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Vermont’s Blakely getting looks before NBA draft

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UVM Men's Basketball
Written by VT Sports Network News Feed
Thursday, 03 June 2010
Source: Albany Times (blog) June 3, 2010 at 6:27 pm by Mark Singelais - http://blog.timesunion.com/collegesports/author/marksingelais UAlbany fans are no doubt relieved to say farewell to Vermont star forward Marqus Blakely, the two-time America East Player of the Year, who finished his stellar career by leading the Catamounts to this year’s NCAA Tournament. However, it may surprise that Blakely is getting serious looks from the NBA as the draft approaches. Vermont coach Mike Lonergan said today the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Blakely has workouts scheduled with no fewer than seven NBA teams before the June 24 draft. “ I think he has a legit chance to be one of the last 2-3 picks in the 2nd round,” Lonergan wrote in an e-mail. “They are intrigued by his 7′0 wing span and think he can be a great defender.” At the very least, it seems likely that if Blakely goes undrafted he’ll hook on with an NBA summer-league team. While Blakely had a terrific college career with 1,875 points and 1,044 rebounds, his NBA prospects might have seemed slim because he was an undersized post player at Vermont with little shooting range and didn’t appear to have a position at the next level. However, he’s a pro-level athlete – just ask anyone who saw his thunderous dunks - and a three-time America East Defensive Player of the Year. Although he was a tremendous help defender at Vermont, he needs to address whether he can guard perimeter players one-on-one at the highest level. According to Lonergan, here’s Blakely’s NBA workout schedule: Saturday: Golden State–he’ll go up against Butler’s Gordon Hayward, among others, at this workout June 10: Los Angeles Clippers June 11: Houston Rockets June 17: Washington Wizards June 18-19: Boston Celtics June 20: Memphis Grizzlies June 21: Milwaukee Bucks (date is tentative) If Blakely were to be chosen, he’d be the first NBA draft pick from the America East since Hofstra’s Speedy Claxton went in the first round (20th overall) to Philadelphia in 2000.

NMH Point Guard Heading to Vermont

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UVM Men's Basketball
Written by VT Sports Network Article
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
The University of Vermont was looking for a point guard late in the recruiting year and they came away with a solid one in NMH post-graduate Josh Elbaum. The Long Island native committed to Catamounts’ head coach Mike Lonergan on Monday night following a visit to the school over the weekend. “It obviously happened late but it all worked out,” Elbaum said of his recruitment. “I’m happy I’m ending up at Vermont.” “I visited last Friday and really loved it, loved Burlington, loved the school,” he said. “I really liked the coaches too. I thought they were all good guys. They offered me yesterday [Monday] and I called them later last night and confirmed that I wanted to go there.” Prior to arriving at NMH for his post-graduate year, Elbaum starred at St. John the Baptist High School in West Islip, New York. He was a three year starter and 1000 point scorer during his career and was named the Long Island Catholic League’s Most Valuable Player as a senior. “I wanted to go to a school where I could get a great education and have a great experience basketball wise,” he said. “That’s why I came to NMH, because I thought they could help provide that for me.” At Northfield Mount Hermon, he joined arguably the school’s best team ever as they advanced to the finals of the National Prep Championship. Elbaum is the sixth member of NMH’s class of 2010 to earn a division I scholarship, with that number sure to climb to seven when Majok Majok makes his decision. Elbaum made his first appearance in New England last spring and summer, running With Expressions Elite on the grassroots circuit. The next step in Elbaum’s basketball journey leads to Vermont, where Mike Lonergan’s club recently captured the America East championship and advanced to their first NCAA tournament under Lonergan’s leadership. Despite the Catamounts recent success, Elbaum should still have the opportunity to earn immediate playing time. With the graduation of starting point guard Nick Vier, UVM returns only New England products Joe Accaoui and Simeon Marsalis in the backcourt, meaning that both Elbaum and fellow freshmen guard Sandro Carissimo, who is more of a combo, could potentially earn time. CLICK HERE for complete article

