UMass hoops 2013-14 - Tourney or Bust

phenweigh

phenweigh

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 8, 2005
1,379
Brewster, MA
If (and I stress IF) UMass can keep the high RPI, that should help the seeding.
 
However, these crazy comeback wins (though exciting) are not sustainable.  I thought this team looked better earlier in the season.  Kellogg had them ready to go out of the gates, which makes sense for a senior laden team.  I'm getting concerned that other teams are improving more as the season progresses.
 
S

SaveBooFerriss

twenty foreskins
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Feb 9, 2001
6,179
Robin' it
It really has been an unbelievable string of finishes, but UMass definitely can play a lot better than they did last night.  
 
I am not sure I have seen a team give up so many "and 1" 3 point plays.  If you are going to foul someone, get you money's worth and don't let them make the basket.  GM was 22-31 from the line, UMass 12-19.  It is hard to win when the other team get ten more points from the line.  
 
They gave up 19 offensive rebounds.  That should be unacceptable.  On the positive side, they had 14 ORB.  
 
Cady is great, but I would love to see him pass out of the double and triple teams. If there are three guys on you, someone is wide open.  He has a great ability to still make shots, but it is bad basketball and he won't be able to do it against better teams.  
 
They also had a couple horrible turnovers where they just through the ball in the stands without any pressure.  
 
D

Dgilpin

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 19, 2006
3,774
PA
Not a UMass fan, although I did really like those Lou Roe/Camby teams but this team is an absolute blast to watch. Caught the St. Bonaventure and George Mason games, two great wins. Right now A-10 is 5th in conference RPI which feels about right, however UMass has really put together an impressive resume so far (RPI: 5, SOS: 12, NCSOS: 19, and 10-1 record against the RPI top 50). I realize those numbers will fluctuate but still that's a great foundation, with a chance to pick up some more quality wins (@GW, vs. VCU, @ Dayton, and vs. St. Louis). Lunardi has them as a 4th seed right now, and I could see them being anywhere from a 3-6 seed.
 
Jed Zeppelin

Jed Zeppelin

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2008
51,843
These comeback wins are huge because they've been getting a ton of help lately with ranked teams losing all over the place. Even with many of those losses coming against better teams than those UMass has been beating (like Minnesota over #11 Ohio St. last night), we're getting credit for keeping that 1 in the loss column. Along with Ohio State, #12 Baylor, #13 Kentucky and #17 Memphis have lost to unranked teams this week, while #14 Iowa and #15 Kansas close out the week with tough games. Meanwhile, UMass plays Elon.
 
Of course, this disparity only helps if they keep winning these games while the power conference teams continue to beat each other up. They should be a tourney team whether or not they remain ranked all season, but the high profile that comes with that # next to the name could be huge for a program that isn't near the top of the list for big-time recruits. It definitely helps that between Chaz and Jabarie Hinds (West Va. transfer and former 4-star pg recruit sitting out this season), DK has made this a desirable spot for top players who need a change and would otherwise not have considered UMass out of high school. A tourney appearance would and will be awesome, but the next step after that is nearly as important.
 
RedSoxFan

RedSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 30, 2001
4,816
Definitely hope UMass comes out of the gate strong against Elon. The issue is the game is @Elon and this is probably the biggest game they've ever hosted in their tiny gym. They must feel that they have a legitimate shot at pulling off the upset given UMass' struggles in the last 3 games.
 
Grimace-HS

Grimace-HS

Well-Known Member
Gold Supporter
SoSH Member
Jun 8, 2012
844
Another win, but wasn't able to see it.  If anyone did see it and had impressions, that'd be great.  I just followed on the game tracker.  But another 2-0 week (although the George Mason one was tough) is always a good thing.  I did note that quite a few of the Top 25 teams dropped games this week, so it will be interesting to see if we move up at all in the rankings.
 
mabrowndog

mabrowndog

Ask me about total zone...or paint
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 23, 2003
39,676
Falmouth, MA
Grimace-HS said:
Another win, but wasn't able to see it.  If anyone did see it and had impressions, that'd be great.  I just followed on the game tracker.  But another 2-0 week (although the George Mason one was tough) is always a good thing.  I did note that quite a few of the Top 25 teams dropped games this week, so it will be interesting to see if we move up at all in the rankings.
Click to expand...
 
Also, Providence (who UMass beat) is killing #20 Creighton right now (on FS1), so that'll help their RPI.
 
phenweigh

phenweigh

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 8, 2005
1,379
Brewster, MA
Looking ahead to Wednesday's game at Richmond ... I expect a tough game as the Spiders last game was a win against the Dayton Flyers.  
 
Corsi

Corsi

isn't shy about blowing his wad early
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 3, 2010
12,955
Boston, MA
BoSoxFink said:
The game against Richmond tonight was supposed to be on ESPN3 tonight, but I no longer see it listed now. That blows
Click to expand...
 
Yep, ESPN says they tried to get the rights to the broadcast, but the A-10 shot them down.  It's available online for $4.95, and is playing on MASN2 and CBS 6.3 (whatever that is) if you're in the Virginia area.
 
On a side note, I'll be at this Sunday's game vs Fordham.  Only a handful of tickets left on Ticketmaster.  Should be a packed house.  Can't wait.
 
Jed Zeppelin

Jed Zeppelin

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2008
51,843
Cady can't handle double teams. Need to find ways to get him the ball close to the rim. Simple entry passes 15 feet from the hoop aren't good enough. Everything is too easy to defend right now.
 
Helmet Head

Helmet Head

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
4,774
Central Mass
Jed Zeppelin said:
Cady can't handle double teams. Need to find ways to get him the ball close to the rim. Simple entry passes 15 feet from the hoop aren't good enough. Everything is too easy to defend right now.
Click to expand...
Yah.

Cady is really struggling with the double team. Chaz can't bye a call today either.

22 points at half is pretty terrible but they are lucky to only be down 5.
 
Jed Zeppelin

Jed Zeppelin

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2008
51,843
Refs let some contact go in the first and suddenly they're calling ticky-tack shit. NCAA officiating is the worst.
 
Jed Zeppelin

Jed Zeppelin

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2008
51,843
You have to be fucking kidding me with this shot selection. Meanwhile the D is providing zero resistance anytime Richmond penetrates.
 
mabrowndog

mabrowndog

Ask me about total zone...or paint
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 23, 2003
39,676
Falmouth, MA
Quick foul, Spiders hit both FTs, Chaz mises a three, Spiders get the board, ball game.
 
Play with fire, bound to get burned, etc.
 
scottyno

scottyno

late Bloomer
SoSH Member
Dec 7, 2008
11,408
Richmond fans storm the court for a 3 pt win as a 3.5 pt favorite.  Umass was due to lose a close one eventually.
 
mabrowndog

mabrowndog

Ask me about total zone...or paint
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 23, 2003
39,676
Falmouth, MA
BoSoxFink said:
Umass has 1 three this entire game. Look no further for the reason they lost this one if they go down.
Click to expand...
 
Bingo. UMass won the rebound battle (37-32), and shot better on 2-pointers (19/39, .437 vs 16/38, .421) and at the charity stripe (11/15, .733 vs 8/12, .667). They were even on turnovers (11 each) and fouls (15 UM, 14 UR). 
 
UMass: 2/14 on threes (.143) for 6 pts
Richmond: 6/15 on threes (.400) for 18 pts.
 
RedSoxFan

RedSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 30, 2001
4,816
Kendall Anthony had a great game for Richmond, and despite UMass' shortcomings it came down to the end and was only a 3 point loss. Also 3rd straight game on the road, not unexpected. Beat Fordham on Sunday and this is still a top 20 team.
 
mabrowndog

mabrowndog

Ask me about total zone...or paint
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 23, 2003
39,676
Falmouth, MA
Unlike UMass, St. Louis was able to avoid the road upset. They were down to Duquesne 72-70 with under a minute to go, but scored the final 6 points as the Dukes went 0-for-5 from the floor and lost three key defensive boards.
 
SLU (5-0) and LaSalle (3-0) are the only unbeatens in A-10 play. The Explorers are playing the Bonnies right now on CBSSN, up 19-11 midway through the 1st half.
 
S

SaveBooFerriss

twenty foreskins
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Feb 9, 2001
6,179
Robin' it
I was able to watch the game on MASN2.
 
UMass did not "play" poorly, they just shot the ball poorly.  The seem to do a better job rebounding and not committing turnovers, but you can't shoot like that and expect to win many games.  
 
Escho, who I think has been very consistent this season, did have a bad game.   
 
Orel Miraculous

Orel Miraculous

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 16, 2006
1,710
Mostly Airports and Hotels
UMass catches a break as GW loses sophomore shooting guard Kethan Savage--their second-leading scorer and the likely winner of the A10 most improved player award--for 4-6 weeks with a broken foot.  Coming off the wins against VCU and Bona GW was really starting to gel and look like a team that could take the regular season title and earn a 7 or 8 seed.  This will really test their depth, which wasn't great to begin with.
 
RedSoxFan

RedSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 30, 2001
4,816
Really good first half despite getting off to a bad start in the first 2 and 1/2 minutes. Looks like they've picked up the intensity and Chaz is shooting well. This team really needs a big win going away to get their confidence back up.
 
BoSoxFink

BoSoxFink

Stripes
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
7,662
South Park
RedSoxFan said:
Really good first half despite getting off to a bad start in the first 2 and 1/2 minutes. Looks like they've picked up the intensity and Chaz is shooting well. This team really needs a big win going away to get their confidence back up.
Click to expand...
well I think they got that. They are up by 30 now in the second half with 13 minutes left it's 63-32
 
amfox1

amfox1

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Aug 6, 2003
6,844
The back of your computer
Lot of extended run for the kids today.  All eleven players scored at least four points.  Bergantino is starting to show some signs of progress of being a capable backup big. 
 
Jed Zeppelin

Jed Zeppelin

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2008
51,843
Santee seems to fit the multi-skilled, multi-position forward mold that Kellogg likes. Actually looks better with the ball in his hands than Putney and Carter. Can always use players who like taking it to the rim.
 
F

Franklin Fanatic

New Member
Jul 17, 2005
183
Franklin, Obviously
Jed Zeppelin said:
Santee seems to fit the multi-skilled, multi-position forward mold that Kellogg likes. Actually looks better with the ball in his hands than Putney and Carter. Can always use players who like taking it to the rim.
Click to expand...
I agree. I can't stand Putney's game. Too many bad decisions on both ends of the court. Of all the Freshman, Santee looks most ready to contribute.
 
RedSoxFan

RedSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 30, 2001
4,816
jsinger121 said:
 
One road loss to a decent Richmond team and they move down 8 spots. Consider me surprised. 
Click to expand...
 
Hard to argue with the pollsters, I don't see any team ranked ahead of us that shouldn't be. UMass probably needs to win both games this week to stay ranked.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom