MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
Vermont (14-5, 4-0 AE) faces UMass Lowell (14-4, 5-0 AE) in a title game rematch Thursday (Jan. 25) in Lowell, Mass. The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. ET at Costello Athletic Center. Tickets are available at GoRiverHawks.com.
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Thursday's game will broadcast live on ESPN+. An international stream will also be available on AmericaEast.TV. Fans can listen to the game 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
Watch: ESPN+ | AE.TV (Int'l)
Listen on Varsity Network App
Live Stats
Game Notes: Vermont | UMass Lowell
CatamounTV Press Conference: Becker | Deloney | Veretto
 
TITLE GAME REMATCH
UVM and UMass Lowell meet for the first time since the 2023 America East Championship Game when the Cats clinched their 10th conference title with a 72-59 victory. Vermont is 9-4 all-time in title game rematches and 6-1 as defending champs.  
 
THE 2023 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Vermont secured its 10th America East Championship, and second consecutive title, defeating UMass Lowell 72-59 at Patrick Gym last season. UVM rallied back from a 29-25 halftime deficit by grabbing the first four points of the second frame – the victory was Vermont's only win when trailing at the half last season. Dylan Penn scored a game-high 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting and was named Most Outstanding Player. Matt Veretto scored 15 points in the victory -- all coming in the second half.
 
CONFERENCE WINNING STREAK
Vermont owns the nation's longest conference winning streak, earning 19 straight victories in America East play. UVM's last conference loss came in its last trip to UMass Lowell, falling 80-65 on Jan. 11, 2023.
 
PRESEASON NO. 1 VS. 2
The Catamount and River Hawks were picked No. 1 and 2, respectively, in the America East Preseason Poll.
 
SCOUTING THE RIVER HAWKS
UMass Lowell carries a seven-game winning streak – the ninth longest streak in the country – into Thursday's contest. The River Hawks defeated UAlbany (W, 97-76) and Binghamton (W, 80-60) in last week's games. UML has the highest field goal percentage (50.2%) in league play so far, led by Max Brooks who is shooting a conference-best 67.9% and ranks ninth in scoring average (17.0 ppg). UMass Lowell's defense yields a 26.7% three-point percentage, the second-best rate in the country.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Vermont owns a 17-4 record in the all-time series with UMass Lowell. UVM is 8-2 in the last 10 games with both losses coming on the road. The Catamounts won two of the three meetings with the River Hawks last season, with the lone loss coming at Costello Athletic Center. Vermont was without America East Player of the Year Finn Sullivan in the 80-65 loss.
 
MID-MAJOR POLLS
The Catamounts moved up one spot to earn the No. 21 ranking in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25. UVM was picked No. 18 in the Field of 68's Top 25 Cinderella Poll – one ahead of UMass Lowell.
 
PROTECTING THE BALL
Vermont has been one of the best teams in the country at protecting the ball, ranking fourth in turnovers per game (9.0). The Cats have averaged a league-best 7.3 turnovers per game in AE play – 3.7 less than the next closest team. UVM had recorded nine turnovers or less in 13 of 19 games this year. Vermont ranks 10th nationally in turnover percentage (13.8%)
 
IN A WINNING CLASS
Vermont has boasted a 184-55 record dating since the start of the 2016-17, and have recorded the fourth highest winning percentage (.770) in the nation during that span. The Catamounts trail Gonzaga (.891), Houston (.819), and Kansas (.805), and currently sit ahead of Duke (.768) to round out the top five.
 
McGee Automotive Family is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball