NJIT 63 Vermont 61
NJIT freshman Tariq Francis lit up the Catamounts for a career high 31 points and led the last place Highlanders to a huge win, snapping the Catamounts 23 game conference win streak. Vermont's shooting woes finally caught up with them, particularly at the free throw line where the Cats finished 11-20 (55%). For the second straight game the Cats got off to a very cold start and this time they struggled to get things going in the second half. NJIT played very tough on the defensive end, flying all over the court and contesting every shot. On the defensive side of the ball the Cats had no answer for Francis who made shots from all over the court. This is the type of let down or "trap game" that happens in every conference season. The players and coaching staff always talk about getting every team's best shot and tonight they got the Highlanders best shot for sure. How the Cats respond at UMBC will be a real test for this group after their first conference loss.
TJ Long led the Cats with 18 points and was one of the few bright spots for the Cats. He made tough shots and kept the Cats in the game. Nick Fiorillo continue his strong play off the bench with 13 points and 6 rebounds but struggled at the line. Jace Rocquemore was also a nice spark off the bench finishing with 6 points and 8 rebounds. Ileri Ayo-Faleye finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds but finished 5-9 from the line and didn't have his usual defensive impact. Shamir Bogues had his toughest game in a Catamount uniform, struggling on the defensive end and making very little impact on offense. He has not been able to get the rim over this last stretch of games and hasn't been in double figures since the Lowell game. Matt Veretto and TJ Hurley struggled to knock down their open looks and Aaron Deloney struggled to make an impact before a late three.
This is the type of loss that presents an opportunity for this team to demonstrate their resolve. These losses happen this time of year across college basketball in the grind of the conference season. Will this group galvanize around this adversity like they did after the tough loss to Miami (OH)? Or will the pressure and tension of being the hunted get to this new group of Catamounts? It won't take long to find out with UMBC right around the corner.
Rookie of the year turned into POY for this game. He scored half of his team’s pts in every which way. The Cats first half turnovers were an absolute killer where NJIT scored 10 pts on those turnovers. UMBC will be tough. Will we be tougher?
ReplyDeleteFrancis is a good player and had the game of his life. The bounce back proved this teams toughness.
DeleteBryant and Lowell both won yesterday shrinking our conference lead to 1 game.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely going to be a battle. Bryant and Lowell weirdly don't play each other for the first time until Feb. 17th so that will be a fun matchup.
DeleteI hate to say it I think the rotation might be too big. I know it help with fatigue, fouls and finding the hot hand, but seems like bouges and others are loosing some mojo by playing less minutes.
ReplyDeleteI think the rotation size is fine but the lineup combinations are a work in progress. Finding the right fit together has been harder than usual this season.
DeleteFrancis, NJIT star rookie , was phenomenal and was unstoppable . This kid is an extremely talented player. But all good teams take a loss . The winning streak is over but at same time the monkey’s off their back. They will start a new winning streak hooefully
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I know people don't love the "good loss" term but I do believe that sometimes it is necessary to shift mentality.
DeleteHow many front ends did the Cats miss? The Cats were outplayed, but they still could've won. Nick was getting stuffed a lot inside. Why won't Matty go inside? For whatever reason, I don't think the Cats play well in this arena.
ReplyDeleteThe free throws were painful. Veretto is struggling mightily recently, might be a role shakeup for him soon. That arena has proved to be a tough place for the Cats.
DeleteI've noticed Bogues hasn't been as effective recently. I wonder if the injury is bothering him.Seemed like the1st half UVM had no impact inside ; just pass the ball around waiting for a 3 and your SOL if they aren't falling.Their poor foul shooting also returned. ON the other hand NJIT sure didn't look like a last place team and Francis was unbelievable!
ReplyDeletethe 1st half UVM had nothing inside :just pass the ball around waiting for a 3 which weren't falling.
The injury is definitely still there and it seems to basically be a pain tolerance situation at this point. His vertical explosiveness has taken a hit. The shots they were getting are good shots, just not falling.
DeleteA team can’t shoot foul shots like a junior high team and have turnovers like a junior varsity team in any D1 game. UVM was inattentive and lethargic. Now that they got this out of their heads it’s time to play their game again!
ReplyDeleteI think we can still win the league and get home court for the AE tourney. Without a 100% Shamir, we are just ordinarily real good. With him playing at a high level, we would be unstoppable in the AE and could actually advance in the Dance. Lets hope he heals up and gets his confidence back.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Bogues is the X factor.
DeleteWas Deloney in the dog house or was NJIT just a bad matchup day for him? He did not get his usual looks it seemed. JR is looking really strong... he may be squeezing AD out a bit.
ReplyDeleteAD has been great for a few games in a row. He was the reason why we beat Binghamton, like his playmaking lately leading to assists but what has been the case with AD, when we play tougher, bigger competition (like this years non conference slate), he sometimes gets bottled up.
DeleteAD is sometimes a little more matchup dependent becasue of his size. If the Cats need length on defense, AD gets a few less minutes. NJIT was big and physical.
DeleteWhen you see home games vs Binghamton as a struggle and losing on the road vs a very weak NJIT team, you have to regroup. Those home games vs Lowell and Bryant will be huge. AE Tourney is 4 weeks away, time to focus, grab home court and win three in a row! We want Lowell and Bryant to be the 2-3 seeds so we only have to play them once in the tourney, although UNH is tough this year. Would like to see Bogues become more assertive on offense, he can create and when driving to hoop will get open looks for Long and Verdetto or a dish/dunk to Ileri.
ReplyDeleteNJIT just beat Lowell, so they're not so weak. Go Cats!
DeleteAgreed. Definitely would prefer to see Lowell/Bryant in the final. UNH could be a tough matchup for the Cats because they are the one fast paced team that shoots a lot of threes. Bogues certainly answered the call to be more assertive! The Highlanders are hot!
DeleteLoved seeing Bogues attack. And really hope Bryant and Lowell stay 2-3. Need Nick starting. Too good not to be out there setting the tone from the start. Perfect unselfish player to be with the starters.
DeleteBad loss. One game. Long season. See how they rebound from it.
ReplyDeleteBogues wasn't himself. Varetto and Delaney were non factors.
Give NJIT credit. They played great. Francis was awesome.
Agreed.
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