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.
Glad you are back, Lee! Always look forward to your insightful reports. If ever an argument could be made for co POY this is the year with Shungu and Davis. How successful is one without the other? But if I had to choose, I'd vote Shungu this year for his dominant presence on the perimeter and value starting the offence. (Which of course eventually flows to Davis) Davis has had his POY, Shungu has earned the nod.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteAfter yet another dominant season, do you see a conference change for the Cats in the near future?
ReplyDeleteHonestly no. There is just no good fit geographically or financially for the Cats. I actually think this is a good opportunity for the America East to position themselves to become the best conference in the northeast. There are other sports to consider and if they can add some other northeast institutions they can strengthen the conference. It benefits Vermont to be the flagship program.
DeleteWe never saw Sam Alamutu this year. Did he reshirt by any chance?
ReplyDeleteYes he redshirted. No need to play him this year with the guard depth.
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