400th post!!!!!

Today's post marks the 400th that I have written. It has been a pretty incredible 9 years building this blog and connecting with people in the Catamount community. This week I got to swing by after the Becker basketball camp and watch the players play a little bit of pick-up. It was exciting to see the newcomers out on the court for the first time. It has been several years since Vermont has had such a big group of young players and that always adds to the excitement for next season. Even though it was only pickup and the first time this group has played together, here are a few things that jumped out at me. Perry Smith Jr. looked every bit the big time recruit. He is certainly the most highly regarded recruit that Vermont has been able to land as a freshman and looks like he will be a big part of this year's team. He is big and athletic underneath with soft touch and the ability to finish in a variety of ways. What impressed me the most was how well rounded of a player he is. Smith Jr. plays with tremendous pace and awareness on the court and is a good passer. He is comfortable on the perimeter and handling the ball in the open court. Definitely going to have a day one impact and looks to be one of the top freshman in the league. TJ Hurley also stood out with great size as a guard and incredible shooting touch. Fluid, simple mechanics and brimming with confidence, Hurley has all the makings of a big time shooter. Great feel for moving without the ball and smooth footwork in his shot preparation. Jorge Ochoa brings size and shooting ability and Jackson Skipper played with a very high motor on both ends of the court. Those are a few of the things that stood out to me in the hour or so that I watched. This team is bigger and more athletic than a typical Vermont squad and has wing depth for maybe the first time ever. With so many new players there is going to be a steep learning curve but the ceiling for this Vermont team is very high.

Jackson Skipper commits to Vermont

Next year's Vermont roster is set. 

Jackson Skipper a 6-7 wing out of Tulsa, Oklahoma claimed the last scholarship spot on the Vermont roster, commiting to the Catamounts this afternoon. This final scholarship opened up due to Duncan Demuth being forced to retire from basketball due to injury. Skipper completes an impressive freshman class that represents the future of the program. The Vermont coaching staff did a great job this offseason both setting the team up for success this season and beyond. After being one of the oldest teams in college basketball last season and with a large senior class this season, Vermont needed to get younger. They did so in a big way with a group of young players that will all be good at some point in their careers. Much like the Robin Duncan, Ryan Davis, Isaiah Powell freshman group, all of the players in this incoming class have all league potential. There will be minutes available for the young players and a fierce competition to see who makes the quickest adjustment to the college game. Skipper brings great length and versatility. A late bloomer who completed a prep year at Link Year Prep in Branson, MO to really work on getting physically ready for the college game. Skipper is very comfortable handling the ball in the open court and has a smooth stroke from the outside. He uses his length and athleticism well to finish around the rim and could grow into a disruptive defender. Skipper flew under the radar as he has improved rapidly and is only scratching the surface of his potential. This feels like another player that the coaching staff identified late in the process who they believe can grow tremendously during his time at Vermont. This might be the most long and athletic team Vermont has put together from top to bottom. It has been a while since Vermont has had wing and post depth after being guard heavy for several years. The potential of this team not just for next season but for seasons to come is massive. It has been several years since the Cats have a such a strong freshman class that has an opportunity for an immediate impact. The trick with young players is how quickly they can acclimate to the system and adjust to the college game. It has been an exciting offseason recruiting cycle with an incredible caliber of player joining Catamount country next season. Is it October yet?