Georges Lefebvre decides to transfer

The news is coming fast a furious with my fifth post in the last three days. 

Georges Lefebvre has decided enter the transfer portal. I wish Georges the best as he looks to find the right fit. He struggled to crack the rotation at Vermont but I think that he has a chance to develop into a solid player. This situation reminds me a bit of when Ra Kpedi transferred a few years back. Another big man who struggled to find consistent minutes at Vermont who then found success this past season at IPFW. I say it all the time but finding footing in the Vermont defensive system as a big man can take time and the America East roster construction often forces teams to play small. There have been many a big men at Vermont who struggled to find early success (Ryan Davis....seriously check his freshman year) and in some cases (Drew Urquhart comes to mind) it takes nearly four years to find a role. I think Georges will find success wherever he lands and to me this is the beauty of no more sitting out when transferring. The players now can make a decision that is best for them, unimpeded by some silly "consequence" for wanting to find the best fit for them as a person and a player. What a busy week in Catamount country. 

TJ Hurley commits to Vermont

Vermont received its second 2022 commitment in as many days as 6-5 SG TJ Hurley from Pelham, Ontario by way of the Rock School in Florida gave his verbal commitment. Due to COVID regulations interfering with his basketball season in Canada, Hurley made the decision to come to the states to get ready to play college ball.  Hurley visited Vermont during their playoff run and I have been hoping for this commitment ever since. Once again the coaching staff has done a tremendous job finding the right fit for the way the Cats want to play. Hurley is another guard with good size and length, which is something that Vermont has been prioritizing over the last few years. It gives them tremendous versatility on the defensive end in the switch heavy system they run. Hurley is a great shooter with a quick release and came up big for the Rock School during a championship run this past season. He has great pace to his game and strong court vision. Another high IQ player who plays within himself and does the little things to help his team win. Love his opportunity to contribute early in his career with his shooting. With Jorge Ochoa yesterday, Hurley today, and Sam Alamutu sliding into this freshman class with his redshirt year, Vermont has players who could both contribute right away and develop into stars in the future. An exciting few days for the future of the program. 

Jorge Ochoa is the first commit for the 2022 recruiting class

Vermont received their first commitment for the incoming recruiting class in 6-7 forward Jorge Ochoa from Los Angeles, CA by way of Veritas Prep. Between Finn Sullivan, Aaron Deloney, and now Ochoa the Cats roster is developing quite the west coast flavor. Once again the Vermont coaches made the rounds in the post senior year showcase circuit and found another gem. Ochoa has a silky smooth release and nice elevation on his jump shot. He is comfortable handling the ball in the open court and can pull up in the midrange. A willing defender who is looking to improve in whatever area of his game that he can. Another great find by the coaching staff. The question now will be how soon does he make a impact. He certainly has the tools to make an impact this season as there are going to be a lot of available minutes at the forward position on next years team. The impact of young big man for Vermont has been inconsistent over the years as the learning curve in the Vermont system has proven to be steep. Even Ryan Davis struggled to make an immediate impact as a freshman and it is clear now what type of player he grew into.  This commitment is exciting because it fills an area of need positionally and Ochoa's style of play could add another dimension to the offense. The Cats haven't always had the "one or two dribble pull up in the midrange" type of player and based on the highlights, that is a part of Ochoa's arsenal. Adding a player who is comfortable pulling up off the dribble will add another dimension to the Vermont offense. Always love learning about and getting excited about the new players in the Vermont program. 

Bryant joins the America East

The America East has a new member.

Bryant University has announced that they will join the America East conference beginning in the next academic year. The conference moved quickly after losing both Hartford and Stony Brook this year. I think that Bryant is a strong addition to the conference. Specifically for men's basketball, it gives the conference another title contender. Bryant made their first ever NCAA tournament this year and could potentially bring back their entire team, including the NCAA's leading scorer Peter Kiss. Jared Grasso has the program on the rise and he has built a program there from scratch. A school with that type of programmatic momentum is exactly the type of team the league needed to add.  As I mentioned in my last post one of the most important things was to get a school with an energized fan base. If anyone out there has watched a Bryant game over the past few years, their home atmosphere is electric (a little too electric during the NEC championship game this year). They averaged roughly 1,400 fans at home games last season which puts them in the top half of the America East for attendance. It gives the America East a member in every New England state and puts them in good position to emerge out of conference realignment as the top Northeast mid major conference. Particularly if they manage to add a new team from Connecticut as well. There could quickly be a strong Vermont/Bryant rivalry. 

