Storylines, schedule for 2023-24 UVM men's basketball team: Everything you need to know

When players returned this summer for practices and workouts, University of Vermont men's basketball coach John Becker noticed the newcomers, particularly the transfers, had done their homework on the program's systems and inner workings.

"They clearly had been talking with the older guys. They knew some concepts already, knew some of the terminology already," Becker said. "Guys have been great here throughout the years, but there's just this eagerness to figure things out. They ask really good questions and they want to get it right."

Said fifth-year senior Aaron Deloney: "They pick my brain every day. I love it because it shows they are eager to learn, eager to get better."

After a second straight offseason of diving into the portal to fill scholarship spots — half of the eight newcomers were signed as transfers — Vermont embarks on another America East Conference title defense. The Catamounts have won the league's regular season crown seven years running, and played in the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time in Becker's tenure, which officially begins a 13th campaign on Nov. 6 against Merrimack at home.

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The league's coaches expect the pattern to repeat: The preseason poll has Vermont as the league favorite, with six first-place votes to three for UMass Lowell, last year's conference tournament runner-up to the Catamounts.

Vermont continues its exhibition slate Wednesday night in its annual series vs. St. Michael's College before the Merrimack opener. To get a better sense of the 2023-24 Catamounts, here are four storylines to watch, plus the team's full nonconference and league schedule.

Vermont defense has chance to be 'elite' unit

The arrival of guard Shamir Bogues, a transfer from Tarleton State in Texas, and the continued improvement and bright potential of 6-foot-8 forward Ileri Ayo-Faleye give the Catamounts the foundational pieces that have come to define the program's success: Its defense.

"We have a chance to be an elite defensive team," Becker said.

And it starts with Bogues' quickness and Ayo-Faleye's length and athleticism. The 6-foot-4 Bogues, who averaged 1.9 steals per game last winter, was an all-league defensive player at Tarleton, who played in a high-risk, high-reward system.

"Shamir naturally picks the ball up at 94 feet. It’s not something I’ve told him, it’s just how he’s wired and what he did at Tarleton," Becker said. "He has an infectious energy about him."

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Ayo-Faleye, meanwhile, grew into a productive contributor off the bench during the Catamounts' championship run last season. When Ayo-Faleye returned this summer, the former Rhode Island player was unrecognizable to Becker.

"He looked like he's grown a couple inches, put on a bunch of weight. He’s bought in to what we’ve done. I give that kid a lot of credit," Becker said. "His athleticism, his toughness, his mindset — all were a recipe for someone who can be special."

Under Becker, Vermont employs a man-to-man, help-based defense. But with Bogues' presence and ability, Becker gave pause to the idea of making systematic tweaks.

"I’m a pretty conservative coach, especially on the defensive end. We’re not gambling for steals, we’re not trying to turn people over," Becker said. "If you can get (teams) in the half-court and be really disciplined and really buttoned up on your rotations and knowing where your help is coming from and make them make shots over you consistently — it’s been a good recipe for us and it’s just not my nature to give anyone easy baskets because we are gambling.

"Can we block more shots, can we create more steals? Maybe. I have my eye on that in trying to think of ways we can do that within the structure of our defense."

Becker also mentioned Jackson Skipper, who redshirted last year, as a player who could develop into another strong defender.

Biggest question mark: Who's the Catamounts' point guard?

Leader Robin Duncan, Finn Sullivan, the America East player of the year, and Dylan Penn, the conference tournament's most outstanding player, all spent time at the point for the Catamounts a year ago. But all three graduated, and Becker doesn't have a natural point guard to run the show.

"It’s been kind of noticeable so far," Becker said.

To find a solution, Becker said Deloney, who returned to Burlington for a fifth season after initially placing his name in the transfer portal, and Bogues will handle point-guard responsibilities. Last winter, Vermont was 16th in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio.

"One of those two guys have to be in the game to get our offense initiated," Becker said.

Deloney welcomes the new assignment. Although he's spent his career as a shooting guard, Deloney routinely puts the team's needs first: He's played through injuries and came off the bench the last two seasons.

