WHOA
Vermont finished up their 25-26 roster with a bang today as they added 19 year old Spanish pro player Lucas Mari. It is hard to overstate how huge a moment this is for the Vermont program. This is Vermont's first foray into the international player waters, a practice that has been made possible by the new NIL landscape and is becoming increasingly popular. It reinforces Vermont's reputation as a destination for players who want to improve and win. Mari is 6'7” point guard who was being heavily recruited to the P5 level. I read an article from the beginning of May that had possible destinations listed as Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Gonzaga and Arizona. Needless to say the potential and upside here is off the charts. Mari is a top prospect in the Spanish national team system and has been playing pro ball for the last few years. He played this last season at Le Horta and averaged 10.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. He is a stat stuffing machine who will be a regular triple double threat. He played in the Adidas Eurocamp this past weekend and if you want to watch the type of potential he has been flashing check out this game where he finished with 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists (#31). He has major size and athleticism and uses it to get to the rim and see passing lanes all over the court. His court vision and mapping is particularly impressive and has great play-making instincts. He runs the offensive with a calm, commanding presence and is excellent at running the pick and roll. He has a nice off the dribble pull up game and has made improvements as a spot up shooter. Mari has great leadership intangibles and Spain's youth development program is widely considered one of the best in the world. Valenica, the team that currently holds his rights, is one of the top teams in one of the top leagues in the world. He gives the Cats a do-it-all player that will be able to play multiple positions and impact the game at several levels. The idea of Mari spraying the ball to all of the shooters that the Cats added this offseason is tantalizing. I am ready to start calling the Mari & Sean Blake PG duo thunder and lightning. The cultural adjustment and learning the defensive system will be big challenges, but this has the potential to have a monumental impact on the Vermont program. Making connections to international pro basketball is going to be crucial moving forward in the post amateurism world and demonstrating the ability to develop pro players is an incredible feather in the cap for any program. This is the cherry on top of an incredible offseason for Vermont and the Cats have the potential to be appointment television this season.
Just unbelievable. What a job recruiting. Becker and staff have reloaded! Can’t wait for November. Wow.
ReplyDeleteAmazing!!
DeleteThey have more than reloaded. They have just topped the charts and put (everyone) into their crosshairs as this team this year has more than a potential at greatness. They have the makings of a storied year and develop into a true team that in my opinion has (far reaching) post season implications.
ReplyDeleteGonna be a fun season!
DeleteGreat get by Becker and Co to me this was the only weakness on the roster now it’s up to Becker Schneider and the rest of the coaching staff to integrate all these pieces . Does anyone know if TBH is still playing in Europe ? This appears on paper the most talented team since Lamb / TBH or Davis Shungu . Expectations should high and the early season tournament will be an excellent test of how high the ceiling should be . GO CATS GO
ReplyDeleteyes, Trae Bell Haynes is a big star for Zaragosa.
DeleteWatching the pieces fit will be fun to watch!!
DeleteAs much as I love this summer can we ff to November
ReplyDeleteFor real!
DeleteWow!!! This is more than amazing! Of all possible options the pick up of Mari is best possible outcome any Cat fan could hope for. He’s potentially the glue to a roster rebuild that needed a distributor… I can’t wait for the season!!
ReplyDeleteUltimate glue guy!!
DeleteMight be the best steal UVM has ever gotten in the recruiting process. He was being courted by some big time teams!
ReplyDeleteSteal for sure!
DeleteWow. Major Get. This will be fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!!
DeleteWow. I'm amazed at this pick up. Potential for major impact beyond AE ball.
ReplyDeleteI would say, after watching a bit of euro league ball, it seemed to me the play was a bit rougher than what we are used to seeing in college ball. It will be a bit of an adjustment, particularly in the foul space.
Welcome Home Lucas Mari!
There will be an adjustment for sure.
DeleteLike everyone else on this post - I say WOW. This could be the best player VT has ever had (or even will have!) For an international pro player to chose VT (Playing in tiny, dated Patrick gym, in a lower rung mid-major conference) over the power schools is stunning. This is the Cats greatest team on paper, can't wait to see the team in action
ReplyDeleteCant wait for the fall!
DeletePatrick Gym is tiny and outdated but the fans that pack the gym each game are large at heart and know the game. Many larger modern gyms are empty come game days. We do need a new stadium but I think Mari and all his basketball associates will feel the fan presence!
ReplyDeletePatrick is always rocking!!
DeleteCongratulations! Looks great on paper.Let’s hope they can play together and we don’t have injuries!
ReplyDeleteEarly but hopeful!
Crossing fingers and toes!!
DeleteThe two edged sword - Becker, with a loaded roster, now has the very tough task of doling out minutes to the many talented players competing for playing time. I hope he can feature a 10 man rotation as the year progresses, employing full court pressure defenses as Auburn did last year. Remember Auburn was a deep team that allowed them the luxury of both units exerting maximum energy on the defensive end - which was very effective. Since Becker emphasizes defense, I would love to see something similar out of this team
ReplyDeleteI am excited about our roster, but to me it is going to important that this team develops chemistry. Something was off last year with this team, it never clicked, I’m going to be looking for that, that often is more important than talent. I have no doubts about Coach Becker, so hopefully this is a non issue
ReplyDeleteTrying to pinch myself to see if it’s real after slapping myself for poo pooing the possibility in the last post. There’s clearly some real NIL money being tossed around. Uvm has some very wealthy donors so anything is possible
ReplyDeleteThe gym will always limit this school and was handled poorly and is still pretty embarrassing
ReplyDeleteC’mon man. Them not predicting a pandemic and the subsequent rise in construction costs right at the start of the project can’t be entirely their fault
DeleteThe gym does seem to be turning into another parking garage debacle which I believe actually resulted in jail time for some. That being said what this staff is able to do with an old outdated gym and facilities is amazing
DeletePandemic or not... a D-1 school the size of UVM with the success of their hoops prorgams deserves a much better facility. Just about every other D-1 school has a facility better than our high school gym. Time to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree, now I will say the new president may be more inclined, heart or sports and academics, which could possibly help us out. There are even D3 schools with incredible facilities that would rival some D1 school. But at any rate, we can only hope for alumni donors And possibly corporate sponsorships. This program has shined for the past decade and a half and more. It’s time for the gym that we have to be displayed in an arena that this community and fan base and program and school Deserves.
ReplyDeleteFully agree with the last comment , it’s amazing the talent John / Ryan and staff have been able to attract. a suitable arena / gym would be the cherry on top . . We also need some creative thinking perhaps a less ambitious ( ie not linking Patrick to Gutterson ) would be less costly , but whatever it takes this has to be a priority. Here’s hoping the team John has put together can have a historic season and maybe that launches a renewed effort to build a new arena .
ReplyDeleteLet's not get too down on Patrick....the atmosphere there has been electric, whatever the attendance. It is more the enthusiasm of the following than the number ( see UVM soccer also The Fieldhouse will;l get built and probably sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteBut with all the headwinds these days against mid majors, Becker and staff have done an unbelievable job in recruiting. Yes, it is all on paper, but if this group stays healthy this could be a real breakthrough year....e.g. win a game or two in the tourney. One can dream
There's going to be great expectations for the Cats and Becker for 25/26'
ReplyDeleteWill this be the year Becker & team beat a top 25 team on the road in a non conference game?
Will this be the year the Cats themselves are a top 50 team nationally?
Will this be the year that the Cats win the AE and get a tournament seeding below a 13?
Will this be the year that Becker gets a first round win in the tournament? (He already has a play-in win)
With any of the above accomplished, will Becker leave for "Greener" pastures, and be coaching a div. 1 power school?
