It’s a bit surprising Vermont hasn’t fielded a TBT team given their strong alumni base and success in mid-major hoops but 2025 is the year for Green Mountain Men.
It’s clear Jake Marsh wanted to go all-in with making a UVM alumni team, because this roster is filled with notable players if you follow America East basketball, and especially the Vermont Catamounts. I actually really like the chances of this Green Mountain Men team winning a game or two, given their roster makeup and the draw they got in the first round.
Roster:
- Aaron Deloney (Vermont)
- Ben Carlson (Utah)
- Ben Shungu (Vermont)
- Darren Payen (Vermont)
- Drew Urquhart (Vermont)
- Dylan Penn (Vermont)
- Ileri Ayo-Faleye (Vermont)
- Nick Fiorillo (Vermont)
- Robin Duncan (Vermont)
Coaching Staff:
- Derryk O’Grady (Head Coach)
- Ernie Duncan (GM, Asst. Coach)
- Jake Marsh (GM)
Region: Syracuse
All-time Record: 0-0
First Matchup: vs. Rise and Grind (July 19 at 3 p.m. EST)
Team MVP: Ben Shungu
It’s been a few seasons since Ben Shungu last played college basketball, but his final season was one for the books. Shungu was a big scorer for Vermont, averaging over 16 points per game for the Catamounts. If they want to make a deep run they’ll have to find a go-to scorer and Shungu figures to be the top option for them.
Make-or-break Player: Aaron Deloney
Guard play is very important in The Basketball Tournament, and Deloney figures to have a huge role carved out for Green Mountain Men. On a short roster, he has the chance to be an impactful scorer and facilitator. Plus, Deloney was one of the best UVM players at not turning over the ball, so his steady play can be massive for his team to move on in the tournament.
Team Outlook
If you want an underdog team to follow in TBT this summer, look no further than Green Mountain Men. Most of these Vermont alumni played with each other and know their styles of hoops, so the chemistry should be there. Plus, it’s a team with some scorers, some good guard play, and a winning history in college. I’m not picking them to get out of the region, but I could see a Syracuse region final appearance.