VERMONT

'Oh, s---': Vermont basketball coach John Becker drops expletive on facing Duke

Portrait of Alex Abrami Alex Abrami
Burlington Free Press

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Without hesitation, Vermont basketball coach John Becker provided a honest answer when asked of his initial thoughts of drawing mighty Duke on Selection Sunday.

"I thought, 'Oh, s---' was my first reaction," Becker blurted out during Thursday's news conference ahead of the Catamounts' first-round NCAA Tournament game vs. Duke at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The 13th-seeded Catamounts (28-6) and No. 4 Duke (24-8) will tip off for their Round of 64 March Madness contest at 7 Friday night.

MORE: Watch Vermont basketball vs. Duke in March Madness on Fubo (free trial)

March Madness links:Coverage of Vermont vs Duke basketball in the 2024 NCAA Tournament

In the NCAA Tournament for a third straight year and sixth time in his 13-year tenure, Becker said Vermont welcomes the opportunity on the sport's biggest stage. The Catamounts only have one Round of 64 victory on their resume — the unforgettable 2005 triumph over Syracuse — and Becker's 0-3 as a 13th seed at Vermont despite valiant upset bids.

"Yeah, to play Duke, we want to play the best and they are obviously one of the best programs in the country, a blue blood," Becker said. "We have a lot of respect for them and watching the tape, they are really, really good and really well-coached. You've got to beat someone Friday night, Barclays, CBS, why not."

More:Meet the transfers who paved the way for Vermont basketball's return to March Madness

What channel is Vermont vs Duke?

Vermont vs Duke start time in NCAA Tournament

  • Date: Friday, March 22
  • Time: 7:10 ET

Vermont will tip off vs. Duke on CBS at 7:10 p.m. at Barclays Center. Streaming options include NCAA March Madness Live app and Fubo, which offers a free trial. Announcers for the game are Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery and Grant Hill. Tracy Wolfson will serve as sideline reporter.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.

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