MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
Vermont (11-4, 3-0 AE) continues America East play on Wednesday (Jan. 19) when it visits NJIT (8-7, 3-2 AE) for the first time since the Highlanders joined the conference a season ago. The opening tip is slated for 7 p.m. at the NJIT Wellness & Events Center.
TELEVISION & BROADCAST INFORMATION
Wednesday night's UVM-NJIT matchup will broadcast live on
ESPN+. Fans can listen for free 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. The radio broadcast is also available online at
Catamounts All-Access with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
FOLLOWING THE CATAMOUNTS – NJIT SPECTATOR POLICY
Given the recent COVID-19 surge, NJIT has revised its spectator policy. All spectators ages 5 and older, must be fully vaccinated and provide proof upon entry. Masks remain required for all non-participants, in compliance with America East conference, NCAA, and NJIT guidelines. For more details, visit
NJITHighlanders.com.
RELATED LINKS
Watch | Listen | Live Stats
CatamounTV Press Conference: Becker | Shungu | Sullivan
Game Notes: Vermont
SCOUTING THE HIGHLANDERS
NJIT jumped out to a 3-0 start in league play, but has suffered back-to-back losses prior to Wednesday's meeting with Vermont. The Highlanders fell to UMBC (L, 76-56) on Jan. 12 and UAlbany (L, 71-56) on Jan. 15. Miles Coleman leads the NJIT attack with 16.2 points per game, which ranks second in America East. Senior guard Dylan O'Hearn averages 15.3 points per game, which ranks third.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Vermont is 5-1 all-time against NJIT, and 1-1 since the Highlanders joined the conference a season ago. The America East counterparts split last year's series in Burlington, with Vermont taking a 92-78 victory on Dec. 27, 2020. NJIT answered with a buzzer-beater the following day to beat the Catamounts 81-80 in double overtime. UVM's last trip to NJIT came on Dec. 5, 2009 when Maurice Joseph dropped 19 points to lead the Cats to an 88-49 victory.
3-0 START IN AE PLAY
Vermont has started conference play with a 3-0 mark for the fifth time in the last six seasons. The Catamounts have opened up league play with wins over the Preseason No. 1 Stony Brook (W, 98-65), No. 3 New Hampshire (W, 82-68), and No. 5 UMBC. (W, 86-69).
CATCHING FIRE IN LEAGUE PLAY
Vermont has averaged 88.7 points per game against America East opponents this season. The Catamounts have an average scoring margin of 21.3 points, which is 17.8 points higher than the second-best mark in league play. UVM has shot 59.4% against league opponents, including a staggering 54.8% from beyond the arc.
CONSECUTIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Finn Sullivan was named America East Player of the Week on Monday (Jan. 17), making him the second Catamount in as many weeks to receive the honor.
Ben Shungu was named Co-Player of the Week on Jan. 10. Sullivan sank 10-of-17 (58.8%) threes and averaged a team-high 19.5 points last week.
MID-MAJOR TOP 25
Vermont vaulted into the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25, earning the No. 18 ranking in this week's poll. The Cats crack the top 25 for the first time since late November, but have received votes throughout the season.
Key Motors of South Burlington is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball
