Exhibition #2

Vermont 77 Stonehill 61

Vermont put together another strong performance in their second exhibition, dominating Stonehill from start to finish. After an offensive explosion guided the Cats to a win last weekend, today was all about the defense. It was a great showcase for the defensive potential of this team. This Vermont group is made up of guys who really get after it on every play. It really showed up on the boards where Vermont absolutely manhandled the Skyhawks. Vermont finished over +20 on the boards and six Cats pulled down 4 or more boards. Vermont is always a good rebounding team, and they have often done it in maybe a more nontraditional way, using position and limiting opportunities. This group has that foundation AND a bunch of junkyard dogs. Rebounding could be a tremendous strength this year. Vermont was physical, getting in passing lanes, and challenging every shot at the rim. Offensively, there was some great movement and the attacks came from all over the court. As roles, comfort, and chemistry develop, the offense has a strong chance to be significantly more efficient than the last few seasons. There were lots of turnovers today, but the quick ball movement is looking like a major plus for this group. Lots of guys with good court vision, instincts, and passing ability. 

Gus Yalden led the way with 23 points on 10/16 shooting from the field. He was patient and got to his spots very efficiently. Yalden chipped in 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks to round out his afternoon. Teams are going to try and put him in every action to attack him on defense, but he has done a nice job challenging shots through the first two games. Darrel Yepdo finished with 14 points and 4 rebounds. He has great acceleration to the rim and can ignite a possession with his driving ability. Momo Nkugwa picked up where he left off last season, finishing with 12 points and 5 rebounds in his season debut. He shot 5/6 from the field and was flying all over the court. John Broom once again displayed his two-way prowess, finishing with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. He is relentless and always around the ball. What a disruptive force. He also does a great job moving the ball on offense. Gets the ball out quickly in the open court and is always looking to pass. Will Davies finished with a stat stuffing line of his own: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks. Both blocks were when he was switched onto a big where he held his own and then some. His command of the ball on offense is really impressive. Khalil Badru struggled offensively but pulled down 9 rebounds. Between Momo, Broom, and Badru, Vermont has three guys who can outjump just about anyone. They create havoc on the glass. Daniil Glazkov continues to look like an unsung but versatile player. He walled up on defense, deflected passes, and knocked down a three on offense. Another guy that does the little things well. Noah Barnett struggled from the line, but his energy and boxing out creates opportunities for the highflyers to get to the boards. 

Another strong exhibition with one more to go. I will be writing my season preview this week and can't wait for the season opener. 

Vermont nabs their first 2027 commitment

High school recruiting? In the fall? 

Getting flashbacks from a previous era, Vermont got their first commitment for the 2027 recruiting class from Davon Maloney, a 6'6 wing from Troy, NY who plays for the Newman School in Boston. It is crazy to think but it really does feel like a thing of the past to get early commitments in the fall as part of the recruiting process. The upcoming 5 in 5 eligibility switch should shift recruiting into another new era and will likely shift some emphasis back on high school recruiting. Maloney is an athletic wing who is a strong rebounder and defender with an expanding offensive game. He has become a reliable three point shooter with fluid mechanics and likes to finish above the rim in traffic. Maloney is a straight line attacker who gets in the trenches and impacts the game on the offensive glass. He has all the hallmarks of a player who thrives in the Vermont system. A player who has a great motor and solid defensive foundation who can step out and be a threat from the perimeter. He was at the game this past weekend and it is always a feather in the cap for the program when they can secure a commitment after a visit. He is the type of player that often gets better in the Vermont system and I think has strong potential as a versatile, do it all, 3 and D type player. He has the size to guard multiple positions and the motor to impact the game without the ball in his hands. Projecting impact is still so hard in these days of roster fluctuation, but much like this past recruiting cycle, the skill and system fit for Maloney is good. 

Exhibition season starts with a bang

Vermont 90 Holy Cross 80

As the Gus Bus screamed into the crowd:

"WE'RE BACK, WE'RE BACK, WE'RE BACK...." 

Basketball returned to Patrick and the first look at this year's team produced some electric moments on the way to a 90-80 victory over Holy Cross. The NCAA has taken its fair share of lumps over the last few years but changing the exhibition rules to allow more flexibility, including allowing DI opponents, is an absolute win. What a great atmosphere and a great game to kick off the season. 

First off, if that doesn't get fans pumped for the year, I don't know what will. After several years of tough, grinding, and often ugly exhibition games, that game was full of fun and excitement. This team has depth, versatility, and a wealth of playmakers. One of the things that stood out was how many "lunch pail" guys they have. So many players making the little play, getting into the trenches, and playing with energy. Opponents are not going to be able to set weak picks this year because Vermont has guys who are ready to straight up truck some dudes. Man, that was fun to watch. 

Will Davies had one of most electric Catamount debuts that I can remember. Davies finished with 24 points to lead the Cats but more importantly, it was the way that he did it that was so impressive. He had highlight after highlight and impacted the game in just about every dimension. He has such a great feel for the game and is absolutely relentless. It is hard to pick a favorite moment from the game, but the two standouts are the absolute stuff block at the rim and the alley-oop dunk. He knocked down 4/8 from three (including a cold step back in the corner), got to the rim, fought through picks, and displayed great communication and leadership. His backcourt mate Darrel Yepdo was right behind him with an electric 20 points of his own. Yepdo shot 4/7 from three and showed incredible downhill acceleration getting to the rim. Having this point guard duo is an incredible luxury and gives Vermont that dynamic offensive ability they have been searching for the last few years. They are going to be fun to watch. Khalil Badru came off the bench and scored 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. He is great at elevating in the mid-range and knocking down tough shots. He can defend any position and will provide some highlight worthy moments throughout the season. John Broom is going to be a kind of silent assassin. He impacts the game without the ball in his hands and is a really tremendous rebounder. He finished with 7 points and 7 rebounds. There were a few rebounds he grabbed today that it felt like he had no business grabbing. Coming all the way back after closing out a three-point shooter to sky for the rebound and pulling one down in a group of four Crusades to name a few. Noah Barnett continues to do Noah Barnett things. Out hustling guys to the ball and shifting momentum with his energy. He finished with 8 points and 4 rebounds and looks like he has worked on his offensive game. Daniil Glazkov finished with 9 points and could be a real swing player for the Cats. He plays with a great calm and has a well-rounded game. He had a finish at the rim this afternoon that was insane. Glazkov is a very big guard and plays with physicality on the defensive end. He has a ton of upside. Gus Yalden finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals in an up and down opener for him. Holy Cross was determined to run him through the ringer and make him work on the defensive end. I don't know if I have ever seen a team run a post player off so many down screens to initiate their offense. They really wore him down and he was quite frustrated by the end of the game. Yalden is going to experience that transition from surprise first season to target on his back second season. Teams are going to plan all sorts of creative ways to try to take him out of his comfort zone this season. The good news is, he is going to be up to the task, and he will not have to shoulder such a huge offensive load this season. This team has some real weapons. 

No reason to nitpick the first game (that is for the coaches to do in film tomorrow). The defense is going to get better as rotations tighten up and players get comfortable with the system. They have guys who can be great defenders, and the positional size of this group is great. The shooting was a nice surprise and will really open things up if the Cats can find consistency from the perimeter. I am very intrigued by the playmaking ability as they have lots of strong passers in this group. 

This is absolutely and unequivocally going to be a fun group to watch this season. I think they have a chance to do something special. No matter what, Patrick is going to rocking this season. Can't wait for next Saturday. 

Oh basketball, how I have missed you

The leaves are turning and the cool nights are rolling in. That can only mean one thing......it's time for basketball season!!! The season ticket holder event provided the first look at the teams, and I got to show off my rebounding prowess in the skills competition. It felt so good to be back in Patrick and it is great to be writing again. I finished up my degree this summer and I am looking forward to blogging season. Basketball is the best. 

On to the scrimmage reactions. It always fun to watch because you get to see something from every player. Tonight there was no Gus Yalden, Momo Nkugwa, or Daniil Glazkov. They were relegated to the cheering squad. The competition was fierce as always and the overall impression is that there is some strong potential with this team and this group of players are a great fit together. Players with different and versatile skill sets that complement each other. Going offense heavy in roster construction last year did not work out as the coaching staff hoped and you can see that there was an emphasis on defense and versatility in the roster construction this time around. One of the big changes this year will be the depth at point guard. That will make a huge difference in how the offense runs. This group looks like they will be physical on the defensive end and strong on the boards. I feel like a broken record, but perimeter shooting will once again be the area to keep an eye on. They have several players with upside from the perimeter, but consistency will be key. I am very excited to see the first game action in a couple weeks, and it is great that the NCAA changed the rules to allow for better exhibitions by allowing more games and Division I opponents. This team has the pieces to compete for a championship. 

Will Davies was very impressive. He looks like Vermont player through and through. Gritty, smart, relentless. He has a tremendous feel for the game has the ball on a string. Great court vision and a command of the offense. The Davies/Yalden pick and roll is going to be deadly. Darrel Yepdo is the other half of the point guard duo and he will also bring steady leadership. He is crafty and brings that veteran calm. Those two are going to put their teammates in good spots all year. Khalil Badru has tremendous athleticism and is going to have some highlight reel moments this season. He is strong on the offensive glass and can make tough mid-range shots. Noah Barnett is ready to continue his steady rise as a do it all glue guy. He wills the team forward with his energy. Hayden Johns was very impressive as the main initiator on the green team. He is all frenetic energy and has a pretty deadly lefty wrist-flick hook shot. It will be interesting to see how he progresses coming off last year's knee injury. John Broom showed of his quiet, always around the ball skills. He made a lot of little plays like being in the right spot on defense and grabbing rebounds. He has a high ceiling and will be impactful on both ends of the floor. Cash Chism is a good shooter and plays with a scorer's mentality. With the depth at the guard position, he might be in more of a learning mode this season. Sincere Clemons and Zach Romich, the two walk-ons, had some nice moments in the scrimmage and provided good energy. That just leaves the trio of international bigs. Mario Brunetto knocked down a couple threes and could provide some shooting. He will have to get tough on the defensive end in order to find those minutes. Sublime Gbiegba was strong on the boards and has good court vision. He could be a real swing player for the Cats. The transition to college basketball can be a hard one but if he picks it up quickly, he could find his way into the rotation. Marko Masic has great size and is smooth with the ball. He too will be looking to make that college basketball transition as quick as he can.

Just a few thoughts here to get started and now the countdown begins to real game action and I cannot wait. Excited to be getting into the groove again and ready for the season. 

Summertime, and the livin's easy

Summer has arrived in Vermont and that means it is time for a quick sneak peek of this year's Catamounts. To begin with, it is a small window into next season as several of the international players are still working their way to Catamount country. That means this week there was no Marko Masic, Sublime Gbiegba, or Mario Brunetto. They will trickle in over the summer. Hayden Johns, the transfer from St. Anselm is also still working his way back from last season's injury but is on track for the fall. Now on to the players who I did get to see. Let's begin with the returners. Gus Yalden is poised for a huge season. He is in better shape, in a leadership role, and has the continuity of the same program for the first time in his career. He will likely be in consideration for preseason player of the year and has a chance to do something special. Momo Nkugwa is bigger, stronger and has put in quite a bit of work refining his perimeter shot. He is so smooth on the court and looks ready to build on his strong finish to last season. Noah Barnett is such a perfect complement to Yalden in the frontcourt and is in a great position to continue his rise. His energy and veteran presence as the elder statesman entering his fourth year as a Catamount will be huge with so many new faces. Alright, Alright, I won't bury the lede any further. On to the newcomers! Will Davies is going to be a workhorse and a textbook Catamount. He can do a little bit of everything, has a great attitude, and a drive to win. Get ready to hear "Davies to Yalden" on repeat. He has a great command of the floor, and it is easy to see why he led DII in assists last season. Darrel Yepdo joins Davies in the backcourt and brings a different energy. Yepdo is fast and crafty, getting to the rim and making plays. He too is a workhorse and will stretch the floor with his three point shooting. A great one two punch at the point guard position. John Broom flashed big time in the scrimmages and is oozing with potential. He has great size and length and shot the ball well from three. He showed a great knack for begin in the right place at the right time, deflecting passes, walling up drivers, and grabbing rebounds. Could absolutely explode this season. Kahlil Badru is super athletic and great at getting downhill and crashing the offensive glass. He is still refining his shooting but looks like a high energy, disruptive force who can play multiple roles. Daniil Glazkov is a huge guard and really post player sized for the America East. He is a steady, methodical player who plays good positional defense, is a good rebounder, and crafty with the ball. Cash Chism is a good young guard who plays hard and can score from anywhere on the court. Zach Romich is a hard working guard who will push guys in practice and bring a winning attitude. There you have it! A slice of this year's Catamounts. It will be very exciting to see the full team in the fall and they have some great pieces to build upon. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer!

Roster Complete

Vermont wraps up their roster with a little more international flair. Mario Brunetto a 6'11" forward originally from La Spezia, Italy becomes the final commit for this recruiting cycle. Brunetto spent the 2024-2025 season at Eastern Michigan (playing in only 4 games) before spending last season at Arizona Western College where he averaged 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and shot 36% (40-110) from three in 15.7 minutes per game. This is a great "unlock the potential" final add to the roster. Brunetto has guard skills in a forward's body and he has loads of potential waiting to be unleashed.  He is comfortable initiating the offense off the dribble and has shown the ability to be a knockdown shooter. He is still finding out how to best maximize his skillset and the Vermont coaching staff will get a chance to work with Brunetto to find a role that fits him best. I read an article on basketunderreview.com about how free throw percentage can be an indicator for year to year fluctuations in three point percentage. Link here. Basically bad free percentage + good three point percentage = potential for drop in three point shooting the following season and vice versa. Brunetto was a 91% (63-69) free throw shooter last season so the potential for making an impact with his perimeter shooting is real. Brunetto will look to round out his game and work with the coaches to reach his full potential. Roster complete. Can't wait to see what this group of Catamounts will look like on the court. 

Sublime Gbiegba commits to Vermont

Vermont reaches back into the international recruiting pool, landing a commitment from 6'8' forward Sublime Gbiegba out of France. Gbiegba currently plays for Cholet U21 and is coming off a breakout season that saw him average 13.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. He is a consistent low post threat who is strong on the offensive glass and displays good touch around the rim. He has demonstrated a good feel for the game with his passing and offensive movement. Gbiegba is a perfect compliment to the current Vermont frontcourt. The coaching staff has been looking for another back to the basket threat in the low post and has found a very intriguing and high ceiling option. This roster has quite a bit of versatility and good length in the frontcourt. Gbiegba has just begun to scratch the surface of his potential and will look to continue that growth as he transitions to college basketball. With last years starting frontcourt returning, Gbiegba will have good veterans to learn from and a chance to make an immediate impact. With one more scholarship to go, the coaching staff has done an excellent job finding players with skillsets that complement each other and fit the Vermont program. 

Vermont adds another

Zach Romich a 6'3" guard who prepped this past season at Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire has joined the Catamounts. Romich is from Groton, MA and had a standout career for Groton-Dunstable High School. He is know for his high level three point shooting and being a high IQ, high character player. He is from quite the basketball family with several of his older siblings having played college basketball as well. He played on a Kimball Union team that had several other DI commits and played AAU for the New England Storm. He is a winner who is a relentless worker and a team leader. He has really raised his stock over the past year with his elite shooting and confident floor game. He gets a chance to join the Vermont program and bring that winning mindset and work ethic while getting a shot to play his way into a future role. Vermont has often found great value in bringing in players looking for a shot and even if that might have been in a bygone era, it is still great for building team culture. When filling the last few spots on a roster, culture fit, buy in, and work ethic are incredibly important. In this new age of college basketball, projecting the future roster is impossible, but what will always be true is those culture building intangibles make a huge difference. 

Cash Chism commits to Vermont

The Catamounts landed their first high school recruit of this offseason, receiving a commitment from 6'2" guard Carter "Cash" Chism out of Mount Pleasant, Texas. Chism wrapped up his high school career with a strong senior season at Mount Pleasant High School where he became the school's all time leading scorer, racking up 1,758 career points. He was first team all district and offensive player of the year as well. Chism is a pure scorer who can create shots from anywhere on the floor. Deep range from the perimeter and creative finishes in the paint. One of those players that can get hot and will his team to victory. Landing a young player who can play both guard positions is great at this point in the recruiting cycle. Even though roster building for the future is harder and harder to gauge these days, there is a lot of value in getting a young player who can grow into role. Chism's type of shot creation is something that the Cats have been looking for each season. A player that when the offense breaks down can improvise and create. Recruiting season is winding down with 2 more spots to fill. 

Vermont lands another one

The Cats continue to build their roster for next season, adding 6'6" guard Daniil Glazkov from Krasnodar, Russia. Glazkov attended IMG Academy in Florida where he was a 4 star recruit and has spent the last two seasons at Loyola Chicago in the Atlantic 10. He is a powerful and crafty guard who plays with great pace and poise. He has a well rounded skill set and great positional size. Glazkov is a strong rebounder from the guard position, has good play-making instincts, and is a physical defender. He never really found his footing at Loyola and will look to make a larger impact with the Cats. Towards the end of last season he had a 7 game stretch where he played 23 minutes a game and averaged 6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and shot 10/22 (45%) from three. It is a small sample size but he was productive with the increased minutes. This has all the markings of a "diamond in the rough" addition for the Cats. He is good fit in the Vermont system that values high IQ basketball and well rounded play on both sides of the ball. These last few scholarships are always the hardest to fill as the roles and minutes are less clear and it is incredible to snag a player with such a high ceiling. Glazkov was highly regarded coming out of high school (On3 had him as the 69th ranked prospect in the 2024 class) and the coaching staff will look to find a way to help him reach his full potential. The run on big guards continues and the flexibility and versatility of this roster is very intriguing. Three more spots to go. 

John Broom commits to the Cats

Vermont continues to build their roster, securing a commitment from 6'5" guard John Broom from Jacksonville, Alabama. Broom has spent the last three years at South Alabama, medically redshirting in 2023-2024 before playing the last two seasons. He burst on to the scene with a strong freshman season, starting every game for the 21-11 Sun Belt regular season champion Jaguars. That season, Broom averaged 5.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and finished with 50 steals and 21 blocks across 32 games. He was named to the Sun Belt preseason all conference third team prior to last season. He struggled to crack the rotation out of the gates before regaining rotational minutes at the end of December. It was a tale of two halves for Broom, averaging 5.8 minutes per game over the first 11 games before jumping up to 20.4 minutes the rest of the way. This is a strong addition for Vermont. Broom rated as South Alabama's best defender during his freshman year (according to evanmiya.com) and has been a plus offensive player both seasons. He is the type of two way player that can thrive in the Vermont system. He has shot 44/118 (37%) over his two seasons and will bring that coveted "3 and D" element to this Catamount group. If he returns to his freshman year form, he will be a big time contributor for Vermont. He has a very high ceiling and is coming from a winning basketball program so he will be used to the high expectations. He is known as a relentless worker and has a skill set built for Vermont basketball. The coaching staff is really loading up on big guards who have the versatility to slide into the small forward spot. It feels like system fit has been prioritized this offseason as the new players skill sets play to the strengths of Vermont basketball. 

Another NE10 player to the Cats

Vermont received a commitment from 6'6" guard Hayden Johns out of Cambridge, Ontario. He completed a prep year at the Perkiomen School in Pennsylvania before spending his freshman season at St. Anselm. That makes three St. Anselm players into the America East (Will Davies and Johns to Vermont, Jovan Ristic to UMBC). Former Vermont assistant Chris Santo is running a very successful feeder program. Johns got off to a hot start this past season before missing the rest of the year following an injury. He received both a NE10 Rookie and player of the week honors and averaged 10.9 points per game in the 9 games he played. Johns scored 10 points in 23 minutes against Vermont in the exhibition game this past season. Coming out of prep school he was know as a physical finisher around the rim and has the versatility to play multiple positions. Johns has nice potential in the America East as a Swiss army knife type player. The coaching staff is taking a swing on a player who could bring versatility and toughness when he recovers fully from his injury. 

Starting frontcourt officially returns

In the words of online college basketball guru and mystery man Trilly Donovan:

"Sometimes the best gets are the ones you already have"

Noah Barnett officially removed his name from the portal and is ready to run it back for Vermont. This is awesome for the Cats as Barnett has grown into a key part of not only the rotation, but the Catamount community at large. His energy and non-stop motor shifts momentum, delights fans, and inspires his teammates. Barnett returned to the starting lineup for the final 10 games of the season and upped his averages to 7 points and 4 rebounds per game during that stretch. With so little roster continuity, returning the starting frontcourt will give Vermont a solid foundation from which to build the rest of the roster. Gus Yalden and Barnett complement each other very well on the floor and have a chance to take another jump with a full offseason together ahead. I didn't get a chance to post after Yalden announced in his return but that is as big of a portal accomplishment as any new addition. He had been quite a basketball nomad over the course of his career and finally found his home at Vermont. For the first time in his career (high school or college) he will have the same system and coaching staff to help guide him to take another leap forward. What a great thing for the Cats and now Yalden will have his running mate right there with him. The bones of this roster are looking strong and it will be exciting to see what else the coaching staff can add. 

Vermont goes international

Marko Masic, a 6'9" 20 year old German wing who played this past season for Porcshe BBA Ludwigsburg's German ProB affiliate, has committed to Vermont. It is the second year in a row that the coaching staff has reached into the international recruiting market. He averaged 10.4 points in 23 minutes per game while shooting 57% from the field. Masic is at his best using his length and athleticism to finish creatively around and above the rim. He is a highlight waiting to happen and will likely get Patrick Gym rocking with some big dunks. He is growing as a shooter and knocked down 37 threes at a 32.5% clip on high volume. This is a good complement to the current additions to the roster. After getting some help in the guard room, taking a chance on a high upside wing to bring length and athleticism is a perfect fit. Like last year with Lucas Mari there will be an adjustment period to the different style of play in college and a new country, but there is a good chance of a strong payoff in the end. Making connections in the international recruiting world is huge in this new age of roster building and has had a significant effect across all of college basketball. The roster continues to come together and is looking better and better with each addition. 

Vermont snags the NE10 player of the year in the portal

Late last night Vermont secured another big piece for next years team. Will Davies, a 6'4" point guard who played for former Catamount assistant Chris Santo at St. Anselm for the past two seasons, committed to the Cats. Davies is coming off a monster sophomore season where he averaged 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists while leading St. Anselm to the NE10 championship and earning NE10 player of the year honors. He was also selected as the Division II east region player of the year by the D2CCA. Davies was an absolute warrior for the Hawks, rarely leaving the floor as he averaged 35 minutes per game. He led Division II in total assists with 235 and his 7.1 assists per game average were second. Davies is from Saco, Maine where he won the state's Mr. Basketball honor his senior year before spending a prep year at St. Thomas Moore in Connecticut. So in short, this is a big time add for the Catamounts. Davies is an all around, staff stuffing, hard working player who brings tenacity and a winning mindset. The assist numbers speak for themselves as he is a strong playmaker and floor general. He has knack for finishing at the rim, shooting 191/309 (62%) from two point range over his two seasons at St. Anselm. He made 50 threes at a 33% clip, enough to keep defenders honest and Davies made them in big spots for the Hawks throughout the season. Fans may remember Davies from the barn burner of an exhibition against Vermont this past season, as he led St. Anselm with 16 points while adding 5 assists and 3 rebounds. For those counting at home that is 3 for 3 on former Catamount opponents added through the portal. Between Darell Yepdo and Davies, the Cats have given themselves great options to mix and match lineups with solid point guard play. With the portal closing today, recruiting is really going to heat up over the next week as teams and players have a more concrete idea of available options. 

Khalil Badru commits to Vermont

Better late than never!

Spent the weekend in the Kingdom area for AAU and was quite off the grid but now I am back, recovered, and ready to catch up on Catamounts news. Vermont snagged their second portal commit from 6'5" guard Khalil Badru from New Britain, CT before attending the Newman school in Massachusetts. Badru began his college career at UNH before spending last season at Iona. That makes both portal commits former America East opponents. He struggled to crack the rotation at Iona, particularly his fit in the offensive system was a struggle. At UNH, Vermont fans may remember he went on quite a heater during conference play and made the America East all rookie team. Badru should be a great fit at Vermont, taking on that Sam Alamutu type role for the Cats. He is a strong and rangy defender who is a menace on the offensive glass. While still developing his offensive game, he is great slashing to the basket and finishing above the rim. He will be able to impact the game without the ball in his hands on the offensive end and gives the Cats a good foundation to start building their defense. The roster building is off to a good start, adding two tough, hard nosed, experienced players who can step right in to an important role. Can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring to Catamount country!

Vermont gets their first portal commitment

The portal is flying fast and furious and Vermont landed their first commitment for next season from 6'0" point guard Darrel Yepdo. Fans may remember that Yepdo began his career at St. Michaels for three years before transferring to UMass Lowell last season. He played two seasons for the Purple Knights before sitting out the 24-25 season due to injury. Yepdo had a strong sophomore season where he averaged 14.9 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.8 rebounds while making the NE-10 all-conference second team and all defensive team. Last year at UMass Lowell he averaged 10.3 points, 3.2 assists, and 3.1 rebounds and passed 1,000 points for his career. Yepdo has shot 137/361 (38%) from three over his three seasons, bringing strong shooting at a high volume. For a team that needs lots of players, finding a veteran point guard who can bring shooting as well is an important piece. Yepdo has been a good playmaker throughout his career and is a strong rebounder despite his size. At times Yepdo has struggled with turnovers but will likely benefit from the Vermont system. The big question will be recapturing his defensive prowess. Lowell was not a good defensive team last season and Yepdo struggled on that side of the ball. He was a strong defender while at St. Michaels so the Vermont staff will work their magic to get him up to speed on that end of the court. Experience at the point guard position is very hard to find in the portal at the mid major level and not having true depth at point guard last season proved to be hard for the Cats. Vermont fills a big need with player who can start or come off the bench and give valuable veteran minutes. I would imagine there will be more commitments in the next few weeks as the portal picture starts to become clearer. 

Portal Season

With Noah Barnett, Sincere Clemons, and Ben Michaels entering the portal and Lucas Mari moving on as well, the start to portal season has not been kind to Vermont. I wish all of them the best of luck in their future and feel like this is as good a time as any to write some general thoughts on the college basketball landscape.

First and foremost, blaming the players is misplaced. All of the narratives in the media painting this player movement era as a reflection of some problem with the determination and dedication of players is silly. Players maximizing their value and being able to find the right fit is a good thing. Particularly for the players who may not have a long and lucrative pro career. They are being presented with an opportunity to pack all they can into a short period of time. Just about every person would make the same decision if they had an opportunity to make life changing money or pursue a dream to its fullest. Throughout the tournament this year it was cool to see former mid major players get a chance to compete for a national title. Michigan winning the title while returning only 34% of their minutes is a perfect reflection of this new era. This change is hitting programs regardless of resources or prestige. For every program across the country, retaining players is a huge challenge. 

