Vermont at Binghamton 1/18/24

Vermont 82 Binghamton 62

I finally got around to watching Thursday night's game. An incredible team performance that really showcased not only the depth of this team but the versatility. The interchangeable pieces and lineup options on this team are progressing nicely and are putting a lot of pressure on opposing defenses. As teams are looking to sell out to take away the three or focus on stopping one or two main options, other players are stepping up and making the most of their opportunity. One of the exciting things about watching this team is how every player looks empowered to look for their offense when they have an opportunity. The ball continues to move around and when it finds a player with an advantage, they attack. The defense is executing better each game and in this game the steals were particularly effective in jumpstarting the Cats. 

Sam Alamutu led the Cats with 13 points and added 4 rebounds and 2 assists. He continues to grow into his role and is attacking off the dribble, which is creating opportunities for him and his teammates. The perimeter shooting is a nice bonus and has made himself enough of a threat that he has to be accounted for when the ball is moving around the perimeter. Nick Fiorillo added 12 points and and his sweet shooting has returned after battling injuries this year and last. The bench unit scoring 44 points is representative of the fact that Vermont has so many guys who are and have been starters in that bench unit. They truly have 10 guys who have been starters and any combination of those players makes Vermont dangerous. TJ Long also dropped in 12 points and had 4 steals. He is such an opportunistic defender who has a nose for the ball. Aaron Deloney rounded out the double digit scorers with 10 points and looks locked in once again. Shamir Bogues returned and looked as though he got through the game healthy. If he can remain healthy he pushes the Cats ceiling even higher. Jace Roquemore has been an absolute revelation for Vermont. He sparked the Cats second half run with tremendous patience and execution from the point guard spot. Since entering the rotation at the Brown game, Roquemore is averaging roughly 7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in 23 minutes per game. He has also committed only one turnover during that five game stretch. Earlier in the season Vermont was searching for stability at the point guard spot and they have absolutely found it. 

The next two games are the biggest of this early conference slate. Both UMass Lowell and Bryant have been very good and are hungry to take their shot at Vermont. One of the keys over the next two games is that both Bryant and Lowell defend the three very well with Lowell currently second in the nation in opponent 3 point percentage (27%). One of the other interesting trends to watch over the course of this conference season is a leagewide stylistic change. Gone are the days of the America East grinding teams as Vermont and Maine are the only slow tempo holdovers from that past era. Six out of the nine AE teams are top 100 in tempo and 4 of those (Bryant, UMBC, Albany, New Hampshire) are top 20. Offensive efficiency is up across college basketball and the league is seeing a shift in offensive philosophy as well. Can't wait for these next two games!