It was another tremendous season in Catamount country. This group of seniors was special and I am not sure if we will ever see a run of success like the one Vermont just had. For a state with only one Division I university and and team with out of date facilities and a minuscule budget, this program was on the map as a top mid-major program for two years. A dream that seemed far off when Becker took the reins of this program 7 years ago. This season did not end the way everyone wanted to and that was very difficult. However, I think some of the Vermont fanbase has been spoiled by all of the success that this team has had over the years. Having each teams success judged solely by winning a championship is honestly an unreasonable expectation. Enjoying the entire season, its ups and downs, and getting to watch great basketball right in our own backyard is incredible. The young people in this state seeing that working hard no matter the hurdles is important. These are the things that make this Vermont program so special. There are very few programs that can maintain the type of momentum that Vermont has built. The fact that they are doing it solely based on the actual basketball product itself is an even greater success. If we as fans look to far ahead we will miss what is right in front of us. Blink and this success could be gone in a flash. We as a fanbase cannot be so arrogant as to assume that this type of success is garunteed.
I will miss these seniors so much. Trae Bell-Haynes, Drew Urquhart, Cam Ward, Payton Henson, Nate Rohrer, and David Urso all left Catamount country a better place. Trae Bell-Haynes developed into one of the best players in Vermont history. Drew Urquhart and Cam Ward worked hard, overcame difficulties, and proved that all of that pays off in the end. Payton Henson found a home to finish his basketball career and get to the NCAA tournament. Nate Rohrer saved Vermont in a season when they needed him and was always ready to play when his number was called. David Urso pushed the guys in practice every year. All of them represented themselves as ambassadors of not only the Vermont program but the university at large. Great basketball players, even better people. That is the type of player that the Vermont program is founded on and the type of player that will continue to bring success.
I am very excited about next season but I am holding back until the coaching searches finish up. Becker's name always comes up this time of year and this year there are some jobs that I think he would consider. The one that scares me the most is if Danny Hurley leaves Rhode Island, I have to think he would be on their shortlist. I know Becker wants to be at Vermont but as I said last year, the new arena needs to happen. There has been some progress but with no concrete plan in place Vermont is rolling the dice. At some point the money that other schools can offer is going to be too much to turn down. If Becker stays Vermont is once again set up to be in the title hunt. It will not be the dominant run of the past few season and there will be many more ups and downs, but the pieces are going to be there. The current 2018 recruits (Isaiah Moll, Ryan Davis, Robin Duncan) are a incredible class. I believe that each of them has the potential to be future all league caliber players. Combine that with the returning Duncans, a healthy Lamb, and some exciting young players, and Vermont has the pieces to be a dangerous team by the end of the season. Roster continuity is the key for any mid-major to maintain success but this off season it is even more crucial because of what Vermont is already replacing due to graduation. The next few weeks will go a long way to understanding what next year will bring.
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Monday, March 12, 2018
NIT Preview and a little rant
It is time to get right back to it.
The Cats face off with Middle Tennessee in a battle of top mid-major programs. It should be a really fun game and a great consolation prize after Saturday's heartbreak. But before we get into game I have to talk a little bit about the inequity that currently exists in the NCAA tournament selection process as both of the teams in this matchup were affected by it. There is no way for a mid-major program to realistically get an at large bid. The NCAA tells mid-majors they need to "schedule strong" and that will solve all of their problems. That is easier said than done and both of these teams found that out. Vermont struggled to find teams to play them and Middle Tennessee even played Florida Gulf Coast twice just to get some good games on their schedule. The real challenge is that it is impossible to get the so called "good teams" to play at a mid-major. This means there are no chances for teams like Vermont or Middle Tennessee to get quality home wins. Syracuse on the other hand is able to make an entire non-conference schedule where they scarcely leave the state of New York. That inherent inequity in scheduling was never clearer than this season when Middle Tennessee had the 13th toughest non-conference schedule (according to KenPom) in the country and then went 16-2 in their conference but was not deserving of an at large bid. What a joke. The Power 5 schools are able to play virtually no one in the non-conference, have mediocre to poor conference records, and still get in. There is no solution. Middle Tennessee did exactly what the committee told mid-majors to do and was still not rewarded. Go ahead and look at some of the major conference at large teams on KenPom and check out the non-conference strength of schedule (Virginia Tech 344 out of 351? please). Now the consequence of this is that mid-major programs are basically being asked to schedule hard and then never lose. That is an impossible amount of pressure. Power 5 teams are allowed to have off nights or take bad losses with very little consequence. Teams like Vermont schedule hard and are asked never to have an off night, never run into a hot team. Vermont had an incredible two year run, clinched a spot in the NIT, played one bad game and it feels like their entire world has come crashing down. That is unfair to the players. It takes the fun out of the game if everything is nitpicked and over analyzed. Life is not perfect. Sometimes things don't go your way and learning to recover from that is part of why playing sports is so rewarding. Losing is part of the game and that is why it feels so good to win. It great for a program to win a regular season title. Playing in the NIT is a great honor that only 32 teams each season get to do. Kansas has won at least a share of the regular season title for 14 straight seasons. They have lost 3 out of the last 5 conference tourneys. Imagine if their NCAA participation was dependent on winning the conference tourney each season? The complexion of their program would change significantly. This is further exacerbated by the fact that mid-major programs can't maintain the kind of coaching continuity that all of the great programs across the country have. Most of the widely respected, big time programs have had incredible consistency at their head coaching position. The solution for all of this is not to get rid of the conference tournament as so many people seem to suggest. I love conference tournaments and it keeps every team engaged until the final buzzer because everyone still has a shot no matter how tough your season may have been. For me as a fan this year it was heartbreaking but that doesn't mean I don't love conference tournaments. I watched some incredible and exciting tournament games this past week. Four out of Vermont's six NCAA tournament berths came as the 2nd seed. Anyway, I could go on and on and I already said more then I wanted to. For Vermont, the bottom line is that there is nothing to hang their heads about. They are an incredible team and they earned their spot in the NIT. One bad game does not erase years of progress and excitement. This group has meant so much to this program on and off the court. Playing basketball is fun and that shouldn't be crushed under the weight of expectations. Life is bigger than one game and Vermont has a chance to go out there are play another exciting opponent. I think this game is going to be all kinds of fun. Middle Tennessee is another strong mid-major program. This game is a great time to showcase two strong programs who go out and schedule tough road games year in and year out. There are some exciting rule changes that are being tested out in the NIT as well. A list of those changes can be found here. I love the quarters and am very excited to see how the wider lane opens things up for drives to the rim. It will be nice for the Cats to play as underdogs again and to get to watch this team play again is a treat. Watch tomorrow night at 8 o'clock on ESPNU.
The Cats face off with Middle Tennessee in a battle of top mid-major programs. It should be a really fun game and a great consolation prize after Saturday's heartbreak. But before we get into game I have to talk a little bit about the inequity that currently exists in the NCAA tournament selection process as both of the teams in this matchup were affected by it. There is no way for a mid-major program to realistically get an at large bid. The NCAA tells mid-majors they need to "schedule strong" and that will solve all of their problems. That is easier said than done and both of these teams found that out. Vermont struggled to find teams to play them and Middle Tennessee even played Florida Gulf Coast twice just to get some good games on their schedule. The real challenge is that it is impossible to get the so called "good teams" to play at a mid-major. This means there are no chances for teams like Vermont or Middle Tennessee to get quality home wins. Syracuse on the other hand is able to make an entire non-conference schedule where they scarcely leave the state of New York. That inherent inequity in scheduling was never clearer than this season when Middle Tennessee had the 13th toughest non-conference schedule (according to KenPom) in the