MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
Vermont (11-5, 1-0 AE) hosts conference rival UMBC (5-11, 0-1 AE) in America East's nationally televised game Thursday (Jan. 11) at Patrick Gym. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET at Patrick Gym. Tickets are available for purchase at
UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by visiting the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday. Thursday's game is presented by Little Caesar's.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
The matchup between the Catamounts and Retrievers will be nationally televised on ESPNU with Robert Lee and Terrence Oglesby on the call. The broadcast will also be available for streaming on
ESPN+. Fans can listen to the game for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield on The Game, which will air on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh, and 960 AM around the rest of the region. The radio broadcast is also available via the
Varsity Network App with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
RELATED LINKS
Purchase Tickets
Watch: ESPN+
Listen on Varsity Network App
Live Stats
Game Notes: Vermont | UMBC
CatamounTV Press Conference: Coach Becker | Ayo-Faleye | Deloney
TICKET FLASH SALE
Tickets to Thursday's game are available online for $15 by using the promo code
ESPNU24 at checkout
.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY
The NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Trophy will be making a stop in Burlington on Thursday night as a part of its nationwide tour. The trophy will be available for viewing in the Patrick Gym lobby..
PIZZA! PIZZA!
Little Caesar's will be giving out slices of pizza to the first 250 fans in attendance.
CATS ON ESPNU
The Catamounts will be hosting the league's ESPNU game for the third straight season. UVM defeated New Hampshire 82-68 in the nationally televised game in 2022. The Cats were also victorious against Bryant (W, 74-64) in last year's ESPNU game.
HISTORY ON ESPNU LAST YEAR
Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach
John Becker passed Tom Brennan for the most wins in program history when the Cats defeated Bryant on ESPNU last season. Becker is approaching the 300-win milestone with 291 victories at Vermont.
SCOUTING THE RETRIEVERS
UMBC comes into the Thursday night matchup having lost six straight games including their America East opener to Bryant (L, 81-67). The Retrievers last win came over a month ago when they defeated Lehigh 92-87. Dion Brown and Khydarius Smith lead UMBC in scoring, averaging 16.8 and 12.9 points per game, respectively. The Retrievers play to one of the fastest tempos in the country according to KenPom. UMBC's average offensive possession lasts 13.9 seconds, which is the second quickest possession length in the country.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Vermont and UMBC meet for the 51st time in series history on Thursday night. The Catamounts hold a dominating 41-9 series lead and have won eight of the last 10 meetings. Vermont swept the two meetings last year winning 74-61 in Baltimore, followed by a 74-68 victory at Patrick Gymnasium.
Robin Duncan scored a career-high 20 points in the home victory over the Retrievers.
Brenton Mills has UVM's highest career scoring average against UMBC, scoring 16.2 points per game in four contests as a member of Binghamton.
FAMILIAR FOE
UVM and UMBC have met in the America East Playoffs four times since 2017-18, including three championship game appearances. The Catamounts clinched America East titles against the Retrievers in 2019 and 2022.
HOME VS AE
Vermont has won 23-straight home games against America East schools. UVM's last home loss to a conference foe came on Mar. 6, 2021 when Hartford won the America East Semifinals by a score of 71-65 in the COVID-altered season.
CARDIAC CATS
Two of the last three UVM games have been decided by one point. Vermont is 3-1 this season in games decided by two points or less. The Catamounts are 5-3 when trailing at the half.
ILERI'S IMPACT IN THE LAST 2 WINS
Ileri Ayo-Faleye has averaged 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in Vermont's last two wins. The UVM forward has averaged a team-high 11.5 second-half points in those games, shooting 8-for-12 from the field.
McGee Automotive Family is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball
