Defense wins championships.
Vermont smothered the potent UMass Lowell offense and hit big shots down the stretch to win their 15th consecutive game and second conference title in a row. An incredibly gutsy performance from a special Catamount group. This team has so many stories that were easy to root for. Dylan Penn fighting to get to the the tourney, Matt Veretto resurrecting his career, Robin as the last of the Duncans, Finn and Kam fighting to go out on top, and so many more. So much hard work went into achieving the teams goals and the fairytale ending was achieved. In the first half both teams were suffering the early game, title game jitters and no shots were falling. Slowly but surely UMass Lowell started to find success around the rim, pulled ahead, and took the crowd out of the game. Aaron Deloney kept the Cats afloat with a late three and an Ayinde Hikim first half buzzer beater was waved off, leaving Vermont in a four point hole. Vermont came out in the second half with some extra fire and the shots began to fall. The crowd was brought back to life by a Matt Veretto three and then Lowell fouled a couple Vermont three point shooters and they capitalized at the line. Veretto then made back to back threes with 8 minutes to go, giving the Cats a little breathing room. And who else but Finn Sullivan with a four point play dagger with 2 minutes to go. What a game. The Cats defense was relentless, holding Lowell to 38% from the field and 24% from three. Vermont also had 7 steals and 7 blocks in one of their best all around defensive efforts of the season. On offense the Cats made big shots in the second half and once again took incredible care of the ball with only 6 turnovers. This is the time for the non-conference scheduling plug. This game featured two complete opposite examples of how to create a schedule to prepare a team for the conference season. According to Kenpom, Vermont played the 31st most difficult non-conference schedule and Lowell was on the opposite end of the spectrum with a difficulty that ranked 362nd (out of 363). Vermont played 8 (St. Mary's, CSF, UNCW, Yale, Iona, Merrimack, Colgate, Toledo) teams that made their conference title game. Those are the games that prepare a team for a tough grinder of a winner take all game in March. That is where this late season will and drive are formed.
Vermont was led by Dylan Penn, who achieved what he set out to do by making the NCAA tournament. How many times does that actually happen? Also, how many times does a player win a conference tournament and tourney MVP at two different schools, two straight years. Absolutely legendary performance from Penn. What a season working his way back from injury, learning a new system, and then dominating the playoffs. Penn finished with 21 points on 8-12 shooting and threw in 2 blocks down the stretch for good measure. He shot an insane 29-43 (67%) from the field through the three playoff games. Unreal. Matt Veretto was the momentum changer in this game once again by virtue of his incredible shooting. Veretto finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal. Another incredible page in the Veretto story. Finn Sullivan shook off offensive difficulties and played an absolute monster game. He loaded the stat sheet with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and a block. He had one of the most incredible individual defensive performance I have ever seen. Just absolutely smothering the starting Lowell guards who ended up shooting a combined 8-32 (25%). Aaron Deloney had some big buckets at crucial moments to round out the double figure scorers with 10 points. Robin Duncan struggled through foul trouble with 5 points and 6 rebounds in the final game at Patrick gym featuring a Duncan brother.
What a winter in Catamount country with the women winning 17 straight and the title and the men winning 15 straight and the title. Can't wait to find out what's next for each team!!
