Kam Jones exploded in the second half with 18 straight points, blowing the game wide open and lifting Marquette to a victory over Vermont. The Cats battled hard and hung around for the first 30 minutes of the game before the Jones offensive explosion. The turning point was getting a flagrant foul call and only make one of the free throws and then not getting a bucket on the ensuing possession. The very next possession Jones began his run. In the first half Vermont did a great job making shots and forced Marquette in to tough shots down the stretch. Then a phantom foul call at the end of the half gave the momentum back to the Golden Eagles. Then the Cats came out in the second half and showed some great grit, cutting into the lead and really digging in on defense. Unfortunately the perimeter shooting dried up and Vermont couldn't respond to the Marquette run. The game played out very much like I felt like it would. Vermont didn't get dominated in any single category. They were pretty much even on the boards, had 15 assists and only 10 turnovers, and Marquette didn't have a huge advantage at the line. Some of the misses were certainly due to Marquette's defensive pressure but they missed a lot of good looks in the second half. I said in my preview that they could play Marquette even in most facets and that the game would come down to making shots. In the second half Marquette (specifically Jones) was hot and Vermont was not.
Matt Veretto was hot in the first half and was one of a trio of Cats with 11 points. Dylan Penn chipped in 11 as well as Marquette did a great job forcing him away from the basket. Robin Duncan stuffed the stat sheet one last time with 11 points (5-5 shooting), 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in the last Vermont game featuring a Duncan. Aaron Deloney chipped in 9 points off the bench. Kam Gibson had 8 points playing in front of friends and family. Ileri Ayo-Faleye continued his strong play off the bench at the end of the season finishing with 5 points and 6 rebounds. Finn Sullivan struggled shooting the ball but finished with 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
The team this year was special. There is something amazing about a group that bonds through adversity and comes together to climb the mountain. The two year run that the returners went on is nothing short of amazing. If you include the conference tourney games, this group went 37-3 against the America East over the past two seasons. That is absolutely absurd. I am really going to miss watching Robin, Dylan, Kam, and Finn. Tough as nails and hard working. I will reflect a little more when the emotions wear off and write a season wrap up in the coming weeks. The offseason is always wild now with the portal and recruiting being concentrated in the spring so I am sure I will be posting fast and furious over the next month or so. Until then thanks to everyone who reads, comments, and stops to talk to me at games. I love the community that this blog has created and thank everyone for making a simple hobby of mine into something special.
Thank Lee for the great work. Vermont has to play almost the perfect game in these situations and I thought they had a chance. Needed a guy like Finn or Penn to catch fire the way Jones did… loved watching this team. Wish the 4 seniors the best in their next chapter. In terms of next year…. Will be interesting to see who is back, would like to see how players like Hurley and Fayele progress in their 2nd season with Vermont.
ReplyDeleteYeah this offseason will be an interesting combo of young guys making the leap, who stays, and adding a guard or two in the portal to provide some experience.
DeleteThanks, Lee. Always enjoyed your comments and analysis throughout the season.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading!
DeleteLove your blog, thanks for doing it
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading!
DeleteHey Lee. I have really appreciated being able to follow UVM hoops from down here in NC. Actually I watch every game but having your reports throughout the basketball year is priceless. You psych me up with the realistic optimism you often share. Isn’t there still another Duncan? I wonder what Wizard John can pull off next year potentially losing 5 seniors, although I won’t be surprised if Aaron and Matt stick around (or can Matt get another year).
ReplyDeleteThank you. Realistic optimism is a great way to describe the tone i like to set. I should get that on a t-shirt! Veretto has another year so that will be exciting to see if he can make another jump with a full offseason.
DeleteThanks Lee for your coverage of the Cats. Outside of the Basketball Forum it's pretty much the only place I follow and your insights are appreciated!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks for reading!
DeleteGreat year in a lot of ways, battling adversity, penn realizing his goal to go to the tournament, robin cementing his legacy in the program and as a Duncan, Veretto, etc. I think the way we ran through the conference and made it back to the tournament is the biggest goal and will allow the coaching staff to bring in the talent to continue to improve the program. I think the irony of their success is there is pressure on the team to win one of these games regardless of who they are playing. They don’t have to chance to play carefree like a Furman or FDU, and the flip side is schools like Marquette will never walk into a game against uvm taking them lightly. As for the game there were a few key moments that all didn’t go our way. Whether it be a bad turnover after a stop, a long rebound that they grabbed off a miss, a missed open shot or a bad call(that call at the end of the half was atrocious)it just seemed that when we got it to within 4 or 5 points we didn’t convert. I think Sullivan could have been the difference maker and he just came into this game on a cold streak and just didn’t play with confidence and it showed. The coaching staff strayed a little too much on their rotations in terms of time and the guys were gassed as Jones made his run. I think more ileri and deloney minutes were warranted and would have helped. TJ looked a little overmatched on defense and so I get it and fiorillo just isn’t back. As for next yr it will be interesting to see who they bring in from the portal. They’ve already spoken to a lot of guys and hopefully they bring in 1 or 2 top tier talents like Penn. I think the key to next yr will be exactly that. If they can’t then it’s definitely going to a rebuilding year. Questions will be what contributions will we get from Smith(if he’s still here), Jorge and Sam. It’s hard to see a huge leap forward from them but I won’t put anything past this staff. I’m excited to see the further development of ileri and Hurley. I think ileri has a lot of upside once he learns how to control his athleticism and TJ just needs a little more experience and strengthening. I really hope deloney stays and becomes “the guy” on the team because we need a guy who has been through the program, has bought into it, and will demand it of the new faces. Would be nice to have veretto back too. The one other big question mark is Nick. I’m not sold on him being a big piece even if he was healthy but we’ll see what happens. All in all I’m bummed the season is over but a lot to look forward to. Let’s get some pieces, put together a more accommodating schedule, win the conference and tourney, get a higher seed and hopefully win one of these games. Thanks for everything Lee!, it’s a great blog for us loyal fans to follow a team that doesn’t get nearly enough attention it deserves. Keep us posted on anything you might hear on the transfer situation and the guys currently on the roster. Be well and enjoy the rest of the tourney.
ReplyDeletePlaying the more inexperienced parts of the rotation was going to tough against the Marquette pressure. They had chances to make a run but just went cold in the second half. I think there be at least one of the young guys who makes a leap. Hurley has a great chance to earn a larger role and showed flashes of being able to handle a bigger role in the offense. Ileri has a ton of upside. His ceiling is so high. I feel bad for Nick because I do think if he had remained healthy he would have settled in just like the other rotation players did this season. Now it will be interesting if he can get it back after the injury. They will definitely be looking to add a guard or two in the portal to bring some experience to what will be a very young team. Most likely a bigger guard who can play some defense. That side of the ball is going to be the biggest area to address.
DeleteAgain thanks Lee for all the great work insights and analysis. As for this years team it’s always hard to compare but when you lose Davis and Shungu it had to be anticipated that there would be some drop off. Veretto was a pleasant surprise and I’m looking forward to seeing him improve . Same with Ayo I felt he was coming on towards the end of season and wouldn’t be surprised if Becker finds a way to play both Veretto and Ayo together and if he can develop any kind of outside shot he could be an all conference player. The key to next year is finding a point guard with experience and talent perhaps someone riding the bench at a power 5 conference team that wants to play. and another another guard shooting or point who is a great defender.
ReplyDeleteVeretto was unreal considering how far he had to come after three years off. He has some tantalizing potential in a larger role if he improves his play on the defensive end. Ileri has a high ceiling and could make a big jump. They will definitely be bringing in an experienced guard through the portal.
DeleteNice observations here . I agree with them. I hope Aron Deloney returns. He would be a good leader for the guys because of his experience. Matt Verretto is a steady player and hope he returns as well . The freshmen seem like very savvy players who will have more maturity and experience. Coach Becker and his staff are very good at developing a super squad of players . Plus, the chemistry is great on this group of players and it will continue I predict
ReplyDeleteI would love to see Deloney back as well. We shall see. Veretto could make a big leap with a full offseason and improved defense. It will be fun to see which young guys commit to serious offseason work and get themselves ready for a larger role next season.
DeleteGreat column Lee. Look forward to your off season takes on next years squad.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am sure I will be busy over the next month!
DeleteThanks for the constructive updates and interesting insights all season. It seems us Cat fans are spread out all over the country. Love this blog. Keep the recruitment information coming!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading!
DeleteThanks as always Lee! That flagrant possession was huge imo. We had a chance to cut it to 3-4 points and only got 1 and then BAM we’re down 10. Keep waiting for guys like Alamuto and Perry Smith to step into their potential. Hopefully those guys can start becoming the building blocks of the next great team.
ReplyDeleteI am excited to see who makes the leap next season.
DeleteDo you think Becker explores other coaching positions? I hear Providence is open after Cooley taking the Georgetown job.
ReplyDeleteI would assume he is always exploring options and taking calls as he should. Providence would be a pretty big jump up and I would guess there will be a ton of candidates for that job. Any of the northeast openings are always an option. I think the delay of the new arena has the programmatic progression he is looking for kind of in a holding pattern. It will be interesting where his name pops up this cycle.
DeleteBeckers name has already been mentioned by 2 or 3 outlets for the Providence job, though it looks like they are leaning towards Rick Barnes mentee Kim English. BTW Lee, who do you think would be the next Catamount coach if he were to leave? Hire within or go outside? Hey keep up the good work on off season news, portal, recruiting etc. I agree with the hope that Veretto, AD, and TJ stick around...and also Ayo who I think played a really strong game vs Marquette. Lets hope that Dylan Penn's success will open the door for more strong transfers. Thanks for your good work.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to predict where coaching searches go. There is always a lot that goes on behind the scenes. I really like Coach Schneider and think he would do very well. The recruiting cycle being condensed in the spring makes for a fun couple of months.
DeleteTJ Sorrentine
ReplyDeleteI like Sorrentine. I am proponent of programmatic continuity at winning programs. Reward the assistants who have been a part of the success.
DeleteSchneider and Sorrentine would be a great team... but I prefer to hang onto the thought of Becker coming back... Let's get a new arena built and step up recruitment. We need a legit big and an "in-the-paint" playmaker like Penn.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I hope Becker is back as well. The arena would be a game changer, I hope there is a timeline this spring. I think they are happy with the big man, thay have a lot of depth there even if it is inexperienced. They will be adding guard depth for sure, particularly at point guard.
DeleteBecker didn’t get the Providence job. That’s good for us.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Deloney entered the transfer portal, does that mean his career is done in VT? Or could he still come back?
Becker was never really a candidate for Providence, just on some fans wish lists. The search I am watching is Holy Cross. Deloney can came back as long as there is a scholarship available.
DeleteBy entering the portal the athlete only opens options and can withdraw his name at anytime and stay where he or she is... On that note: I hope he stays!
ReplyDeleteWe shall see!
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