Shorthanded Vermont took down Northeastern with a gutsy defensive effort in a physical Saturday afternoon game at Patrick. After an early time out, the Cats exploded with a 15-0 run and maintained that lead for much of the first half. The offense was humming and Vermont put together their best all around half of the young season. Then in a microcosm of how the season has gone thus far, Shamir Bogues went down with an injury on the final play of the half. The Cats came out of the half a bit flat as Bogues tried to gut it out through the pain. It was clear that he was not 100% so the coaching staff turned to Sean Blake. Blake was up to the task and electrified the crowd with some tough buckets. Then he committed his fourth foul so Bogues again hobbled his way through the end of the game. Northeastern made a really great adjustment, going to a much larger, physical lineup to close out the game. The Huskies scrambling, frenetic press forced the Cats into several turnovers, cutting it to a one possession game. In a wild final possession Northeastern had three shots to tie the game but the Cats defense held and they emerged victorious. This was a huge win for the Cats. Northeastern had been playing very good basketball to start the season and with Vermont missing TJ Long, Nick Fiorillo, Shy Odom, and then Bogues playing on one leg, the Cats had to dig deep. I said after last game that this game would say a lot about this team and they put together a solid effort. This was a victory forged with mental fortitude. In particular the Cats did an excellent job on Harold Woods who came in averaging 16 points and 8 rebounds on 55% shooting, but was held to 8 points and 3 rebounds on 4-13 shooting. Vermont made hustle plays, matched Northeastern's physicality, and held the Huskies to 1-15 shooting from three. A very gutsy effort that saw guys step up when their number was called.
TJ Hurley led the Cats with a career high 23 points. He has been playing with so much more aggression and assertiveness on the offensive end. He worked hard for every shot against the very physical Huskies defense. As he takes on a larger role the turnovers have crept up as well but those are part of the growing pains in a new role. Everyone knows Ileri Ayo-Faleye is a great defender, but in the game this afternoon, he was otherworldly. Ayo-Faleye finished with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and SEVEN blocks. Absolutely incredible. He is such a joy to watch on the defensive end. Jace Roquemore continues to step up in place of the injured Cats and finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds. He has been shooting the ball with confidence and running the offense smoothly when needed. Sean Blake took over during the most crucial stretch of the game. He attacked the rim relentlessly and finished through contact. Blake finished with 9 points and only 1 turnover in his best all around effort of the season. Seth Joba got knocked around early but responded to the Huskies physicality and got huge rebounds in the second half. He finished with 3 points and 7 rebounds. Sam Alamutu filled several different roles and once again played a strong all around game with 3 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Bogues fought his way to 7 points and 4 rebounds. Hopefully he can get through this nagging injury.
Any win the Cats can claw out while dealing with so many injuries is a big one. Hopefully there is a silver lining in building depth with guys stepping up into larger roles. At some point the stars will align and a fully healthy Vermont team will have a chance to play together and build momentum.
Another cogent analysis , but a few criticisms , This group needs to learn how to close games and in particular to value the ball .the first 37/38 minutes they did then the last two or three not so much . Blake is a huge addition at point guard especially given his shooting ability coupled with his ability to get to the rim . Rocqomore also showed his value to this team and Seth showed he belongs with the defensive boards .on the negative side had NE had any outside shooting ability they would have won the game need to finish strong in the OC games .Finally , this team has some very good talent and is pretty deep my guess is the bench may get a little shorter , but if Odom Long and Bogues can get and stay healthy this will one of Beckers deepest teams .Blake reminds me a little of TBH ,
ReplyDeleteWas at the game. Nice to see Hurley get out to a quick 10 points! He needs to lead this team in scoring but he is not a point guard. Catch and Shoot or one strong dribble to the hoop. Anything more than that is inviting a turnover. Ileri - so good on defense.
ReplyDeleteBecker will have his hands full coaching this year. Joba in being in the right spot, Blake needs to play defense and hit foul shots (although electric and should be the starting PG for years to come). Counted on Joba, Blake and Barnett today to play a lot - a lot of youth and youthful mistakes.
How we handle the press will be key. Haven’t figure out the pressure sets from the opposition. Blake could help here but apparent he is a freshman at times.
I was ready to say, “I really miss the Duncan’s”, but perhaps I’ll say it and mean it on some other unfortunate loss when the shots don’t go down,
ReplyDeletebut TJ Hurley saved the day as did I.A along with a full team effort and adjusted attitude. Really lucky those three 3s all missed at the end…and we didn’t foul. They all seemed to have a chance and were good looks. Have to figure out the press in late game situations before conference play. Kudos to getting to the foul line and making them for the most part. I see Hurley is high up in the NCAA rankings as far as that goes. I didn’t expect the win here against the solid Northeastern team especially how we have played recently and the with injuries,
it didn’t look good. It may well be a turning point in the season.🤔🤞
The 20 turnovers almost cost them the game, especially the late game ones. 20 turnovers usually means a loss. If I'm an opposing team, I'm pressuring the Cats all game long. They've got to clean up that part of their game.
ReplyDeleteCats can't handle the FC press. Auburn pressed them to a 25 point first half lead, the mediocre BU squad almost stole the game pressing them in the second half. Gotta figure that out.
ReplyDeleteThe word on the street is "Vermont can't handle the press." "Vermont can't inbound the ball."
ReplyDeleteThat said, nice to see some threes fall.
VT can't inbound the ball because of the press - there fixed it
Deletethe boys just got a win and everyone is so negative about it… Can we just be happy for jay they battled through adversity and came out with the win against a good northeastern team
ReplyDeleteA mediocre NE team
ReplyDeleteGood win, good all-around effort, definitely a step up from Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteStill though
-Press
-Turnovers
-Allowing offensive rebounds
need to be cleaned up for conference play. Hopefully getting the more experienced guys back in the lineup will make a difference. Tip of the cap to Bogues for gutting it out.
MC
Hurley's defense has definitely improved this year. Used to be easy to get by him - not now.
ReplyDeleteThe negativity is because they have so many flaws with a seasoned, veteran team. Granted, the lineups haven't been consistent due to the injuries, but except for Blake everyone's that's playing was here last year. I discount Odom and Perryman since they've not played much.
ReplyDeleteSoccer Cats are in the Elite Eight!
ReplyDeleteOn to #2 Pitt. Yea baby! It was another great game, this time with the PK winner.
ReplyDeleteThank God for Jace, our most consistent player. And his apparent mentorship of a willing Sean Blake. The other Good: Hurleys aggresive offense, the team defense, Joba and Blake's aggresion. Ileri's swatting. The Bad: Hurley's lazy passing, the awful attacking of the press and 20 TOs?
ReplyDelete