country and then went 16-2 in their conference but was not deserving of an at large bid. What a joke. The Power 5 schools are able to play virtually no one in the non-conference, have mediocre to poor conference records, and still get in. There is no solution. Middle Tennessee did exactly what the committee told mid-majors to do and was still not rewarded. Go ahead and look at some of the major conference at large teams on KenPom and check out the non-conference strength of schedule (Virginia Tech 344 out of 351? please). Now the consequence of this is that mid-major programs are basically being asked to schedule hard and then never lose. That is an impossible amount of pressure. Power 5 teams are allowed to have off nights or take bad losses with very little consequence. Teams like Vermont schedule hard and are asked never to have an off night, never run into a hot team. Vermont had an incredible two year run, clinched a spot in the NIT, played one bad game and it feels like their entire world has come crashing down. That is unfair to the players. It takes the fun out of the game if everything is nitpicked and over analyzed. Life is not perfect. Sometimes things don't go your way and learning to recover from that is part of why playing sports is so rewarding. Losing is part of the game and that is why it feels so good to win. It great for a program to win a regular season title. Playing in the NIT is a great honor that only 32 teams each season get to do. Kansas has won at least a share of the regular season title for 14 straight seasons. They have lost 3 out of the last 5 conference tourneys. Imagine if their NCAA participation was dependent on winning the conference tourney each season? The complexion of their program would change significantly. This is further exacerbated by the fact that mid-major programs can't maintain the kind of coaching continuity that all of the great programs across the country have. Most of the widely respected, big time programs have had incredible consistency at their head coaching position. The solution for all of this is not to get rid of the conference tournament as so many people seem to suggest. I love conference tournaments and it keeps every team engaged until the final buzzer because everyone still has a shot no matter how tough your season may have been. For me as a fan this year it was heartbreaking but that doesn't mean I don't love conference tournaments. I watched some incredible and exciting tournament games this past week. Four out of Vermont's six NCAA tournament berths came as the 2nd seed. Anyway, I could go on and on and I already said more then I wanted to. For Vermont, the bottom line is that there is nothing to hang their heads about. They are an incredible team and they earned their spot in the NIT. One bad game does not erase years of progress and excitement. This group has meant so much to this program on and off the court. Playing basketball is fun and that shouldn't be crushed under the weight of expectations. Life is bigger than one game and Vermont has a chance to go out there are play another exciting opponent. I think this game is going to be all kinds of fun. Middle Tennessee is another strong mid-major program. This game is a great time to showcase two strong programs who go out and schedule tough road games year in and year out. There are some exciting rule changes that are being tested out in the NIT as well. A list of those changes can be found here. I love the quarters and am very excited to see how the wider lane opens things up for drives to the rim. It will be nice for the Cats to play as underdogs again and to get to watch this team play again is a treat. Watch tomorrow night at 8 o'clock on ESPNU.
Saturday, March 10, 2018
America East Final: UMBC at Vermont 3/10/18
UMBC 65 Vermont 62
On to the NIT.
Jairus Lyles hit a three pointer with .6 seconds left to win the America East championship for UMBC.
Lyles capped off an impressive 27 point effort, willing the Retrievers to victory. Another crushing postseason disappointment for this Vermont class. I absolutely love this group of players and it stinks that this is the way the great two year conference run had to end. The story of this game was about what Vermont did not do. They did not take shots. The Cats only took 38 shots in this game. Compare that to 56 for UMBC. That is a significant disparity and it included Vermont attempting only 2 three pointers in the second half. Two. That is just insane for a team who shoots such a strong percentage from three. Vermont's offense came to a screeching halt and it looked like no one wanted to take "the shot" down the stretch. The offense became one dimensional and UMBC defended it well. It was very strange to see this Vermont team get so far away from what they had been doing all season. Strong three point shooting was something that this group has hung their hat on all season. They took themselves out of the game by not giving their offense chances to score. UMBC executed their game plan very well and every time it looked like Vermont was going to pull away they had a response. The tension on the Vermont side was clear down the stretch. The Duncan brothers even had a very heated exchange which was very out of character. The pressure of all the expectations seemed to kind of creep up on the Cats down the stretch of the season as they were trying to finish off this historic run. They overcame so much this season and the pressure of their own sustained success finally caught up with them. While this loss hurts hopefully this group will be able to pull themselves off the mat and try to pull off an upset in the NIT. It is not the result that anyone wanted but I want this group to have another opportunity. It has been a joy to watch this group of players grow over their careers and they have brought this program to another level during their time. They play the game with an incredible passion and drive that we as fans might never see in another group of players. They have pushed the program forward and can continue to do so with an opportunity to go win a game in the NIT.
On to the NIT.
Jairus Lyles hit a three pointer with .6 seconds left to win the America East championship for UMBC.