Season reflections

It has be a little less than two weeks since the Vermont season ended and it is as good a time as any to reflect on this winter in Catamount country. 

This years Catamount team was one of the biggest surprises of Becker's coaching tenure. The season started with a lot of questions about how so many different pieces were going to fit together. Then the Tomas Murphy injury removed one of those pieces from the equation. Vermont was not picked to win the league for the first time in a while and there was certainly a narrative that the Cats were vulnerable. Then came the non conference with some early shooting struggles and several key roles were still undefined. It looked as though it was going to be a season where Vermont was not their dominant selves. Then everything changed in mid December and Vermont went on its most dominant stretch ever. It is easy to forget how different this team was at the beginning of the season and how much they coalesced by the end. Now that the dust as settled this year's team certainly has a great case as the best Vermont team ever (outside of the legendary 2005 crew of course). 

What made this team so incredible this season was their mentality and their intangibles. The consistency with which the team performed game in and game out was something I don't think I have ever seen. They truly played as a unit for a full 40 minutes every game. No matter the opponent or the stage. That is a rare thing to see in a team and is what made this team so fun to watch as they willed themselves to win after win. This was most strikingly evidenced by the sheer amount of different players that stepped up each game. Anyone who was in the rotation could come in a change the flow of the game at any time. It was truly a team who's one and only goal was to win. It is hard to fathom just how unbelievable their conference tournament run was. That was a historic level of domination. 

Ryan Davis and Ben Shungu were certainly the stars and the leaders of this Cats crew. Each of them performed at a incredibly high level and gave Vermont quite the one two punch. Davis won his second straight player of the year by continuing to grow his game. Lethal on the block and deadly from the outside, Davis was a nightmare matchup all season. Shungu's meteoric rise has been well chronicled but there are still not enough words to describe how inspiring and incredible his performance was. He molded himself into a go to scorer and added a deadly three point shot to compliment his physicality driving to the hoop. It will be weird without him next season. Isaiah Powell and Justin Mazzulla were the unsung heroes who brought the grit and toughness on every play. Steady and consistent they made sure that nothing slipped through the cracks. Bailey Patella's role took a step back this season but there has never been a more beloved role player. This crew gave us fans a great sendoff in their final season and the team will have quite a different feel next season. 

This season did offer a window into what the future holds at Vermont. Aaron Deloney and Nick Fiorillo displayed strong chemistry as part of the second unit and flashed the potential that could be realized in a larger role next season. Deloney has a knack for not only scoring but playmaking as well. He often infused the game with energy whenever he was on the floor and looked equally comfortable setting up his teammates and putting points on the board himself. He showed flashes of being ready for a larger role next season. Fiorillo settled into a perfect complimentary role backing up Davis. He was able to provide a threat from the perimeter, strong passing out of the high post, and worked hard to develop into a serviceable defender by the end of the season. He looks primed for a big jump in the offseason. With Robin Duncan, Kam Gibson, and Finn Sullivan also primed to return, next years team will still have a strong veteran presence. Sullivan in particular has a very high ceiling because he can affect the game in so many ways. He was so integral to what the Cats did this season and yet he never really found a consistent role in the offense. With another offseason and a new leadership role, he has the potential to build on what was a strong first season at Vermont. The wild cards for next season will be what kind of roles do the young players grow into. Will Evan Guillory and Sam Alamutu step in and play bigger roles? Does Georges Lefebvre help shore up a thin frontcourt? There will be more additions either through new recruits or the transfer portal as the Cats try to round out their roster. 

I personally tried to soak up every minute of this incredible season because this type of success is never guaranteed. There is just no way to know year to year how a team is going to grow and change. The transfer portal is always out there as a possible roster shakeup. Becker's success will continue to put his name out there for coaching vacancies. What the Cats have accomplished in bringing this program to where it currently stands is something to be appreciated for sure. Winning a tournament game is certainly a goal that this program has every year but to me the most important and more immediate goal is to make the NCAA tournament in back to back seasons. That is something that the program has not accomplished during Becker's tenure and checking off that box will continue to push the program forward. 

When the season begins again the league could have a very new look. I would expect that the America East will siphon off a few northeast teams from other leagues and I think that will be a good thing. The most important thing the next members of the America East need is invested fanbases. The lower half of the league currently has poor attendance numbers and what will inject some life into the league is adding schools who have a good sports atmosphere. 

