This is the game that never ends.........
In another wacky instalment of road trips to Maine, Vermont methodically dismantled the Black Bears en route to their 6th consecutive victory. The game started about an hour and a half late due to the floor at the Cross Insurance Center not being pieced together correctly. Once things got straightened out, The Cats dominated the boards grabbing 10 offensive rebounds and turned the ball over only 3 times while dishing out 19 assists. The low turnover numbers are especially significant as Maine typically forces turnovers at a high rate and Kellen Tynes leads the NCAA in both total steals and steal per game. Vermont has actually been top ten in the nation in turnover rate since the calendar flipped to 2023. The second half was a slog and it wasn't a particularly pretty effort but a road win is a road win. It was good to get some late game situational practice and after struggling mightily from the free throw line in the early part of the game, the Cats were perfect from the line down the stretch. This was a big win against a team that has been playing well in what is always one of the toughest road games of the season. Throw in the extra adversity of the delayed start and the Cats really showed strong mental focus.
Finn Sullivan was tremendous again finishing with 21 points and I believe 10 rebounds (on the last play of the game I believe the live stats misassigned the rebound to Dylan Penn) which would be his first career double double. He also threw in 3 steals in another dominating effort on both ends. Sullivan again attacked the rim and is blossoming in his new role as more of a slashing scorer. Matt Veretto also had another big game with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Another 4 threes from deep as Veretto is quickly becoming the Cats most deadly perimeter shooter. Aaron Deloney chipped in 11 and Dylan Penn scored 14 points by virtue of salting the game away with an 8-8 effort from the line. Robin Duncan once again, unconventional and dominant all at the same time with a 9 rebound, 9 assist night as the heartbeat of the Catamounts. During this incredible stretch Robin has moved into 10th place all time at Vermont in career assists and sits only 17 assists away from 400 for his career. Another amazing milestone.
Now comes the game that has been circled for weeks. The big showdown with UMass Lowell at home. Vermont will be looking to avenge the early season loss on the road and Lowell will be looking to shake off their struggles on the road. Should be an incredible atmosphere on Saturday night at Patrick.
Good win but their weakness inside really showed as far as getting points there I guess that's not news but seemed more apparent tonight. I wonder what they would have looked like if Fiorillo hadn't gotten hurt. Seems like it would have made a world of difference. Veretto has been terrific but we are definately undersized. Hurley is having a rough patch after a terrific start.
ReplyDeleteMaine was focused on preventing layups (hence the large number of three point attempts) but early in the second half Finn really got whatever he wanted at the rim. The end of the game was choppy and I think it soured the feel of the entire game. Up until that point they were cruising on offense. They have adjusted well to being undersized. Hurley has definitely hit the "rookie wall"
DeleteI disagree. They out rebounded Maine by a wide margin and on offense they took what was given to them. They played the inside out game very well and had tons of open shots all game. I thought their def was tremendous and had they hit free throws early on the game would have been out of reach. I think Maine has a bright future, they look tough and wouldn’t want to face them in the conference tourney. Finn was a beast again and single handed won the game for them down the stretch. Would like to see deloney get going and hats off to Penn for sticking with it. He’s been really good on def during this win streak and I think it’s made the team so much better by not giving up easy baskets because guys were out of position.
ReplyDeleteThe Cats are who they are and I think they play to their strengths and have a strong team identity. Maine will become competitive under Coach Markwood. Finn has been tremendous. Dylan has worked his butt off this season and it is really paying off. Deloney has really struggled so I have to think he is due for a breakout game soon.
DeleteI agree that they had a whole lot of missed open shots. Make a few of those and it's a much easier win. But that's the sign of a good team: still win when not playing their best-especially on the road. The Cats have put their post season hopes in their own hands- up two games in the loss column with 4 of last 6 at home. A win Saturday at Patrick and it would look even better.
ReplyDeleteShooting in those events centers is always tough. The game Saturday is huge because they have a home heavy schedule down the stretch and will really be in the drivers seat if they can home home court against Lowell.
DeleteIt looks like for the most part the Cats won this game because they launched more shots. Thankfully enough of them went down. A lot of them were open looks credit to them. If maybe 5 more of them go down, it’s a blowout of 25+. However, to win a game when your FG%
ReplyDeleteand your 3pt% is lower than your opponent’s is different. I was concerned they didn’t get more points in the paint and that Maine seemed to score with some ease in the paint. Fortunately Maine wasn’t able or chose not to launch as many 3s as we did…could have been a different story. But winning at Maine is big especially after they throttled UMBC.
Their ball movement and selfless passing has become a key feature in this win streak. As a team they are no doubt undersized but I like the way the coaching staff has adapted to the situation. The team is who it is and they have run with it with reasonable success. The key is to keep finding the way to score and then keep the Vermont style defense front and center; get the defensive stops. The guards have done a great job on the boards. The alternative path that Vermont has taken this season would make even the great Phil Jackson take notice. The Zen of basketball... finding a way to win each night. It was a fun game to watch once it started.
DeleteThe coaching staff and players have adapted tremendously and while this team has some weaknesses, they make up for it with their mentality. They impose their will and want to win in spite of the weakness. Taking care of the ball at the rate that they have been will continue to put them in great positions to win games.
DeleteWith them going small, when Fayele is the big man in there with 4 smaller players I would mind seeing them press a bit more. Penn, Gibson, Robin and Finn are athletic enough to create havoc and Fayele is a decent enough last line of defense on a press. I think this would lead to turnovers and easy shots.
ReplyDeleteI think it is more of a philosophy thing. Becker doesn't like to press. He trusts his halfcourt offense and doesn't want to give up easy looks.
DeleteIs the game sold out? It/Cats deserve a big audience.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't sold out but it was a big crowd!
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