Catamounts head to Utah for NCAA Championships

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(Host) The University of Vermont men’s basketball team leaves Tuesday for Salt Lake City to compete in the NCAA tournament. It’s the first time the Catamounts have made it to the national championships in the history of UVM men’s basketball.

Sixty-four teams begin Round One competition this week, with UVM playing the University of Arizona Wildcats on Thursday. UVM is the underdog in the matchup, a position that doesn’t bother head coach Tom Brennan:

(Brennan) “We are not expecting to be in the next game, if truth be told. But certainly we are expecting that we will give maximum effort. And if Arizona doesn’t bring their best game – you never know what could happen.”

(Host) The players say they’re going to Utah full of excitement, and they have some hope UVM might upset Arizona, despite the opponent’s experience in post-season play. Sophomore point guard David Hehn says he isn’t discouraged by the long odds:

(Hehn) “We’re the underdogs. If anything, they have the pressure on them, being the number one seed. Even though we won’t have much fan support there, they’ll be there in spirit. And a lot of fans tend to root for the underdog in a matchup like this. So I think we’ll be ready.”

(Host) Hehn’s game-winning basket against Boston University last Saturday won UVM a berth in the National Championships. There will be a day of open practice on Wednesday before the Round One game against Arizona.

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