The offseason always feels too long and us fans are left chomping at the bit for information about what we can look forward to for next season. This year there should be the perfect blend of reflection on a incredible season full of great moments and excitement about what the future holds. 

Last but not least, I wanted to thank everyone who reads the blog, follows on twitter, or stops to talk basketball with me. I have been blown away by the community that has developed from this blog and appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts. 

Eric Beckett enters the portal

The first news of the offseason comes via the transfer portal. Eric Beckett announced that he would be transferring out of the Vermont program and looking to finish his career elsewhere. The landscape of college basketball has changed tremendously over the past year with new transfer rules and NIL compensation. This is going to require some redefining of how everyone approaches each offseason. Transfers have always been a hot topic across the college basketball landscape and often there is a very negative narrative around transferring. This has always been an little unfair as there are many many reasons why someone may choose to transfer and there is often no specific reason given. With the new transfer rules in place there is going to be a lot more freedom of movement which is ultimately a good thing. College students make future decisions all the time about where and how they want their college career to go. Student athletes are no different and there is no reason why they should not have the freedom to do so. I am intrigued by how this changes the way rosters are constructed across all of college basketball. I wish Eric Beckett the best at his new destination and Vermont fans will always have the Stony Brook game. That was one of the most incredible and random performances I have seen. The Vermont guard depth was going to thin out at some point with the fierce competition for minutes so I am not surprised that someone would elect to try it elsewhere. There is probably going to news coming fast and furious over the next few weeks or so and I will try to keep up. The offseason has officially begun!

NCAA tournament 2022: Vermont vs Arkansas game recap

 Arkansas 75 Vermont 71

Tantalizingly close. 

Vermont hung tough yet again in a big game but ultimately fell to Arkansas. The margins are so slim in these high stakes tourney games and Vermont just had a few plays here or there that ultimately decided the game. They battled hard and showed why they were so tough this season. Ultimately the Razorbacks did just enough on the offensive boards in the second half and after Ryan Davis went on a big run they sold out on the defensive end to make sure he didn't touch the ball again. The part the really hurts and leaves a bad taste in the mouth is the missed free throws. It is very hard to win games when you leave that many points out there. Stings even worse that it wasn't really a problem for the Cats this season. It is crazy that the Vermont program is in a place where they are almost expected to win a tournament game each year and that is something to appreciate. This one stings right now but the fact that in these big games they continue to hang tough and give themselves an opportunity to win is amazing. They were inches away from getting the big turnover and having a possession to tie or take the lead. One of my favorite parts of the game was hearing the U-V-M chants loudly and clearly on the broadcast. This was a team to be loved and appreciated this year.  This season will be fun to reflect on after the dust settles. 

Ryan Davis was unbelievable in bringing the Cats back in the second half. Hitting from the outside and making tough shots in traffic. Davis finished with 20 points on 7-10 shooting (4-5 from three). It was hard to not see him touch the ball down the stretch but he certainly did the Catamount faithful proud in his final game. Ben Shungu matched him with 20 points of his own and also added 6 rebounds. Shungu battled hs butt off and certainly missed some opportunities down the stretch but also brought them almost all the way back with a late three. The seniors really showed out and left it all on the floor and that included Justin Mazzulla. He played one of his best games in a Catamount uniform with 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. The thing that really hurt Vermont tonight was that their depth was less effective., The second unit did not provide the lift that it had been throughout the season, particularly from the perimeter. They needed that secondary player to hit from the perimeter and it just didn't happen tonight. 

This team has so much to be proud of this season and they gave us one more great, back and forth, hotly contested game. I will give it a few days and then write a season recap. So thankful for another great season in Catamount Country. 

NCAA tournament 2022: 13 Vermont vs 4 Arkansas game preview

Vermont reached their goal of getting to the NCAA tournament and now have an opportunity to go out and try to make a run. Looking for that Cinderella team had always been my favorite part of March Madness and that is what makes this first weekend of games the greatest sporting event in the world. This year the Cats are already a popular upset pick and get their shot against Arkansas on Thursday night at 9:20pm. Thought I would dive into the type of game it will take for each team to win. 

