MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
Vermont (0-0, 0-0 AE) opens up the regular season on the road Thursday at Northern Iowa (0-1, 0-0 MVC). Tip off for the Catamounts and Panthers is slated for 6 p.m. at the McLeod Center, located in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
 
TELEVISION AND RADIO COVERAGE
The Catamounts' season opener will broadcast live on ESPN+. Fans can also listen live on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield IMG College on The Game, which will air on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh, and 960 AM around the rest of the region. Fans can also listen online at Catamounts All-Access with Brian McLaughlin on the call.  
 
RELATED LINKS
Watch | Listen | Live Stats
Game Notes: Vermont | Northern Iowa
 
IT'S BEEN HOW LONG?!
The Catamounts will play a non-conference opponent for the first time in 679 days on Thursday. The Catamounts defeated Dartmouth 77-68 on January 2, 2020 in Hanover, New Hampshire
 
FIRST TIME HERE
Vermont makes its first ever trip to Iowa. The Hawkeye State is the 37th state visited by the Catamounts in program history. Among the states UVM had yet to travel prior to the start of the season, Iowa was the closest in proximity. Burlington to Cedar Falls is 1,562 miles as a crow flies.
 
CATS vs. MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE
Although Vermont has never played Northern Iowa before, the Catamounts have faced three current members of the Missouri Valley Conference. Vermont is 2-1 against current MVC opponents, with wins over Bradley (W, 65-64 in 2017) and Illinois State (W, 87-76 in 2013). UVM's 2017 win over Bradley was sealed by a Trae Bell-Haynes free throw with 2.6 seconds left in the opening round of the Islands of Bahamas Showcase.
 
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Northern Iowa dropped its season opener on Tuesday night with a 68-52 home loss to Nicholls State. The Panthers are led by preseason Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year A.J. Green. The junior averaged 22.3 points per game last year in a season that was cut short due to injury, but averages 17.2 points in 69 career games. Austin Phyfe led UNI in the season opener with 20 points and nine rebounds. The Panthers were selected third in the MVC Preseason Poll.
 
HOT SHOOTING EARLY
In two exhibition games, the Catamounts have shot 57.9% from the field, sinking 77-of-133 attempts. Vermont was 20-for-33 (49.0%) from deep. Ben Shungu made 13-of-15 field goal attempts and was a perfect 8-for-8 against Saint Anselm.
 
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