Vermont added another piece to next season's roster by securing a commitment from Trey Woodyard, a 6'6" wing from London, OH. Catamount fans will be familiar with Woodyard as he played the last three seasons for New Hampshire. He spent his freshman season at Valparaiso before his time in Durham and has one season of eligibility remaining. Woodyard excelled in his junior season at UNH and was on his way to a strong senior season before suffering a season ending injury after just 6 games. Woodyard will be a great fit on the Catamounts as he bring versatility and experience. He is the ultimate glue guy who can do a little bit of everything. He is a creative and efficient finisher around the rim, using an array of fakes and footwork to get clean looks which has made him a career 57% shooter from two point range. He also has the ability to step out and knockdown open looks from three. Woodyard is a strong rebounder and has developed as a passer during his career. A solid and reliable player who can play any position and will provide the Cats with a versatile option off the bench, or in the case of last season, a spot starter due to injury. Woodyard will be taking the Sam Alamutu/Jace Roquemore role of the past two seasons. This is the type of addition that can really elevate a team as Woodyard brings a "do what the team needs to win" attitude along with experience and leadership that can be hard to come by for mid-majors during the portal era. The coaching staff continues to hit on the recruiting trail and is inching ever closer to the complete team they are looking to create for next season. This coming week will be a big one with visits, the portal closing, and teams beginning to take shape as the commitment dominoes start to fall.
Lee, great recap. I like the commitment to getting some size. Any word on a potential ball handler as it appears right now it is only Sean Blake. Also, what teams are looking at the 3 cats that entered the portal?
ReplyDeleteNothing shaking on guards yet. Joba committed to Idaho, Alamutu has heard from Iona and Howard, have not heard a peep about Odom.
Delete27 minutes a night. 7 points. 3 rebounds. Switchable size I guess. But unless he's great on defense he's no Sam Alamutu. Depth piece. Filling out the roster. I really don't like to see teams raiding each other in conference. Should have let this kid return to UNH.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely wont be the defender Alamutu was. It was more a role discussion versus a direct skill comparison. I am sure he wanted have an opportunity to win and make the tournament in his last year. The year to year turnover at UNH has to be hard to deal with as they have now had two consecutive off-seasons where they are turning over their entire roster. Depth pieces are the hardest to find in the portal as everyone is looking for more minutes and it is harder to find portal players looking for bench roles at mid-majors. Getting depth that is not inexperienced freshman will be crucial to building a more complete team for this season.
DeleteI don't believe that Becker raided UNH. I think the kid entered the portal, wanting to leave and the Cats approached. Becker should have a good idea what he's getting, as he scouted him, etc.. Did the Cats recruit Woodyard out of high school? Has he healed? Than you, Lee!
DeleteThanks for the update. Looks like some pieces are falling in the right spots. Reload Cats!
ReplyDeleteHow many open roster spots are there at this point?
ReplyDeleteI’m also skeptical about what he can add given his marginal production on bad teams. However so much of basketball is being put in the right position to succeed and he can shoot so who knows. Worst case he turns out like Brenton mills. An experienced back of the bench guy who can provide minutes in a pinch if injuries bite us again
ReplyDeleteWhat was his season ending injury?
ReplyDeleteHudson ward would be a great piece to add I think too.
ReplyDeleteConcussions was the reason for shutting him down last year, reportedly.
ReplyDeleteLee - Now that the portal has closed - any updates regarding Sam, Odom, any other interesting items? I noticed that Verbal Commits is not up to date in many instances...
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure what the point of this signing is. Going to have no impact, this is all we can get in transfer portal?
ReplyDeleteLee, By latest count it still looks like 3-4 roster spots. Any idea who they are looking at or have had in for a visit?
ReplyDeleteSammy is officially gone. Wish him all the best at wright state
ReplyDeleteThis very reason is why I don’t think this great program won’t attract higher caliber student athletes. In fact in my own view I believe the athletic department and administration wants to do away with the program. There is an unspoken bias from this administration towards the program. They do not support the program and their absence of modernizing the program is the admission where words lack. I do love watching this program and have for many years even before “from the parking lot” were ever spoken. It’s sad and I wish there would be that push. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJIcgA9tRcM/?igsh=MXV0OXF5Z2J1N3QxZw==
ReplyDeleteRespectfully disagree . I believe the athletic administration is very committed to the men’s basketball program and was instrumental in creating a specific NIL fund to provide stipends ( beyond scholarships) to men’s basketball . The problem is the landscape of college basketball has changed dramatically with NIL It is just increasingly difficult to find under valued players It will take a combination of financial will to get the new arena , finding the under valued player and some luck Where is the next Anthony Lamb or when will any school develop a 6 year player like Ben Shungu who goes from preferred walk on to first team all conference College sports and particularly basketball and football iare constantly changing. I remain optimistic that are NCAA tournament victories to be had .The biggest challenge is keeping Becker as head coach .
ReplyDeleteAgree! The other notable problem faced by UVM is that the state of Vermont just doesn’t have the tax revenue or resources available to support its institutions of higher learning. Combined population of Albany area, Rochester, and Syracuse alone nearly equal the total population of Vermont. I believe that we are fortunate to have the quality athletic programs at UVM with the resources available. There just aren’t the number of substantial donors available to raise the revenue needed for the major facility renovation UVM needs. Sad to lose Alamutu but we shouldn’t presume to know why he chose to leave. The reasons could be many.
DeleteI do believe there is some institutional will had it not been for Covid I think the arena would have been built . The varsity athletic program has for the most part been quite competitive. Who would have thought they UVM would win a National Championship in Soccer Make NCAA post season in men’s / women’s basketball win league championships in swimming , men/women’s Lacrosse . Given it size and resources it’s actually testament to the Athletic Administration and coaches ( chosen by the Administration ) that they have had the athletic success they have had over the last 10 years. All of this in spite of a University administration not particularly favorable to athletics . Hopefully , the new President will support the schools athletic programs more than the last administration.
DeleteWe will see and hope. I wish I were more optimistic. There is just not enough proof that this administration will honor any past commitments. They already used money that was allocated to the arena to the student rec projects. Admin needs to change guard in order to move forward.
DeleteThe problem is that college athletics are a business. They always have been, now you just have outside influences (people funding NIL) that make it seem bigger. The administration has never liked athletics because it doesn't make money. Moving to a bigger conference would cost them more money with expanded travel and UVM is not necessarily going to draw a conference more money because they don't have football so they are in a tough spot. Even with all the success (which is crazy how successful athletics have been at UVM), due to other larger areas having more NIL opportunities, it will remain hard for UVM to draw and keep high level players. It makes their coaching and recruiting all that more important to get players to want to come to Vermont. If Becker and Schneider ever decide to leave, we just have to hope that UVM selects a candidate that can maximize the resources like they have
ReplyDeleteFirst of all in case you haven’t noticed there is a new President that comes from a University that had more resources for athletics and even competed for a national football championship So here’s hoping she will be more supportive then the last administration. Secondly while it’s true that money was spent on “ student activity space “ that had always been part of the plan that included the new arena ( Tarrant Center ) yes the Trustees imo made a huge mistake not going forward on the arena they had the private money but they couldn’t pull the trigger on the bond issue , what’s sad is the interest on those bonds would have been almost 1/2 of what it is today to say nothing of the fact that the costs to build are substantially higher and they already had purchased the steel . I know it wasn’t an easy decision and this is 20/20 hindsight but the President and Board made a bad decision . It will be interesting to see how and what Garimella does with athletics at a Big 12 school I doubt the alumni will cut him any slack .
ReplyDeleteMay 8 .. 4 roster openings? .. this can't be good .. students are wrapping up spring semester so campus visits won't be much help .. Is it desperation time yet?
ReplyDeleteyah...the wait for good news is getting old. Just hoping for a few more strong additions.
Delete“the wait for good news” when the boys win make sure you keep this energy
DeleteIf I’m not mistaken there are two classes of students leaving college basketball (regular seniors and Covid year grads), with only one class of freshmen coming in. That means until the big programs have their rosters set, conferences like the America East will wait….. it also may mean some watered down college basketball this winter. Many freshman should have a chance to play.
ReplyDeleteJackson Skipper is back!
ReplyDelete