CBB Review hands out awards for each conference tournament in 2024. Up next: The America East Tournament.
The America East Tournament went almost exactly as it was supposed to. The championship game was between the top two seeds. 1-seed Vermont played 2-seed UMass Lowell. The River Hawks had the Catamounts in the first half, but the second half was different. The guaranteed spot was granted to Vermont on their 28-6 season, and they are flying through conference play going 15-1. Coach John Becker has his work cut out for him as the Vermont Catamounts are the 13-seed and will take on 4-seed Duke. These two will face off at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.
Another honor for Coach Becker 👏👏👏 https://t.co/6of2NCjep5 pic.twitter.com/ZE8Uj6imUf
— UVM Men’s Basketball (@UVMmbb) March 19, 2024
CBB Review America East Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Shamir Bogues, Vermont
Vermont’s Shamir Bogues and TJ Long both deserve this title. However, Bogues’ play in the championship game boosted him over Long. He led the team in scoring, rebounding, and steals. Bogues had some critical game moments where he came up big. He created second-chance opportunities with two offensive rebounds and four steals. These extra opportunities allowed the Catamounts to grab the lead. Bogues’ rebounds were big as they prevented second-chance opportunities for UMass Lowell. Bogues was the only player to maintain double-digit scoring throughout the tournament.
CBB Review All-America East Tournament First Team
- G: Shamir Bogues, Vermont – 3 GP (14.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, 3.0 SPG)
- G: TJ Long, Vermont – 3 GP (14.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 3.0 SPG)
- F: Clarence Daniels, New Hampshire – 2 GP (17.0 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 3.0 SPG, 1.5 BPG)
- F: Cam Morris III, UMass Lowell – 3 GP (14.67 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.3 BPG)
- F: Daniel Rivera, Bryant – 2 GP (14.5 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 3.0 BPG)
Vermont’s NCAA Tournament Prediction
Round of 64
The Vermont Catamounts are going dancing but, unfortunately, have a difficult matchup in the first round. The team faces off against Duke. While Vermont is a fundamentally sound team, its losses early in the year were severe. Determining how this game will go seems like a struggle, as the Blue Devils have more talented players. The biggest issue for the Catamounts will be stopping the offensive ability of the Duke Blue Devils. Duke will be an issue, as it can score from any level. Filipowski will be the biggest problem for Vermont. The Catamounts have no one that matches up well with him. While anything can happen, a Vermont win would bust most brackets in the NCAA Tournament.