Vermont Faces Charleston on ESPNU in One of Six Games Saturday

Vermont Faces Charleston on ESPNU in One of Six Games Saturday

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America East Communications

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- For the fifth time in seven years, an America East men's basketball team will appear on national television as part of ESPN's BracketBusters series when Vermont travels to College of Charleston on Saturday at 5 p.m. The game will be air on ESPNU with Scott Graham (play-by-play) and Paul Biancardi (analyst) on the call.

Vermont (22-5), which has already clinched the America East regular-season title, has won 10 straight games and 15 of its last 17 overall. Charleston (19-7) leads the Southern Conference at 12-2 and has won five straight. It's the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

This is America East's fifth BracketBuster television game in seven years and the third for Vermont. The Catamounts beat Buffalo, 78-70, in front of a soldout Patrick Gym on ESPN2 in 2009. Albany appeared on ESPNU twice, suffering an 83-82 loss at Boise State in 2007 after falling, 70-67, at Virginia Commonwealth in 2006. Vermont traveled to Nevada for the event’s marquee game on ESPN2 in 2005. The Catamounts dropped a 74-64 decision to the Wolfpack, but advanced to the NCAA Tournament two weeks later where they upset Syracuse, 60-57, in the first round.

BracketBusters, named because of the success of the teams in NCAA Tournament play, will provide the 22 televised teams an opportunity to play other top non-conference opponents three weeks before Selection Sunday. The 92 teams not selected for BracketBusters will compete against each other through the same three days. Teams participating this season in BracketBusters have produced 74 appearances in the last five NCAA Tournaments, including Vermont in 2010.

 

Upcoming Action

Saturday, February 19

Saturday, February 19
Canisius at Boston U., 2 p.m. -- Live Stats | Live Video | Boston U. Radio

  • Boston U. (15-13) hosts former league member Canisius (1979-89) in its final home game of the season Saturday and holds a 13-8 all-time edge in the series.
  • The Terriers shot 50 percent from the field and downed UMBC by 32 points, its largest margin of victory this season, Tuesday.
  • Boston U. has won five straight games by an average margin of 17 points.
  • John Holland (24 points) and Darryl Partin (23) combined for 47 points in the win. Holleads the league in scoring (19.2 ppg) and Partin ranks sixth (14.6 ppg).

Manhattan at Stony Brook, 2 p.m.  -- Live Stats | Live Video | Stony Brook Radio

  • Stony Brook (11-15) hosts instate-rival Manhattan Saturday.
  • The Seawolves shot just 30.9 percent and scored a season-low 43 points in a loss at Albany Monday, just their third in their last seven games.
  • Sophomore Leonard Hayes scored a team-high 18 points and is averaing 14.3 points over his last four games after scoring just 3.1 ppg over his first 16 games of the season.
  • The Seawolves hold opponents to just 39.3 percent shooting from the field, including 30.1 percent from 3-point land, which ranks 16th nationally.
Vermont at College of Charleston, 5 p.m. (ESPNU) -- Live Stats | Vermont Radio
  • Vermont (22-5), which ranks 10th nationally holding foes to 38.8 percent shooting, travels to College of Charleston for its third BracketBusters TV contest in the last seven years Saturday.
  • UVM shot a blistering 59.6 percent at Maine Wedneday and won its 10th straight game to lock up the America East regular-season title outright.
  • Senior Evan Fjeld scored 19 points and added seven rebounds. He ranks fifth among league leaders in scoring (15.3 ppg).
  • The Catamounts have held opponents to 52.3 points per game during their current win streak. 
Hartford at UMBC, 7 p.m. -- Live Stats | Live Video | UMBC Radio
  • Two teams looking to get on track meet in Baltimore Sunday when Hartford (8-18, 5-8 AE) visits UMBC (5-22, 4-10 AE).
  • The Hawks have dropped six of their last seven games, while the Retrievers have lost three straight.
  •  Hartford had won five of seven before the current losing stretch, while UMBC had run off four wins in seven games.
  • UMBC won the first meeting of the season on Jan. 20, 74-70 in double overtime.
  • Hartford allowed Binghamton to shoot 55.4 percent in suffering its most lopsided defeat of the season Wednesday.
  • Morgan Sabia scored a team-high 11 points and ninth among league leaders in scoring (14.1 ppg).
  • Hartford ranks 18th nationally in 3-point field goals per game (8.4), 20th in turnover margin (+3.7) and also leads America East in steals (8.0 spg)
  • UMBC allowed Boston U. to shoot 50 percent suffered its second-largest loss of the season Tuesday.
  • Junior Chris De La Rosa scored a team high 11 points and ranks third among league leaders averaging 16.1 points per game and is seventh nationally with 6.3 assists per game.
Maine at Siena, 7 p.m. -- Live Stats | Live Video | Maine Radio
  • Maine (14-12) and former conference member Siena (1984-89) meet for the first time since 1989 in Albany Saturday.
  • The Black Bears allowed Vermont to shoot a blistering 59.6 percent from the field in a loss Wednesday.
  • Troy Barnies scored a team-high 19 points and ranks seventh among league leaders in scoring (14.4 ppg) and tied for fourth in rebounding (7.8 rpg).
  • After winning seven straight, Maine, which leads America East averaging 70.0 ppg, has dropped its last five contests. 
New Hampshire at Marist, 7:30 p.m. -- Live Stats | Live Video 
  • New Hampshire (12-14) goes for its fourth win in five games when it visits Marist Saturday.
  • UNH held UMBC to 10 first-half points and opened up a 31-point lead en route to the win Saturday.
  • Senior Tyrone Conley scored a game-high 25 points and ranks second among league leaders averaging 17.9 points per game in conference play.
  • UNH continues to play stellar defense and ranks among the nation's leaders (20th), holding opponents to 60.3 points per game.

Recent Results

Wednesday, February 16
Vermont 73, at Maine 56 -- Box Score

  • Vermont (22-5, 13-2 AE) clinched the America East regular-season title and the top seed in the America East tournament. The win also guarantees the Catamounts a spot in the NIT if they do not win the America East tournament championship.
  • The Catamounts went 31-for-52 from the floor, shooting at a 59.6 percent clip, while holding Maine (14-12, 8-6 AE) to 41.7 percent field goal shooting.
  • Vermont outrebounded Maine, 34-20.
  • Senior forward Evan Fjeld led the Catamounts with 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field while pulling down seven boards and blocking four shots.
  • Sophomore guard Brendan Bald scored 17 points while juninor forward Matt Glass added 11 points for Vermont.
  • Senior forward Troy Barnies paced the Black Bears with 16 points, including a 6-for-7 night from the free throw line. Senior guard Terrance Mitchell and freshman forward Alasdair Fraser each added 13 points.