For Vermont to pull off the upset

The reason that the Cats are such a popular upset pick is that they have the makeup of a Cinderella. The Cats have an efficient offense, they take care of the ball, play tough defense, and are experienced. Year in and year out these are the traits that many upset minded teams bring to the tournament. Vermont's strengths also are set up to potentailly negate some of the Razorbacks strengths. Arkansas makes up for a poor shooting percentage by forcing turnovers, getting to the offensive glass, and getting to the free throw line. All three of those strengths are things that the Cats are very good at combating. Vermont turns the ball over at the 15th lowest rate in the country, is the #1 defensive rebounding team in the country, and puts their opponents on the line at the 17th lowest rate in the country (stats courtesy of barttorvik.com). If they are able to play to these strengths they will put themselves in a good position to win. The most important part of the gameplan will be to slow down Arkansas and make them play in the halfcourt. Arkansas really struggled to make shots this year with the their 49.2% effective field goal percentage ranking 216th in the country (Vermont's 57.3% effective field goal percentage is 3rd in the country by comparison). Arkansas has been able to succeed despite this deficiency by creating extra possessions. Whether it is through creating turnovers, grabbing offensive rebounds, or getting to the line, the Razorbacks want to get as many possessions as possible to offset their offensive inefficiencies. The Cats have had success this year and in years past in forcing teams to play their slow tempo by using methodical offense and strong defense. By playing at a slower tempo and playing to their strengths they will force Arkansas to make shots and be more efficient on offense. If Vermont comes out and plays their game the way they have all season they will compete for the full 40 minutes and give themselves a chance to advance. That is the recipe for an upset.

(Also having a role player go off for a Mopa-Njila type game wouldn't hurt either)

Where could it go wrong

The simple answer is that Arkansas is the superior team from a superior conference who will use their superior athleticism to dominate the Cats. If the higher seed plays to their potential the likelihood of a upset shrinks significantly. The Razorbacks best against the Cats best will go to Arkansas every time. Every upset involves the higher seed struggling in some capacity. Anyone who has rewatched the Vermont vs Syracuse upset can attest that Syracuse played a very poor game and the Cats were able to capitalize. The first 10 minutes will be crucial for setting the tempo. If the Razorbacks force turnovers and get out in the open court, they could race past Vermont in a heartbeat. The other big concern would be their speed and athleticism creating opportunities to get to the line. The last time Vermont played in the NCAA tourney in 2019 against Florida State, the Seminoles were 31-37 from the line including 24-28 in the second half alone. Vermont cannot let that happen again. Arkansas will look to drive the ball to the rim at every opportunity and crash the offensive glass hard on every possession. They will try to wear the Cats down with relentless pressure at both ends of the court.

The last thing I want to highlight is the mentality that this Vermont team plays with. I have talked all year about the incredible mental toughness, chemistry, leadership, and tenacity that this team plays with. That is what makes this team special and is what I have enjoyed watching the most. To see the joy, passion, and determination of this group has been incredible. That is the type of mentality that can carry a team on the brightest stage. 

There is nothing better than basketball in March. These teams play contrasting styles and watching the push/pull of each team trying to impose their will is going to make for an exciting game. Haven't been this hyped for a tournament game in a long time. 

Vermont vs Arkansas initial thoughts

March Madness is all about matchups.

For the first time in a while Vermont has a decent matchup.

The last two times Vermont made the tourney in 2017 and 2019 they got matched up with big, physical teams in Purdue and Florida State. Now the Cats get an Arkansas team that is more perimeter oriented and not huge. They absolutely have a chance to win this game. The strengths for the Razorbacks are forcing turnovers, playing tough defense, getting to the line, and playing a high flying uptempo style. Their weakness is they don't shoot the ball efficiently, particularly from three where they are at 30% which is 310th in the country. I think the Cats strengths matchup well. Vermont does not turn the ball over at a high rate and has big experienced guards to deal with the pressure. They are also good at forcing teams to play more in the half court and not letting teams get out and run. The Cats are a significantly more efficient shooting team and if they can force Arkansas to play in the halfcourt they will be able to take advantage of that efficiency. With Vermont's strong three point shooting and the Razorbacks struggles, that could be an area where the Cats hold an advantage. It is still going to take a down game from Arkansas and a big game from Vermont, but this Cats team is built to succeed in March with the things they do well. I will post a more in depth preview sometime before Thursday but this is a going to be a very exciting game that the Cats will have a chance to win. 

March Madness is officially here!