Gear McBride Introduced as Vermont's Head Women's Basketball Coach on Monday

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UVM Women's Basketball
Written by VT Sports Network Article
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
BURLINGTON, Vt. - Newly hired Vermont women's basketball head coach Lori Gear McBride was introduced to the media and campus community at a press conference at Patrick Gymnasium on Monday afternoon. Gear McBride spoke to the crowd about how much she has "revered" UVM and watched the program from her hometown of Lennoxville, Quebec, just three hours from Burlington. When it came time to make a decision to attend college, Gear McBride's choices came down to UVM and the University of North Carolina. She decided on Chapel Hill over Burlington and went on to win a national championship as a freshman, but she still followed Vermont and when the head coaching position opened up she jumped at the opportunity. "I grew up watching and just loving Vermont women's basketball, that was really my first taste of NCAA basketball. I've always had such a great appreciation for the tradition and the success that Vermont women's basketball is about. Being able to have the opportunity to lead this program and to continue the level of success is just so exciting to me," said Gear McBride. CLICK HERE for complete article.

Vermont Basketball Receives Interest

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UVM Men's Basketball
Written by VT Sports Network Article
Friday, 07 May 2010
With the departure of defensive stopper, Garvey Young, Coach Lonergan and company now have an available scholarship to offer. The question is who will get the opportunity to join the surging Catamounts. There has been a lot of interest from undecided high school prospects and transfer candidates. Most recently, earlier this week 6'8" Hofstra Forward Halil Kanacevic chose St. Joseph's over Vermont and other top schools he considered. Clearly his intention was to play at the highest level possible, but many prospects out there know that they can come to Vermont, work hard and play an immediate role. Currently, Vermont has a gap in the guard spot and could use a solid defensive-minded two guard, but is clearly looking for the best prospect out there. The opportunity is great to go to school in an amazing college town in Burlington and showcase basketball skills in front of arguably the most passionate fan base in the mid majors. Top high school prospects know this reality that Vermont has a shot at winning the conference and at going to the NCAA Tournament every season. Most recently Marqus Blakely, a diamond in the rough coming out of high school, has become a rock-star in Vermont and nationwide (after winning the NCAA slam dunk contest) and is auditioning his skills at the NBA level as a result of his incredible career. Who will be the next Marqus Blakely? Vermont Sports Network will keep you posted on new prospects, and be sure to check out the VTSN discussion board.

Garvey Leaving UVM

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UVM Men's Basketball
Written by VT Sports Network News Feed
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Garvey Young has decided to leave the University of Vermont men’s basketball team and will explore transfer options, the sophomore guard just confirmed in a phone interview. -John Fantino, Burlington Free Press News Feed CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Clancy Rugg To Walk On

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UVM Men's Basketball
Written by VT Sports Network News Feed
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Former Burlington High School all-state basketball player Clancy Rugg has accepted an invitation to walk on with the University of Vermont men’s basketball team in the fall. Rugg considered UVM a year ago but opted to go to Northfield Mount Hermon Prep School in Massachusetts for a post-graduate year. “It seems like the place to go. I had to pull the trigger,” said Rugg, who notified UVM head coach Mike Lonergan of his decision Saturday evening. The 6-foot-7 forward has been admitted to UVM, but Lonergan is precluded from speaking about potential walk-ons. The 2009 Burlington Free Press Mr. Basketball and a two-time Free Press all-state selection, Rugg helped BHS to a 68-3 record in three seasons, including an undefeated state championship season in his junior year. A versatile player with inside moves and the ability to shoot from 3-point range, he averaged 17.8 points, eight rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game as a senior in the 2008-09 season. Rugg came off the bench this winter for NMH, which finished 23-8 and lost in the national prep school championship game to Brewster Academy, 79-76 in overtime. Rugg’s college decision came down to UVM or St. Michael’s. “It was pretty much down to those two,” Rugg said. -Mike Donoghue, BFP News Feed CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Marqus Blakely Wins Slam Dunk Contest

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UVM Men's Basketball
Written by Preston Junger
Friday, 02 April 2010
DARRON CUMMINGS, The AP Burlington Free Press Article INDIANAPOLIS — University of Vermont basketball fans and America East Conference opponents have known about Marqus Blakely’s dunking prowess for years. Thursday, the rest of the nation witnessed what all the fuss was about. The Catamount senior won the college slam dunk contest at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Blakely beat seven competitors, including Bradley’s Chris Roberts in the final round. Video: Blakely wins slam dunk contest Roberts had a 50 and a 47½ in the first round and 44½ in the semifinals before running into trouble in the finals. He misfired on three attempts, including a between-the-legs dunk, before he received a 40 for his one-handedpower dunk with time running out. Blakely scored a 41 on his crowning dunk, directing L.D. Williams to stand in the lane five feet from the basket, tossing the ball off the glass, and then hurdling the Wake Forest guard during his two-handed jam. In earlier rounds, Blakely threw down a 360-degree jam and pulled UVM teammate Evan Fjeld into the act for a pair of timing dunks. CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

Notes: Blakely Thanks UVM Fans For All Their Support

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UVM Men's Basketball
Written by VT Sports Network News Feed
Sunday, 21 March 2010
MikeLonergan.com BUFFALO, N.Y. – He entered with question marks. He exited with a championship. Marqus Blakely is arguably the greatest player in Vermont basketball history and one of the best to play in the America East Conference. He won three league Defensive Player of the Year awards, two Kevin Roberson Player of the Year honors, and was the Reggie Lewis Most Outstanding Player of the 2010 America East Tournament. The polite, gregarious and soft-spoken senior punctuated his outstanding career by leading the Cats to Coach Mike Lonergan’s first Division I conference championship and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Despite last night’s 79-56 loss to the West region’s top seed, Syracuse, Blakely will always cherish the dreamlike way the curtain dropped on his college playing days. “Two, three weeks ago, when we lost at Stony Brook, I thought it was the end of the world,” said Blakely, who had 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists and four steals against Syracuse. “Then going down there to Hartford, [Conn.,] and getting two wins, and having [Boston University] knock off Stony Brook in the America East semifinals, gave us the championship game at Patrick Gym. It was amazing. I never really thought that would happen. I thought Senior Night was my last night playing a home game. “Winning the championship in front of all our fans, that’s something that I’ll appreciate the rest of my life.” The most decorated basketball player UVM has ever had received his coronation on the home hardwood. “It was great to see the Vermont fans cheering for BU against Stony Brook, knowing the fact that the only reason they’re cheering for them is that we could come back to Patrick,” Blakely said the day before the Cats secured the America East title. Blakely was named honorable mention All-American this year and last. He truly appreciates the support Catamount fans have provided him and his teammates during his four-year career. “I just want to say thank you to all the fans and everyone in Vermont that’s helped me,” he said. “From my freshman year to now, I’ve seen so many places; I’ve met so many different people. To somewhat figure out what Vermont’s all about and to understand that everyone who comes to the game is here for a reason. It’s not like, ‘well, let’s just go see a game.’ “They’re going to be here 10 years down the road. Hopefully I’m coming back here and watching the same games. It’s really been an honor to play for the University of Vermont. It’s a great place.” CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

No. 10 Vermont to Face No. 7 Wisconsin in NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament First Round Action

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UVM Women's Basketball
Written by VT Sports Network News Feed
Saturday, 20 March 2010
BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Vermont women's basketball team eared a No. 10 seed and will travel to South Bend, Ind. to face No. 7 seed Wisconsin in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament on Sunday (March 21) at 12:15 p.m. The game is scheduled to be televised on ESPN2 and will also be available on WVMT-620 AM and on the Internet at SportsJuice.com. UVM learned its seed and opponent when the bracket was announced Monday night on ESPN. CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE... DISCUSS...

UVM's Season Ends In NCAAs

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Men's Basketball Recap
Written by VT Sports Network News Feed
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Marqus Blakely flys high during the Catamounts NCAA Tournament loss to #1 Syracuse - photo credit: Shane Bufano BUFFALO, N.Y. - Wes Johnson scored a game-high 18 points to lead five players in double figures, as No. 1 seed Syracuse earned a 79-56 victory over the No. 16 seed Vermont men’s basketball team in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night at the HSBC Arena. Senior Marqus Blakely (Metuchen, N.J.) paced the Cats in his final game in a Vermont uniform with 17 points, nine rebounds and four steals. UVM ends the season with an overall record of 25-10. Syracuse (29-4) shot 62.5 percent from the floor in the second half and 54.5 percent for the game, as it advances to the second round where the Orange will meet eighth-seeded Gonzaga on Sunday. The Orange led by as many as 27 in the game and limited the Cats to shoot only 34.8 percent on the night. - Vermont Sports Information Feed CLICK HERE FOR NCAA TOURNAMENT PHOTO GALLERY. CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

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