Game 15, 2019-20: La Salle (1/8)

[inthescoop]

La Salle is 1-1 in conference play with a win @ Fordham, and lost vs Dayton.

Line: -2 UMass

[Floyd]

I think the young guys are gaining confidence, we're at home, and reinforcements with Kolton and Walker help our depth, and we win this game.

Minutemen by 5

[Berkman]

I don't care if we only win by 1 as long as we win.

[LS71]

^ That's how I feel about every game.

[uz2b-len]

We just narrowly lost to three teams ranked in kenpom's top 100. Those losses were the result of youth and inexperience, factors that I think fade with every game. Now we play at home against a team that kenpom ranks at 158. Okay, I admit it, I expect a win.

[69MG]

Probably can't call this a must win, but it's pretty darn close. They shoot a lot of 3s and they hit them at a pretty good clip. MM said in the podcast that they press a lot. It would be nice if we could do to them what has been done to us, break the press and get some easy baskets.

[Slapthefloor93]

If we play as hard as we did against Saint Louis, we should be okay unless they just can’t miss or something. I think the overall attitude of these players are good enough to keep us focused on business.

[Worcester_To_Amherst]

Before the season I would have said there were no "must wins" this year, other than maybe CCSU, Maine, UMass Lowell. But this team has showed a lot of potential and IMO has brought some expectations on themselves, namely that we should win more than 4 conference games this year. If that's going to happen, they really need to win tonight. I think they will.

I liked what someone said earlier, it isn't a "must win" but we "gotta have it". Especially after letting what should have been a great win slip away Sunday.

[capezona]

We're picked at -2.5

[69MG]

My 3 keys to the game (and I readily admit I know very little):

Guard the 3 point line
Limit turnovers
We need Dibaji to give us something. They don't have anyone who matches up with him physically.

[MJatUM]

This team is right at the hump. I think they push over it tonight. My biggest fear - Dayton looming on Saturday. Coaches need to keep everyone focused on this one tonight. If UMass brings the intensity of the SLU game they win tonight (possibly comfortably). Just keep getting better.

[LS71]

^ Well...it IS Wednesday.

[CapeCodBruiser]

When we have a lead with a few minutes left in the game (like in the SLU OT) someone has to step up and deliver the dagger to extinguish the hopes of the other team. We miss TJ there with his shooting but other guys can be our "closer" like Jimmy Chitwood in Hoosiers. Maybe when we can do offense/defense substitutions bring in CJ on offense for another outside option. Also when we get good runs and build leads I like it when that group stays in the game. It seemed like in the Maine game we would get a good run and build a 10 point lead and then that group would be substituted. Then the game would get close again.

If Coach McCall is reading this and likes the suggestions let me know and I can do a dissertation at the Champions Center.

UMass 79
Explorers 75

Jimmy Chitwood: I'll make it.

[uz2b-len]

I don't think it's gonna be close

[69MG]

When we have a lead with a few minutes left in the game (like in the SLU OT) someone has to step up and deliver the dagger to extinguish the hopes of the other team. We miss TJ there with his shooting but other guys can be our "closer" like Jimmy Chitwood in Hoosiers. Maybe when we can do offense/defense substitutions bring in CJ on offense for another outside option. Also when we get good runs and build leads I like it when that group stays in the game. It seemed like in the Maine game we would get a good run and build a 10 point lead and then that group would be substituted. Then the game would get close again.

If Coach McCall is reading this and likes the suggestions let me know and I can do a dissertation at the Champions Center.

UMass 79
Explorers 75

Jimmy Chitwood: I'll make it.

I think you are spot on regarding O/D substitutions. We have several players who are more skilled in one phase than the other and we should take advantage of it. Put your players in a position to maximize what they do best.