Wow! It has been forever since there was anything to report on. It seemed like this off-season would never end and now the excitement can ratchet up in earnest with the release of the full schedule. This year's non-conference schedule has some really great games that will give this group opportunities for strong wins. It starts with a bang as Vermont heads down to UAB and Auburn, two perennially strong programs, who will give the Cats a huge test right out of the gates. No rest for Vermont with a Northeast road trip for two tough mid-major matchups with Merrimack and Iona. The Patrick Gym faithful will finally see the Cats at home on November 19th against Buffalo. Then it is off to Mohegan Sun for the Hall of Fame Tip-off tournament against Delaware and Fairfield. I am particularity excited about that tournament as I will be attending. Home for a stretch against Plattsburgh State (DIII) and then regional rivals Northeastern and Brown. Two more difficult road games against mid-major darlings Yale and Colgate. Miami (OH) comes to town before the final road game against twin state rival Dartmouth. The Cats finish with another home against against Division III Elms College. I love the two games to open down in Alabama and the schedule is chuck full of strong mid-major programs. There are a lot of tough but winnable games. I know that the lower division games are always a controversial topic and this year there will be two. This is an unfortunate trickle down effect of all of the conference realignment and race for TV money. Schedules are being consolidated at the higher levels and many lower levels are sticking with regional games to lower costs. The options for home games are steadily shrinking and schedule releases have pushed later and later as teams hold out in hope of finding something. I am in the camp of just wanting to watch basketball so any game is a good time for me. The conference schedule sets up pretty well for Vermont as well. I love starting the conference season with the tough road games. It really sets the tone for the conference season. Starting with at UNH, at Lowell, and at Bryant is a heck of a measuring stick start to the season. The rest of the schedule has a good balance and the other big week is the Lowell/Bryant home back to back February 20th & 22nd. Time to get excited for the season! It is almost here!
P.S. Vermont has an official visit with F/C Will Goode out of the New Hampton School this weekend so send good vibes. The weather is certainly cooperating!
