Guards
Vermont: Potential AE Rookie of the Year Mike Trimboli leads the Catamounts in points and assists. Sharpshooter Kyle Cieplicki is third in the America East in three-point percentage (41 percent).
Boston: Preseason All-Conference selection Shaun Wynn has struggled throughout the year, but freshman Corey Hassan has been a pleasant surprise.
Advantage: Vermont
Forwards
Vermont: Junior Martin Klimes provides experience and averages 11.6 points per game. Freshman Colin McIntosh gives the Catamounts a nice touch inside and good range from the perimeter.
Boston: 6-foot-8 Kevin Gardner has had an outstanding senior campaign. In two games against Vermont this season, he has averaged 14 points and 9.5 rebounds.
Advantage: Boston
Center
Vermont: Junior Chris Holm has consistently been overlooked as one of the more talented big men in the AE. The 6-foot-11 center is leading the team in rebounds (6.6) and third in scoring (8.4).
Boston: 6-foot-8 Omari Peterkin has shown signs this season of being an offensive threat, averaging 6.1 points, but Holm’s size might be too much to handle down low.
Advantage: Vermont
Bench
Vermont: Sophomores Timothy McCrory and Josh Duell anchor a young bench that includes six freshmen. Of all bench players, only Duell has led the team in scoring in a single game.
Boston: Queens native Bryan Geffen just came off a career-high 18 points against Hartford last Sunday. Forward’s Tony Gaffney and Ben Coblyn will also provide Boston’s starters with a breather.
Advantage: Boston
Coach
Vermont: Mike Lonergan has had both ups and downs in his first season at the helm. An 11-16 record isn’t the norm in Vermont, but with time, the Catamounts can easily regain their glory.
Boston: In his 12th season as the head coach, Dennis Wolff gives Boston experience on the sidelines. In the 84 America East games he has coached, Boston is an outstanding 66-18.
Advantage: Boston
Overall
Vermont: The Catamounts are 3-11 this year away from Patrick Gymnasium. However, with three straight America East titles, eliminating Vermont and Trimboli will be easier said than done.
Boston: The Terriers have gotten solid seasons from Kevin Gardner and Corey Hassan. However, Shaun Wynn’s disappointing season can’t be overlooked. Defense will be the key to this game and Vermont is last in the conference in turnovers.
Advantage: Vermont