"It’s not too big of a change. I’ve had a lot of reps with it this summer and fall," said Deloney, the two-time America East sixth-man award winner. "It’s a challenge, for sure, because the mindset is different as a two-guard and one-guard. But I’m ready for whatever’s needed."

Deloney is also the team's leader.

"He has a different style than (Duncan) did last year, and that's OK," Becker said. "He sets a great example for how we want to approach every day. When he leads like that and how we do things, it just trickles down to everyone else. He’s been really, really good."

When will Nick Fiorillo return from injury?

Two weeks ago, UVM announced forward Nick Fiorillo is out indefinitely after suffering a lower-body injury. During media day last week, Becker confirmed in his interview with the Free Press, that Fiorillo hurt the same surgically repaired knee that kept him sidelined for 20 games last season.

However, Becker said the injury won't require another surgery, and will likely keep Fiorillo on the bench for 6-to-8 weeks. Becker said he's hopeful for Fiorillo's return by late November or early December.

"The good news is, if everything goes well, he’ll come back and be able to get a bunch of games under his belt before conference play starts," Becker said. "You feel for that kid because there is no one works harder, no one cares more about Vermont basketball than Nick Fiorillo."

Without Fiorillo, UVM will get a chance to give good minutes to a pair of freshman forwards, Seth Joba and Noah Barnett.

"It’s going to give some guys opportunities to get experience. As we build toward conference play, maybe it will really help build our depth," Becker said.

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Catamounts blessed with multiple shooters

According to Matt Veretto, Catamount shooters have enjoyed a hot hand from the 3-point line during practices this summer and fall.

"We have had really good offensive days for a defensive-minded team. We have some guys who can shoot the ball really well, 40% in practice," said Veretto, who led the conference in field-goal percentage last year at 56.3%. "It’s going to be really fun year if we can hold up those percentages."

Veretto and Deloney are familiar sharpshooters for Catamount fans. TJ Hurley showed flashes last winter when he earned a spot on the league's all-rookie team. Joining those returning perimeter threats are transfers Brenton Mills, TJ Long and Jace Roquemore. And Joba, the freshman, has the ability to stretch the floor as a big man.

Those options will make it tough for Becker to decide on starting lineups and rotations.

"We are still working through that. It’s a good problem to have, but it’s something that weighs on me pretty heavily," Becker said. "We’ll see how that plays out."

Vermont men's basketball's season schedule

Saturday, Oct. 28: Vermont 85, Catholic 59 (exhibition)

Wednesday, Nov. 1: vs. St. Michael's (exhibition), 7 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 6: vs. Merrimack (season opener), 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 11: vs. Plattsburgh State, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 16: vs. College of Charleston at Myrtle Beach Invitational, 11:30 a.m.

Friday, Nov. 17: vs. St. Louis or Wyoming at Myrtle Beach Invitational, time TBD

Saturday, Nov. 18: vs. team TBD at Myrtle Beach Invitational, time TBD

Wednesday, Nov. 22: vs. Vermont State University-Johnson, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 25: at Bradley, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 29: vs. Dartmouth, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2: vs. Yale, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 6: at Northeastern, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 9: vs. Colgate, 2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16: at Virginia Tech, 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 20: at Toledo, time TBD

Friday, Dec. 22: at Miami (Ohio), time TBD

Tuesday, Jan. 2: at Brown, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 6: vs. Maine (America East opener), 2 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 11: vs. UMBC, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 13: vs. NJIT, 2 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 18: at Binghamton, 6:07 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 25: at UMass Lowell, time TBD

Saturday, Jan. 27: at Bryant, time TBD

Thursday, Feb. 1: vs. Albany, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 3: vs. Binghamton, 2 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 8: at NJIT, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 10: at UMBC, 1 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 15: vs. New Hampshire, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 17: at Maine, 3 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 22: at Albany, time TBD

Saturday, Feb. 24: vs. Bryant, 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 2: vs. UMass Lowell, 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 5: at New Hampshire, 7 p.m.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont men's basketball: 2023-24 preview for America East champions