Suddenly, there is an entirely new approach to team building while also requiring a while new area of expertise needed to navigate this era properly. Programs everywhere are hiring general managers as business savvy, working with agents, and an understanding of the non-basketball side of things becomes crucial. Resources certainly help in getting players into a program but are less important on the retention side of the equation. For coaching staffs, building team culture has new challenges around every corner. Who gets paid and how much is now a huge part of the team culture. It is a difficult balance to strike and puts a strain on any locker room. Some programs have made the adjustment smoothly and others are trying to find their footing in the new normal. The demands on coaches have increased exponentially and at some point there will need to be some correction the other way. 

For college basketball fans, this is a hard shift. It will certainly never be the same again and the change might be so significant that when it comes out the other side, it might be unrecognizable. With the current structure and a potential 76 game tournament implemented next year, the college game might be fundamentally different from here on out. Getting excited about players in the moment, instead of looking to the future or remaining fans of a player on their new team and taking pride in being a small part of their journey is likely a new part of college basketball fandom. 

Two things can be true at the same time. Players being able to move and find the right fit while being compensated is ultimately the right system. At the same time, the current system has flaws and there is likely a better way to balance player empowerment and an effective college basketball structure. 

Specifically for the Vermont program this offseason, this is their first foray in the full breadth of the NIL/Portal era. They had been able to stave it off through a strong tradition and individual sacrifices, but now they will face the same challenges that many programs across college basketball are already familiar with. It is tough to see players go, especially before the roster begins to fill up again. This will certainly be the coaching staff's most difficult offseason and does feel like the end of one era while hopefully beginning another. This is the first time there will be no passing on of the tradition and values from one group to the next. The lower resources in the Vermont program make the portal process very challenging for the coaching staff but for the first time there are huge opportunities for playing time to offer prospective players. Once the program gets to the players committing stage, that will be the true test of what this next phase will bring. If nothing else, the next few months will be fast and furious for the Vermont program. It will be very interesting to see whats next. 

Sean Blake and David Simon enter the portal

Portal season is upon us and both David Simon and Sean Blake intend to enter the portal when it opens on April 7th. They are the second and third Catamounts to enter the portal after Ben Wesson announced last week. Up until this point, Vermont had miraculously avoided significant losses in the portal but Blake breaks that trend. He really grew tremendously this year and his trajectory continues to look very strong. That leaves a big hole in the Vermont roster with the point guard position already being quite thin and the guard room lost to graduation. Blake will be a big time addition to any program and I wish him the best of luck as he charts a new course. David Simon flashed lots of potential and we will always have that insane Pepperdine game to remember him by. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his season and he never got to fully integrate into the Vermont program. I wish him the best of luck at his new spot. 

It would be naive to think that Vermont was never going to lose one of their young up and coming stars to the portal, especially with their limited resources compared to their top mid-major peers. This coaching staff can still sell the winning and player development but the longer into this era the Cats go without more resources (or a new facility), the more common this might become.  It will be another busy offseason for the Cats with 7 roster spots to fill and the portal has not officially opened yet. 

Season reflections

Another season in the books for the Catamounts and as March comes to a close, it is time to reflect on the journey. There were quite a few highs and lows as Vermont continues to adapt to the changing landscape of college basketball. When all was said and done, The Cats checked off several boxes before falling just short of their ultimate goal. It was another 20 win season and that continues to highlight the consistency and program standard that Becker and his staff has set. New players and changing environments across college basketball and the Vermont program continues to find ways to compete at a high level. Falling short the last two seasons has been hard but only because the standard has been set so high. Those high standards make the Vermont program special and it is important to recognize just how rare it is to be able to pencil in 20 wins, a top two seed, and a spot in the championship year in and year out in a very chaotic and ever-changing sport.

The individual player development still showed through and continues to be the bread and butter of the Vermont program. Even with less times and years with players, there are steady improvements and buy in. TJ Hurley transitioned from shooter to scorer, Sean Blake became an all around contributor, Gus Yalden improved exponentially on defense (and from three), Noah Barnett went from energy guy to crucial starter, Lucas Mari became a defensive disruptor, and Momo Nkugwa a calming presence at the point guard position. If you rewind to the beginning of the season, these evolutions did not seem likely. Year to year continuity might be a thing of the past but even within a single season, there is tremendous room for growth. The most difficult part of the new era is the never knowing what the next year will bring and the inability to project a roster for the next season. This year the team cohesiveness took a bit longer than usual but it still had the Cats playing good basketball in March and had players making progress throughout the season. It is worth mentioning that overall this was a very young team with a significant part of the rotation in their first or second full college season. That inexperience was a big contributor to the in game swings in effectiveness. 

I am really going to miss the TJ's. They never really got to play together at their full potential but the excitement and shotmaking they brought over their time was really fun. They both gave us so many exciting moments and played their hearts out. Despite this group's struggles this season there was a bit of extra energy to the team. A lot of that credit goes to Yalden for bringing personality and fan engagement but guys like Barnett, and Nkugwa, and Blake also brought highlight plays and energy. The big swings in effectiveness during games resulted in huge runs and as a result this group of Cats almost always made the game interesting right up until the final buzzer. 

Two seasons ago, the defense was strong and the offense struggled. That put the emphasis this past offseason on improving the offense, potentially at the expense of the defense. During the non-conference portion of the season, it looked like that goal had been achieved as the offense hummed along and the defense struggled to get stops. It looked like a different style of Vermont team was going to be on the menu. Then as conference play approached, suddenly the defense began to catch up and the offense began to stall. That would foreshadow the rest of the season as Vermont again became a defensive minded team trying to survive scoring droughts. It was a genuinely weird season as the offensive talent and shotmaking was there but never seemed to fire on all cylinders. So I did what I love to do and go look at the numbers.

On barttorvik.com, there is a great table that takes a year over year look at a team's numbers. It is a great way to dig in a double check what you saw and felt during the year and to get at what the real difference was between a successful year and a year that fell short. The post COVID seasons are a great data set as the Cats have won three titles and fell short twice. The overall efficiency numbers have declined over the last several seasons but many of the underlying numbers are the same between the title and non-title seasons. They struggled to defend the three this year but that was also showed up in the 21-22 season. The defense not forcing a lot of turnovers is consistent year over year etc. This years team continued the staples of the Vermont program with efficient two point shooting, low turnovers, great defensive rebounding, and strong two point defense. So what was appreciably different? The three point shooting is an area of concern as over the last three seasons the percentage has been at its lowest during the Becker years. The big outlier for this years squad was how much they fouled on defense. Playing defense without fouling has long been a hallmark of Vermont teams and this year they put their opponents on the line significantly more than any of the post COVID teams. That is a backbreaker for a defensive minded a team and there were many times this year where it cost them games. Cleaning up that single area would have added several wins to this years squad. 

Now it is time to look ahead. With the transfer portal opening later and for less time, it will be interesting to see if that changes how the college basketball offseason looks once again. If the Cats can retain some of their core pieces they will be able to be more selective in how the coaching staff wants to roster build. If it is going to be another big roster overhaul, there will be more uncertainty. Last season they were forced to take big swings on unproven young players that yielded inconsistent results (much like the bygone era of high school recruiting). So far only Ben Wesson has entered the portal but it doesn't technically open until after the national title game so it will be through April until the roster becomes clearer. It will also be interesting to see who the coaching staff targets. The "add shooting and offense" mission had mixed results and ultimately did not have the effect that they were hoping. I think shooting will still be a priority but I think a creator off the dribble and reemphasizing defense will likely be an area they will look at. 

Look out for posts from all angles once portal season is in full swing as next year's roster takes shape!

Lastly, as always I appreciate everyone that still reads along and goes on this ride with me. I know that shutting off the comments reduced the interactive experience and that was a tough decision, but ultimately it allowed me to balance things in a better way. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for sharing this journey of college basketball fandom with me. 

Vermont falls in the America East title game

UMBC 74 Vermont 59 

UMBC continued their incredible play down the stretch and DJ Armstrong Jr. put together an all time championship game performance to lead the Retrievers to the tournament berth. The final score (and box score) will not do this game justice and don't tell the whole story. It will be easy to nitpick the poor Vermont shooting or look at the free throw disparity and if you didn't watch the game think same old problems. It was a closely contested game throughout with both teams responding to runs each way. Vermont's defense was really good and they made every shot tough for UMBC. DJ Armstrong Jr. single-handedly won this game with an insane performance, hitting tough contested shots, and scoring 13 points in a 4 minute stretch after Vermont took a three point lead. It was insane to watch and an incredible clutch performance. Armstrong Jr finished with with 33 points and almost all of his makes were deep, off balance looks, with hands in his face. Tip of the cap to him. To illustrate the point of how incredible his performance was, the rest of the Retrievers shot 12-40 (30%) and their leading scorer Jah'likai King was held scoreless. Great performance by UMBC and they will continue their hot streak into the NCAA tournament. 

TJ Long led the way for the Cats with a vintage 17 point performance in his final game. TJ Hurley struggled to make shots against a UMBC team determined to take him out of the offense and finished with 11 points. It is too bad the injuries never allowed the TJ & TJ experience to be fully realized. Gus Yalden chipped in 11 points and 5 rebounds (4 offensive) but battled foul trouble in the second half. Lucas Mari willed the Cats into the lead with his energy on both ends of the floor before getting hit with a elbow to the head and not returning down the stretch. He finished with 6 points and 8 rebounds. He was really incredible getting the Cats back into the game. Sean Blake finished with 7 points and 6 rebounds.

I will post a season review sometime in the coming weeks but in the meantime it is time to turn our attention to the Vermont women's basketball team following their incredible performance in the championship game last night. There are Catamounts in the postseason!

ON TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

Vermont 63 NJIT 54

Vermont continued their strong defensive play late in the season and booked a trip to the title game at UMBC on Saturday.  That was a magnificent team win. The cohesiveness that this group has found since the UMBC loss is an incredible accomplishment. Four players in double figures, six players with at least 4 rebounds, seven players with at least 1 assist, and a stingy, physical defensive effort. Tonight was the "next man up" Vermont mantra at its finest. The right plays at the right time. With all the challenges that Vermont faced this year, they are playing their best basketball of the season in March and avenged last year's semifinal loss to make it back to the title game for the 4th time in the last 5 years. Now they get to go on the road and I hope they get to play loose and free as the underdogs. Vermont has always been the hunted so I hope this group gets to come out as the hunters. UMBC has been on fire, winning 11 in a row since the loss to Vermont on January 29th. The Cats have nothing to lose and earned the opportunity to play for the championship. 

Sean Blake and TJ Hurley led the balanced attack with 14 points and 5 rebounds apiece. Both played with force and toughness in the face of the physical ball pressure from the Highlanders. TJ Long stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 (!) steals. His defensive intensity over the last two games has been incredible. His back to back threes in the second half gave the Cats a huge lift when the offense was struggling. Noah Barnett also had 11 points and hauled in 4 rebounds. He also made his first career three at the most clutch moment possible. It is hard to say a three with 9 minutes to go is a game winner, but that is exactly what it felt like. He has been playing incredible basketball over the last few weeks. Momo Nkugwa once again made a driving layup in a clutch spot. Lucas Mari finished with 4 points and 5 rebounds. Gus Yalden struggled to get it going and finished with 6 points and 4 rebounds but continues to show major improvement on the defensive end. 

 

Nothing better than playing on championship Saturday!

HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE COLLEGE BASKETBALL!!!!!

Vermont 77 Bryant 57

College basketball is the best.

Fresh off his player of the year award, TJ Hurley exploded in the second half and carried Vermont to the America East semifinals. What a game, what an atmosphere. Patrick was electric and the Cats showed out in one of their most well played games of the season. Vermont had Bryant at arms length for much of the game until the Bulldogs cut the lead to just four with 8:30 to go. The Cats responded with a 12-0 run and never looked back. Throughout the game, Vermont had the intensity, effort, and swagger that they have shown in spurts this season. The defense was once again really good and it goes beyond the box score. On paper Bryant shot a high percentage and took a lot of free throws, but they only attempted 38 shots for the entire game. That is an absurd number even for a slow paced game. Vermont gave up TWO offensive rebounds (they once again this season are second in all DI in defensive rebound percentage) and forced 12 Bryant turnovers. They were physical and in the Bulldogs grill from the opening tip. Offensively the Cats shot 57% (28-49) from the field and 45% (9-20) from three. Everybody that stepped on the on the floor made plays that helped contribute to the win. 

What more can you say about TJ Hurley? An all time playoff performance from an all time Catamount. Talk about a guy that earned it. Four years of hard work, battling through injuries, improving and expanding his game, and now player of the year. He absolutely put the team on his back and scored 24 of his game high 29 points in the second half. Hurley finished 9/12 from the field and 5/7 from three. The first of the back to back and-one drives was a thing of absolute beauty. Not to mention fouling out Bryant's best player in the process. Gus Yalden and Sean Blake both chipped in 12 points and got the Cats going with strong first halves. Noah Barnett was incredible as usual with his energy and hustle, finishing with 8 points and 7 rebounds. He had a big block and a clutch, full extension, diving on the floor steal in a big moment. Momo Nkugwa continues to defy logic with his calm, under control and yet explosive play down the stretch. His dunk in the first half was vicious and thankfully he survived the scary fall. He had one of the most clutch buckets of the game, driving to the rim right after Bryant cut the lead to four to give the Cats some breathing room. Over the last 5 games he has played 86 minutes and has committed ONE turnover. (he has not turned the ball over in the last 4 games at all). Just incredible for anyone, much less a young player in the most important games of the season. TJ Long's defensive intensity set the tone from his first minutes on the court and he finished with 3 steals.

What a great college basketball game in an incredible atmosphere. There is nothing better than basketball in March. Tuesday can't come soon enough. 

Another 20 win season

Vermont 69 Albany 56

Vermont used a strong defensive effort to secure another 20 win season for the program. It continues to impress that the coaching staff has been able to take different groups of players with different skillsets and still find ways to win at a consistent level year in and year out. This year may have taken a bit more of a circuitous route than in years past, but the player development and team cohesion still shines through. Great win to honor the seniors and secure the two seed for the America East playoffs. The key to this game was the incredible double teams that forced Albany big man Okechukwu Okeke into SEVEN turnovers. The defense was connected all night and forced Albany into really tough shots in the second half. This game also has the distinction of the most banked in shots I have ever seen. Offensively the Cats really attacked the rim in the second half and got to the free throw line, which wore down the Great Danes. 

Gus Yalden led the way with 19 points and stayed red hot from three with a 4/6 effort from distance. Watching him play this year has been pure joy and he has brought an energy to Patrick that is unlike anything I have seen from a player in the past. The crowd really responds to him and he just looks like he is having so much fun. Airplane celebration was top notch today. TJ Long finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds. His rebounding continues to be huge and I thought he made a great adjustment in the second half to drive the ball instead of setting for threes. Noah Barnett chipped in 9 points and 5 rebounds and is starting to benefit from the extra defensive attention given to everyone else. TJ Hurley had 9 points and 5 rebounds as well and continues to impress in a big way on the defensive end. He is a brick wall.  Sean Blake had a really rough stretch in the second half but finished with 9 points and 5 assists. Ben Johnson added 5 points on his senior day. Momo Nkugwa stepped in for Blake and was really good. He played tough defense and handled point guard duties with ease. He plays with a poise beyond his years. 

Its the most wonderful time of the year. Saturday can't come soon enough. 

SUPERNOAH SAVES THE DAY!!

Vermont 66 UMass Lowell 64

Noah Barnett putback a TJ Hurley miss with 11 seconds left to lift the Catamounts to victory. A huge play in a huge spot as Vermont continues to fight for playoff seeding. The game was intense and physical from the start with both teams crashing the offensive glass and a playoff atmosphere in the building. It was a back and forth affair with six points as the largest lead of the night for either team. The key moment in the game came with two minutes to go. After a steal and layup by Lowell to pull ahead 63-58, TJ Hurley rose up and connected from deep while getting fouled for a chance at a four point play. Ninety percent from the line? This one is in the books. Except is wasn't...... and it was the best missed free throw ever. Lowell couldn't control the rebound and Vermont got another chance. Gus Yalden hit a huge three, as he has done many times in clutch moments this season, and gave the Cats a six point possession to turn a five point deficit into a 64-63 lead. A free throw, a great steal by Jackson Skipper and then the set up for the Barnett heroics. Incredible moment for this crew. The defense was good tonight for the Cats, holding Lowell to 3-16 shooting from three and making just about every shot difficult. The battle on the boards was interesting as both teams were good on the offensive glass and it was a back and forth affair with each team having stretches of dominance in the battle underneath. One more regular season game to go. 

Gus Yalden led the way with 21 points and 12 rebounds. His three point shooting has really come on strong down the stretch as he is shooting 12/25 (48%) from three over the last 6 games. He also played a season high 33 minutes and continues to improve on the defensive end. His growth and progression this season has been fun to watch. TJ Hurley finished close behind with 19 points and he made life miserable for conference leading scorer Angel Montas Jr, holding him to 5-19 shooting from the field. Noah Barnett finished with 7 points and 5 rebounds and his aforementioned putback electrified Patrick Gym. Sean Blake had an uneven game with 6 points and 4 turnovers, but he also had 3 steals and 2 incredible blocked shots. Momo Nkugwa continues to make plays when called upon and finished with 5 points and 3 rebounds. Ben Johnson knocked in a three but teams are relentlessly targeting him on defense and he is struggling on that side of the ball. TJ Long struggled mightily, finishing 0-8 from the field and committing some key turnovers late. He had been tracking in the right direction so hopefully this is just a blip as he gets ready for March. Lucas Mari suffered another lower leg injury, which could be a huge blow as he has become such an integral part of the rotation. 