 

VERMONT IS GOING DANCING!!

Vermont 82 UMBC 43

Vermont obliterated their third consecutive playoff opponent and punched their ticket to the NCAA tourney. As they have done all season this team came out and played with all the grit and determination they needed. A complete game on the both sides of the ball and one that once again showcased the incredible chemistry and trust that this year's team has had. This group cemented their place as one of the all time great Vermont teams. Not since the 2005 squad has a team so consistently dominated opponents. I understand that the competition in the conference was down a bit this season but it was the way this team won that sets them apart. Vermont fans have had their share of playoff heartbreak, seeing a dominant regular season team falter in the playoffs, play tense, or struggle to execute. Tense, close games and grinders as teams try to find their footing have been regular occurrences in the America East playoffs. This team believed with every ounce of their being that they were going to win. I have never had so much fun watching a team grow throughout the season. Every game someone different stepped up and made plays. The team got better and better as the year went on. The way this team played this season highlighted the beauty of basketball with their incredible passing and shotmaking and with their defensive tenacity. The defense down the stretch of the season was nearly perfect. They took every team out of their offensive rhythm and made it darn near impossible to score. They are certainly a dangerous team come tournament time as a likely 13 seed and if they get the right matchup they can absolutely pull the upset. 

Ben Shungu capped off a legendary season with another incredible performance. 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and a dunk that took the roof off of Patrick Gym. His growth and determination to turn himself into the player he has become is something out of a hollywood movie. Even the most optimistic, die hard Cats fan, would've had a hard time predicting just how far Shungu could go. They should name the floor after him. He etched his name as an all time legend. Ryan Davis led the Cats with 20 points on 9/13 shooting in another dominating performance inside. He got in early foul trouble but bounced back with an incredible second half. Finn Sullivan played an incredible game on both sides of the ball with 14 points (3/5 from three) and 3 steals. It was so great to see him impact the game offensively again as he does so many little things that help the Cats win. Nick Fiorillo filled in for Davis in the first half and was great on defense and on the boards. Isaiah Powell was aggressive on offense and finished with 8 points and 6 rebounds. Justin Mazzulla stuffed the stat sheet once again (6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) as the ultimate glue guy. Aaron Deloney also led the Cats with 5 assists and really impacted the game despite only making one shot. Every Catamount that stepped on the floor was locked in a ready to get the title. It was fun to watch and the crowd was awesome. 

Can't wait for the selection show tomorrow night to find out the Cats next opponent. 

America East semifinal: Vermont vs Binghamton 3/9/22

Vermont 74 Binghamton 42

On to the final. 

The Cats rolled Binghamton for their second consecutive 30+ point victory to secure their place in the America East finals. Another dominant performance that was both led by the stars and supported by a tremendous team effort. The defense was tenacious and unrelenting yet again. Vermont took away everything Binghamton wanted to do on the offensive end and grabbed every loose ball and made every hustle play. In both playoff games so far, despite the large leads the Cats never let the effort drop. A full 40 minutes of all out play. This is a group that comes ready to play and leaves it all out on the floor. It was also another clinic on the offensive side of the ball with 15 assists and only 4 turnovers. There is just no way opposing defenses can focus on one player to stop for Vermont because someone else will step up. With two consecutive dominations Vermont is playing like a team on a mission. They have the championship in their sights and are ready to go and get it. 

Ben Shungu scored his 1,000th point and finished with a team high 23 points. What an incredible accomplishment for a player who has now scored more points this season than he scored in his previous four years COMBINED. What he has accomplished this season is just unbelievable. He was locked in and ready from the get go and never let his foot off the gas. Ryan Davis was right there with him with 19 points. His touch around the rim continues to make your jaw drop. The rest of the scoring was balanced with no one else scoring more than seven. Nick Fiorillo has had three full seasons of development compacted into one. He has gone from end of the bench to serviceable rotation player to key contributor in rapid succession. He was incredible tonight on both sides of the ball. He is backing up the player of the year and tonight there was very little drop-off in production when Fiorillo was in the game. He played tough defense, hit the boards, and made shots. So many winning plays from him tonight. Speaking of winning plays, once again Justin Mazzulla gave a clinic on how to change the game without even taking a shot. Mazzulla was all over the court. It felt like he made very single hustle play when was out there. He finished with 3 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals but did so much more to help the Cats win. Isaiah Powell gave the Cats a huge momentum swing with his offensive rebounding and a kick out for three in the second half. 

