Vermont Basketball: Catamounts putting things together at the right time

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - MARCH 21: The Vermont Catamounts bench cheer on their teammates as they play against the Florida State Seminoles during the 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) /

2 of 3

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – NOVEMBER 19: Anthony Lamb #3 of the Vermont Catamounts (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Vermont wasn’t as successful in the non-conference as they could’ve been

Before the season there was some talk that Vermont could be one of those teams that could be in the at-large discussion if they got some notable wins early on and happened to get tripped up en route to an America East Tournament title. Unfortunately for Lamb and company that did not happen, as the Catamounts finished the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 10-5 record.

While they had some good wins against teams like Saint Bonaventure in their season opener and St. John’s as a part of an early-season tournament, those games both came in the first four of the season. After beating the Red Storm, Vermont went just 5-5 against Division I competition and the two games that could’ve opened some eyes on the selection committee, at No. 7 Virginia and at Cincinnati both ended up in the loss column. They were able to finish their non-conference play, winning four of five and came within one point of a five-game winning streak when they fell 54-53 to UNC-Greensboro.

With a 10-5 record and any hopes of an at-large berth as a cushion gone, the America East favorites now had to focus their attention on winning the conference and guaranteeing themselves a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Home/Mid Major Conferences