Hyland to Vermont!
Keegan Hyland made a verbal commitment to the University of Vermont on Wednesday, giving the Catamounts a huge addition for the 2010-2011 season.
Hyland reportedly had 20 division I scholarship offers at one point or another including offers and additional interest from several schools in the Atlantic 10. He was also thought to be getting enough attention from high major schools that he would consider prep school.
But after taking a handful of visits this summer and fall, Hyland reportedly opted to end his recruitment and commit to the University of Vermont on Wednesday morning.
Hyland’s commitment is huge for the Catamounts for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, Hyland is a big time talent who will undoubtedly be able to make a quick and lasting impact in the America East. We would project him to be someone who will be among the league’s top freshmen next season and the league’s best players period in subsequent years.
Second, this is just the latest example of Vermont head coach Mike Lonergan and his staff getting it done in the world of recruiting. As recently as July, UVM was considered a long shot to land Hyland. But Lonergan and his staff put in the time and effort and ultimately beat out schools from the Atlantic 10, CAA, and others.
Third, Hyland’s game will fit in quite nicely with Vermont’s system. In many ways his game is reminiscent of former UVM star Mike Trimboli, who thrived under Lonergan’s tutelage. Although Hyland isn’t a point guard like Trimboli, he is an equally good shot maker and passer with an underrated ability to get to the basket.
Fourth, Hyland is a guy who is only going to get better. “The Kid” has an incredible work-ethic and is consequently only going to continue to improve and also motivate his teammates to do the same. Stories of his early morning and 1000 rep workouts are already legendary in the state of Maine and will no doubt soon become equally well known in Vermont.
When you put all of the pieces together this is no doubt a huge win for the University of Vermont basketball program. But equally important, this is a huge win for Keegan Hyland, who gets to go to a school where he will have an opportunity to play a significant role right off the bat, compete to get into the NCAA tournament, and get a first rate education in the process.
Keegan Hyland