One more point about greener pastures: If Becker is offered something he can't refuse, many of the young Cats could potentially transfer with him - much like Bryant's coach moving on to Virginia Tech, taking 2 (or 3?) of his top players
DeleteWhoa pump the brakes. Roster looks good on paper but only a few of the guys have proven themselves in D1. And the same roster that looks promising on offense looks porous on defense. Like the enthusiasm but we shouldn't set the expectations so high.
DeleteAgree - just thinking big for the possibilities - especially when we landed a much sought after international pro player
DeleteGood try injecting politics to a sports blog - totally unnecessary - and to think that "DT's administration" is trying to keep skilled professionals away is complete BS - shame for such tomfoolery
DeleteI sit both enthusiastic about Mari and nervous about all we hear about DT’s administration resistance to having “outsiders” enter the US. I wonder if Lucas is experiencing any problems getting the requisite permissions to enter.
ReplyDeleteReally?
DeleteThat's plain silly...
DeleteThat's plain silly...
DeleteNot silly, just a sad reality of the world we live in
DeleteBTW Trae Bell Haynes is the 7th leading scorer for the same pro team that holds the rights to Lucas Mari. Lee can you clarify his status in Spain I believe he played for a team in their “ minor “ leagues controlled by Valencia do you know if this information is accurate ?
ReplyDeleteHe played for their "minor league" team this past season.
DeleteWatching that video a couple of things about Lucas: he would really rather pass than shoot. He is not a tall skinny 6'6"- he is built, ready for D 1 hoops. He was clearly the leader of that team, and that was a nice comeback from down 15+.
ReplyDeleteLee,
ReplyDeleteWas he really seriously recruited at the P5 level? If he was, he's the biggest recruit in Vermont history.
Yes, a new facility is long overdue. It's for the school and the state in general, not just the basketball teams.
It appears that Kentucky did actively recruit Mari as did Arkansas
ReplyDeleteThe lineup possibilities are endless. And this signing allows Blake to ease into a more prominent role. I can see many pick and roll lobs to some of the new big men. If that isnt there a kick out for one of the TJs. Defense will be a challenge but will be fun to see some games in the 80s for a score.
ReplyDeleteOk, Lee. Any news about any of the new guys being on campus yet? Any glimpses yet into what they look like (or rumors re the same)? Or am I just too greedy for info?
ReplyDeleteI just spent a few hours reviewing the incoming players and watching as much film as I can find and come away in amazement. UVM has quite a team for next season. This may be the best recruiting season yet. Each incoming player brings a different combination of talent to potentially raise the play of the Catamounts to an even higher level. That’s not stated lightly; Vermont has already been incredible for a good long time!!!
ReplyDeleteI too am very but cautiously optimistic, I’m not sure any of the the transfers, recruits , or existing players are Lamb, TBH Davis or Shungu, thst said this seems to be a serious upgrade from last years team with a much higher ceiling . For the moment I’m cautiously optimistic on Mari, and Michaels . This should be a much better offensive team . But the potential is certainly there . The early season tournament in Florida should let us know how high the ceiling is . . If I’m reading correctly UVM is likely to draw San Diego in game one that will be a real test of how high good this team can be I can’t wait to see what “ buy “ games Becker is able to schedule . But the potential is certainly there now they need to prove it on the court .
ReplyDeleteKey word is potential. They have the potential to be pretty good. And the potential to be not so good. Only a couple of these guys have done anything in NCAA D1. I shy away from comparisons to all time program greats. The early season games might not tell us much. Most rosters are changing so much year to year that the first few games might look like pick up games, with defensive and offensive systems a work in progress. And with each side rotating 10 or 12 guys to see what works. Not like the old days when we had Davis and Shungu coming back and we knew we'd be good.
ReplyDeleteWhy has the Free Press not covered this news about Mari? They have been pretty on it with the transfer portal this offseason.
