MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
Vermont (1-5) begins the Nassau Championship against Ball State (3-1) on Friday (Nov. 25) in Nassau, The Bahamas. Tip-off is slated for 12 p.m. at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts, & Entertainment Center. The matchup will be the first-ever meeting between the Catamounts and Cardinals.  
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION
The 2022 Nassau Championship will broadcast live on FloHoops, a subscription-based service, with former UVM broadcaster Sam Hyman doing play-by-play. Fans can listen to the action for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield 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 via the Varsity Network App with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
 
RELATED LINKS
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Game Notes: Vermont 
 
NASSAU CHAMPIONSHIP
UVM's will compete at Baha Mar for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign. Vermont was victorious in the inaugural Islands of Bahamas Showcase, with victories over Bradley (W, 65-64), Coastal Carolina (W, 80-67), and Northern Kentucky (W, 66-64). Trae Bell-Haynes converted a layup in the final seconds to defeat Northern Kentucky in the championship game, and was later named Tournament MVP.
 
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
Ball State heads to The Bahamas after an 86-72 win over South Bend State. The Cardinals have wins in each of their last two games, with their lone Division I win of the season coming at Omaha (W, 71-61). Jarron Coleman leads the Ball State attack with 15.3 points per game. Coleman is a workhorse for the Cardinals, playing in 96.2% of the team's minutes, which ranks No. 2 in the nation. Ball State also relies on Demarious Jacobs, who plays in 95.0% of the team's minutes. Jacobs ranks No. 3 on the team in scoring (13.8 ppg), No. 4 in rebounding (5.5), and No. 1 in assists (4.5 apg). The Cardinals fight for rebounds on the offensive glass, coming down with 36.6% of their opportunities, which ranks No. 30 in the nation. Payton Sparks, a 6-9 forward, plays a huge role on the glass, coming down with 3.5 offensive boards per game.
 
THE TOURNAMENT FIELD
The Cats are the No. 2 seed in the Nassau Championship. North Texas has the top seed after finishing one spot ahead of Vermont in the NCAA NET Ranking last season. The Fighting Hawks won the regular season title in the Conference USA a season ago. Long Beach State also clinched a regular season title last season, earning the top spot in the Big West. The tournament field also includes Oakland, Missouri State, UNCW, San Jose State, and Ball State.
 
CATS VS. THE FIELD
Vermont has a 2-1 record against teams in the Nassau Championship, with both of its wins coming against UNC Wilmington. The Catamounts played Oakland last season at the Gulf Coast Showcase, but suffered a 63-61 loss in the final seconds.
 
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
UVM's strength of schedule through six games is ranked No. 27 in the nation by ESPN. The Catamounts have the toughest schedule among America East schools by a significant margin, with Binghamton in second (No. 148). UVM has already faced four NCAA Tournament teams in its early slate.
 
LOGGING MILES
Vermont continues its eight-game road trip, entering its sixth consecutive game away from Burlington. The Catamounts have spent 14 of the last 16 days on the road, and will continue a stretch of 19-of-21 days on the road, which started on Nov. 8.

McGee Automotive Group is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball