Game 24, 2023-24: at Richmond (2/14)

[MikeUMA]

Valentine's Day pro tip: Buy your partner some flowers but find a local eating establishment that can get the game on MASN or ESPN+

If you haven't been paying close attention: Richmond is currently first in the A-15 standings. They're 9-1, a half-game ahead of 9-2 Dayton and Lo-Chi.

Richmond's one blemish was a 63-52 loss across town at VCU's Siegel Center, on Feb 3.
Richmond got a home win over Dayton, 69-64.
Dayton's other loss was a slog at VCU

Funny that just a couple years ago there was the Fire Mooney movement. Guess they've all retreated.

UMass hasn't won at Robins since 2012
0-6 since then

Would be a massive confidence builder if we could get this one on Wednesday, and also a nudge closer to back to double-bye territory. As of today, we'd be a 6 seed. 5-8 get a single bye out of Tuesday, 1-4 get the double out of Tue & Wed.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Annual reminder that the Richmond fans were far crazier than we ever were:

[69MG]

I just looked at the Richmond stats and roster. I haven't seen them play so I don't know how athletic they are, but it's no wonder they are in 1st place.
The following are stats from just conference play (10 games).

1. They start 5 seniors who are their 5 leading scorers. They play 9 guys but these 5 do most of the scoring.
2. Average score is 70-64.
3. They shoot 45% from the field and hold the other guys to 40%.
4. They shoot free throws at 79%.
5. They have 70 steals and have given up 43.
6. 3 point shooting is 38%, other guys are at 32%.
7. Turnovers are 88 to 116.

The only thing they don't do well is rebound. They are -4.6 per game.

This would be a great win if we can pull it off.

[DoctorJ]

This game is YUGE!!!

Really hoping we come up with a solid game plan but Richmond is good and they have a deeper bench.

Going to be a tough one but we need to get one or two big road wins. Can we gut one out against this caliber?

[bobolink]

...

Would be a massive confidence builder if we could get this one on Wednesday, and also a nudge closer to back to double-bye territory. As of today, we'd be a 6 seed. 5-8 get a single bye out of Tuesday, 1-4 get the double out of Tue & Wed.

tweak to above: 5-9 get a single bye. If the tournament began today, some team currently with 6 losses would have to play that first day. Thanks to yesterday's squeaker, URI has 6 losses, UMass still at 5.

[DanaDingle3]

I like our chances unless we get down big early. Our physicality can keep us in games, but if Richmond hits 60% from 3 in the first half like URI did at their place, we don't have much of a shot.

I think the biggest key for us is the defensive focus of our bench guys. More so earlier in the year, when our bench guys got time, we would rapidly lose leads. With the way we play D, we're susceptible to backdoor cuts, at which Richmond excels. Need the young guys to come out focused or it will be a very uphill battle.

[Upstate10]

Quinn I guess had a hip issue and had one of his worst games of the season last outing trying to play through it. We might be getting them at a great time... would be so refreshing to get over the hump.

[69MG]

...

Would be a massive confidence builder if we could get this one on Wednesday, and also a nudge closer to back to double-bye territory. As of today, we'd be a 6 seed. 5-8 get a single bye out of Tuesday, 1-4 get the double out of Tue & Wed.

tweak to above: 5-9 get a single bye. If the tournament began today, some team currently with 6 losses would have to play that first day. Thanks to yesterday's squeaker, URI has 6 losses, UMass still at 5.

That's correct. 8 plays 9 in the second round while 5-7 play the 3 winners of the pillow-fight games.

[WillHerndonFan]

I just looked at the Richmond stats and roster. I haven't seen them play so I don't know how athletic they are, but it's no wonder they are in 1st place.
The following are stats from just conference play (10 games).

1. They start 5 seniors who are their 5 leading scorers. They play 9 guys but these 5 do most of the scoring.
2. Average score is 70-64.
3. They shoot 45% from the field and hold the other guys to 40%.
4. They shoot free throws at 79%.
5. They have 70 steals and have given up 43.
6. 3 point shooting is 38%, other guys are at 32%.
7. Turnovers are 88 to 116.

The only thing they don't do well is rebound. They are -4.6 per game.

This would be a great win if we can pull it off.

Since their first A10 title in 2011, Richmond has always seemed to build a heavily junior/senior starting lineup and it explains a lot of their success. Umass needs to look at this path as a better for making NCAA tournament than the old model of recruiting talented freshman who likely won’t stick around (ie RJ Luis) in the age of NIL and transfer portal.

[WillHerndonFan]

Looking forward to this game as this could potentially give this team confidence that they could win the A10 tournament if they win against a great team on the road in front of a hostile crowd.

[MakeMullinsGreatAgain]

I looked at their schedule and with the exception of Dayton, they really haven't beaten anyone. Lost to BC, Northern Iowa and Wichita State - along with Colorado, Florida and VCU - are they perhaps a little overrated? I'm sure they are really solid but def. not unbeatable.

[Floyd]

Time for our big shocker of the season. Minutemen win , on the road, and the race is on.
Takin the next step baby!!!

[Camby4Life]

I just looked at the Richmond stats and roster. I haven't seen them play so I don't know how athletic they are, but it's no wonder they are in 1st place.
The following are stats from just conference play (10 games).

1. They start 5 seniors who are their 5 leading scorers. They play 9 guys but these 5 do most of the scoring.
2. Average score is 70-64.
3. They shoot 45% from the field and hold the other guys to 40%.
4. They shoot free throws at 79%.
5. They have 70 steals and have given up 43.
6. 3 point shooting is 38%, other guys are at 32%.
7. Turnovers are 88 to 116.

The only thing they don't do well is rebound. They are -4.6 per game.

This would be a great win if we can pull it off.

Since their first A10 title in 2011, Richmond has always seemed to build a heavily junior/senior starting lineup and it explains a lot of their success. Umass needs to look at this path as a better for making NCAA tournament than the old model of recruiting talented freshman who likely won’t stick around (ie RJ Luis) in the age of NIL and transfer portal.

Their leading scorer Jordan King is a 6 foot guard grad transfer, 3rd school guy who only averaged 4.7 with 2 starts at Siena freshman year. He’s been a double digit scorer since then and had 2 solid years at ETSU. Frank needs to find a guy like this for next year.

[69MG]

It looks like Richmond is a bit concerned about getting people to the game on Valentine's Day.

Richmond Athletics
@SpiderAthletics
Date night just got better! Join us this Valentine's Day as @SpiderMBB take on UMass in the RC! Bring your special someone and snag 2 tickets for only $14 when you click on the link below!
https://spides.us/49auuGU

[eldonabe]

Richmond -3.5 at this time.


I will be hammering Richmond. This could be an ugly game for Umass. On the road against a seasoned and experienced team. Bad math for Umass in this one.