By John A. Fantino, Burlington Free Press Staff Writer • March 5, 2009
Donning his yellow practice uniform, Mike Trimboli released jump shots and free throws at Patrick Gym before Thursday’s practice.
The senior standout’s first activity since being diagnosed with a viral illness late last week was a positive sign for the University of Vermont men’s basketball team, which is preparing to face host Albany in an America East tournament quarterfinal Saturday.
Trimboli is listed as questionable to play this weekend, but the team’s leading scorer was cleared to participate in a limited number of drills during Thursday’s practice, said UVM coach Mike Lonergan.
“I’m feeling a little better now,” Trimboli said Thursday. “I was pretty sick a couple days ago but I just tried to rest and get healthy as quick as possible. We’ll see when I get down (to Albany) ... how I’m feeling.”
Allison Shepherd, UVM’s Athletic Medicine Services Director, released a statement Wednesday, saying “Mike Trimboli was held out of last weekend’s game (at Maine) to speed the recovery of a viral illness. He continues to improve daily, but his status for this weekend’s quarterfinal match-up vs. Albany is questionable.”
UVM sports information assistant director Ben Dickie said Thursday there will be no new updates until Saturday.
Trimboli had his streak of 123 consecutive starts snapped when he missed the regular-season finale.
“The biggest part of the season is now,” Trimboli said. “If I had to take a game off to try to get healthy to play in the tournament it was definitely worth doing.”
Without Trimboli, Vermont won 93-81 at Maine, the Catamounts’ 14th victory in 15 games.
