KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker was named National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District I Coach of the Year, and a pair of Catamounts received All-District honors. The NABC announced its awards on Tuesday afternoon.
 
Becker received the Coach of the Year honor for the fourth time since taking over as head coach of the Catamounts. The UVM bench boss last won the award in 2020. Becker guided Vermont to its ninth America East Championship, defeating second-seeded UMBC 82-43 in the title game. The Catamounts clinched their eighth trip to the NCAA Tournament with the victory, taking a 28-5 (17-1 AE) record into the Big Dance. Under Becker's guidance this season, UVM has boasted a 49.3% shooting percentage, which ranks fifth in the NCAA. The Catamounts averaged a +14.6 scoring margin, which is also the fifth-best margin in the country.
 
Ryan Davis was named to the NABC All-District I team for the second consecutive season, posting a team-high 17.2 points per game. The senior has sank 59.0% of his field goals, which ranks 16th in the nation. Davis led America East in conference play with a 66.0% field goal percentage. The Schaumburg, Illinois native became the fifth Catamount in program history to win the league's Kevin Roberson Player of the Year Award for a second consecutive season.
 
Ben Shungu received All-District I team honors for the first time in his career. The South Burlington, Vt. native has averaged 16.1 points per game in 33 starts for the Catamounts. Shungu led America East with a 51.3% shooting percentage from long range in conference play, and was third in field goal percentage (56.5%). The graduate student received America East All-Conference First Team and All-Defensive Honors. Shungu was also named the Most Outstanding Player in the America East Playoffs.
 
Becker, Davis, Shungu, and the Catamounts will face No. 4 Arkansas (25-8, 13-5 SEC) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday (Mar. 17) in Buffalo. The opening tip is set for 9:20 p.m. at KeyBank Center. The game will broadcast nationally on TNT with Brad Nessler, Brendan Haywood, and Evan Washburn on the call.
 
Key Motors of South Burlington is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball