MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
Vermont (7-5) will continue its four-game homestand against Lipscomb (5-6) on Friday night (Dec. 20). The opening tip is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or at the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday.
 
TELEVISION AND RADIO COVERAGE
The second-ever meeting between the two programs can be seen on ESPN+ with Tyler Terens and Bernie Cieplicki on the call. Fans can also listen live on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield IMG College, on 101.3 The Game or online at Catamounts All-Access with Jake Marsh and former Catamount Ethan O'Day on the call.
 
RELATED LINKS
Lipscomb: Video | Live Stats | Audio | Tickets
Game Notes: Vermont | Lipscomb
 
DEFENSIVE STOPPERS
Vermont ranks in the nation's top-20 in two statistical categories. The Catamounts have held their opponents to 36.2% shooting from the field, which is the seventh-best mark in the country. UVM is only 4.1% behind Virginia, who leads the nation. The Cats also have the 16th-best scoring defense in the country, allowing only 58.5 points per game.
 
CATS IN DECEMBER
In four games this month, Anthony Lamb and Stef Smith are averaging double figures in the scoring column. Lamb leads the way with 18.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. The senior posted 23 points against UNC Greensboro on Wednesday at Patrick Gym. Smith has an 11.8 scoring average in December, which includes a season-high 25 points against Towson. The Ajax, Ontario native has posted career bests in field goal percentage (43.4%) and three-point percentage (45.8%) during the last month of the calendar year.
 
CATS VS. THE ASUN
UVM has an all-time record of 4-1 against teams from the Atlantic Sun Conference. Vermont's four wins came against NJIT from 2007-10. 
 
SCOUTING LIPSCOMB
Lipscomb enters Patrick Gym with a 2-3 record in its last five games against Division I opponents. The Bisons defeated Tennessee Tech 78-60 in their last outing on Tuesday. Rookie KJ Johnson leads the LU offense with 15.4 points per game. The 6-1 guard posted a career-high 25 points on the road at No. 25 Xavier earlier this season. Ahsan Asadullah (14.4 ppg) and Andrew Fleiming (10.5 ppg) are also in double figures for the Bisons. Asadullah nearly averages a double-double with 9.9 rebounds per game, which is the 34th-highest total in the nation. The 6-9 center pulls down 7.1 defensive rebounds per game, which is the 29th-most in the country. Lipscomb lost its top three scorers (Garrison Mathews, Rob Marberry, and Kenny Cooper) from last year's team. Mathews and Marberry graduated while Cooper transferred to Western Kentucky. The Bisons went deep in the NIT last season, but ultimately fell to Texas 81-66 in the championship game.
 
RELIVING LAST YEAR'S MEETING IN NASHVILLE
In the first ever meeting between the two programs, UVM's six-game winning streak came to an end at Lipscomb with a 91-66 setback in Nashville. Lamb notched 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. He also dished out four assists, blocked three shots, and recorded two steals. Smith matched Lamb with 21 points and shot 7-of-15 from the floor. He buried three triples and swatted away two shots.
 
National Life Group is the presenting sponsor of the 2019-20 Vermont men's basketball season