more recruiting news in the near future. Skyler Nash, a recruit who Vermont had on campus this past weekend, is announcing his college decision tomorrow. I have a very strong feeling I will be posting again tomorrow regarding his college choice.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Season Wrap, A look to the future, and Becker is special
After taking time for reflection, I still can't say enough good things about this past season. All of the records and winning games still feels incredible but the thing that I can get over is the mentality of the players in this program. The coaching staff is getting high level, high character players to buy into the system and believe that they can achieve their goals no matter how lofty. Under the pressure of being the overwhelming preseason favorite, the pressure of past failures, and the pressure of a long winning streak the Catamounts never wavered. Being mentally tough is one of the most difficult things about playing a sport. It is hard to know how players are going to react when confronted with pressure packed situations and it is difficult to build mental toughness. It is easy to teach someone a skill, put on muscle, or understand a play. It is very tough to teach someone how to be mentally tough. The fact that the Vermont coaching staff has been able to find players on the recruiting trail and identify their makeup beyond the game of basketball is tremendous. The way the Catamounts played this season may never be repeated. This was a once in a generation team and a once in a generation season. Definitely one for the history books and one that I will revisit as a fan quite often.
It is hard to single out players on this team because it truly was a team effort and this team in particular cared nothing for individual accomplishments and accolades. However, there are individual pieces that stand out from this season. First and foremost, watching Trae Bell-Haynes emerge as the leader of this team was spectacular. He has an incredible calm about him and brings this team with him wherever he goes on the court. I think that is reflected in his recognition as the player of the year. His basketball talent is clear but there were other players in the league who had great seasons. I think what put him over the top is the way he carries himself on the basketball court and how he is able to lead his team. The emergence and growth of Anthony Lamb this season was something I have never seen before. There have been many players that have made huge jumps from one year to the next. They get into the gym in the offseason and improve the holes in their game. I have rarely if ever seen a player make that jump so rapidly in the middle of a season. There was a stretch from December to January where Lamb could barely stay on the court due to foul trouble and getting lost on defense. He looked lost on the court and it looked like the freshman wall had been hit. He worked hard and by the end of the season was the driving force behind the Catamounts. It was even his defense that was coming up big for Vermont down the stretch. He is a future star and a player of the year in waiting. Anyone who watched that Purdue game, Vermont fan or not, could tell that he was another level player who is ready to push the Vermont program forward. Dre Wills, Darren Payen, and Kurt Steidl will be greatly missed. Payen found his niche and became an incredibly effective player who at various points during his two year career saved Vermont when they needed someone to step up. Wills provided the grit, determination, and attitude that is necessary when a team needs someone down in the trenches. He is the best on ball defender I have ever had the chance to watch at Vermont and his ability to finish in the lane will be missed. I can not put into words how incredible Steidl has been for the Vermont program. He played with determination and poise. From day one he was ready to do whatever his team needed him to do to win. If Vermont needed some threes, Steidl was there. Tough rebounds? check. Shutdown defense? check. Leadership? Integrity? check and check. He was everything you want in a college athlete. Replacing all of the things he did for this team will be the coaching staff's toughest task next season. He will be missed and I wish him the best of luck on his recovery. I have a soft spot for Wills and Steidl as well because they were freshman the first season I started writing this blog. Sometimes with this program it is hard to reflect on how great the season was because it is so easy to get excited about the next season. This team is once again going to be fun to watch. There will be a learning curve as they will be incorporating a lot of new faces. Even though the Cats are only losing three players, they are adding six new players with the possibility of a seventh. Three redshirts, two recruits, and a transfer will be added to the mix next season. It will be exciting how all of the new pieces fit into and complement the returning players.
My final thoughts for this post are about Becker's final press conference today. If anyone after watching that press conference doesn't believe that John Becker is one of the best coaches in America, they need to get their head checked. That press conference was a tremendous example of why this program has reached the level it is at. Becker has a uncompromising drive to reach his goals and expects the same out of those around him. He loves the Vermont program and wants to be the guy that turns Vermont into a perennial mid-major power. I believe he has the chance to do that. He has already built a special program without the resources that many other school have. The pitch is to come to Vermont to win and be part of the family atmosphere. That is great and has worked thus far but as he said it can only work for so long. I am glad Becker stood up, spoke out, and basically demanded a new arena. This Vermont program has to upgrade their facilities or the momentum they have created will run out. UVM and the community at large has at times take the success of the men's basketball program for granted and doesn't quite seem to realize how hard it is to win consistently at the mid-major level. This Vermont program has an incredible coach who wants to stay at Vermont and move this program as far as it can go. That is a rare and special thing at this level of college basketball. The next step is a new arena and it needs to happen now. If the money isn't in hand and the construction doesn't begin, Becker is going to be far more likely to leave. His love for this program and his family's love for this area can only go so far. He needs to feel support for his vision. I hope that this season showed people in this community that Vermont has a real opportunity to be a nationally relevant basketball program. I will echo Becker's sentiment that the time is now to take the next step and give this incredible basketball program the arena it deserves.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Game Recap: 13 Vermont vs 4 Purdue
Purdue 80 Vermont 70
I want a redo where Kurt Steidl doesn't get hurt.
Vermont fought through losing Steidl to a knee injury and pushed Pudue until the end before falling in the first round of the NCAA tourney. It was no accident that Vince Edwards went off for Purdue in the second half after Vermont lost one of their most important defenders. Steidl does so many things for Vermont and is the steady hand that guides the Cats. He has been such a great player over his years at Vermont and a wonderful representative of the university. It was hard to see his career end on such a devastating note. He is one of my favorite Catamounts. Vermont charged on without him and forced Purdue to pull out all of the stops to grab the victory. It was an exciting back and forth game and Vermont really showed how strong of a team they are. How good was Anthony Lamb? Gosh darn that kid can play basketball. Every game he gets better and better. He plays the game so hard and never seems intimidated by the situation. Lamb finished with 20 points on 8-12 shooting and added 9 rebounds and 3 steals. His full arsenal was on display in this one and the consolation prize is being able to watch he and the other returning Cats next year. Trae Bell-Haynes was also great and controlled the game very nicely. Bell-Haynes finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. He only committed one turnover and ran the offense with incredible poise. Payton Henson and Ernie Duncan scored 13 and 11 points respectively in another balanced effort for the Cats. A tremendous and special season for Vermont and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to witness it. I will post a season wrap up sometime in the next week. What a team, what a season.
I want a redo where Kurt Steidl doesn't get hurt.
Vermont fought through losing Steidl to a knee injury and pushed Pudue until the end before falling in the first round of the NCAA tourney. It was no accident that Vince Edwards went off for Purdue in the second half after Vermont lost one of their most important defenders. Steidl does so many things for Vermont and is the steady hand that guides the Cats. He has been such a great player over his years at Vermont and a wonderful representative of the university. It was hard to see his career end on such a devastating note. He is one of my favorite Catamounts. Vermont charged on without him and forced Purdue to pull out all of the stops to grab the victory. It was an exciting back and forth game and Vermont really showed how strong of a team they are. How good was Anthony Lamb? Gosh darn that kid can play basketball. Every game he gets better and better. He plays the game so hard and never seems intimidated by the situation. Lamb finished with 20 points on 8-12 shooting and added 9 rebounds and 3 steals. His full arsenal was on display in this one and the consolation prize is being able to watch he and the other returning Cats next year. Trae Bell-Haynes was also great and controlled the game very nicely. Bell-Haynes finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. He only committed one turnover and ran the offense with incredible poise. Payton Henson and Ernie Duncan scored 13 and 11 points respectively in another balanced effort for the Cats. A tremendous and special season for Vermont and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to witness it. I will post a season wrap up sometime in the next week. What a team, what a season.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Game Preview: 13 Vermont vs 4 Purdue
For the first time since I started my blog, the Vermont Catamounts have a NCAA Tournament game. I am very excited for the game tomorrow night and I thought I would give a few of my thoughts on the matchup.
I was really hoping that the Cats would sneak into the upset special 12v5 matchup. If ever there was a year they had a chance, this was it. I was a little disappointed that they didn't get there but a 13 seed it still great. The 13v4 games are also a very common place for an upset. Since 2000 the 13 seed as beaten the 4 seed 14 times. This includes 9 out of the last 11 tournaments where there has been at least one 13v4 upset, including two in the 2008 tournament. Lower seed upsets are becoming more common and I believe it is due to a trickle down from the "one and done" rule. Most people focus on the high caliber players that would've have skipped college altogether and end up at Duke and Kentucky. Often people don't talk about how the players that would have ended up playing at those big schools without the rule, then disperse to other schools and the chain reaction continues on down. As a result mid-majors are more likely to secure a higher level of talent. Being a 13 seed puts Vermont squarely in the upset zone.
As a rule in order to pull off and upset, the favored team has to play below their usual level. If Purdue comes out tomorrow and plays at their best, Vermont's chances at an upset decrease greatly. For a lower seed to win there has to be the perfect combination of factors. The lower seed has to exceed their typical level of play while forcing the higher seed to play outside of their comfort zone. The other main ingredient is for the higher seed to then play poorly and make the game close as long into the game as possible. Sprinkle a little heroics and contributions from unexpected sources and voila, you have an upset. I have personally rewatched the Vermont over Syracuse (also a 13-4 game) in its entirety no less than 15 times. It was an ugly game where Syracuse and particularly Gerry Mcnamara played very poorly. Vermont also got an incredible out of nowhere career game from Germain Mopa Njila. Then the added heroics of T.J. Sorrentine's shot "from the parking lot" and the rest is history. In order to pull the upset over Purdue, Vermont will need all of the pieces to fall into place.
Purdue won the Big 10 regular season title and did so with a combination of big men and three pointers. Caleb Swanigan is a national player of the year contender and generally an absolute beast. The double double machine can shoot it from the outside and dominate in the post. Purdue also has a giant in Isaac Haas to complement Swanigan in the post. Vermont will have to throw some double teams their way and hope that forces them into turnovers. Payton Henson and Anthony Lamb will also have to use their outside shooting to pull them out from under the basket and force Purdue to work harder on defense. As for the three pointers, the last time these two teams met that was the difference. Purdue hit a school record 18 three pointers in that game. Every time Vermont tried to claw back into the game, Purdue calmly knocked down a three. This Vermont team is worlds better at defending the three and that is really the key to the game. If Vermont can force Pudue into an off shooting night it will allow the Cats to hang in the game. The longer the game stays close, the better Vermont's chances of winning. So many tournament games are lost in the first 10 minutes when the nerves and adrenaline can combine for a slow start. Getting down big early against a favorite allows them to relax and makes the underdog have to work that much harder to win the game. How Vermont comes out and plays in the first 10 minutes will be very telling as to how the rest of the game is going to play out.
This is a tough matchup for Vermont but a game they have a chance to win. They played this Purdue team last season and many of the same players for both sides and back for this game. Vermont got to Milwaukee early and the players are on spring break so there are no classes to worry about. The pressure from the long win streak and the conference season has been lifted and the Cats can give it their all without fear. For Vermont to win they will need to force Purdue to have an off shooting night, force Swanigan and Haas to give the ball up, and in the process force some turnovers. On offense they should drive the ball at the rim and force Purdue to contest shots, maybe draw a few fouls in the process. Purdue is not a great shot blocking team and both Swanigan and Haas can be beat with quickness. The Cats also have to shoot well from three. The three has come and gone for Vermont this season but when they shoot well from three they are at their most dangerous. As I stated above the longer Vermont keeps the game close the more Purdue will feel the pressure. They lost in the first round last season so the pressure is all on them to change the result this year. I for one can't wait for this matchup and expect Vermont to play a very competitive game.
I was really hoping that the Cats would sneak into the upset special 12v5 matchup. If ever there was a year they had a chance, this was it. I was a little disappointed that they didn't get there but a 13 seed it still great. The 13v4 games are also a very common place for an upset. Since 2000 the 13 seed as beaten the 4 seed 14 times. This includes 9 out of the last 11 tournaments where there has been at least one 13v4 upset, including two in the 2008 tournament. Lower seed upsets are becoming more common and I believe it is due to a trickle down from the "one and done" rule. Most people focus on the high caliber players that would've have skipped college altogether and end up at Duke and Kentucky. Often people don't talk about how the players that would have ended up playing at those big schools without the rule, then disperse to other schools and the chain reaction continues on down. As a result mid-majors are more likely to secure a higher level of talent. Being a 13 seed puts Vermont squarely in the upset zone.
As a rule in order to pull off and upset, the favored team has to play below their usual level. If Purdue comes out tomorrow and plays at their best, Vermont's chances at an upset decrease greatly. For a lower seed to win there has to be the perfect combination of factors. The lower seed has to exceed their typical level of play while forcing the higher seed to play outside of their comfort zone. The other main ingredient is for the higher seed to then play poorly and make the game close as long into the game as possible. Sprinkle a little heroics and contributions from unexpected sources and voila, you have an upset. I have personally rewatched the Vermont over Syracuse (also a 13-4 game) in its entirety no less than 15 times. It was an ugly game where Syracuse and particularly Gerry Mcnamara played very poorly. Vermont also got an incredible out of nowhere career game from Germain Mopa Njila. Then the added heroics of T.J. Sorrentine's shot "from the parking lot" and the rest is history. In order to pull the upset over Purdue, Vermont will need all of the pieces to fall into place.
Purdue won the Big 10 regular season title and did so with a combination of big men and three pointers. Caleb Swanigan is a national player of the year contender and generally an absolute beast. The double double machine can shoot it from the outside and dominate in the post. Purdue also has a giant in Isaac Haas to complement Swanigan in the post. Vermont will have to throw some double teams their way and hope that forces them into turnovers. Payton Henson and Anthony Lamb will also have to use their outside shooting to pull them out from under the basket and force Purdue to work harder on defense. As for the three pointers, the last time these two teams met that was the difference. Purdue hit a school record 18 three pointers in that game. Every time Vermont tried to claw back into the game, Purdue calmly knocked down a three. This Vermont team is worlds better at defending the three and that is really the key to the game. If Vermont can force Pudue into an off shooting night it will allow the Cats to hang in the game. The longer the game stays close, the better Vermont's chances of winning. So many tournament games are lost in the first 10 minutes when the nerves and adrenaline can combine for a slow start. Getting down big early against a favorite allows them to relax and makes the underdog have to work that much harder to win the game. How Vermont comes out and plays in the first 10 minutes will be very telling as to how the rest of the game is going to play out.
This is a tough matchup for Vermont but a game they have a chance to win. They played this Purdue team last season and many of the same players for both sides and back for this game. Vermont got to Milwaukee early and the players are on spring break so there are no classes to worry about. The pressure from the long win streak and the conference season has been lifted and the Cats can give it their all without fear. For Vermont to win they will need to force Purdue to have an off shooting night, force Swanigan and Haas to give the ball up, and in the process force some turnovers. On offense they should drive the ball at the rim and force Purdue to contest shots, maybe draw a few fouls in the process. Purdue is not a great shot blocking team and both Swanigan and Haas can be beat with quickness. The Cats also have to shoot well from three. The three has come and gone for Vermont this season but when they shoot well from three they are at their most dangerous. As I stated above the longer Vermont keeps the game close the more Purdue will feel the pressure. They lost in the first round last season so the pressure is all on them to change the result this year. I for one can't wait for this matchup and expect Vermont to play a very competitive game.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
My Q&A with a Purdue fan
When the matchup was announced on Sunday night, the quest for information about the opposition began. Through this process Travis Miller, who runs the SB nation fan site for Purdue, stumbled onto my little blog and asked me to participate in a question and answer exchange. I was delighted to participate as I like nothing more than talking (and writing) about Vermont basketball. You can view my answers to his questions at hammerandrails.com (great name by the way). Here are his responses to my questions.
Lee: Purdue won the regular season title in the Big 10. What are their strengths and how were they able win the league?
Lee: Purdue won the regular season title in the Big 10. What are their strengths and how were they able win the league?
Travis: This year Purdue was an extremely versatile team. When playing at its best, the offense could be unstoppable. It helps a lot to have the Big Ten Player of the Year and National Player of the Year candidate Caleb Swanigan. Caleb averaged a double-double, set the school single-season record for rebounds, and generally was a force on both ends of the floor. While his defense and turnovers are weaknesses in his game, he is a rebounding machine and relentless worker. Four times this season he had a game of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. With one more double-double I believe he ties a national record for most in a season.
Down low with him we have 7’2” Isaac Haas, who is simply a physically overpowering presence. He has started at times, but he has done his best work off the bench. He is virtually unstoppable on the low block in most one-on-one situations.
