Record 29-5
Unbeaten in the America East Conference, with their last loss coming on December 21st against Butler, making them the team with the longest open winning streak in the tournament (21 games). Vermont is a well organized team that judiciously attacks the paint and does not abuse of three-point shooting (despite shooting over 36% from beyond the arc as a team). Every player at roster has a clear role and embraces it. The fact that they are also the best team in their conference offered a curious list of award winners: Player of the Year went to Trae Bell-Haynes, Freshman of they Year to Anthony Lamb, Defensive Player of the Year to Dre Wills and Sixth Man of the Year to Darren Payne. All of them are, of course, Vermont players. Given the record and this list of awards, there could be no other Coach of the Year than Vermont coach, John Becker. And by the way, the conference final MVP was Payton Henson (17 points).
Key Players
Freshman Anthony Lamb proved to be a complete player. He has the size (6-5), post moves, rebounding instincts and outside shooting to be the real deal. He should have won Player of the Year, but he had to settle for the Freshman trophy, since POY went to teammate Trae Bell-Haynes. That he is only a freshman is even more intriguing, but it would be interesting to watch him player in another conference.
Prediction
Vermont knows how to win, their consistency in the conference and their comeback against Albany in the final are proof of it. It would be an amazing March Madness tale, but it’s hard to project them in the second round.