Vermont Catamounts
America East (29-5, 16-0)
It was no surprise that Vermont won the America East, but going 16-0 is impressive in any conference. The Catamounts used their experience to cruise through the conference with very few close contests. Vermont was tested a few times early in the season, but they did lose games against Providence, Houston, South Carolina and Butler.
Big Wins: 11/26 Yale (67-65), 1/2 Harvard (82-71), 1/16 at New Hampshire (71-59)
Bad Losses: 11/14 at Providence (58-80), 11/23 vs Houston (71-72), 12/10 Northeastern (57-59)
Coach: John Becker
Why They Can Surprise:
Trae Bell-Haynes is the leader of a very balanced offense. The junior averages 11.1 points and 3.8 assists and has done a great job setting up his teammates. Sophomore Ernie Duncan, and seniors Kurt Steidl and Dre Wills add a scoring punch to the perimeter. Duncan and Steidl are extremely dangerous outside shooters who are always a threat to provide an offensive spark with their shooting. However, it has been the frontcourt duo of newcomers Anthony Lamb and Payton Henson that has propelled Vermont to the next level. Lamb, a freshman, averages 12.6 points and 5.4 rebounds, while Henson averages 11.4 points and 5.3 boards. Those two both have the ability to knock down mid-range jumpers, but most opponents in the America East have had trouble containing both players in the paint.
Why They Can Disappoint:
This is a Vermont squad that has the tools to beat good teams. They have shooters and enough size and depth to pull off an upset if all goes well. However, bigger and tougher teams have had plenty of success attacking the basket and scoring plenty of points against the Catamounts. The normally stifling defense must step up and play their best basketball if Vermont wants to win a game. Having Duncan and Steidl shoot lights out from long range would help too.
Probable Starters:
Trae Bell-Haynes, Junior, Guard, 11.1 ppg, 3.8 apg
Ernie Duncan, Sophomore, Guard, 8.6 ppg, 2.1 apg
Kurt Steidl, Senior, Guard, 8.0 ppg, 1.3 apg, 4.4 rpg
Anthony Lamb, Freshman, Forward, 12.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Payton Henson, Junior, Forward, 11.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg
Key Role Players:
Darren Payen, Senior, Forward, 6.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Dre Wills, Senior, Guard, 6.5 ppg, 1.4 apg
Cam Ward, Junior, Guard, 4.0 ppg, 1.7 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.1 (162nd in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 62.5 (18, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 49.8 (7, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.5 (105, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.3 (270, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.3 (119, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.0 (179, 6)
Rebound Margin: 4.2 (55, 3)
Assists Per Game: 13.6 (164, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.5 (47, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2016 CBI First Round win over Western Carolina
2016 CBI Quarterfinal win over Seattle
2016 CBI Semifinal loss to Morehead State
2015 CBI First Round win over Hofstra
2015 CBI Quarterfinal win over Radford
2015 CBI Semifinal loss to Louisiana Monroe
2014 NIT First Round loss to Georgia
2013 CBI First Round loss to Santa Clara
2012 NCAA Opening Round win over Lamar
2012 NCAA Round of 64 loss to North Carolina
2011 NIT First Round loss to Cleveland State
2010 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Syracuse
2009 CBI First Round win over UW-Green Bay
2009 CBI Second Round loss to Oregon State
2007 NIT First Round loss to Kansas State
2005 NCAA Round of 64 win over Syracuse
2005 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Michigan State
*all team stats through 3/5
