The walking wounded Cats gutted out a victory over Plattsburgh State. With three starters out (Shamir Bogues, TJ Long, Nick Fiorillo) this game served as an "audition" of sorts for some of the bench players to have an opportunity to build confidence and potentially play themselves into a larger role. The first 75% of the game was tough sledding for the Cats as they were a bit sluggish and had a hard time breaking through the very physical and foul prone Cardinals defense. Turnovers were abundant as the Cats tried to build chemistry on the fly with some new and different lineups. Everything finally clicked with the closing group of guys as they finally were able to drive to the rim and get some easy buckets for what felt like the first time all season. These games are all about getting some things to go right for the Cats and there was certainly a sense of relief at the end of the game as their play finally provided that release. This homestand feels like an absolutely crucial stretch for Vermont and I think the game on Saturday (health permitting) will provide a lot of information about the mentality of this team.
Noah Barnett led the Cats with 15 points. He does a great job of keeping it simple with one quick move to the hoop. It is also so valuable that he is a good free throw shooter (5-5 from the line). As he continues to adjust to the speed of the game and lock down the defensive rotations, his role could grow. I really felt before the game that this was an opportunity for Shy Odom to get some positive momentum and start to build confidence. For the first part of the game it was still a struggle for him to get going. Then he finally broke through and made some nice plays. Odom finished with 12 points and 5 rebounds and did a great job on baseline cuts, making himself available for the drive and dish. With Fiorillo likely out for a bit, Barnett or Odom will need to play a larger role. Gavin Perryman saw his first extended action and finished with 11 points. He plays with good energy and is not afraid to get into the thick of things. Ileri Ayo-Faleye finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Sean Blake had a tale of two halves game. In the first half he struggled mightily on defense and turned the ball over several times. Then the coaching staff had him start the second half and he was promptly involved in a turnover. It was clearly the plan to let him play through the mistakes as he regrouped and had a strong finish. He stuffed the boxscore with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks. Hopefully this can be a jumping off point for him as well. Jace Roquemore continued his strong play with 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Sam Alamutu also stuffed the stat sheet with 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Yes I know that it was a new rotation/audition, but I'm sorry, that was embarrassing – a division 3 team playing close until the final minutes? (The game didn't get away from PS until most of there starters were in foul trouble with 5 minutes left). Yes I know the cats were down 3 starters – but still – 12 steals against? 19 turnovers? 6-20 from 3? Only +8 in rebounds? Sad. Cats barely beat a division 2 school St Anselm (could have easily lost) the UAB game was a fluke (2 “fortunate” late banked 3's & UAB 0-10 from 3) Can the Cats turn it around? Maybe. Cats win the AE? Highly doubtful at this stage. If the cats can win the AE – will probably get a 16 seed and lose by 30+ in the NCAA. Sorry to be so down on the Cats, but they are certainly not living up to all the preseason hype.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Based on energy and hustle, Plattsburgh should have won that game. Not much energy from the Cats and the turnovers were ridiculous. Yeah, they scored down low against a D3 team, but they come up empty against D1 schools.
DeleteDealing with so many injuries means they have not had the team they thought they would thus far. The preseason hype was based on a fully healthy squad.
DeleteI guess I’d call it a B- effort from the B team. Nice night for Odom and Barnett hopefully we can see that against tougher competition. Thought you were a bit kind to Roquemore who had a brutal first half and only seemed to get his head in the game after the quick second half time out. No doubt Bogues is the engine that makes the team go, Alamutu and Ayo-Faleye especially seem to lose a step when he’s not on the court. Still lots of time till March, hopefully we’ll start getting better health and fewer turnovers.
ReplyDeleteTrue post
DeleteTurnovers have to come down for sure.
