ROUNDBALL DAILY

NCAA Tournament Profile: Vermont Catamounts

For the first time since their classic upset of Syracuse in 2005, Vermonters feel as though their Catamounts have a chance to pull off an upset come March Madness.

This group was one of the best mid-major performers all season long, going 29-5, and a perfect 19-0 in conference, including a 56-53 win over Albany for the America East title.

Vermont got it done with defense, allowing just 61.6 points per game, which ranked 11th nationally. Three players average in double figures in scoring, led by Anthony Lamb, at 12.6 ppg and 5.4 rebounds per.

The Catamounts didn’t fare very well against high-major competition during the non-conference season, getting blown out by Providence and South Carolina. They also lost to Houston (72-71) and Butler (81-69).

So, should you pick Vermont to pull the upset?

Here’s one last thing to consider, via ESPN:

From 2004-16, 23 teams made the NCAA Tournament after going undefeated in conference play. Twenty-two of them won at least one NCAA Tournament game (only exception — 2008 Cornell).

Since 2009, all 12 teams that made the NCAA Tournament after going undefeated in conference play won at least one game. Vermont and Princeton will try to add to that streak this week.

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