Vermont 68 Maine 57
Vermont beat Maine in a workmanlike performance on the road with Coach Becker watching from the hotel, out with a sickness. Coach Schneider manned the sidelines for his first career win that saw the Cats continue their strong defensive performances. The game went like most of the Vermont/Maine matchups do, a physical, slow paced game that remains close throughout. In the first half the Cats finally came out and made some perimeter shots, taking an early lead. Maine was able to bounce back and take the lead thanks to beating the Cats on the boards. Vermont closed the half on an 11-1 run to regain the lead. Both teams came out cold in the second half as each team felt out the defensive adjustments. Ultimately, Vermont bounced back on the boards and had a response for every Maine run. The Cats shot the ball better and got to the free throw line where they took advantage with an 18-21 effort. The defense continues to shine, forcing Maine into tough shots and challenging everything at the rim. Maine helped the Cats out with an 11-21 performance from the line. Another game where the depth and defensive pressure of Vermont wore down their opponent in the second half.
Shamir Bogues was great in the second half running the Robin Duncan/Dylan Penn post up and initiate the offense role, making big buckets to keep the Black Bears at bay and finishing with 21 points and 7 rebounds. He also led the Cats with 3 assists and zero turnovers, finding the right balance between attacking and playmaking. Ileri Ayo-Faleye came off the bench for the first time this season and responded with a big game. He finished with 14 points and did a nice job of getting out in transition. Nick Fiorillo got the Cats off to a hot start with two early threes and finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks. A strong performance in a return to his home state. Jace Roquemore came off the bench for 3 points and 5 rebounds. It was a great team win where seven different players hit a three pointer.
Onto Albany on Thursday in a game where it will test the Cats "one game at a time" mentality. With a big week of Bryant/Lowell (including senior night) at home looming, Vermont will have to be extra focused on the road against an explosive Albany offense.
A good old time rock fight...Maine is a tough bunch of kids- they just haven't learned how to win. I think they will, they are well coached. All this talk of AE MVP going to a different program this year- and it might just to assuage whoever. But have these folks been paying attention to Shamir Bogues lately? The season has a ways to go- but at this rate, if the Cats go all the way- who else?
ReplyDeleteWasn't pretty but they got the job done. With Lowell defeating Bryant that puts UVM up 2 games with 4 to go. Another conference championship within reach.
ReplyDeleteWhen they struggle, it’s Shamir Time!
ReplyDeleteAnd it helps when we win the FT battle.
Got to watch the UML-Bryant battle with great interest after the UVM game. Thanks to UML. Watching those teams battle to get to 80+ first and how they crash the boards and how both teams are pretty loaded, it’s such a credit to Cat style basketball and the very reliable D that we have been able to beat them. Target only gets bigger on Cat backs.
ReplyDeleteGo Cats go!
The hope is they are the 2-3 seed and in the playoffs we would only have to play one of them in the Finals at Patrick!
DeleteMaybe the most amazing statistic regarding this years team is that no individual player is in the TOP 10 statistically of ANY category offense or defense except TJ Long on 3PT percentage and 3PT attempts . Becker has gotten them to buy in to the TEAM first concept . Assuming they go on to win the regular season and AE Tournament I don’t see how he is not once again Coach of the Year. I’m guessing there will quite a few first, second and third team all conference players but I’m also guessing no Player of the year candidates . Offensively Defensively or 6th man.
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DeleteShamir and Ileri on All Defensive Team, right? But what has been stated is a truly remarkable stat, regarding that the leading scorer average is around 10 pts BUT there are a bevy of them. Who do you defend when you are playing the Cats? It’s like death by a thousand cuts.
ReplyDeleteTeams are taking away the 3 and Vermont isn't scoring alot. It's the defense and absense of turnovers that's winning games.
ReplyDeleteShould you say, "Death by a thousand Cats"?
ReplyDelete;)
DeleteYea, I’ll go with that. Perfect.
DeleteI just love to watch good solid defensive basketball night in and night out. And when it results in 20 win seasons repeatedly, all the better! All of my complaining about the offensive sputters are mitigated by the outstanding team defense!
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