UVM is not expected to do much this season and Brennan realized last year the biggest culprit was talent, specifically size, on the roster.  These kids play as hard as anyone but when your starting post players are both 6’2 you are barking up trees without any leaves. One of these undersized ‘big’ men is Senior Benny Becton who gives tUVM stability down low and a physical presence.  He is a gifted rebounder who can also score in the paint.  He was pushed hard during last year by and up and coming freshman, Joe Calavita, who eventually was getting the majority of minutes, though no starts, down low.  Still, Becton’s presence cannot be ignored.  He is the glue that holds this team together.  He knows his starting role is in jeopardy and might have to transition to a different role (small forward or bench) but will continue to be the BMOC in Burlington.  Calavita is diamond in the rough.  He is one Catamount that does have size as he goes 6’11.  He does not like to bang down low and did not have a good first season for UVM.  Still, this true project has that thing they do not teach in classrooms (or on the court) and will get every opportunity to start for Brennan. Who he starts next to will be the question as Becton and fellow senior Clyde Lord battle it out with the new kids Brennan has brought in for minutes.  Lord, like Becton, started every game of the year at forward for the UVM but like his sidekick was overmatched against almost everyone in the American East and for sure outside of it.  Lord (no E, sorry Mr. Hayes) has had a great career for Vermont and if he was anywhere near size of that dude from Houston, he would have a bright future in this sport.  He is that special of a player as he led UVM in scoring and rebounding the last two years (almost assuredly for the last time) and is the only player that got all-league recognition after the season.  This kid does have a bright future (he is premed) and it is not singing about the royal family or sadly on the basketball court.  But this kid has one more year in Burlington and as legendary as he is to this program there is no way he is just going to give his job away.  And Brennan, as tough as he is. Better be careful when replacing the two studs who have defined Cat basketball for the last three years. 

The rest of the Vermont team is filled with group of versatile role players.  Junior Warren Prehmus will begin the year as a starter in the backcourt, we just don’t know if he will be in the worlds of Mr. Welk ‘a one or a two.’  This 6’2 kid did have some huge games for UVM but was inconsistent especially with his playmaking.  He is better suited as a combo guard off the bench but for now starts.  Sophomore Howard Hudson is another guard who loves to go to the hoop and can really throw it down even if he is only six two.  Hudson has an erratic outside shot but is a way better playmaker then Prehmus but did not start until midway through the year for some reason.   His strength is his defense as he led the team in steals even playing limited minutes and really pushed the other guards in practice.  I think Brennan realized he was a bit too loyal to upperclassmen Frank ‘the Machine’ Martiniuk and Dave Lapointe.  Martiniuk is above legendary in Burlington (hence the nickname that is not all about basketball) and has been the primary scoring option on the wing since he arrived in this coat rack of a town.  He still finished second on scoring last season after going to the bench and looks to keep that role this year.  This 6’2 stud can shoot and loves to get to the hole and will play in some capacity.  Lapointe might be back this year as this smooth stroking guard has played next to the Machine since they came to Burlington.  This kid has another calling as Lapointe (with an E though he is not big at 6’3) is also the starting shortstop on the Cat baseball team.  However, he does not pitch, that’s another guy, without the E.  Sophomore Mike Evelti did solid work for Vermont in his first season.  Evelti is a good scorer especially from the perimeter and gives the UVM their only true small forward on the roster.  He took over the starting role from senior Larry Killick, who missed most of the year with a foot injury.  Killick is trying to get a medical redshirt as he only played 7 games last year and has had a great career here.  Senior Bill Librera, junior Joe Greco and sophomores John Simko, Jeff Brown and Bill Brennan are also in the mix for wing roles but none of these are as complete of a player as Evelti who should start once again.  Brown was big on the JV (led the team in scoring and assists) last year and could really push for minutes as he is a true two guard and athletic as heck which this team needs.  Other players looking for time on the court include seniors Ralph D’altilia (the Hun) and Milt Goggins plus juniors Mike Kern and Ron Gottschalk all up front.  Kern is the only one that has any real size at 6’11 but he has been surpassed on the food chain by Calavita.  Gottschalk started some games last year and has a little size at 6’7 but is not quite physical enough for the D-1 level.  The rest will struggle for time especially with the kids Brennan is brining in. 

Vermont had a season that should be forgotten. New coach Tom Brennan tried everything he has in his Magic Hat but UVM looked like they were playing with string and finished in the basement again.   Vermont is not expected to compete in the American East but Brennan has made it clear he will not accept this level of play.  He has one of the best recruiting classes ever in this league and is hoping to compete for an AMEC title.  Or at least finish above .500, whichever comes first.