ReplyDeleteBasically silence in official postings by the Athletic Dept. and the BFP, to date. So I return to my earlier question re possible loopholes that have to be cleared to get him into the country in light of the crackdown on letting foreigners in? Or, perhaps, is it related in any way to his academic acceptance? Or NCAA regs that might have something to do with his affiliation with a professional team in Spain?
ReplyDeleteWhy would affiliation with a Spanish pro team when the entire NCAA is pro? Flagg made more as a freshman at Duke than he will make in a rookie season in the NBA
ReplyDeleteAs a professional organization, they have a contract with the player: thus control over where he plays. They must release him first. Probably a technicality
DeleteThinking the NCAA and the Administration in DC have proven themselves perfectly capable of creative, if not absurd positions on any number of matters. Why stop now?
ReplyDeleteRelax - unless Mari is a Hamas supporting, "Globalize the intifada" type who wishes "Death to America" he'll be fine.
DeleteTACO
DeleteBlame this loser's post: Anonymous June 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM
DeleteSo here is the latest:
ReplyDeletehttps://apnews.com/article/student-visas-trump-social-media-6632a2c585245edcd6a63594345dd8c7
People enter the USA by our permission - it is not a right. Thank God the current administration is seeking to prevent terrorist-sympathizing , America hating "students" from fomenting their hate on our campuses.
Delete😂😂😂😂 thanks for the copy and paste entertainment. That was worth a laugh for sure.
DeleteDo you really feel the need to throw in divisive political rhetoric into this thread? I would hope we could stick to basketball. This is a positive place I go to follow the Catamounts and participate in discourse regarding hoops. Thanks
DeleteBlame this loser's post: Anonymous June 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM
DeleteAmen to that - basketball not politics.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, basketball is the safe space. No politics
ReplyDeleteThis loser started it - Read this post: Anonymous June 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM
DeleteDo you need some cookies/milk & a teddy bear for your safe place?
DeleteA word fight between Anonymous people. This is awesome!
Delete🤦♂️🙄
ReplyDeleteLee, as moderator of this forum, please delete any posts that stray from the intended topic, namely, basketball.
ReplyDeleteshutup
DeleteI generally agree with the sentiment to move away from politics on this blog. IF (and that is a big if) Mari is deemed unable to get to the US to play because of some negative viewpoint he may have expressed about the administration on social media, I am not sure how to escape discussion of such a scenario.
ReplyDeleteThere is an excellent article by Joe Bydzelek analyzing UVM’s men’s team . Early takeaway is that this team is very deep and other then TJ Hurley minutes should be up for the taking . There seem to be no shortage of 3 pt shooters both front and back court and a lot if depth in the front court . It will be up to Becker and the coaching staff to manage the minutes to keep everyone happy . The pre season tournament will hopefully sort some things out . So despite the losses ie Bogues and Aye Faleye this team is looks to be the deepest team UVM has had in a while . . It seems to me that if Mari is the passer the pundits claim him to be that will allow two Shooters ( TJ Hurley TJ Long Ben Johnson ) to start and let Barnett Yalen Michaels Simon Skipper sort out the rest of the front court but it certainly seems possible to put 5 above average 3 point shooters on the floor at the same time . Yet we all know Beckers teams start with defense . I’m very excited to see the season get started . Minimum goals regular season and conference championships and hopefully a game or two wins in the tournament. This time of year you gotta dream big .
ReplyDeleteThis not a forum and if the comments section becomes argumentative and negative I will be forced to disable the comments section entirely. I write this blog to be a positive force and create a positive basketball community. I am not interested in being a moderator or admin policing a forum. Lets keep it positive and about basketball.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lee, thanks for everything you do, and thanks for setting things straight. Catamounts hoops is all we’re here for and I can’t wait to see this team. My son(11) just said to me in the car today, “can we go to their first home game?”, I smiled and now I can’t wait for their schedule to come out!
ReplyDelete