Center:

Vermont: Vermont does not start a regular center because they usually play three guards. Though the Catamounts have strong defensive guards, the position of center is not used to their advantage.

UMBC: The Retrievers have a solid center in Robbie Jackson. The junior is a transfer student who is new to the tournament, but in his first year at UMBC he put up good numbers — specifically his 5.1 rebound average and his 35 blocks so far this season, ranking third in the conference. He is also one of his team’s top scorers with almost nine points per game.

Advantage: UMBC

Forwards:

Vermont: Marqus Blakely — that’s all there is to say. In addition to receiving the honor of America East Player of the Year — twice — Blakely has dominated the conference this year, leading in steals, blocks and offensive rebounds, as well as ranking second in scoring. As the leader of his team, it is going to be hard to beat him.

UMBC: The UMBC squad starts a pair of forwards with Adrian Satchell and Matt Spadafora. Their stats this season have been similarly decent, together averaging around seven points a game. Though both athletes are good players, especially veteran Spadafora, they are no match for Blakely.

Advantage: Vermont

Guards:

Vermont: The Catamounts’ three main guards are Maurice Joseph, Garvey Young and Nick Vier. Of these athletes, senior and captain Joseph, has had the best season. He is a solid 3-point shooter, placing eighth in the conference in scoring.

UMBC: The Retrievers have their two best players at guard, Chauncey Gilliam and Chris De La Rosa. They are the two highest scorers on the team, as well as the ones with the most steals. They are a tough combo to play.

Advantage: UMBC

Bench:

Vermont: Vermont’s best player off the bench has to be Joey Accaoui, who averages seven points per game and has had 17 steals. He is a good asset if they need him, which they almost always do.

UMBC: UMBC has a helpful player in Shawn Grant. Grant is only a freshman, but as a backup guard, he seems to be having just a slightly better season than Accaoui, with eight points a game and 18 steals. He might not get as much playing time as other bench players because of his freshman status.

Advantage: Even

Coaches:

Vermont: Mike Lonergan is in his fifth season as head coach and has been very successful with his team thus far, with two final appearances and a solid finish last season. After being predicted to finish second by the preseason poll, Lonergan did just that with his instinctive coaching style and came inches away from taking the first seed.

UMBC: Randy Monroe, in his sixth year as head coach, has done a lot with his team during tournament time. With an impressive tournament run to the finals last season, Monroe has shown that he can take a team, regardless of seed, as far as it takes. However, after losing their two best players last year, Monroe will be hard pressed to repeat that feat. With the worst overall record in the conference and a very small bench, it is unlikely that Monroe will be able to lead his team to victory.

Advantage: Vermont

Overall:

With a star player like Blakely on their side of the court, the Catamounts are set to face the Retrievers again. They have already beaten them twice this season, and they are eager not to repeat last year’s upset to Albany in the quarterfinals. Though the Retrievers have a lot of redeeming qualities this year — such as a host of young talent and a good group of guards — their offense is simply not up to Vermont’s level. An upset is entirely possible, but the Catamounts have everything in their power to win it.

Advantage: Vermont