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.