DeleteHere’s the problem I see on offense, they are one dimensional. I know we’ve spoken about it but watching last night against a lesser opponent it was glaringly apparent that it’s easy to defend. And it’s basically dribble drive and kick. All Plattsburgh was doing was sending two even sometimes three guys at us as we attempted to drive and unfortunately there was no recognition which led to turnovers. Even when we don’t turn the ball over the passes aren’t crisp so the shooter doesn’t set his feet or get off a good shot. Here’s the other problem with this system solely, we are relying on guys who just aren’t great shooters. It’s been this way since Ben and Davis left. It’s an offense relying/praying for guys to get hit to be successful. That’s why there’s no consistency. Guys like Finn, Deloney, Long, etc are capable of it but it’s no way to go into games day in and day out. I saw at least 3 times the dribble drive and kick to Barnett in the corner, why is he there?!?! And the truth is same with Ileri, it’s nice he can knock down a three and he’s worked hard on it but it should not be his only game now. As for the rest of the roster(not including first yr players)there just aren’t any go to guys. I look at all of our opponents and they seem to have guys with swagger that somehow show up against our stout defense. Guys that just have a way to create their own shots and make plays. We don’t, and that’s why like I said we’re inconsistent. Unless the coaching staff addresses this in future recruitin, portal we will never get to where we want to be. In the meantime there needs to be a serious emphasis on mixing up plays, cuts, getting the ball in the post and going straight up. They have to make some buckets down low or at least draw some fouls or die on that hill…
ReplyDeleteWhere do we want UVM to be? They have won 3 championships in a row. They have thrilled fans with exciting games for season after season. UVM is not going to ever compete with the blue ribbon schools. The market is just not available in Burlington. UVM has done a great job putting together a cast of talented players for years now and the fans are loyal. The talent on this team is there and the coaching is top notch. They just need to figure out what will work and get it all in line as the America East schedule approaches. Again, it’s nice to dream of recruiting a 5 star recruit but it won’t happen. UVM is getting talented players to come to the great white north and the drama has begun.
DeleteAgreed with above, but they only lost AD and added Barnett, Odom, and brought everyone back. This team is way too talented to be playing like this. There is something wrong - leadership, coaching, vibe in locker room. Something. The above writers are correct. If, and a big one, we get to the NCAA it will be another game where we score in the 40s - like Auburn and Duke. The coaching staff won’t design an offense to score and as good as our defense can be, it won’t be good enough to stop a 1-4 seed in the tournament. Can’t wait to see the effort and execution vs Northeastern. Later in the month I suspect we will get throttled by Yale.
DeleteI’m very proud of what this team is. When I was at school there the basketball team was embarrassing. Our point guard could barely dribble with his left hand. That being said what this program has become is one where guys should want to want to go to play there. They sell out every game and have a good chance to play in the tournament every year. And with that in mind there’s no reason they can’t recruit A10 level talent. As for where we are right now the drop off is hard to understand from last year. It could be the injuries etc and the rhythm to league play can change it around but the coaching staff just seems confused and the players too…
DeleteEarly season struggles with so many injuries in not an indictment of the program/recruiting/philsophy etc. If this team was fully healthy we would not be having this conversation. Yale got beat 100-91 by the Delaware team Vermont beat the day before. Vermont is one of the best winning programs in the country. As I have said before basing their success purely on buy games or tournament games in a slippery slope.
DeleteThe key to this team is Hurley and Odom. Barnett, Bogues, Sammy, Ileri are all great athletes and defenders but aren’t what you call go to scorers. Long plays well in AE, but should be a spot up shorter on a drive and kick against better teams. That leaves Hurley, can he be that all around scorer, make his own shot and get up to a consistent 15 a game? Can Odom be counted on for 10-12 consistent points in the paint? They desperately need a pecking order for offense and design the plays accordingly.
ReplyDeleteWithout so many players in and out of the lineup, getting a pecking order to emerge is going to take more time than in years past. I agree that more defined roles would help their offense mightily.
DeleteAll the posts above regarding the offensive woes of the Cats are correct - here's to hoping Becker & staff can address it and turn a disappointing team into one with balance/execution
ReplyDeleteHealth is the key.
DeleteEmbarrassing. We've come to expect more. Some of these bench guys don't even look good against D3 competition.
ReplyDelete