MEN'S NOTEBOOK
Vermont (10-5, 1-0) will host UMBC (10-6, 1-0) in the America East home opener on Saturday (Jan. 6). The opening tip is set for 7 p.m. on the hardwood of Patrick Gym. Single game tickets are available at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or at the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday. All Vermont regular season games can be heard on 101.3 ESPN FM and online at 1013ESPN.com with Sam Hyman on the call.

CATS ON E3
Fans can watch the conference home opener on ESPN3 and the watchESPN app by logging in with your television provider.

RELATED LINKS
UMBC: Video | Audio | Live Stats | Tickets
CatamounTV: UMass Lowell Highlights
Game Notes: Vermont | UMBC
 
LAST TIME OUT | UMass Lowell Highlights
UVM redshirt junior Ernie Duncan scored a game-high 32 points as the Catamounts opened America East play with an 88-77 win at UMass Lowell on Thursday night. The Green and Gold never trailed and shot a season-high 58.8% (30-for-51) from the field. The 88-point performance was the most points scored by the Cats against a Division I opponent this season. Duncan was nearly perfect from the floor on 10-of-11 shooting and hit 5-of-6 attempts from downtown. Drew Urquhart finished with a double-double on 19 points and 12 rebounds, including seven on the offensive glass. Payton Henson rounded out three UVM players in double figures with 15 points, six boards, and two blocks.
 
CATAMOUNT TRIBUNE: 'THE STORY BEHIND TOM BRENNAN COURT' BY TOM BRENNAN
The Catamount Tribune is a monthly avenue for UVM student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, and fans to tell unique stories in their own words. This edition of the Catamount Tribune is written by former men's basketball coach Tom Brennan, whose name was added to the floor at Patrick Gym last month. Read the full story by clicking here.

BECKER GOING FOR WIN NO. 150
With one more victory, John Becker will become only the third Vermont head coach to win at least 150 games in Catamount Country. Becker currently ranks third on the program's all-time wins list behind Tom Brennan (264) and John 'Fuzzy' Evans (260).
 
KEEPING THE STREAKS ALIVE
UVM will try to extend a pair of winning streaks on Saturday night. The Cats own the longest regular season conference winning streak in the history of America East at 22 games. The Green and Gold also own a 16-game home winning streak dating back to last season.
 
MID-MAJOR MADNESS.COM POWER RANKINGS
The Catamounts landed at No. 15 in this week's MidMajorMadness.com Power Rankings, moving up one spot from last week. Vermont is one of two New England programs on the list as Rhode Island sits at No. 3 behind St. Mary's and Gonzaga.

SCOUTING UMBC
The Retrievers were picked to finish third in the America East Preseason Coaches' Poll coming into the season behind Vermont and Albany. UMBC is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country as head coach Ryan Odom's group has made the third-most long-distance shots in the country (193). America East Preseason All-Conference selection Jairus Lyles ranks 27th in the nation with a 21.2 scoring average and the 6-2 guard has recorded 2.38 steals per game - the 19th best average among Division I players. K.J. Maura has dealt 5.8 assists per game, which leads the conference and it is also the 34th-best average in the land.

INSIDE THE SERIES
The Catamounts have cruised in the all-time series against the Retrievers with a 30-4 record. Vermont has won 21 straight meetings with UMBC – the longest active streak for the Cats against a Division I opponent. UMBC's last defeat against UVM was a 74-68 decision in the America East Semifinals on March 9, 2008 as the Retrievers went on to claim their only conference title.
 
WHO'S NEXT
Vermont will travel to twin state rival Dartmouth on Wednesday (Jan. 10) in the non-conference finale. The opening tip is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available at DartmouthSports.com. Fans can watch the contest on the Ivy League Network with a pay-per-view subscription. All Vermont regular season games can be heard on 101.3 ESPN FM and online at 1013ESPN.com with Sam Hyman on the call.
 
Canon Solutions America is the presenting sponsor of the 2017-18 Vermont men's basketball season