Lyles capped off an impressive 27 point effort, willing the Retrievers to victory. Another crushing postseason disappointment for this Vermont class. I absolutely love this group of players and it stinks that this is the way the great two year conference run had to end. The story of this game was about what Vermont did not do. They did not take shots. The Cats only took 38 shots in this game. Compare that to 56 for UMBC. That is a significant disparity and it included Vermont attempting only 2 three pointers in the second half. Two. That is just insane for a team who shoots such a strong percentage from three. Vermont's offense came to a screeching halt and it looked like no one wanted to take "the shot" down the stretch. The offense became one dimensional and UMBC defended it well. It was very strange to see this Vermont team get so far away from what they had been doing all season. Strong three point shooting was something that this group has hung their hat on all season. They took themselves out of the game by not giving their offense chances to score. UMBC executed their game plan very well and every time it looked like Vermont was going to pull away they had a response. The tension on the Vermont side was clear down the stretch. The Duncan brothers even had a very heated exchange which was very out of character. The pressure of all the expectations seemed to kind of creep up on the Cats down the stretch of the season as they were trying to finish off this historic run. They overcame so much this season and the pressure of their own sustained success finally caught up with them. While this loss hurts hopefully this group will be able to pull themselves off the mat and try to pull off an upset in the NIT. It is not the result that anyone wanted but I want this group to have another opportunity. It has been a joy to watch this group of players grow over their careers and they have brought this program to another level during their time. They play the game with an incredible passion and drive that we as fans might never see in another group of players. They have pushed the program forward and can continue to do so with an opportunity to go win a game in the NIT.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
America East Semifinal: Stony Brook at Vermont 3/6/18
Vermont 70 Stony Brook 51
Two down. One to go.
Vermont put together a strong 40 minutes of basketball and used a smothering defense to advance to their third straight title game. From the opening tip, the mental focus and energy was there. Shots weren't falling early for either team as both teams jockeyed for control of the game. Vermont settled in and executed the game plan. Drew Urquhart led the Cats with 19 points and 8 rebounds. After being saddled with foul trouble in the first half, Drew U keyed Vermont's offensive surge in the second half. At the beginning of the season it was hard to imagine that Drew would be the key cog that keeps the Cats offense running. However, here we are during the most crucial stretch of the season and he has become Vermont's most important player. He attacked the rim in a variety of different ways and worked through contact to draw a high number of fouls. Payton Henson also continued his late season surge as he knocked down 3/4 four from deep and finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Cam Ward played his best game of the season sparking the offense in the first half and finishing with 12 points. Ward is giving max effort on every play and is playing with such poise and energy. Everett Duncan had another lunch pail night with 8 points and 8 rebounds. His toughness this year has really added a whole new dimension to the Vermont lineup. Now it is on to the finals for the third straight season. UMBC will always present a tough challenge because their style of play is so different than any other team the Cats play. The first two matchups were convincing wins for Vermont as they took advantage of their strong post play. I would expect Vermont to continue to take advantage down low in the title game. UMBC is dangerous if they can force turnovers, get out in transition, and when they are hitting threes. Vermont has done a nice job in both games limiting those opportunities. It is going to be a whole different game on Saturday and the first two matchups can really be thrown out as it is now a one game season. The atmosphere will be electric and the Cats will be ready.
Two down. One to go.
Vermont put together a strong 40 minutes of basketball and used a smothering defense to advance to their third straight title game. From the opening tip, the mental focus and energy was there. Shots weren't falling early for either team as both teams jockeyed for control of the game. Vermont settled in and executed the game plan. Drew Urquhart led the Cats with 19 points and 8 rebounds. After being saddled with foul trouble in the first half, Drew U keyed Vermont's offensive surge in the second half. At the beginning of the season it was hard to imagine that Drew would be the key cog that keeps the Cats offense running. However, here we are during the most crucial stretch of the season and he has become Vermont's most important player. He attacked the rim in a variety of different ways and worked through contact to draw a high number of fouls. Payton Henson also continued his late season surge as he knocked down 3/4 four from deep and finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Cam Ward played his best game of the season sparking the offense in the first half and finishing with 12 points. Ward is giving max effort on every play and is playing with such poise and energy. Everett Duncan had another lunch pail night with 8 points and 8 rebounds. His toughness this year has really added a whole new dimension to the Vermont lineup. Now it is on to the finals for the third straight season. UMBC will always present a tough challenge because their style of play is so different than any other team the Cats play. The first two matchups were convincing wins for Vermont as they took advantage of their strong post play. I would expect Vermont to continue to take advantage down low in the title game. UMBC is dangerous if they can force turnovers, get out in transition, and when they are hitting threes. Vermont has done a nice job in both games limiting those opportunities. It is going to be a whole different game on Saturday and the first two matchups can really be thrown out as it is now a one game season. The atmosphere will be electric and the Cats will be ready.
