With a schedule that includes 10 consecutive road games to start the season, University of Vermont men's basketball coach Mike Lonergan is aware his team might take a few lumps this month.

With national accolades still ringing in the ears of some of its top players, the Vermont men’s basketball team opens its regular season tonight when it travels to Maryland to face the Greyhounds of Loyola University.

The inaugural “Vermont College Showcase” featuring about 50 of the best high school boys basketball players will be held Sunday afternoon at St. Michael’s College. The event, sponsored by Lone Wolf Athletics of Colchester, is primarily for college recruiters but will be open to the public, according to Wayne Lafley, one of the organizers. Admission costs $5.

Former Keene State College men’s basketball player Tyler Kathan, signed a contract to split time between the Leicester Warriors and the Northampton Neptunes of the England Basketball League (EBL) Wednesday afternoon. The Warriors will make the transition from Division II to Division I, while the Neptunes compete in Division II for the 2009-2010 season. The Ludlow, Vermont native isn’t nervous about going to play in England and has his family’s blessing too. “I’m just really excited,� said Kathan. “It is something that I have always wanted to do and it is something that my family and I are really happy about. I think my dad is more excited than me because he wants to come and visit and see me play.�

SPRINGFIELD - Which AAU basketball teams north of the mid-Atlantic are the best of the best? That will be decided by Sunday. The Best of the Best Boys & Girls Basketball Tournaments will be held throughout Springfield Saturday and Sunday, with 48 teams in nine divisions vying for championships at the elite first-year event. "Every team that's coming to the event this weekend either had to finish high in their state tournament, a super regional, or another very high-level type of tournament," said Colin Tabb, General Manager for BasketBull, LLC, which is coordinating the tournament. "All these teams have credentials that back up their invitation."

INDIANAPOLIS -- Instant replay has been approved starting next season for last-second shots in high school basketball championship games. The rule change by the National Federation of State High School Associations allows replay for review of a shot attempt at the end of the fourth quarter or overtime, and only when the last-second shot would affect the outcome of the game. The rule is not mandatory and leaves the decision whether to use it to each state association.

DETROIT - Boston University's search for a men's basketball coach is entering its final stages, and according to multiple sources at BU and the University of Tennessee, Volunteers associate head coach Tony Jones appears to be the choice. Barring any last-minute snags in a deal that is expected to be completed in the next few days, an official announcement could come next week. "They are talking and working on a few things

Dominic Strada, president of the Marshwood High baseball boosters, knows small businesses in Eliot and South Berwick are struggling. He also knows the school's athletic programs in some cases count on support from those businesses to stay afloat. "With many varsity sports at the high school level along with Little League and other youth sports in the community, smaller businesses don't have the budgets to donate to everyone," said Strada, who lives in South Berwick. So this year the Marshwood baseball boosters are allowing local businesses to put an ad in the baseball program at no cost.

BOSTON – There were 15 lead changes in the game – 13 in the second half alone – and 10 ties. Each team seemed to win it, then lose it, then win it, then lose it. It appeared destined for overtime when the Pitt Panthers stormed back from four points behind with 20 seconds left to tie the game on two free throws by the ice-cool Levance Fields with five ticks remaining.

SPRINGFIELD - In the first 52 years of the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament, only three teams won the title with perfect records. For the University of Findlay, the quest to become the fourth - and put together the best season in Division II history - is still alive.

Check out the video highlights from Elite 8 Division II action from Springfield courtesy of the Springfield Republican!