MEN’S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
Vermont men’s basketball finishes up its preseason slate when it hosts Saint Michael’s in an exhibition contest on Wednesday (Nov. 1) at Patrick Gym. The tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by visiting the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday. Rally’s Round Up members can receive free admission with their credentials.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
A video broadcast will not be available for Wednesday’s exhibition. Fans can listen to the game for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield on The Game, which will air on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh, and 960 AM around the rest of the region. The radio broadcast is also available via the Varsity Network App with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
WINDJAMMER & THE SOUTH BURLINGTON FOOD SHELF
The Windjammer encourages all fans to bring in non-perishable food items to benefit the South Burlington Food Shelf. For every non-perishable food item, or cash donation, fans will be entered for chance to win a $50 gift card to the Windjammer.
RELATED LINKS
Purchase Tickets
Listen Live on Varsity Network App
Live Stats
Vermont Basketball Media Day: Coach Becker | Deloney | Bogues
CHAMPIONSHIP RING CEREMONY
Prior to tip-off Wednesday, members of the 2022-23 America East Champion Vermont men’s basketball team will be presented with their championship rings.
SCOUTING THE PURPLE KNIGHTS
Saint Michael’s returns three of its top five scorers from a season ago, including guard CJ Crews who posted a team-high 11.0 points per game in 2022-23. Alan Brzezinski (10.3 ppg) also averaged double figures in 27 games played. Romar Reid, a transfer from Manhattan, posted 9.8 points per game in 2022-23.
INSIDE THE SERIES
UVM and St. Mike’s meet in an exhibition contest at Patrick Gym for the third-straight season and 21st time since 2000. The Catamounts defeated the Purple Knights 78-58 a season ago. Aaron Deloney poured in a game-high 26 points on 7-for-9 shooting to lead Vermont.
CHASING A THREE-PEAT
The Vermont men’s basketball program is in search of its first America East Championship three-peat since 2005. UVM’s lone trip out of the NCAA Tournament Round of 64 came off of that three-peat, with the Catamounts upsetting Syracuse 60-57 in overtime.
PRESEASON FAVORITES ONCE AGAIN
The Catamounts were selected No. 1 in the America East Preseason Poll for the seventh time in the last eight seasons, and ninth time in 13 seasons under John Becker. Vermont received six of the nine first-place votes, and a score of 62 points. UMass Lowell was picked second in the poll, receiving the three remaining first-place votes and a score of 55 points.
DELONEY PICKS UP PRESEASON HONOR
Aaron Deloney was named to the Preseason All-Conference team after earning America East Sixth Man of the Year in each of the last two seasons. The Portland, Ore. native ranked third on the Catamounts in scoring during league play last season, averaging 11.3 points per game off the bench.
ANOTHER RELOAD
John Becker and staff had to replace four members of the starting five for the second consecutive season after the Catamounts lost Player of the Year Finn Sullivan, All-Conference guards Robin Duncan and Dylan Penn, along with Kam Gibson. Vermont will look to replace 58.0% of its minutes and 56.7% of its scoring from 2022-23.
WHO’S BACK
The Catamounts bring back two of their top-five scorers in Aaron Deloney (11.6 ppg) and Matt Veretto (8.9 ppg). All-Rookie guard TJ Hurley (5.1 ppg) returns for his sophomore campaign along with veteran forward Nick Fiorillo (4.1 ppg) who is out indefinitely with a lower body injury. Ileri Ayo-Faleye is poised for a big season after matching a team-high 0.8 blocks per game in league play. Sam Alamutu, Michel Ndayishimiye and Jackson Skipper round out the returners.
THE NEW GUYS
UVM added eight newcomers to its roster for the 2023-24 campaign. Four transfers and four first-years make up the new group. The transfers are led by two-time All-WAC defender Shamir Bogues from (Tarleton State), and MAAC Sixth Man of the Year TJ Long (Fairfield). Brenton Mills (Binghamton/Bowling Green State) returns to America East after two seasons in the MAC. Jace Roquemore (UC San Diego) rounds out the transfers. Vermont’s rookies are headlines by All-NEPSAC First Teamer Seth Joba and forward Noah Barnett. Charlie Moore and Michael Mora join the Catamounts as walk-ons. Coach Becker spoke about the incoming class earlier this week.
LAST TIME OUT
Vermont defeated Catholic 85-59 in its first exhibition outing on Saturday afternoon. TJ Long scored a team-high 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting. Aaron Deloney (15 points) and Matt Veretto (14 points) also reached double figures. A total of 10 Catamounts contributed points in the win.
McGee Automotive Family is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men’s basketball