Saturday, March 3, 2018
America East Quarterfinal: Maine at Vermont 3/3/18
Vermont 75 Maine 60
One down. Two to go.
Vermont took care of business with a big second half and advanced to the semifinal on Tuesday night with a win over Maine. It was a back and forth first half as has been the pattern late in the season. Vermont dug deep and took control on the defensive end, stifling Maine's offense. Trae Bell-Haynes and Payton Henson led the offense with 21 points apiece. Bell-Haynes kept the Cats in it with his three point shooting in the first half and relentlessly drove to the rim in the second half. Henson took advantage of Maine's small lineup, getting easy buckets in the paint. Drew Urquhart finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds leading Vermont's big second half advantage on the glass. Everett Duncan finished with 6 points and 9 rebounds in another tough, hard nosed effort. The outside shots were not falling for the Cats but they were able to pound it inside for a big advantage in points in the paint. The mental focus was there for Vermont and the crowd was rocking. Now it is time for Stony Brook on Tuesday night. The Seawolves pulled the road upset of Albany. Stony Brook is a very athletic team and both games this year have been very physical. There are no easy match ups in the playoffs so it is hard to get to excited about not having to play Albany. Stony Brook presents a different challenge than Albany and much like the rest of the games down the stretch, they are going come in to Patrick with nothing to lose. Teams are coming out hot every game right now as they are all ready to be the one to knock off Vermont. Tonight's effort by the Cats was more indicative of the team they have been throughout this season. They keys to the game on Tuesday will be to limit turnovers and keep Stony Brook off the offensive glass. If Vermont can do that they will put themselves in the drivers seat. Anthony Lamb is progressing exactly how you would hope in his return from injury. He looked better in tonight's game and looks to be gaining strength and confidence. I expect him to get even more involved in the next game. Tuesday can't come fast enough.
One down. Two to go.
Vermont took care of business with a big second half and advanced to the semifinal on Tuesday night with a win over Maine. It was a back and forth first half as has been the pattern late in the season. Vermont dug deep and took control on the defensive end, stifling Maine's offense. Trae Bell-Haynes and Payton Henson led the offense with 21 points apiece. Bell-Haynes kept the Cats in it with his three point shooting in the first half and relentlessly drove to the rim in the second half. Henson took advantage of Maine's small lineup, getting easy buckets in the paint. Drew Urquhart finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds leading Vermont's big second half advantage on the glass. Everett Duncan finished with 6 points and 9 rebounds in another tough, hard nosed effort. The outside shots were not falling for the Cats but they were able to pound it inside for a big advantage in points in the paint. The mental focus was there for Vermont and the crowd was rocking. Now it is time for Stony Brook on Tuesday night. The Seawolves pulled the road upset of Albany. Stony Brook is a very athletic team and both games this year have been very physical. There are no easy match ups in the playoffs so it is hard to get to excited about not having to play Albany. Stony Brook presents a different challenge than Albany and much like the rest of the games down the stretch, they are going come in to Patrick with nothing to lose. Teams are coming out hot every game right now as they are all ready to be the one to knock off Vermont. Tonight's effort by the Cats was more indicative of the team they have been throughout this season. They keys to the game on Tuesday will be to limit turnovers and keep Stony Brook off the offensive glass. If Vermont can do that they will put themselves in the drivers seat. Anthony Lamb is progressing exactly how you would hope in his return from injury. He looked better in tonight's game and looks to be gaining strength and confidence. I expect him to get even more involved in the next game. Tuesday can't come fast enough.
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