Aaron Deloney exploded for 28 points including the 1,000th of his career to get Coach Becker his 300th career win. What a great night at Patrick and huge milestones for two guys who fought hard to reach unexpected dreams. The first half was back and forth with the offense again stuck in neutral for stretches. The defense was there from the get go and AD sent the Cats into the locker room with the lead with a late three. In the second half the Cats defense absolutely ground New Hampshire into a pulp while the shotmaking arrived and Vermont cruised to another 20 win season. The defense that this group is playing really is quite incredible. Ileri Ayo-Faleye and Shamir Bogues stonewalled the Wildcats high scoring duo of Clarence Daniels and Ahmad Robinson to the tune of a combined 6-19 shooting from the field. Daniels in particular has been getting player of the year type buzz and Ayo-Faleye took him completely out of the game. The ceiling of this defensive group is so high.
Again AD was just masterful finishing 10-15 from the field and only 1 turnover. The AD lightning in a bottle games are some of my favorites to watch. The whole place is just buzzing when he gets hot. After that it was quite a balanced effort with everyone else that played more than a minute scoring but no one else in double figures. Ileri Ayo-Faleye finished with 7 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. He just absolutely smothers guys on defense. Shamir Bogues played great defense as well and finished with 6 points and 8 rebounds. Jace Roquemore continues to be huge off the bench with 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Nick Fiorillo earned the start and fought through some early struggles to finish with 6 points and 3 assists. TJ Hurley finished with 9 points and 4 rebounds and Sam Alamutu chipped in 5 rebounds and a nice dunk. TJ Long struggled mightily as New Hampshire worked to attack him on switches on the defensive end. Matt Veretto continues to struggle to break out of his shooting slump and isn't shooting with the same confidence.
Now a very quick turnaround with one of the toughest road trips for an afternoon game on Saturday against Maine. Will be a very physical and hard fought game against a tough opponent.
Really happy for Becker and AD - congrats! A nice win, we stay 1 game ahead of Bryant for #1 seed. Today was an example of us taking way too many 3s. Let Bogues, AD and Jace drive to hoop and then it will open up 3 ball. I think they took more 3s than 2s? Also, to clear Verettos mind, might not be a bad idea to sit him for a game and let him collect himself. Against a big physical team like Maine on Saturday, wouldn’t mind seeing Joba get some extended run. We will need Veretto in AE tourney but a game off to settle him might be good for him (and Joba).
ReplyDeleteThat Ileri-Shamir defense has really become a THING. Ball handlers have to have eyes in the back of their heads if Shamir is trailing and then up ahead Ileri lurks…must be more than stressful. To see Daniels hampered with 3 or 4 traveling calls in the paint was a delight to see. And Aaron, what a delight to see. Maybe he can spread the good 3 feels to the rest of the team. After Maine, back to back against high scoring UML and Bryant again, but this time at Patrick, but then again, CAT defense knows how to hold them to 60. Can’t overlook Maine.
ReplyDeleteCongrats John Becker!!!
Great defense! Fun to watch the effort, energy, and focus placed into each defensive set by UVM. To limit Daniel’s in the manner that they did was impressive. Offensively the Cats might want to change their identity from a 3 point shooting team to a team that can take the 3 once the inside presence is established. The strength of AD in this case is a strong argument for this approach. He drove the lane and either dished or scored and took the 3 in the flow.
ReplyDeleteMasterful defensive plan and execution. Ayo-Faleye had help on Daniels and did a terrific job of throwing him off his game and limiting his opportunities. Deloney saved the struggling offense. Great to see him go off in a big game while reaching his milestone.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately the rest of the team is not playing well offensively. Varetto and Long are less effective than they were earlier this season, I think because the shots they're getting are a bit more difficult. Even Bogues is playing with less confidence on the offensive end. Have teams learned how to defend Vermont?
They are missing wide open shots as well as difficult ones, so I don't think it's a matter of defenses figuring them out.
ReplyDeleteOn the absolutely amazing side, they have another 20 win season! Unbelievable winning atmosphere over the years!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I see them struggling is when they pass the ball around waiting for an open 3 and nobody going to the basket . OK if your hitting but they're not. I hope Deloney's breakout game will do the trick for the offense. Happy for him.
ReplyDeleteBecker and Long OK? Seem pretty heated in the UNH game when he went to bench
ReplyDeleteLong, Veretto, and Hurley are pretty much invisible offensively lately. Need more from them if Cats expect to get the conference title. Can't expect Bogues and/or Deloney to carry the load every game with some help from Nick. Cats are a good defensive team but don't shoot well as a team. A lot of Becker's teams are similar. Not sure why.
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