More summer basketball? Yes please. I had so much fun I decided to head back down and catch another post camp scrimmage. Once again the games were fun to watch and the intensity was up a few notches from the action I saw on Monday. I won't rehash any of the obvious and similar observations like Shamir Bogues is just so awesome, or Nick Fiorillo looks ready for a big year, etc. I got to see Sam Alamutu for the first time this summer as he was not there on Monday. Alamutu showed tremendous flashes last season and continues to look better and better. In the games today he looked smoother and was looking for his offense more. He looks primed to play that "swiss army knife" role where he can do a little bit of everything at any position in the lineup. Seth Joba looked more assertive today, playing through physicality in the post and finishing with either hand. Drew Bessette also played with more grit and played harder after looking a bit tentative and passive on Monday. One thing I will say about Bogues today is that you can see that he has put in some serious work trying to become a more consistent shooter from the perimeter. He made a handful of threes today and if that translates to the regular season, watch out. Once again it is so impressive the amount of talent that Vermont is able to bring in year after year in these changing times. Without the money or luxuries of other programs, they continue to identify players that want to win, work hard, and become the best players they can be. This team has the talent and drive to push for another title and I am already looking forward to the fall.
Great report! You're the heartbeat of Vermont basketball. Do other America East schools pay their players? What's happening with Shy?
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you! That is seriously one of the best compliments I have ever received. I am not 100% up on the NIL world but I believe that Bryant and Albany both have collectives and they are the only ones. Odom is rehabbing from playing through a back injury last season so light work on the side and working with the trainers to get healthy.
DeleteLee do I remember correctly that Odom played in the MEAC playoffs ? Was he “ dinged “ up then and played through the injury ? Or was he injured during the playoffs ? Or afterward ? The clips I saw didn’t show him with any limitations as I said in a post to your first scrimmage post he in my opinion is a key to getting to the Tournament and more importantly maybe doing some damage ie getting past the first round . Yes Bogues and Fiorillo will lead this team but just imagine if a freshman/ sophomore named Anthony Lamb showed up what would that add to this team ?
ReplyDeleteHe played in the MEAC playoffs his freshman year (and was the conference tourney MVP). He was injured this past season in late November and missed a few games. After he returned his minutes declined and his play was inconsistent. He did not play in the MEAC playoffs and then only played 5 minutes in their NCAA tourney game. Many of the highlights from last season are from a very good game he played against Georgia Tech early in the season prior to the injury. Odom will add a very strong dimension to this team when healthy.
DeleteLee / the last 48 words of your report is so well said and what UVM basketball is ALL about / it should be what any team should be all about / GO CATS !
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteHey Lee- great work as usual and some relief from our off-season doldrums. I was wondering about Drew Bessette: I had heard that he was on scholarship, but then I thought one of your posts indicated that he was a walk-on. Can you clarify? Thanks
ReplyDeleteWhen he initially committed there was some confusion as the walk-on part was kind of left out. But after filling all of the scholarships (13) it was clear that he was a walk-on due to the number of scholarships available. I would assume he is in a preferred walk on situation similar to Ben Shungu and Nick Fiorillo where the hope/plan is to play his way into a scholarship.
DeleteLee, Thank you very much for your efforts. I am always excited to learn about what is happening with the basketball team. You are the best!
ReplyDeleteI have always been disappointed that UVM does not do a multi team blog or notice. We pretend to be a family but once athletes graduate or leave early we seldom hear anything about them. Not just basketball, but from all sports, athletes continue to the pro ranks in Europe, become coaches, go into local jobs, play for other teams, etc.
It would not be difficult to ask coaches to stay in touch and once a month send the newest info to a central person for distribution.
I for one, am always curious how and where their lives took them. Oh well-your info is greatly appreciated!! Thanks,
Thank you! I am glad you enjoy reading. Something like that would be fun!
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