What really made Purdue dangerous was its three-point shooting prowess. Swanigan can step out and hit the three (43.1%). Vince Edwards, Dakota Mathias, and Ryan Cline are all over 40% from long for the season and P.J. Thompson is just under it. Lately the threes haven’t been falling, but Purdue is due to get hot again. Purdue is at its best when ball movement around the perimeter finds the open shooter or when Haas and Swanigan are passing well out of the double-team to find the open man.
Lee: I noticed that despite Purdue's size they are not a strong shot blocking team. Why are their shot blocking numbers so low? Are they able to protect the rim on a consistent basis?
Travis: Our best rim protector, A.J. Hammons, graduated last season as the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year. Haas just does not have the natural shot blocking instincts as he did. Swanigan is getting better, but he is not quite as quick as he needs to be. Purdue more tends to play stingy man-to-man defense on the perimeter and influence shots more than block them.
Lee: Michigan is a team that has given Purdue difficulties this season. How has Michigan been able to beat them and what is it about the Wolverines that make them a difficult matchup?
Travis: Mo Wagner and D.J. Wilson were bigs that could draw Haas and Swanigan away from the basket. Haas is not a perimeter defender, and since Wilson and Wagner are good three-point shooters they took full advantage by pulling him away from the basket. That opened a lot of things up offensively. Wagner went off in the game in Ann Arbor, while it was Wilson that did most of the damage in the Big Ten Tournament. Even then, Purdue had adjusted well for Wagner and was leading by two with 18 seconds left in regulation. Had PJ Thompson just knocked down his free throws (he missed the front end of a 1 and 1 with 18 seconds left) Purdue likely wins the game.
Lee: When Purdue is playing well and up to their potential what do they do well? Conversely, when they struggle where do they typically go wrong?
Travis: As mentioned above, when Purdue is hitting threes it opens things up for Swanigan and Haas to go one-on-one, which are battles they are going to win. At that point you have to pick what is going to hurt you: a rain of threes or Haas and Swanigan pounding it inside.
When Purdue is not hitting well, it is turning it over in the post against the double-team, or guards can exploit our defense with quickness we are in trouble. Swanigan and Haas will turn the ball over against the double team, and sometimes it can make the offense go completely stagnant.
Lee: Now that you have seen the bracket, how far do you think this Purdue team can go in the tourney?
Travis: The goal has always been the Final Four and I think it can be done. I think Villanova is the best team in the country and we were a missed three-pointer at the buzzer from taking them to overtime in the second game of the season. This team has proven it can play with anyone in America and when it is on, the offense can be ruthlessly efficient. I would love a second chance at Louisville too, because overall, that might have been Purdue’s worst game of the year. We still made it competitive in the final minutes despite playing like absolute crap for 35 minutes.
That said, if the shots aren’t falling, turnovers become an issue, and we keep giving up offensive rebounds like we have in the last few games, we might not make it past Thursday night. There is also our history at stake. I have seen a lot of Purdue teams underachieve in March compared to what they showed the rest of the year. Our last three Tournament games (2016 Little Rock, 2015 Cincinnati, and 2012 Kansas) we have had the lead and the basketball inside the last minute with a chance to put it away. We lost all three. We have won some tight games this year. At Maryland was our best example of stealing one. We have also blown it late, and we get tight at the end of tournament games.
Lee: There has been a lot of talk about how this was a down year for the Big 10. Do you think that point of view is valid or is it a result of a marquee program like Michigan State having a down year?
Travis: I think it is a little of both. The league did not fare well outside of the conference with only Purdue (over Notre Dame), Michigan State (over Wichita State), and Indiana (over North Carolina and Kansas) beating teams that finished in the top 25. Indiana completely imploded in conference play and Wisconsin had an awful second half of the Big Ten season. I do think the bottom of the league got better though and it was more even than anything. Purdue dropped a game at Nebraska, who had the worst overall record. Rutgers was even feisty. In the end, there were 10 teams that had semi-legitimate at large chances a week ago at this time. There wasn’t a list of titans at the top like in 2013, but overall he league was very competitive.
I hope everyone enjoyed this little Q& A and I want to thank Travis for the opportunity. I will post my game preview sometime tomorrow.
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