STEF SMITH

Vermont 84 Binghamton 51

See you Saturday.

Stef Smith exploded for 23 first half points on 7-8 shooting from three and sent the Cats to the America East championship game. Smith finished with 28 points and 8 three pointers in front of a rocking crowd. He was silky smooth and confident in a new hairdo that I would imagine makes another appearance on Saturday. Always the x-factor for Vermont, Smith is regaining the confidence he had at the beginning of the season at the perfect time. What an electric performance. Binghamton refused to come out of their zone and as a result Vermont was able to get a wide open shot on every single possession. I have never seen a game move so quickly and smoothly. Anthony Lamb was his usual self putting up 18 points on 9-12 shooting and dishing out a career high 7 assists. More than anything the team looked locked in. The Cats played every possession like it was a close game and kept up the intensity despite the wide margin. They have the fire in their eyes and are a team on a mission. The defense was particularly tight with a combination of Ben Shungu and Robin Duncan holding rookie of the year Sam Sessoms without a single point. The other semifinal was also a blowout until Hartford made a furious comeback before falling in double overtime to set up a finals rematch. This is the game Vermont wants. This team has something to prove and is poised to go out and get the championship. See you Saturday.