The crowd was great tonight and hopefully it is a similar atmosphere for senior night on Tuesday. March basketball is finally here. 

A HUGE shoutout to the Vermont women's team for securing their first outright regular season title in 24 years! 

Stayin' Alive

Vermont 70 NJIT 64

Vermont responded in an absolute must win game with a strong second half to take down NJIT. The Cats fell behind early once again and it looked like it was going to be another first half dud. Instead, Vermont shook off the slow start and went into the locker room tied. They came out hot to start the second half before NJIT responded with a run of their own. Then it was nip and tuck the rest of the way and Vermont made enough plays to pull off the big road win. To get the big road win on a night where neither the threes (4/20) or frees (had to do it 12/21) were falling is a testament to this team not giving up despite the challenges they have been facing. The Cats accomplished this by relentlessly attacking the rim and outscoring NJIT 44-26 in the paint. They were 23-32 (72%) from inside the arc in a strong second half of passing, cutting, and getting to the rim. Vermont had no other choice but to dig deep and find themselves and they did so in gutsy fashion. 

Gus Yalden scored 21 points on 10-15 shooting from the field. Every time the offense needed a bucket, he made a great play. Sean Blake bounced back from a very tough game on Thursday with a tremendous performance. Blake stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists and his attacking mindset drove the offensive engine in the second half. Big time response from Blake. TJ Hurley finished with 13 points and was strong on the defensive end. TJ Long chipped in 7 points and 6 rebounds. His rebounding is huge for the Cats and he made some tough buckets in clutch spots down the stretch. Momo Nkugwa has come alive lately and made so many big plays tonight. Nkugwa finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds, including a big time rebound in an important moment late. He gets a pass for the free throw shooting this time. 

Two home games to go for the Cats to find some consistency going into March. They welcome a red hot UMass Lowell team to Patrick on Thursday. Playoff atmosphere arrives early. 

Vermont at UMBC 2/19/26

UMBC 75 Vermont 62

UMBC started hot and made clutch shots down the stretch, taking down Vermont. Another big game where the Cats struggled to get going in the first half and dug themselves a hole that was too big to overcome. The Retrievers played a great game and have been playing great basketball since their loss to Vermont, especially on the defensive end. The Vermont offense continues to struggle to capitalize on open looks and they were bullied and beat up on the boards. It is too bad that they were down so big in this game early because the defense really got going in the second half during the comeback. The slow starts feel like Vermont not being quite ready for the other team's tenacity, as opponents are seizing an opportunity to take down a more vulnerable Vermont team than in past years (and exorcise some demons from the dominant run a few years ago). Saturday night's game is an absolute must win as any more losses would put them in danger of slipping out of the top three. 

TJ Long was a bright spot, scoring 21 points and pulling down 8 rebounds. Getting a healthy Long down the stretch could help the Cats make a playoff run so seeing him have back to back good games is a big positive. Gus Yalden scored 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds but struggled to finish through UMBC's physical post defense. Momo Nkugwa gave great energy in the second half and was a big part of the comeback. He finished with 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. TJ Hurley struggled mightily, making only one shot. He was very good on the defensive end but couldn't get anything going against the Retriever's ball pressure. Sean Blake struggled mightily on both sides of the ball. He struggled to finish at the rim and looked a step slow on the defensive side of the ball. Ben Johnson also struggled defensively and ended up only playing 16 minutes. 

Truly a season on the line moment for Vermont. Gotta come out with a strong first half on Saturday night. 

NO BRAKES ON THE GUSBUS!!!!!

Vermont 90 Bryant 63

Vermont and Gus Yalden stole Bryant's soul as the Bulldogs came unglued early in the second half, succumbing to the Catamount onslaught. This game was all about the first 5 minutes of the second half. Vermont used an efficient and workmanlike first half to build a 12 point lead at the break. Out of halftime, Vermont went on a 18-2 run that included two technical fouls and an ejection for Bryant head coach Jamion Christian. It is rare for a game to feel so over, so early in the game, but Bryant looked defeated after the first media timeout of the second half. This is the game Cats fans have been waiting for. This is the clicking on all cylinders, Catamount swagger game that fans have enjoyed often during the Becker tenure. The action was electric and it was far and away the most complete game of the season. Vermont shot 58% for the game, including an incredibly efficient 9/14 (64%) from three. The Cats were also 21/25 (84%) from the foul line, comfortably making the best of a very physical and chippy atmosphere. They absolutely dominated the paint, outscoring Bryant 36-18 and won the rebounding battle 34-26. A dominant win in a statement game going into the most important week of the conference season. With road games against the two teams they are chasing (UMBC and NJIT), must win is an understatement. Couldn't go into the week with better momentum. 

Gus Yalden was absolutely phenomenal in leading the charge for Vermont. He continues to improve each game and his enthusiasm and "crowdwork" absolutely swings momentum and energy. Yalden finished with 27 points on 10/15 shooting and pulled down 6 rebounds to go along with 3 assists. His spinning, scooping layup and three on the delayed fast break in the second half absolutely electrified Patrick. He is adjusting to the defensive attention that teams are throwing his way and improving his reads all over the court. Massive game. TJ Hurley continued to thrill Cats fans with his new found above the rim game, throwing down his most viscous dunk yet, as part of a 19 point performance. The extra emotion he has been showing during this hot streak has been so fun. TJ Long showed some of his old form with a 14 point, 5 rebound performance that included a 3/5 effort from three. This was the first "big three" game and hopefully a sign of things to come as team health improves. Sean Blake continues to find new ways to change speeds and create offense for Vermont. Blake finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists and is impacting the game in so many ways.

This is one to enjoy and build on for the deciding week of the conference regular season. Lots of love for the Cats on Valentines day!

I also wanted to thank everyone that reads and comes along on this ride with me as this is my 600th (!!!!!!) post. That is a lot of words over the almost 13 years that I have been writing this blog. 

Vermont at Binghamton 2/12/26

Vermont 73 Binghamton 65

Vermont clamped down on the defensive end and used timely shotmaking to take down Binghamton on the road. In the first half, Vermont attacked the rim at will and started to pull away. Binghamton got hot from three and were able to close the gap at the half. Both offenses hummed along in the second half and Vermont struggled to find space on the perimeter. The teams traded baskets until Vermont ratcheted up the defensive pressure to seal the game. It was a strange game where Vermont was able to get easy shots at the rim but struggled from distance. They shot an incredible 26-33 (79%!!) on shots inside the arc. Binghamton did a great job limiting the Cats opportunities from distance as Vermont was held well under their average attempts. It was great to see this group score efficiently and get the win on a night when they only made 3 three pointers. Vermont was good on the boards and made timely defensive plays. The Cats have no room for error in their quest for a regular season title and gutting out gritty road wins will be crucial.

Gus Yalden led the way for the Cats with a tremendous all around performance. He controlled the game with his post ups, screening, and passing. Yalden finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. He was under control and did a great job reading the defense and taking what they game him. TJ Hurley finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds. He threw down another slam and I am here for his "dunk era". Sean Blake scored 11 points and played tough defense, finishing with 3 steals. Lucas Mari continued his impactful play with 9 points and 2 steals. He is making a lot of the little plays that contribute to winning. TJ Long came alive down the stretch and hit some big shots. He finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds as he continues to work his way back form injury. Noah Barnett had an odd game where he scored 10 points but went 0-4 from the free throw line, grabbed only 1 rebound, and committed 4 fouls. 

Nice win on the road as the Cats get ready to welcome Bryant to Patrick Gym on Saturday.

Bounce Back

Vermont 80 New Hampshire 57

The Cats bounced back from two tough losses and dominated New Hampshire from the opening tip. A wire to wire and much needed win for Vermont. Thursday night's game was a pretty rock bottom moment for this years group and today's game was going to be telling as to how they are gonna handle the second half of the season. They came out with energy and focus on both ends of the court and finally got off to a good start. The ball movement was particularly crisp as they carved up the Wildcat defense. There was a little lull at the end of the half where the Cats let New Hampshire back into the game, but they erased any doubt of a letdown with a strong second half. The shotmaking that was such a part of the team construction this offseason finally came through and the defense was engaged and physical. Vermont finished with 20 assists in a incredibly balanced team effort.  They knocked down 15 three pointers and dominated the boards. A big time performance in a big spot. 

Ben Johnson was the star, scoring 26 points on 7/10 shooting from three. He was spectacular at finding space and moving without the ball. He is really shifty coming off screens and doesn't need much space to let it fly. Gus Yalden got the Cats off to the hot start, scoring all of his 16 points in the first half. He knocked down 3/5 from deep and pulled down 8 rebounds. His screening and passing led to a lot of open looks and he was more engaged on defense. TJ Hurley scored 13 points, including a nice dunk. He is really taking his game to another level and attacking closeouts with force. Sean Blake finished with 11 points and 7 assists and moved the ball incredibly well all afternoon. Noah Barnett got the start and did a little bit of everything. He finished with 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists and helped set the tone defensively. Lucas Mari returned from injury and immediately made an impact with his defense and rebounding. I do not think it is a coincidence that the defense struggled without him over the last two games. He has become a very impactful and versatile defender and is huge on the boards. He finished with 8 rebounds and 3 assists and brings high energy when he is on the floor. 

Huge win to hopefully help propel Vermont into high gear for the stretch run. 

Vermont vs NJIT 1/31/26

NJIT 79 Vermont 77

NJIT came to Patrick with a purpose and handed Vermont their second conference loss of the season. The Highlanders came out with swagger and energy and led wire to wire in an big time performance. Their relentless defensive pressure and physical play in the paint really put the Cats back on their heels. Since entering the league, the Highlanders have pretty consistently been a thorn in the Cats side. In the first half Vermont could not hit a shot as the offense screeched to a halt. Becker has mentioned repeatedly that he feels like they have been generating good shots for good shooters but have not been knocking them down. This game was another demonstration of that inexplicable trend as many of the shots missed were good looks. The second half was choppy and chippy as tensions rose. It felt like a Murphy's law game as the Cats just couldn't string together enough plays to gain momentum. When they finally did get some shots to fall, there was not enough time left to climb out of the hole. This group has proven that they play well with their backs against the wall and shown tremendous grit in coming back in tough situations. Unfortunately, they have struggled to play with that same intensity early in games. Teams are always gunning for the Catamounts and some of the new players are learning how physical and gritty America East play can be. The results through the first half have shown without a doubt that on any given night, anyone can beat anyone.

Sean Blake led the Cats with a career high 23 points and added 8 rebounds and 4 assists. He was electric in the second half trying to will the Cats back using his speed in the open court. TJ Hurley finally went cold in the first half before knocking some shots down in the hectic final minutes. Hurley finished with 16 points on 5-15 shooting from the field. Noah Barnett bounced back from a tough night on Thursday and matched NJIT's physicality and energy. Barnett finished with 12 points and shifted some momentum the Cats way. Gus Yalden was the only Catamount to score for the first ten minutes of the game but struggled after that and finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds before fouling out. Teams have made life really difficult for Yalden lately and he is shooting only 8/21 (38%) from two and 2/14 (14%) from three over the last three games. They are forcing him to catch the ball away from the paint and throwing double teams from all angles. Ben Johnson struggled, going 1/6 from three. TJ Long returned to the lineup and finished with 7 points on 3-7 shooting. Lucas Mari rolled his ankle early in the first half and did not return. The Cats really missed his size and rebounding. They just cannot shake the injury bug these past two years. 

A tough loss at home to finish the first half of the conference season. No rest for the wicked as the always daunting road trip to Orono awaits. 

BIG WIN!!!

Vermont 64 UMBC 55

Vermont used tough defense and clutch shot-making to take sole possession of first place in the America East, beating UMBC in front of a raucous Patrick Gym crowd. The first half was a back and forth affair with both teams feeling each other out. In the second half, the Cats defense really locked in and made life difficult for the high flying Retrievers offense. In the middle of the second half, Vermont had several chances to stretch the lead and put the game away but could not cash in. UMBC took advantage and went on a 11-3 spurt to tie the game at 51. The Cats responded with big threes from Ben Johnson and Lucas Mari and got the stops they needed to win the game. The defense was particularly impressive in this one as UMBC was held under 60 points for only the second time this season. The lowest they had scored during conference play was 69. The rotations were great and they held the Retrievers to 23% (6-26) shooting from three. They also forced UMBC to play quite a bit in isolation as they were only able to muster 7 assists in the game. Offensively, the Cats are still struggling to find consistency but made 11 threes and had 13 assists on 20 made baskets. The ball movement was great once again and everyone is looking to find the best shot. Huge win to start a decisive weekend in the early battle for first place in the America East. 

TJ Hurley stayed red hot, scoring 18 points on 7-11 shooting. He also grabbed 7 rebounds and played tremendous defense on DJ Armstrong Jr. He looks so in command on the court right now. Lucas Mari continued his breakout with 16 points and 6 rebounds. He scored 8 of those points down the stretch to put the game away including two beautiful corner threes. He has turned a corner in his adjustment to the college game and has been huge over the past week. Ben Johnson continues to impress in his starter role, finishing with 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. His three in response to UMBC tying the game was clutch. He also had a great block on a three point attempt in the second half. Sean Blake was incredible despite only taking 2 shots (and despite a tough night at the foul line). He finished with 5 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists and is making so many big plays. He has really found an incredible balance to his game and is running the offense with a strong presence. Gus Yalden struggled to get going, shooting 2-13 from the field. Teams are really throwing a lot at him defensively and forcing him to catch the ball away from the paint. He is battling and scored 8 points while more crucially dishing out 5 assists. Even when he is struggling to score he is opening up the offense with his screening and punishing the extra defensive attention with his passing. Ben Michaels continues to provide tough defense and finally got a shot to go down. 

Huge momentum and confidence builder going into another showdown with second place NJIT on Saturday. Can't wait!

Vermont at Bryant 1/24/26

Vermont 62 Bryant 52

In an absolute grinder of a game, Vermont made clutch shots down the stretch and finished a very tough week on the road at 2-1. In the first half, Bryant was barley functional on offense, only making three shots. Unfortunately Vermont struggled to pull away and put Bryant on the line which kept the Bulldogs in the game. In the second half, Vermont looked like they might pull away but their offense then came to a screeching halt and Bryant finally found some room on offense. Like in many games for the Cats this season, it came down to which team was going to execute and make the big shots down the stretch. Vermont made plays in the crucial moments and came out with a win. The defense for Vermont was good and forced Bryant into really tough shots at the end of the shot clock for much of the game. Unfortunately the Cats continue to put other teams on the line too often and it makes it tough to put teams away. Becker spoke this week about the fact that this is the first conference play experience for many of the newcomers and how fierce the battles get regardless of record. This game was a good example of how important it is to put teams away because the emotion and energy can turn on a dime in these hotly contested games. Offensively, the shot making continues to come and go over the past few months. They are still getting good shots, they just aren't not falling. Stills feels like there is some room there. Despite the shooting difficulties, the ball movement was excellent with 13 assists on 19 made baskets and the Cats pulled down 16 offensive boards while winning the battle 40-30 overall. At several big moments, the offensive rebounding was key and broke the Bulldogs spirit. They continue to take good care of the ball with only 6 turnovers. A good "find a way" win in a tough environment at the end of a long week. 

TJ Hurley stayed hot with a Herculean effort down the stretch. He finished with 26 points to follow up his career high 30 on Thursday. This feels like that senior bump as he ready's make one last run as a Catamount. Watching the game slow down for him in real time (not that he has ever been in a hurry) at a different level than in the past is so cool. Great decision making and finding the right spots to attack. Incredible heater going 18/35 (51%) from the field, 9/20 (45%) from three, and 11-12 (92%, which oddly enough drops his percentage) from the line over the the two games. All while being hounded by the defense. Star. Gus Yalden was the other Catamount in double figures with 14 points. He struggled to get going in this one and has actually cooled off quite a bit from three (2-12 over the last 3 games). But shooters shoot and he made the big three to give the Cats some breathing room before making a great read on the very next play to get Hurley a wide open look to put the game away. Sean Blake finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in a solid all around effort. Lucas Mari was good again off the bench, finishing with 5 points and 7 rebounds. Ben Michaels didn't score and continues to struggle to find his offense, but pulled down 9 boards and led the charge on the offensive glass with 4. Ben Johnson is averaging 29.5 minutes per game since TJ Long's injury and continues to give solid veteran minutes. I have to give him a shout out for the fact that he has only turned the ball over 4 times all season. Crazy. I like to call that the Everett Duncan award (look up his insane low turnover numbers). Noah Barnett's return gives that Cats a level up both on the boards and the defensive end. 

Now a short break before a big showdown in an early battle for first place with UMBC. Patrick better be rocking!!

TJ HURLEY

Vermont 77 UMass Lowell 68

TJ Hurley scored a career high 30 points and led the Cats to victory on the road over UMass Lowell. It was a strong bounce back effort from the Catamounts who answered every call and played well on both sides of the ball. The first half was nip and tuck to start before Vermont closed the half with a mini run and went up 11. They continued to keep the River Hawks at bay early in the second half. Then a Lowell run cut the lead to one with 13 minutes left. Vermont responded with a big time 12-0 run to take control. They were able to close out strong and pick up the win. The energy was good from the start and the Cats looked engaged for the full 40 minutes. Vermont dominated points in the paint 40-24 and forced 14 Lowell turnovers. The Cats were able to capitalize by scoring 19 points off turnovers. It as a great response to the tough loss on Monday and you could see a more focused group, making the right play and making the extra pass. Becker switched to the 1-3-1 zone and completely stalled the Lowell offense in the final stretch. 

Hurley was electric, scoring at every level and asserting himself on the offensive end. He knocked down 5 threes and was deadly from the mid-range. It was great to see him take charge and look to score a bit more, knowing he needed to be more aggressive with TJ Long out. Gus Yalden battled foul trouble and finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds. He was excellent in this game opening the floor up for his teammates with his passing and screening. A big part of the game deciding run was the best stretch of Lucas Mari's young Catamount career. Mari was all over the court, forcing steals and grabbing rebounds on defense, while being aggressive on offense and attacking the rim with authority. He finished with 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals while playing with incredible energy. It is not an exaggeration to say that he singlehandedly shifted the momentum. He also provided a calm presence running the offense. Monster second half, punctuated by two huge dunks. Ben Johnson scored 10 points and pulled down 5 rebounds. He scored on a couple beautiful turnaround jumpers in the lane and attacked closeouts well. Sean Blake chipped in 8 points and made some tough shots while Vermont was putting the game away. Noah Barnett returned and made an impact with his physicality and energy.

Great win and nice momentum heading into the match-up at Bryant on Saturday.

Vermont at Albany 1/19/26

Albany 75 Vermont 68

Albany used a big burst in the second half to beat Vermont for the first time in five years. It was the Cats first conference loss and in a similar fashion to their last two games, they got down big in the second half before clawing their way back. This time the didn't have quite enough to get over the hump. Albany played a great game and after a tough and challenging non conference schedule is playing great basketball since Abdoulaye Fall returned from injury at the start of conference play. The Great Danes forced the Cats into 13 turnovers and capitalized at the other end. It was a game of big runs and momentum swings as each team went on multiple double digit scoring runs. Vermont's defense struggled for much of the game but dug in late to get them back in the game. Unfortunately their defensive rebounding (normally their very best skill) let them down and gave Albany extra possessions during the Cats comeback. Vermont is still looking for that 40 minutes of locked in play as both sides of the ball have been coming and going for stretches over the past few weeks. Again they showed great poise and grit in getting back into the game but need a way to find that same level of intensity earlier in the contest. 

Gus Yalden led the Cats with 21 points and 8 rebounds in a nice bounce back effort. The coaching staff continues to look for ways to maximize his offensive impact and stop teams from taking advantage of him in pick and roll at the defensive end. TJ Hurley finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds but struggled with his efficiency, shooting 4-13 from the field. Albany's defense forced him into some lower percentage mid-range shots and did a good job limiting his opportunities at the rim. Ben Johnson finished with 12 points in his second start. Sean Blake finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists but missed some easy ones in big spots. Ben Michaels finished with 2 points and 6 rebounds. The bench did not play many minutes in this one and they did not have the same impact hey have had in the last few games. 

A tough start to a tough week as the Cats prepare for UMass Lowell on Thursday night. 

Vermont vs Maine 1/15/26

Vermont 67 Maine 62

Vermont went on a 15-0 run to battle back and take control in their revenge game against Maine. The first half was full of back and forth action with neither team able to pull away. Maine was hot from three to start and limited the Cats opportunities from distance. Maine came out swinging in the second half, pounding the ball inside and getting out in transition. They built a 12 point lead at 49-37 and things were looking bleak. The Cats clawed their way back thanks to dynamic play from Sean Blake, hot shooting from three, and tough defense. They held Maine without a basket for 11 minutes (13:06-2:06) in a monster team effort. Vermont closed the game out at the free throw line and secured the win. The injury bug continues to plague the Cats with TJ Long joining the injured list. Vermont's depth really showed as the players that were called upon to play bigger roles really stepped up. The Cats blocked 9 shots and held Maine to 36% shooting. They also out-rebounded Maine 37-29 in a gritty, physical effort. 

TJ Hurley led the way with 18 points. He was so good around the rim and kicked off the run with a three pointer. Sean Blake was spectacular, finishing with 17 points and 6 assists. After some early turnovers, he locked in and didn't turn the ball over in the second half. He was dynamic both finishing at the rim and executing the drive and kick. He also finished 7-7 from the line helping to ice the game. Ben Johnson got the start due to Long's injury and had his best game as a Catamount. Johnson finished with 14 points and 4 rebounds while playing scrappy, physical defense as Maine tried to take advantage of him on switches. He came up with big plays and none were bigger than finding David Simon in the corner for the go ahead three. Huge performance by Johnson. Gus Yalden has his first tough game at Vermont, finishing 3-11 from the field for 8 points. He did pull down a career high 11 rebounds and block 2 shots but was visibly frustrated on the bench in the second half. He is a passionate guy and I have to give him a lot of credit for powering through and hitting a huge three to give the Cats some breathing room with about a minute left. Ben Michaels played incredible defense on Maine's leading scorer TJ Biel, blocking 2 shots, and had a massive put back dunk during the game deciding run. Simon finished with 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 blocks and was a big part of the momentum shift in the second half. Lucas Mari played 22 minutes off the bench and finished with 3 points and 7 rebounds. He had a beautiful assist to Momo Nkugwa for a three point play that really got Patrick rocking. Nkugwa also has a massive, almost skywalking rebound in a big spot during the decisive run. 

This was a big win before a very tough week next week. The schedule makers did the Cats no favors with a compressed three game road week. Monday at Albany, Thursday at UMass Lowell, and Saturday at Bryant. That is about as tough as it gets. Nice to get some momentum before being tested. 

Vermont vs Binghamton 1/8/26

Vermont 60 Binghamton 59

Did you miss it? 

Defensive grind is back!!

In a slow and sluggish game Vermont was able to survive and win their conference home opener over Binghamton. Jeremiah Quigley was spectacular for Binghamton with a near triple double, but was unable to carry them all the way. The Bearcats were in command fro much of the night, controlling the tempo and slowing the game to a snails crawl. Neither offense could gain any traction as the defenses set the tone. The Bearcats held Vermont to only 15 attempts from three, by far their fewest of the season. Vermont countered by dominating points in the paint (28-12) and winning the rebounding battle. With four minutes to go, Binghamton went up by six and things were looking grim. The Catamount defense came to the rescue and Vermont finished the game on a 9-2 run to eek out the win. Old school Vermont victory. The free throw shooting was *cough* abysmal at 13-24 (54%) and the game ended with a strange missed free throws/halfcourt heave anticlimax. Conference play is quite the rollercoaster. Both teams are dealing with significant injuries and Vermont spent almost the entire second half without Gus Yalden as he continues to battle some calf(?) injuries. The Cats that were called upon stepped up in big spots and showcased the Vermont "next man up" mentality. 

I will begin with the end. Momo Nkugwa saved Vermont with a spectacular final four minutes which featured tough battles on the boards, 6 of his 8 points, and the game winning free throws. He was incredible and showed poise beyond his years. Clutch. Jackson Skipper also has some big moments, hitting clutch free throws and coming up with a huge block on the defensive end. Skipper finished with 5 points and 5 rebounds in 20 minutes. Ben Michaels stepped in for the injured Yalden and finished with 8 points and 3 rebounds in 24 minutes. Big day for the bench crew. Yalden was the only Catamount in double figures, finishing with 15 points and 5 rebounds. He kept the Cats in the game in the first half with two big threes. Sean Blake finished with 9 points and Lucas Mari chipped in 7 points. TJ Hurley had the game saving block and dished out 6 assists to offset only scoring 3 points. TJ Long struggled to knock down shots but pulled down 9 rebounds to go along with 3 points. Better days are ahead for the TJs but they showed how to impact the game even when not at their best. 

Now the Cats get a week off to hopefully get fully healthy before welcoming Maine to Patrick. Vermont is ready for a little payback after the Black Bears ended their season last year. 

Vermont at New Hampshire 1/3/26

Vermont 80 New Hampshire 61

Happy New Year!!

Vermont opened conference play with a dominant victory over New Hampshire. In the first half, the teams were kind of feeling each other out and New Hampshire used a hot start form three to keep the game close. The Cats were clicking on offense and went into the half with an 8 point lead. The second half was all Vermont on both sides of the ball. A great way to open conference play. The league as a whole is down this year and Vermont has an opportunity to take advantage. Becker actually went zone down the stretch and it completely shut down the New Hampshire offense. Vermont dominated the paint, outscoring the Wildcats 42-22 and took excellent care of the ball, committing only 8 turnovers. With an established post game, Vermont's offense can generate open looks off of paint touches and that was on full display today. Great ball movement and extra passes, getting good looks for teammates. 

The scoring was a three headed monster with TJ Hurley, Gus Yalden, and Sean Blake accounting for 55 of the Cats 80 points. Hurley led the way with 20 points on a super efficient 8-12 from the field. He has great body control around the rim and he uses it to power through defenders. Yalden pumped in 18 points (also on 8-12 shooting) and added 5 rebounds and 3 assists. He is so good at generating offense for himself or his teammates from the post. Blake was spectacular, scoring 17 points while adding 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. He is playing with such poise and making winning plays. He knocked down 3/5 from three which must have felt good becasue they were his first makes from distance since November 18th(!). Ben Michaels stepped in for an injured Noah Barnett and finished with 8 points and 3 rebounds. He is good on the offensive glass and it was awesome to see him play well. Hopefully Barnett's injury isn't serious. TJ Long scored 6 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and had some beautiful assists out of the pick and roll in the second half. Ben Johnson continues to work hard to improve his defense and made some nice hustle plays, finishing with 3 points and 3 rebounds. 

Nice kickoff to the conference season and now its time for the conference home opener against Binghamton on Thursday.