This team is locked and loaded and ready to go get that title. Looks like we will all be driving through a snowstorm to get there as the "white out" game takes on a new meaning. Can't wait for Saturday. 

America East quarterfinal: Vermont vs NJIT 3/6/22

Vermont 98 NJIT 59

Vermont rolled into the semifinals, dominating an shorthanded NJIT team. The Cats were laser focused from the opening tip and put this one away early. After struggling to make perimeter shots down the stretch, Vermont made 13 threes and played suffocating defense. The depth of this team continues to give Vermont a significant advantage over the other teams in the league. There is very little dropoff from the starters to the second unit and in fact it is often the second unit that opens up the game offensively. Opposing teams get buried in a flash before they can make the necessary adjustments. This was a big statement to begin the playoff run. Coming out and playing loose while continuing to execute can be challenging this time of the year. The machinelike efficiency of this team continues to be impressive. The way everybody on the court moves the ball and how they trust each other is beautiful. Another 23 assists in this one and there were some absolute gems. Every player that stepped on the court scored in tonight's game and Vermont put six players in double figures. The group is the definition of a team. 

Ben Shungu led the scoring attack with 15 points, which leaves him only one point away from 1,000. He struggled from deep but made up for it with some shifty finishes around the rim. Ryan Davis chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds. Justin Mazzulla came back from injury with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in another tremendous all around game. He makes so many high IQ plays during the game and always seems a step ahead of everyone else. Speaking of high IQ, Robin Duncan put on an absolute clinic in affecting the game without scoring. Duncan came in and picked apart he NJIT defense, setting up his teammates for success. He finished with 2 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists, including a tip out rebound for a three that was one of the smartest plays I have ever seen. Duncan and Mazzulla execute the finer points of the game at another level. Like watching an instructional video on how to help your team win. Nick Fiorillo continues to come on strong down the stretch, finishing with 12 points this afternoon. His perimeter shooting is such a weapon for the second unit and he executes the baseline cut perfectly as well. Kam Gibson has also found his rhythm again after an injury marred middle of the season. Gibson finished with 12 points as well and knocked down 3/5 from three. Sixth man of the year Aaron Deloney rounded out the second unit double digit scorers with 11 on 3/4 shooting from three. The shooting off the bench has given Vermont such a dynamic lift. Today Fiorillo, Gibson, and Deloney combined to shoot 8/12 from three. What an weapon for the Cats. It was also nice to see Finn Sullivan get a few three pointers to fall as he has really struggled shooting since his hot streak earlier in the season. He actually snapped a 0-9 stretch over the previous four games. Hopefully that can give him a shot in the arm to shoot with confidence going forward. Also loved Bailey Patella finally getting a dunk. He can fire up the crowd like no other. 

Now Vermont welcomes Binghamton to town on Wednesday. The playoff atmosphere in Patrick is something I have missed. It will be rocking for sure. 

Vermont at Maine 3/1/22

Vermont 75 Maine 56

I'm back!!!

Vermont finished off the regular season with a domination of Maine of the road. Unlike the first matchup, this game looked like the first place team against the last place team from the get go. A smooth first half gave way to an excruciating second half as both teams were clearly ready to close the book on the regular season. With the win, the Cats cap off an amazing regular season at 25-5 and a 17-1 conference mark. No matter the level of competition in the conference, that type of domination is incredible. Coach Becker has had great teams in the past but this might be his best coaching job. This team had parts and pieces and the coaching staff did an incredible job fitting them all together and getting the best out of each player. The growth and development of this team has been exciting to watch all season. Now the new season begins with Vermont needing to win three games to reach their ultimate goal. There is nothing better than basketball in March. 

Ryan Davis led the Cats with 16 points and 7 rebounds. Ben Shungu was right behind with 14 points. Both have made an strong case for player of the year and one of them is sure to win. Shungu is also now 16 points away from 1,000 and it would be great to get there in front of the home crowd on Sunday. Nick Fiorillo was strong off the bench with 14 points and 7 rebounds in a homecoming game. He is really making an impact down the stretch and has steadily improved throughout the season. Aaron Deloney also scored 14 points and is the unquestioned leader of the bench mob. 

Playoff basketball at Patrick is one of my favorite events and I am so happy to have it back this season. Sunday is going to be a blast. March is the most wonderful time of the year.