2024-25 Season

[Juice Stand]

In case you needed any more reminders that this UMass team has been awful to start the season, the first NCAA Net rankings are out and we came in at 229. Absolutely putrid. https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketbal ... t-rankings

Upcoming OOC opponents:
CCSU: 204
U-Lowell: 219
Boston: NA
Northeastern: 141
ASU: 33

[Floyd]

Yeah but look at all those MAC teams below us.

[eldonabe]

Yeah but look at all those MAC teams below us.

Floyd haven't you heard - we are gonna walk right in and take over that league next year, because we pay our coach the most or something like that...

[Floyd]

Next year is another year, we'll see what happens this offseason

We've been subpar so far, but as long as we improve and peak late season that's all we can ask for. Hopefully it all comes together

[umiejoe]

Careful with talk like that Eldon. You'll aggravate the troll with the weird name.

[BR72]

We all knew that shooting was going to be an issue this year but I'm not sure anyone expected it to be this atrocious: 3 pt % (360th); FT % (333rd); FG % (295th). The only good news is that we are a very good offensive rebounding team (17th). Of course, the offensive rebounding numbers probably are so good because we miss so many shots. In any case, missing DHS, our second best offensive rebounder, for any period of time will present serious challenges going forward.

[DoctorJ]

If we lose DHS for a few weeks, we are probably okay. Need to see him back for NU and ASU. Center and PF are pretty solid, relative to guard depth. Could be a chance for Watson to show some stuff?

Like Frank said, we need to take advantage of this time at home and on campus. I think he's figuring out rotations and some guys, like Worthy, are starting to make statements. Foster looks very improved.

Hoping Shahid and Abdel put on solid performances in the next two and that we get to see Amadou, Brigham and Luka against Boston.

[Floyd]

Amadou actually looked better than I expected a few games ago. Pretty mobil and had a nice jump hook that he hit. We have a lot of big men this year, more than I can remember in quite a while

[69MG]

Until ASU, we don't play anyone who will give us problems with height. None of them start a player over 6'8 and they don't have anyone coming off the bench over 6'7 who plays any meaningful minutes. CCSU has 3 guys who hit the 3 at over 38%, Lowell hits the 3 at 38% as a team and Northeastern has a few guys who shoot the 3 well.

So I agree that we will not miss DHS's size, but we will miss his leadership and hustle. Our perimeter D had better be good. We need to win the battle of the boards by a lot and get 2nd chance points when we miss so many of our shots (that's sort of a joke, but valid).

[Floyd]

Actually I think DHS has been our best player so far this season. Been very consistent, he's scoring, rebounding and playing great D. If he's out, it's a chance for others to get more time, but I want him in there. He's really coming on this year

[Juice Stand]

Until ASU, we don't play anyone who will give us problems with height. None of them start a player over 6'8 and they don't have anyone coming off the bench over 6'7 who plays any meaningful minutes. CCSU has 3 guys who hit the 3 at over 38%, Lowell hits the 3 at 38% as a team and Northeastern has a few guys who shoot the 3 well.

So I agree that we will not miss DHS's size, but we will miss his leadership and hustle. Our perimeter D had better be good. We need to win the battle of the boards by a lot and get 2nd chance points when we miss so many of our shots (that's sort of a joke, but valid).

Based on this info, the guards need to guard the perimeter and let Shahid and Rivera block shots. I don't want to see Marqui and Rahsool biting on upfakes when Shahid is waiting in the wings. Trust your man down low and stay with the shooters outside. We can definitely win these next few games, but they have to play smarter more disciplined defense, and of course it would be nice if they could make a shot.

[Juice Stand]

Actually I think DHS has been our best player so far this season. Been very consistent, he's scoring, rebounding and playing great D. If he's out, it's a chance for others to get more time, but I want him in there. He's really coming on this year

I agree that he has been our best player, and probably the most consistent. Has there been any confirmation that he is out for a period of time?

[DoctorJ]

No, we haven't heard anything. Just that he missed the second half vs NJIT.

[LS71]

We’re #229!

https://stats.ncaa.org/selection_rankin ... ties/40928

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Does anyone know why Jayden was in the dog house to start the season? He's doing exactly what he did last year now that he is playing a ton again. The situation is baffling.