Monday, March 24, 2025
Sam Alamutu enters the portal
Today the portal officially opened and Sam Alamutu became the second Catamount to enter the portal. Once Alamutu was recognized on Senior day, I thought this was a likely possibility. As I have said with previous grad transfers (Stef Smith, Aaron Deloney), after putting in four years and earning a degree is the perfect time to explore all of the options that might be out there. A normal process for a regular student and a great opportunity for Alamutu. During his time as a Catamount, Alamutu worked hard to carve out a role and became an indispensable player over the last two seasons. A Swiss army knife who's versatility allowed him to play and guard every position on the court. He is also a good example of the time it can take to adjust to the college game. Alamutu worked hard after his redshirt year to make the leap and remained patient when he did not crack the rotation right away. I wish him the best of luck at his next destination! With the portal officially opening today I would expect information to be coming fast and furious over the next month as teams restructure their rosters for next season.
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I hope Sam just tests the portal waters and decides to exit the portal and return like Aaron D did. Seth is making a good decision for his future. I wish him well. We need two 6’10+ centers from the portal.🙏
ReplyDeleteTrue that
DeleteI’m not surprised . UVM has a hole in the ground next to Patrick , no progress at all just. The school is not supporting its basketball program any longer . I’m not sure that it will ever be built b. Current players real that and future prospects are now catching on.
DeleteCats have seen the best years . Becker is a great coach but the good times are over. Don’t be surprised to him go on to greener pastures.
Start anew . Taylor Coppenrath would be a good choice to replace Becker
Sam worked hard and became a key player during the Cats 10 game winning streak- they came close to repeating as champs- thanks to Sam.
ReplyDeleteCan Becker recruit a big man? Will any quality big want to come to UVM? The only big that was at least 6'10" and played on any Becker team was Daniel Giddens, played one year (Was there any one else? - Can't remember any)
ReplyDeleteGiddens is it for portal big men recruits. He was a grad student and only had a year of eligibility. If Sammy and Joba leave, this team will be nearly unrecognizable. Blake, TJ, TJ and Barnett? Becker seems stubborn enough to only play four guys. Kidding… It speaks volumes that we played with seven in the playoffs. I’d watch Joba on the outside of the huddle during timeouts. He’d sometimes not be looking in, his head turning, scanning the gym, clearly disengaged. Gosh I hope we strike it big in the portal. With Ace Flagg committing to Maine, they will be a force for years to come.
ReplyDeleteThey've had others. It should tell you something that you can't remember them. Forget about size. Get the best possible player/athlete.
ReplyDeleteSize matters...
DeleteWithout a meaningful NIL UVM will get the leftover crumbs from the portal. NIL is destroying college basketball for the schools without the funds. Look at the relative lack of upsets in the NCAA Tournaments this year (both men and women) and the Uconn women winning by 69 points in their first round game. Will only get worse in the future. There should be 2 tournaments going forward - one for the 'power' schools and one for everyone else. Why bother trying to get to the NCAA Tournament when you know you will be destroyed in the first round.
ReplyDeleteSomeone posted ileri is still on the roster for next yr, is that just a lack of understanding or does he have another yr of eligibility and planning on returning?
ReplyDeleteForget about size? You're joking, right? The Cats under Becker have had other players over 6'10" other than Giddens - really? Who? There hasn't been any...
ReplyDeleteSize isn't everything. Giddens was a tremendous physical specimen but not a great basketball player.
ReplyDeleteHe may not have been great - but was a capable post defender/re-bounder (go back and watch the Virginia game) - would have been a presence in the paint against the top flight schools if the NCAA tournament had been played
DeleteYes, forget size! Get the best possible players, best attitudes! We've had plenty of size over the years, and it usually doesn't work out. Ability over size!
ReplyDeletePlenty of size over the years? Who other than Giddens and Davis in the Becker era? No we haven't had good size over the years. We had a few good players around 6'8", not much after that
DeleteHow about ability and size?
DeleteWent to the tournament a couple years ago starting four guard and Robin Duncan was our de facto center. That being said... it is easier with capable big men.
ReplyDeleteAnd how far did we go with that?
DeleteThe lack of the new basketball center could be the end of Vt hoops
ReplyDeleteTrue - and combined with NIL, the rest of mid major BB can kiss it goodbye...
ReplyDeleteIf UVM can’t keep players of Sam Alamutu’s caliber, they are cooked. I love sam but he’s not playing mins in most D1 conferences
ReplyDelete