Center:
Vermont: Colin McIntosh has averaged 13.2 points and 5.2 rebounds this year. He’s started in all 30 games this season for Vermont and has been a consistent performer. His efforts with Marqus Blakely have and will make Vermont tough to beat under the basket.
Albany: Brian Connelly, alongside Brett Gifford, looks to take control of the paint. Connelly is averaging a modest 8.1 points 4.7 rebounds. Gifford has registered a team-high 22 blocks this season, but he’s going up against one of the premier forwards in the league.
Advantage: Vermont
Forward:
Vermont: Marqus Blakely is the defending Player of the Year and he has not let up this year. He’s putting up 15.7 points, nine rebounds and almost three blocks. His large game will overwhelm Albany, especially defensively.
Albany: Will Harris will go up against Blakely down low. He brings 12.7 points and 6.5 rebounds. He needs to have the game of his life to give Albany a chance for the upset bid.
Advantage: Vermont
Guard:
Vermont: Mike Trimboli. It is his senior year and his final shot at an NCAA tournament. With 16.3 points and 4.9 assists a game, Trimboli will give 110 percent and will probably have the tournament of his life.
Albany: Trying to lead your team to an upset is a job best left to Tim Ambrose. He shoots the ball well and will need to do the same tomorrow. His 45.5 percent field goal percentage is impressive considering his 334 shot attempts this season.
Advantage: Vermont
Bench:
Vermont: Although he has started most of the games, Nick Vier gets the nod if he comes off the bench. Vier is a consistent shooter at 46 percent, and 6.9 points per game. He is just another role player for the Catamounts, along with Maurice Joseph, that makes this squad look extremely good for the title.
Albany: Jerel Hastings brings the energy off the bench for Albany. He needs to be running around for every minute he’s on the floor. He’s averaging 2.9 rebounds and shooting 48 percent. Scotty McRae will need to also contribute for Albany to play well.
Advantage: Vermont
Coach:
Vermont: In his fourth season, Mike Lonergan brings excellent on the fly coaching. He adjusts well during the game and has been extremely successful so far in his tenure at Vermont: two finals appearances and he looks to add one more.
Albany: Will Brown has gotten his team to the NCAA tournament in two of the last three years. He has kept his team in the talk as one of the elite in the conference year in and year out. His eight years as head coach gives him an experienced edge, but his team has struggled this season.
Advantage: Even
Overall:
Vermont: This team has gone deep in the AE tournament every year and they have reigning player of the year in Blakely. With seniors Trimboli and McIntosh this team will overwhelm Albany and quiet the home crowd. Expect another finals appearance for the Catamounts.
Albany: A serious slide coming into the tournament has to be on Albany’s mind. They have dropped seven of their last eight and face a Vermont team on an eight-game win streak. Albany needs to have a great game and Vermont needs to stumble, or the Great Danes will watch as Vermont runs away with this one early.
Advantage: Vermont