Vermont Catamounts
America East (23-8, 13-3)
RPI: 97
Big Wins: 12/30 vs Colorado (84-59), 1/14 at Boston University (70-56), 2/21 Buffalo (78-70)
Bad Losses: 12/29 vs Colorado State (76-82), 1/11 Albany (77-82), 3/7 Albany (52-56)
Coach: Mike Longergan
Probable Starters:
Mike Trimboli, Senior, Guard, 16.0 ppg, 4.8 apg, 2.0 spg
Nick Vier, Junior, Guard, 6.7 ppg, 2.9 apg
Garvey Young, Freshman, Guard, 6.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Marqus Blakely, Junior, Forward, 15.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.7 bpg
Colin McIntosh, Senior, Forward, 13.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Joey Accaoui, Sophomore, Guard, 4.7 ppg, 1.4 apg
Evan Fjeld, Sophomore, Forward, 4.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Maurice Joseph, Junior, Guard, 7.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Why They Can Surprise:
Vermont is beginning to start a tradition of having quality big men. This group has a couple very talented forwards in Marqus Blakely and Colin McIntosh. Blakely is a little undersized at 6-5, but he sure does not play like it. Blakely is a great interior scorer and he will use his strength to back down taller opponents. Blakely is also a superb rebounder and shot blocker and his presence in the paint makes the Catamounts frontcourt very dangerous on both ends of the floor. Blakey’s only issue is staying out of foul trouble and that could be a big problem during the tournament if Blakely has to spend a lot of time on the bench.
Colin McIntosh is the taller and more traditional looking big man. The 6-8 senior is a better outside shooter than Blakely and will knock down the mid-range jumper with relative consistency. He does not have as much strength as his frontcourt partner, but McIntosh will battle in the paint, score some points, grab some rebounds and block a few shots.
Why They Can Disappoint:
There are some rebounding and turnover concerns in Vermont, but the biggest problem could end up being their lack of three-point shooting. Mike Trimboli is a superb point guard and has been a very productive scorer for four years and he is the most dangerous outside shooter on the team. The problem is he hits just 1.4 long balls per game. Maurice Joseph, a transfer from Michigan State, has been inconsistent all year long and Joey Accaoui just does not take that many shots. Somebody has to get open off the ball and help Trimboli knock down some long balls or the opposition can pack it in and worry about all of the players who score around the basket.
Who To Watch:
Nick Vier and Garvey Young have started a majority of the games this season. Coach Mike Longergan has moved Joseph to the bench and hopes that he can spark the offense from there. That moved Young into the starting lineup. The freshman is not much of a scorer at this point in his career, but he is a solid defender and a decent rebounder for a guard. Vier is only averaging 6.7 points per game on the season, but he has had a few great games where he knocked down a few three-pointers and scored over 15 points. If Vier and Young can give the Catamounts more scoring options, this is an experienced team that can make a little noise during the tournament.
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 77.9 (29th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.4 (159, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.4 (12, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.3 (70, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.6 (221, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.6 (49, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.8 (110, 4)
Rebound Margin: 0.9 (158, 4)
Assists Per Game: 15.9 (26, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.8 (241, 8)
Joel’s Bracket Says: First Round loss to Wisconsin Green Bay
