By james art 
BURLINGTON, Va. – The Vermont men’s basketball team travels to Birmingham, Alabama for its season opener against UAB on Monday, November 4 at Bartow Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.
RELEASE INFORMATION
The non-conference clash will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Fans can listen to the game for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield on The Game, which will be broadcast on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh and 960 AM in the rest of the region. A radio broadcast is also available via the Varsity Network app with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
AFFILIATED LINKS
Watch: ESPN+
Listen on the Varsity Network app
Live stats
Game Notes: Vermont
VERMONT PERSPECTIVE
- The Vermont men’s basketball program is seeking its first America East championship in program history. The only other USA East team to make four tournaments was Northeastern from 1983-87.
- The Catamounts were picked No. 1 in the America East preseason poll for the eighth time in the past nine seasons and the tenth time in 14 seasons under John Becker. Vermont received eight of nine first-place votes and a score of 64 points. UMass Lowell was voted second in the poll, receiving one remaining first-place vote and a score of 55 points.
- Last year, Vermont was ranked 9th nationally in scoring defense (63.0). The Catamounts were 14-0 last season when they held opponents to 60 points or less.
- UVM was one of the top defensive teams in the country, ranking ninth in turnovers per game (9.1) last year.
- Shamir Bogus earned preseason conference honors after earning America East Newcomer of the Year, All-Championship Team, All-Conference First Team and All-Defensive Team honors. The Killeen, Texas native was named the Reggie Lewis Most Outstanding Player after averaging 14.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.3 steals and 3.0 assists in the America East playoffs.
- TJ Long earned preseason all-conference honors after landing on the America East All-Championship Team and the All-Conference Third Team. He led the America East in 3-point percentage (37.5%) while averaging 11.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per conference game.
INTELLIGENCE OF THE BLAZERS
- This is Vermont’s first game against UAB.
- UAB was selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2024-25 American Athletic Conference (AAC) men’s basketball title. The Blazers received nine first-place votes and a total of 141 points.
- UAB is coming off an AAC championship last season. The Blazers lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against San Diego State.
- UAB’s roster features a large amount of returning production from last season’s NCAA Tournament team, including five players who started a game. The Blazers return 62.3% of their field goals from last season and 60.7% of their rebounds.
- UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg had a dominant season last year at UAB. He led the Blazers with 13.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 blocks per game, earning American Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors.
McGee Automotive Family is the current sponsor of Vermont men’s basketball