Vermont Catamounts Update

UPDATED - Check out this article from the New England Recruiting Report

Apfeld Says Yes to Vermont

That's everything you want hear about a recruit and incoming class!

This just in...

Mike Lonergan can recruit.

Luke Apfeld has verballed to the University of Vermont Catamounts!

Big time stuff.

Scout.com Page

Vermont Catamounts Update

According to Rivals.com, SF/PF Luke Apfeld is doing a recruiting visit on the campus of the University of Vermont this weekend.

This guy is a 6'7" big man with outstanding athleticism. Getting him along with Ben Crenca (already committed to UVM for next year) would be a great start to the 2009 class for Vermont.

An official visit means that UVM is most likely in Apfeld's top 5 school choices (you only get 5 official school visits) so things are looking promising. Many times you'll hear about commitments at the end of the weekend of a visit. So on Monday there could be some good news.

Even if he doesn't come though, the Crenca verbal has come with some high praise from hoopscoop.com (a top name in basketball recruiting) "At 6'9, 250 pounds, Crenca not only is a good old-fashioned post player who can score on the block, but he also may be the best player that Catamounts head coach Mike Lonergan and his staff have landed since they look over the program three-and-a-half years ago."

Vermont Catamounts Update

Good news for the loyal Vermont fans!

The Cats have landed 6'9" center Ben Crenca from Worcester Academy in MA.

Crenca is a wide bodied low post player who uses his size well and has good touch around the basket. He is considered a very good recruit for the Catamounts as he had offers from bigger schools in better conferences.

Here's a great article on him.

MoDews Thursday Rant

Would like to start off by saying, for those of you who don't know, I have finally made the move down into DC. Now, I left Vermont thinking that I would be warmer but so far it has been just as cold as it was in Vermont.

Anyways on to sports news.. I have read from an unreliable source that Orioles all-star second baseman Brian Roberts has been in discussion between the O's and the Cleveland Indians. Not sure about the Indians prospects but I have a feeling that if this rumor is true then it is mostly being done to scare the Cubs into giving more than they should for Roberts. I would be all for a Pie for Roberts straight up deal but I realize this isn't a perfect world..

And in case anyone didn't notice the Washington Capitals are in a 1st place race in the South East conference and are looking to make a playoff spot which is something they haven't done in five years. Not to mention they have one of the best players in the NHL who is making a run for the Hart Trophy, league MVP for non-hockey fans. Alexander Ovechkin, who is under contract now for the next 13 years, in my opinion is the most explosive and fun to watch player in the NHL and by the end of his career will easily be the best Washington Capital ever.

Don't really have any news on the Redskins other than the occasional rumor about trading for Chad Johnson. I understand that Snyder has a knack for signing and trading for top NFL players and having them come to the low points of there career's when they arrive.. But I think Chad Johnson is one of the few guys they Redskins should really try to go after as long as they don't give up half there team for him. The Skins have lacked a tall WR for a long time and Johnson could help Campbell develop even more not to mention would keep Santana Moss from being double covered all the time.

One last thing I would like to say is that it's a little over 24 hours before taco night which I have not been to in about 5-6 years. And not sure if Steve will get a more detailed update but the UVM Catamounts won big last night over Hartford 94-82. Marqus Blakely had 30 points and 20 rebounds in arguably one of the best games of his career.

Vermont Catamounts Update

The Catamounts have continued their traditionally solid conference play in the America East. After getting off to a rough 1-2 start, the Cats have rebounded to improve their league record to 7-4. They are currently tied for second place in the America East with Hartford, behind the immensely talented University of Maryland, Baltimore County who is in the drivers seat at 9-2.

As good as sophomore combo forward Marqus Blakely was in the non-conference schedule, he has been even more impressive during league games. He is producing to the tune of 19.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. He is the odds on favorite to win the America East player of the year and has the ability to win games by himself with his athleticism and overall game.

The Cats have gotten healthy and have received some key contributions from seniors Kyle Cieplicki and Tim McCrory. Their strong play will be needed to gain momentum for the conference tournament.

A quick note on the recruiting front for the Catamounts, Garvey Young (committed to UVM for next year) just scored his 1700th point for Georgetown Prep in North Bethesda.

Vermont Catamounts Update

Well...the good news is that the only season that matters for mid-major schools is the conference season. The bad news is that the Cats have been slightly disapointing in their out of conference games.

After losing their first 3 games to teams which on paper were superior to them (George Mason, Virginia and Loyola, MD), the cats won their next two (independent New Jersey Institute of Technology and Towson).

The Cats then suffered their most inexcusable loss of the year. A 76-75 heartbreaker to Dartmouth. Dartmouth has some solid players but that is a game the Cats need to win. This game exposed a lack of size in the paint but more disturbingly, a lack of toughness and commitment to defense. There is a decent amount of talent on this Vermont team but not enough where they can show up and win by just playing offense. Injuries have hurt the team's depth in the post but injuries do not affect the rest of the team's effort and that was a problem against Dartmouth. Perhaps this will serve as a wake up call for a team that desperately needs one.

The Cats played Florida after Dartmouth and lost by 25 to bring their record to a disapointing 2-5. I'm not going to judge them on that game because most teams are going to lose to Florida by 25.

We will see what kind of team UVM really has over the next five games before the conference season starts up. All five games are beatable opponents on the same level as the Cats. Perhaps these games can help build some momentum for the real season starting January 3rd against Binghamton.

Vermont Catamounts Update

The Cats were picked 29th in the recent Mid-Major poll. (Over the two teams that the coaches selected to finish above them in the conference standings.)

Tomorrow's opponent George Mason is ranked 9th.

Anyone who has access to MASN should get out of any responsibilities you may have for 7pm Friday. This game promises to be an instant classic!

(Albany sucks...)