ANTHONY LAMB

Vermont 74 New Hampshire 41

Something amazing is happening in Catamount Country.

Anthony Lamb continued his late season domination with a transcendent performance in the America East semifinal. Lamb was everywhere and did everything finishing with 24pts/6rbs/2blks/3stls. He was 6-9 from the three point line and single-handedly woke up the Vermont offense. He is another level player who Vermont is blessed and lucky to have. I have to take a second and thank Anthony Lamb for believing in the Vermont program and buying into the culture. We as Catamount fans are able to see something special every night and he is a big part of it. Lamb has matured both defensively and offensively the blink of an eye. He has a chance to be one of the best players to ever put on a Vermont uniform. Vermont has now won 20 games in a row and returns to the final to face Albany on Saturday. More on that matchup later. It is time to appreciate just haw good Vermont is playing right now. Their defense has risen to a level I have never seen before. Opposing teams are struggling to even get a shot off, much less make a shot. The Cats are hedging hard and recovering underneath with more fire than I have ever seen. New Hampshire is a good team and Vermont just completely dominated them from start to finish. The mental focus of this team is what sets them apart. They play hard and execute no matter the opponent, no matter the game situation. They have been able to block out all of the noise and buzz surrounding this program and have focused on the one goal that is important to them, the championship. Payton Henson and Dre Wills were also great tonight as everyone contributed and played their role. Henson forced Tanner Leissner (first team all conference) into a 2-15 shooting night. Kurt Steidl followed Daniel Dion (conference leader in three pointers made) around all night and Dion did not make a single three. I said before the season started that it would be interesting to see how the "winning is all that matters" attitude played out as the season progressed. I think it is safe to say that this team was 100% serious about that before the season started and each individual has bought into doing whatever is necessary to win each and every game. Now on Saturday they have a a chance to seal the deal and capture the NCAA tournament berth and America East championship. It is fitting that in order to do so they will have to dispatch Albany. The Albany program has long been the thorn in Vermont's side come playoff time. Vermont is 1-5 all time against Albany in the playoffs. The one win was in 2003, meaning they have lost 5 straight playoff games to the Great Danes over the course of the last 14 years. This is the way it has to be. Vermont has to come out and break through against their bitter rivals. If Vermont can continue to bring the defensive intensity that they have shown over the last several games they will put themselves in position to cap off this historic season with a victory.