Vermont at Albany 2/12/22

Vermont 76 Albany 63

No Davis. No Problem.

With Ryan Davis resting his balky back the other Catamounts stepped up to the challenge and extended the win streak to 14 games. It was a classic rivalry game with physical play, chippy play, poor officiating, sloppy stretches, and angry coaches. Vermont's ultra efficient offense took a hit without their most efficient scorer but they made up for it with a strong defensive effort. The Cats forced 16 Albany turnovers and went 22-26 from the free throw line in their first "win ugly" game in a while. This team just keeps spoiling the fans with win after win. To lose a star player like that and still come out and dominate borders on unnatural. It continues to speak to the depth of this team and how much each player buys into being ready when their number is called. The team chemistry and connectedness really shows through in a game like this where they have to adjust their approach. This team keeps raising the bar. Hopefully Davis finds his way back into the lineup as you would have to think that eventually not having their best player would affect Vermont. Right?

So many guys stepped up in tonight's game. Robin Duncan got the start in place of Davis and played an incredible game on both ends of the floor. He finished with 13 points, 7 rebounds (4 offensive), 2 steals, and 1 block. His feel for the game is just incredible and has a knack for making the right play at the right time. Isaiah Powell also stuffed the stat sheet in his hometown game. He finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. His court vision and passing are getting better and better. He and Duncan really set the tone in the first half. Ben "Second Half" Shungu battled back from foul trouble in the first half and led the Cats with 18 points. So many times this year opposing teams start to make runs or have a big play and Shungu calmly answers with a big play of his own. Finn Sullivan scored 15 points and played his trademark ballhawk defense. Evan Guillory was very impressive tonight as well. Seeing extended minutes with Davis out, Guillory brought major physicality and worked very hard on the boards. He had some tough moments on offense but made 5-6 free throws and used his size to anchor Vermont's smaller lineups. 

Now the quick turnaround on the road at Hartford on Monday night. The Davis injury certainly makes things a little more interesting in what will surely be another physical and chippy game.