WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
Vermont will host Miami (OH) on Monday, November 6 at Patrick Gym in their 2023-24 home opener. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Bernie Cieplicki and Rob Ryan on the call. The matchup will also be available to listen to for free through the Varsity Network App, from Learfield on The Game, with Ryan Zimmerman on the call. The Game will air on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh and 960 AM around the rest of the region.
 
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AMERICA EAST PRESEASON POLL 
The reigning America East Champion, Vermont women's basketball team was voted as the league favorite in the 2023-24 America East Preseason Poll. Vermont received seven first place votes and 63 overall points in the poll. Maine was voted second overall with 58 total points, receiving the other two first place votes. UAlbany was picked third overall, with 48 points. Binghamton was selected fourth in the poll with a total of 39 points, while NJIT, rounded out the top five with a total of 38 points. UMBC received 32 points for sixth. Bryant earned 18 points for seventh, while UNH collected 17 points for eighth. UMass Lowell rounded out the preseason poll receiving 11 points. 
 
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS 
Anna Olson and Emma Utterback were named to the America East Preseason All-Conference Team for the Catamounts. This is the second preseason honor for Emma Utterback, while Olson garners her third consecutive preseason honor. Last season saw Olson lead America East in field goal percentage on her way to averaging 11.4 points, 1.5 assists and 0.9 blocks while leading the team with 6.5 rebounds per game and being named to the America East First Team. 

Last season saw Utterback get named to the America East All-Conference First Team a season ago. The Greenwood, Ind. native ranked fifth in the conference in scoring at 14.0 points per game and led America East play with 4.2 assists per game while shooting 40.9%. She was named 2022-23 America East Championship Most Outstanding Player. 
 
BATTLING AGAINST THE MID-AMERICAN
The Catamounts hold an 8-5 record against the Mid-American Conference. The Catamounts have faced Kent State the most boasting a 4-2 record. Vermont holds at least a .500 or better record against Western Michigan, Kent State, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo and Central Michigan. Vermont's only losing records against the Mid-American is Miami (OH) (0-1) and Ohio (0-1).
 
SEASON OPENERS
Vermont is 21-23 all-time in season openers. Under Mayer Head Women's Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge, the Catamounts are 2-3 having lost to No. 11 Indiana in last year's season opener. In their five season openers under Kresge the Catamounts have lost by an average of 66-59, but are 2-1 at Patrick Gym outscoring their opponents 63.6-57.3.This will be the first time the Catamounts and RedHawks faceoff in the season opener.
 
HOME OPENERS
UVM is 32-12 all-time in home openers, while under Kresge, the Catamounts are 4-1 at Patrick Gym in home openers. Last season, they defeated AIC 68-46 behind 22 points and eight assists from Utterback. Olson also chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds, while Delaney Richason also added seven points and a game-high nine rebounds. In their home openers the Catamounts are outscoring opponents by 9.2 points per game, while in their wins they are outscoring their opponents by 15.5 points a game. In her four career home-openers Utterback is averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game on 51 percent shooting from the floor, 33 percent from three and 89 percent from the free throw line. In her four career home openers Delaney Richason is averaging 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks on 48.3 percent shooting from the floor. In her three home openers Olson has contributed 11.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game on 48.4 percent shooting.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
This will be the second all-time matchup between the RedHawks and the Catamounts with Miami (OH) claiming a 79-73 victory in the first matchup in 2022. Utterback finished with a 14 point, 10 assist double-double in that game while Richason scored 13 points and grabbed five boards for the Catamounts. Olson scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds while dishing out two assists in that game.
 
SCOUTING THE REDHAWKS
Miami (OH) returns just three players from last year's roster, all three of them juniors. Katey Richason, Jessie Dai and Clare Chambers return for a third season for the RedHawks. Chambers played in 31 games for the RedHawks recording 2.1 points, 1.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Richason registered 3.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game across 28 games last season while Dai averaged Miami (OH) was selected to finish 12th in the Mid-American Preseason Poll receiving 23 total points. 
 
WHO'S NEXT
Following Monday's matchup with the RedHawks the Catamounts will head on the road to take on Big East foe Providence on Friday, November 10. The start time for that game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
Vermont Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont Women's Basketball