Game 22, 2016-17: George Mason (1/28)

[bunkerhill87]

super valid point Mike! I guess it was a dream. my hope is that we take high percentage 3s . top of the key , from the corner etc
4 out 10. i guess its something to hope for. the strength of the team lies with inside play. the guards need to drive and dish. Deeky has shown that and scored as well. Turnovers......hmmm no argurment there. seems so simple to slow it down if its not there. rebounding is essential . the whole team needs to be dialed in im off the edge after last night it is what it is and ill still watch Saturday

I believe a big part of the turnover problem is related to the shooting problem. UMass cannot space the floor due to it's horrific shooting ability. Every opponent knows the team can't make outside shots so they pack the paint with defenders. UMass is forced to either take 3's that they can't make, or force the issue in paint and commit a lot of turnovers.

absolutely agree here. up to the coach to adjust to the defense and hopefully get the open looks they need.

[baseline47]

^ No doubt this (packing the paint plus our inability to make outside shots) contributes to the turnover problem. Gee, I'm agreeing with Niles! ? In the games I've seen, our guys are being blocked from offensive rebounds. What to do? Play 3 bigs (forwards and a center) and try to pound the glass? We have the personnel to do this. Maybe on the defensive end, play a zone to make up for a lack of quickness? But, this is not in Derek's (UMass's) BRAND (a super aggressive defense designed to cause turnovers, but is instead creating numerous fouls). The team is really struggling; it's up to the coach to right the ship.

Clark. He has (in my humble opinion) lost confidence in his shot and instead tends to drive too much, often into the teeth of the defense. Loss of confidence is a bad thing for a shooter. How to get him out of his funk? Maybe run some plays to free him up for open looks, not off the dribble but off catch and shoot opportunities. Do the same for Flowers (I'm a big fan of his shot). Those two and Louis have the best strokes and ought to be taking the majority of outside shots. Maybe if they make a few, the inside game will open up.

[69MG]

Normally I take a look at the other team and check out their stats, etc. I'm now on cruise control for the rest of the season. Whether we win or lose this game means absolutely nothing. Therefore, I can go to the game relaxed and have no expectations. I'll cheer and be happy if we win but it won't bum me out if we lose.

I'm going to wait until the A10 tournament (good thing all 14 teams go now) and see if we turn into "the team nobody wants to play". I doubt it, but maybe something clicks.

[Floyd]

Might be a good time to start serving beer at games

[LS71]

^ Some fans btob as evidenced by the empty nip bottle left on the toilet in one of the men's rooms Saturday.

Took my 3-year old grandson into a stall..."what's that?"

[minutefanjsf]

^
That's the MO of many.....

[MJatUM]

You know there's going to be a 3 game stretch where we shoot like 50% from 3 and actually look good like what happened early last year. Water finds its level and although stats say otherwise, I do not think we are one of the worst 3 point shooting teams in the country.

[bunkerhill87]

^
God I hope so. we are definitely over due to knock some down but Fenway617 posted this on a different subject (2016-2017 season discussion).

kind of says it all. Yikes!!!

There are 347 teams in D1 and Umass ranks ...
325th in most fouls committed per game
309th in most turnovers per game.
332 in 3pt percentage
46th in 3pt FG attempts

--On the plus side, they are 28th in total steals

[CarriageEstates22]

I'm heading out to Amherst tomorrow for my first time in a couple years-what's the go-to pregame meal spot?

[Floyd]

Nacho Mama's

[MikeUMA]

There are 347 teams in D1 and Umass ranks ...
325th in most fouls committed per game
309th in most turnovers per game.
332 in 3pt percentage
46th in 3pt FG attempts

--On the plus side, they are 28th in total steals

But when you steal it then chuck up an ill-advised 3, it's a wash.

[Berkman]

I would prefer the Rafters or the hangar.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

+3 tomorrow. Expecting the crowd to be dismal.

[bmc24]

Holloway needs a touch on every possession from here out. IF he learns how to past out of the post, that will set our poor shooters up for success as more often than not they will be shoulders squared to the basket vice taking contested 3's off of the dribble. Obviously, this is referee dependent as well. (Traveling and offensive fouls). This will mitigate the umass patented out-of-control drive to the basket with subsequent turnover...

[tdmass]

"Might be a good time to start serving beer at games"

And maybe some anti-depressants!