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College basketball week 18: 5 important things to know

By Chris Stone

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 03: Duncan Robinson #22 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with his teammate Moritz Wagner #13 after scoring a basket and drawing a foul late in the game against the Michigan State Spartans during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Michigan State Spartans 75-64. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 03: Duncan Robinson #22 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with his teammate Moritz Wagner #13 after scoring a basket and drawing a foul late in the game against the Michigan State Spartans during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Michigan State Spartans 75-64. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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ROCHESTER, NY – DECEMBER 16: St. Bonaventure Bonnies guard Jaylen Adams (3) defends Vermont Catamounts guard Trae Bell-Haynes (2) during a Men’s Basketball game between Vermont Catamounts and St. Bonaventure Bonnies on December 16 at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY. (Photo by Jerome Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ROCHESTER, NY – DECEMBER 16: St. Bonaventure Bonnies guard Jaylen Adams (3) defends Vermont Catamounts guard Trae Bell-Haynes (2) during a Men’s Basketball game between Vermont Catamounts and St. Bonaventure Bonnies on December 16 at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY. (Photo by Jerome Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Keep an eye on the America East conference tournament

If you’re on the lookout for a potential Cinderella this March, keep an eye out for the winner of the America East’s automatic big where Vermont is the betting favorite. The Catamounts were a trendy upset pick last season, but came up short against Purdue in the round of 64.

This season, though, things could be different. Although Vermont doesn’t own any quality wins, it ranks in the top 70 over at KenPom for its impressive efficiency margin and it delivered a scare to Kentucky at Rupp Arena to open the season.

The Catamounts have already reeled off 26 wins, including a 15-1 mark in conference play. And they’ve added reinforcements. Sophomore forward Anthony Lamb returned to the team for the final game of the regular season after suffering a foot fracture that caused him to miss two months.

Lamb, the conference’s preseason Player of the Year pick, is still being integrated back into the lineup, but he has the potential to play a major role that could swing things in March. In 15 games this season, the sophomore is averaging 25.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per 40 minutes for one of the slowest teams in the nation. His ability to space the floor from the power forward spot helps open up an already potent offense and his defensive versatility is extremely valuable.

With lightning quick point Trae Bell-Haynes running the show and Lamb back in the fold, the Catamounts have the potential to knock off a big name on the opening weekend. First, though, they’ll have to escape their conference tournament unscathed. Everyone should be watching.