Those were are college sports junkies were likely very excited for this game between Virginia Tech and a Vermont team that had won seven-straight regular season conference titles. The Catamounts also brought a quality offense that ranked in the top 50 nationally in field goal percentage, two-point shooting percentage, and three-point shooting percentage; something that would give Tech a good defensive test.
Well, the Catamounts were cold to start this game, but the Hokies also stepped up defensively holding Vermont to 2-19 to start the game and claiming a 28-4 lead at one point on their way to a comfortable victory against a quality mid-major opponent.
Virginia Tech beat Vermont 73-51 to improve to 8-3 on the season with the Catamounts falling to 8-4. The Hokies will turn their attention to their final non-conference game of the season against American on December 21st in Blacksburg before ACC play starts on December 30th.
Tech took advantage of a cold shooting Vermont to seize control early going 6-10 from three-point to start this game on their way to claiming a 28-4 lead early. Things tightened slightly going into halftime at 36-17, but Tech was able to continue to keep the Catamounts at more than arm's length.
Defensively, there's a lot that the Hokies can pleased about starting with the fact that they held a very good offensive Catamount team to only 17 first half points on 7-27 from the field. Overall, the Catamounts shot 21-57 (36.8%) from the field including 4-20 (20.0%) from three-point range, well before their season averages of 48.5% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range. Tech also did a great job on the glass holding UVM to two offensive rebounds including zero in the first half, and only two prior to the final five or so minutes when Tech went to their deep bench.
It was a clean game of basketball for Tech as well with only seven turnovers on the game and though Vermont only had nine turnovers, Tech took advantage with a 17-3 points off turnovers advantage and a 7-1 fastbreak points advantage.
Lynn Kidd was one of the stars of this game for the Hokies with 17 points (including 13 in the second half) on 4-7 from the field plus 9-11 from the free-throw line while adding 11 rebounds. Kidd continues to be an impact player for the Hokies in the frontcourt showing some great touch around the rim and finding ways to consistently get to the free-throw line.
Tyler Nickel had another quality game with 13 points on 4-9 from the field including 2-7 from three-point range and 3-3 from the free-throw line plus two rebounds and two assists. Hunter Cattoor had a nice game with 10 points, two rebounds, two steals, one assist, and one block.
Sean Pedulla was able to make his return today after missing the Valparaiso game. The Oklahoma native started and had seven points, two rebounds, and one assist with the game allowing the Hokies to limit him to 16 minutes.
Jaydon Young had maybe his best game as a Hokie with six points on a pair of threes plus a rebound and an assist while having an insane +20 plus/minus despite playing only 19 minutes. Fellow freshman Brandon Rechsteiner also played well with five points, three assists, two rebounds, one steal, and zero turnovers in 23 minutes.
Robbie Beran stuffed the stat sheet with three points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block while Mekhi Long added two points, seven rebounds, and one assist. Mylyjael Poteat had four points, one rebound, and one assist while John Camden added three points and two rebounds, playing 14 minutes to help fill the gap left by MJ Collins being out with injury. Pat Wessler had his first collegiate bucket on his way to finishing with three points, two rebounds, and one block while walk-on Conner Venable made a brief appearance.
This game felt like one that could get dicey given the timing right after exams and the fact that Vermont has been one of the better mid-major programs for awhile. However, the Hokies showed up more than ready to play against the Catamounts and put together a quality win that could definitely end up in Q2 when all is set and done, and will absolutely boost many of their efficiency metrics in a valuable way.
This is also a win that can give Tech fans a little boost of confidence given the sharpness they showed on the defensive end against a well-coached offensive Vermont team that will certainly be a problem for someone in March Madness.
If you're looking for a comparison for this victory, then it's probably the win over St Bonaventure in the 2021-22 season against a well-coached mid-major where the Hokies came out ready to play and shined, boosting their resume and metrics in the process. That's exactly what Tech did today against the Catamounts.
