http://www.yardbarker.com/content/team/751 Recent articles about the Vermont Catamounts en-us From a historical and a sports perspective, "What if..." is the most popular question that all self-loathing sports fan ask themselves. This article looks at what would have happened in the 2005-06 America East semi-finals if Binghamton's Sebastian Hermenier did not go down with a fractured foot. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:42:36 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/342582 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/342582 Jonathan Rodriquez, Campbell Jr.- Standing 6-5 and 200 lbs. Rodriguez, a native of Miami burst onto the scene as a freshman recording numbers that had to catch someones eye (17.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3 apg), but when you play for a team that is less significant than professional lacrosse its not so easy to get exposure outside of Buies Creek, NC which according to the 2000 census had a population of under 3,000. Rodriguez followed up a great freshman year with an even better sophomore one where he averaged 20.9 ppg 10.1 rpg and 2.5 apg on a team that won just 10 games and lost their last 8 including humiliating losses to USC-Upstate and Longwood. Never the less Rodriguez is a fabulous player, and in fact he mad more free throws last season than all but three of all A-Sun players attempted. If there is an area that he needs to improve on it is out side shooting where he shot just 29% as a sophomore. Rodriguez is the preseason favorite to win A-Sun player of the year honors, and if he keeps up his steady progression he might become the first fighting camel to play in the NBA. Garrison Carr, American Sr.- Last year American university made its first NCAA tournament appearance ever, and Carr was the main reason why. Carr set a patriot league record with 135 3-Pointers made, 36 more than the previous record and he did it quite efficiently making 45% of his three's. But his junior year was not just a break out year for American, but for Carr as well as he improved dramatically from his sophomore to junior years. As a Sophomore Carr played little over ten minutes a game loging just 3.8 points per game and making just 30% of his three's. His Junior year could not have gone any better after a dismal second year, as Carr, standing just 5-11 erupted for 18.4 points per game and nailed six 3-pointers and poured in 26 points in the Eagles NCAA tournament game against the second seeded Tennessee Volunteers. If American is going to make it back to the big dance it is going be largely because of the little man, Garrison Carr. Marqus Blakely, Vermont Jr.- Similar to Carr, Blakely has a break out season last year as well. As a freshman his numbers were very modest (5.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg), but as a Sophomore he burst on to the scene leading the entire league in Points (19.0), rebounds (11.0), and blocks (2.72). Not only that he became the first player in American East history to win both conference player of the year and defensive player of the year awards. He is very undersized at 6-5 for a forward but makes it up with strength and tenacity. Blakely's first shine in the national spotlight came as a freshman when he youtubed some poor dude from Albany in the American East title game. You never know this dunk may have propelled Blakely to have the AP All-American honorable mention season that he had. With that in mind and Blakeley returning to the Vermont sideline, I think the Catamounts are hoping for a Marqus Blakely size improvement, on at team that won just 16 games last season. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:33:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/335347 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/335347 Interview on the upcoming America East basketball season with ESPN.com writer Kyle Whelliston Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:01:33 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/334532 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/334532 Having a blog about a very specific topic, as is the case here, you can get people who have a specific interest in that topic to talk to you. This blog has brought you such prestigious interviews from the likes of the Hot Dog, Matt Mo the Afro and Chris Strub, men of honor and glory. The privilege of the interview from this blog explains why Kyle Whelliston of ESPN.com and Mid-Majority fame was begging me endlessly to be interview until I finally obliged out of annoyance from his insessant nagging. That is a true story, that I just made up. The reality is I emailed Mr. Whelliston asking if he would discuss America East basketball, and he was more than happy to do so. The following transpired and is meant for you all to enjoy! Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:22:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/334224 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/334224 Luke Apfeld has given his verbal to the University of Vermont to play basketball as a member of the 2009 recruiting class. He joins big man Ben Crenca. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:13:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/333843 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/333843 Luke Apfeld is a top recruiting target for Vermont. The Brewster standout is in Burlington, VT with his family this weekend. Click on the link to discuss and get the latest information on Luke's decision. According to Rivals.com, American, Lehigh and Holy Cross have offered Apfeld (in addition to Vermont). Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:50:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/332409 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/332409 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:46:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/323284 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/323284 Former University of Vermont Men's Basketball star, Chris Holm has inked a deal with the Sendai 89ers of Japan. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:47:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/316558 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/316558 John Becker was promoted to assistant coach of the University of Vermont men's basketball team Friday and will replace Gabe Rodriguez, who left the program to pursue a job outside of coaching. Becker spent the past two seasons as UVM's director of basketball operations. Before that he was an assistant coach for two years at Catholic University, his alma mater. "I am happy to be able to move John up on our coaching staff," Catamount head coach Mike Lonergan said in a UVM news release. "I think he will be a great recruiter for us because he truly believes in what UVM and our program is all about." Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:54:09 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/307466 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/307466 Vermont Basketball Coach Mike Lonergan has done it again. He has gotten Worcester Academy star, Ben Crenca, to give his verbal to attend the University of Vermont in 2009 to play basketball. This is a huge win for Coach Lonergan and the team, especially since he beat out the likes of Northeastern, Rhode Island, Bucknell and other bigger programs. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:55:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301013 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301013 DC area basketball star Jordan Clarke is interviewed by the Vermont Sports Network, the definitive destination for all Vermont sports. Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:02:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296169 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296169 1. Dante Curry- (Georgia St. from South Florida Jr.)- He was the most underrated player in the big east (when he played there), very skilled shooting guard who will easily break 20 ppg at GSU. 2. Mike Mercer- (South Florida from Georgia Jr.)- This freakishly athletic 2-guard has some serious flaws (his jumpshot, he's turnover prone) but, he has better physical attributes than Derrick Rose. 3. Maurice Joseph- (Vermont from Michigan St.)- athletic combo forward can score and rebound. He was one of Tom Izzo's top recruits. Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:07:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289511 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289511 Interview with Georgetown Prep Garvey Young who is one of the new Vermont Catamount basketball recruits. Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:53:05 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289508 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289508 Oderah Anisoke, who's sister played for NCAA Women champs Tennessee and now the WNBA is receiving a lot of DI NCAA interest including the Vermont Catamounts. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:41:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285636 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285636 University of Vermont basketball looks to beat out Northeastern, George Washington, Davidson, Columbia, Princeton, Lehigh, Harvard, Yale, Cornell and American to land the #17 rated high school basketball player (according to New England Recruiting Report). Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:28:02 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284871 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284871