Vermont Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for Catamounts

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - MARCH 21: Robin Duncan #4 of the Vermont Catamounts looks on from the court near his brother Ernie Duncan #20 while playing the Florida State Seminoles during their first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 21, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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DAYTON, OH – MARCH 14: Head coach John Becker of the Vermont Catamounts reacts as he coaches against the Lamar Cardinals in the first round of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at UD Arena on March 14, 2012 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

How good can Vermont be?

When it comes to the schedule, the Catamounts open with a two-game road trip to St. Bonaventure and Bucknell and then prior to Thanksgiving they have four games as a part of the Hall of Fame Tip-off. They travel to St. John’s and Charlottesville to face the defending champs Virginia they finish the event taking on Central Connecticut State and either Rider or Columbia.

December is a big month for Vermont, they face Cincinnati on Dec. 3 and finish the month with a big three-game homestand, welcoming UNC-Greensboro, Lipscomb, and George Washington to Burlington. They finish the non-conference portion of their schedule with a trip to Dartmouth to face the Big Green.

Vermont will be the clear-cut favorite to once again win the conference and represent the America East Conference in the NCAA Tournament, barring anything unforeseen such as injuries. While some think that the Catamounts could be a bubble team heading into March Madness should they get tripped up in the conference tournament, but I’m not sure if there’s enough meat on the non-conference schedule without wins over St. John’s and/or Cincinnati.

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If they do make the tournament, they will likely be a popular pick to make some noise and winning their first tournament game since 2005.

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