MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
Vermont men's basketball hosts Saint Anselm in an exhibition contest on Saturday (Oct. 26) at Patrick Gym. The tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET. Tickets for the preseason matchup are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by visiting the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday.
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Vermont's two exhibitions will not have video broadcasts available. 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
Listen Live on Varsity Network App
Live Stats
Vermont Basketball Media Day: Coach Becker | Hurley
Vermont: Game Notes



SCOUTING THE HAWKS
Saint Anselm enters the 24-25 season with new leadership under head coach Chris Santo. The Hawks were voted 9^th in the NE 10 Preseason Poll. In 23-24, St. Anselm finished with a 16-15 record losing in the Semifinals of the NE 10 (Div. 2) tournament.  Saint Anselm returns two of their three top scorers from last season. Josh Morrissette, the Hawks leading returning scorer, averaged 18 points shooting 41% from three.  Saint Anselm ranked 7th in all of Division II last year in defensive rebounding. The Hawks averaged 28.8 defensive rebounds.                                
 
COACHING TIES
Saint Anselm's head coach Chris Santo is a former Vermont basketball player and coach. Coach Santo was an assistant for Vermont from 2021-24. Santo has won four America East championships with Vermont, one as a player in 2012 and three as a coach. This is Santo's first year as a head coach for St. Anselm.
 
CHASING A FOUR-PEAT
The Vermont men's basketball program is searching for its first America East Championship four-peat in program history. The only other America East team to four-peat was Northeastern from 1983-87.
 
PRESEASON FAVORITES ONCE AGAIN
The Catamounts were selected No. 1 in the America East Preseason Poll for the eighth time in the last nine seasons, and the tenth time in 14 seasons under John Becker. Vermont received eight of the nine first-place votes, and a score of 64 points. UMass Lowell was picked second in the poll, receiving the one remaining first-place votes and a score of 55 points.
 
LONG AND BOGUES PICK UP PRESEASON HONORS
Bogues receives a Preseason All-Conference honor after earning America East Newcomer of the Year, All-Championship Team, All-Conference First Team, and All-Defensive Team. The Killeen, Texas native was named Reggie Lewis Most Outstanding Player, averaging 14.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.3 steals, and 3.0 assists in the America East Playoffs. Long receives a Preseason All-Conference honor after landing on the America East All-Championship Team and All-Conference Third Team. He led the America East in 3-point percentage (37.5%), while averaging 11.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per conference game.
 
WHO'S BACK
The Catamounts bring back their top two scorers from last year Shamir Bogues and TJ Long. TJ Hurley (7.6 ppg) returns for his junior campaign along with Ileri Ayo-Faleye who is poised for a big season after having a team-high 1.4 blocks per game in 23-24. Forward Nick Fiorillo (8.8 ppg) returns for his sixth season with Vermont. Sam Alamutu and Jace Roquemore are two guards returning for the Catamounts. They were key contributors off the bench last season. Forwards Seth Joba and Noah Barnett round out the returners.

THE NEW GUYS
UVM added six newcomers to its roster for the 2024-25 campaign. Two transfers and four first years make up the new group. Forward Shy Odom, a transfer from Howard, was a 2022-23 MEAC Rookie of the Year. The other transfer guard Gavin Perryman comes to Vermont after three seasons at the University of Texas. Vermont's four rookies are guards Ben Wesson, Sean Blake, Sincere Clemons, and forward Drew Bessette.
 
 
 
 
McGee Automotive Family is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball