Yale 73 Vermont 44
Vermont fell apart in the second half and was dominated by their opponent for a second game in a row. The Cats rode a new starting lineup to a 30-27 halftime lead. Coming out of the break Vermont looked lost and discombobulated once again as Yale relentlessly attack the rim. Vermont only scored 14 second half points as the wheels came off completely on both sides of the ball. Woof. Through the California trip Vermont had some close losses and it looked like a few tweaks here or there could get them to their preseason expectations. After the last two games, it might be time to redefine those expectations. There is not much to draw from for positives over the past two games and this team currently is not demonstrating the intensity and toughness that has kept Vermont from experiencing blowouts like this over the course of Becker's tenure. Vermont teams have always found a way to compete by either getting stops or coming up with big buckets when needed. Right now the Cats can't seem to get anything to go right on either end. If feels like for the first time in a while the coaching staff struggled to construct a roster to fit the system that they run and are trying to change things on the fly with little success. The schedule has certainly been hard but over the last two games Vermont has not given themselves a fighting chance. Honestly it is incredible that the over the last decade Vermont has been so consistent and so dominant they have never really had a stretch like this. Most programs do have a stretch of poor games or a "rebuilding" season where things just don't come together like the coaching staff envisions. It is early in the season and there is time to fit everything together, but the last two games have been tough to watch.
The lineup changes finally came in tonight's game with Robin Duncan and Aaron Deloney heading to the bench and Matt Veretto and Kam Gibson in the starting lineup. Initially it looked as though that change was going to pay off as Veretto and Gibson had solid first halves. Veretto was the lone bright spot for Vermont finishing with 12 points. The biggest challenge for Vermont right now is that they want to spread out the defense, drive to the hole and kick out for three, but don't have any reliable three point shooters to kick the ball to. After a 2-12 showing from three against Iona, the Cats were 4-22 in tonight's game. That is an ice cold 17.6%. Opposing defenses have been able to pack the paint and as a result Vermont is neither finishing at the rim or knocking down threes. Pretty tough to win basketball games with only one of those dimensions and impossible to win without either. Right now the pieces are just not fitting on either side of the ball.
Now to finish with one sliver of hope. When I looked at the schedule at the beginning of the season at this point I thought they would be 2-4. I had the Fullerton game as a win and they were oh so close. So they are not that far off from a wins and losses perspective from where I thought they would be. Both Iona and Yale seemed like losses preseason and that has played out, albeit in a fashion I certainly never dreamed. Hopefully they can get a few to go their way down in the Bahamas and come back refreshed and ready to put the marathon road trip to begin the season behind them.
Whew... I am exhausted... the coaching staff has to rethink the assets present on this team and reset their approach as the bull they are riding has thrown them early and often. They need to get creative and approach the offensive and defensive sets in a new light. In now comes down to just how ready they can get for the all important American East schedule. There is a good deal od talent available, it is just matching a system of play to meet the pool...
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