2022 Recruiting

[DoctorJ]

All good points. I agree. Maybe I mean unseasoned or something like that.

We should not panic if he hits rough spots in the beginning.

[TheInsider]

I just imagine going an athletic 6'10 and 6'10 with Cross at the 3.. not something you see every day in the A10.

[DoctorJ]

I think Cross will defend the 4 and we can exploit the height difference at the 3, defensively vs A10. Depends on if the freshman can beat out GT and DD.

Wouldn't Gapare's ability to block and alter shots be nice?

Cross is definitely bigger but G is a crazy-good mix of abilities. Either is likely to be solid at 3, G would be much better at blocking shots.

Yeah, the length is awesome in this scenario as is the athleticism.

Gapare's 3-point percentage concerns me. Twenties is pretty scary. Don't know how well he can defend.

Basically, all freshman suck. Can they become useful, if not integral? He has a chance to do so much. Gotta be patient.

[NilesGold]

I think Cross will defend the 4 and we can exploit the height difference at the 3, defensively vs A10. Depends on if the freshman can beat out GT and DD.

Wouldn't Gapare's ability to block and alter shots be nice?

Cross is definitely bigger but G is a crazy-good mix of abilities. Either is likely to be solid at 3, G would be much better at blocking shots.

Yeah, the length is awesome in this scenario as is the athleticism.

Gapare's 3-point percentage concerns me. Twenties is pretty scary. Don't know how well he can defend.

Take this all with a hefty grain of salt as I'm not going on much more than highlights and statistical data, but as far as it appears to me, Cross and Gapare are very different players. Gapare is a wiry 6'10" athletic forward who can rebound at a respectable rate, block a lot of shots, and shows some promise of a more well-rounded game in the future, but is still very much in the developmental phase offensively. Cross is 6'7", more solidly built, much more polished offensively, but no where near as athletic as Gapare.

My hunch is that Cross should be fine defending most 4s, and some 3's, but would struggle with bigger 4's (not too many of those left) and faster 3s. Offensively is where he should really shine.

I'd expect that Gapare, although still developing physically, will be able to take utilize his athleticism and shot-blocking on the defensive end to be disruptive and would play mostly at the 4, with some spot minutes at the 5. Harder to predict how he does offensively, but again just my hunch, until he develops further he'll be rather limited to scoring right around the rim (but not back to the basket post-ups).

[UMassfan_19]

I think Cross will defend the 4 and we can exploit the height difference at the 3, defensively vs A10. Depends on if the freshman can beat out GT and DD.

Wouldn't Gapare's ability to block and alter shots be nice?

Cross is definitely bigger but G is a crazy-good mix of abilities. Either is likely to be solid at 3, G would be much better at blocking shots.

Yeah, the length is awesome in this scenario as is the athleticism.

Gapare's 3-point percentage concerns me. Twenties is pretty scary. Don't know how well he can defend.

Take this all with a hefty grain of salt as I'm not going on much more than highlights and statistical data, but as far as it appears to me, Cross and Gapare are very different players. Gapare is a wiry 6'10" athletic forward who can rebound at a respectable rate, block a lot of shots, and shows some promise of a more well-rounded game in the future, but is still very much in the developmental phase offensively. Cross is 6'7", more solidly built, much more polished offensively, but no where near as athletic as Gapare.

My hunch is that Cross should be fine defending most 4s, and some 3's, but would struggle with bigger 4's (not too many of those left) and faster 3s. Offensively is where he should really shine.

I'd expect that Gapare, although still developing physically, will be able to take utilize his athleticism and shot-blocking on the defensive end to be disruptive and would play mostly at the 4, with some spot minutes at the 5. Harder to predict how he does offensively, but again just my hunch, until he develops further he'll be rather limited to scoring right around the rim (but not back to the basket post-ups).

Yep think offensively he will be limited to being a rim runner in transition and probably some designed isolations at the high post and elbow

[chapter 11]

Really official now.

https://umassathletics.com/news/2022/8/ ... apare.aspx

should be fun if the team has chemistry. guess winning will assist with that area too.

Now Amherst needs to keep him around for a few fun years. Dining hall too.

[thecaptain]

That leaves us with 2 scholarships for ‘22 right? What happens if they go unfilled? Are they use or lose?

[capezona]

That leaves us with 2 scholarships for ‘22 right? What happens if they go unfilled? Are they use or lose?

They don't lose scholarships. If they are unused then they are unused. There will always be 13 scholarships each year.

[69MG]

Frank has been consistent in saying he will only use 12 this year so that gives us an extra one for next year.

What do we want for player #12? A specific position, a particular size or skill, the best player available? My choice would be a lights out 3 point shooter if we can find one.

But after the Gapara signing I'm just going to sit back, relax and wait for the season to start.

[NilesGold]

What do we want for player #12? A specific position, a particular size or skill, the best player available? My choice would be a lights out 3 point shooter if we can find one.

I wouldn't mind Tyriek Week

[Old Cage]

Was this in question? I missed it if it was.

Noah @noahfernandes_
Yessirrrrrr

Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein
Source: UMass' Matt Cross has received a waiver from the NCAA and is eligible for the 22-23 season.

[69MG]

^ Yes, slightly because he is a 2 time transfer. Only first time transfers can automatically play right away but the NCAA has been very liberal in giving these waivers. So I don't think anyone was too worried (except maybe Noah ).

[Juice Stand]

But after the Gapara signing I'm just going to sit back, relax and wait for the season to start.

I wish I could say the same. I am way too hyped and can't wait for this season to begin. Hopefully the football team plays decently competitive for a while to take the edge off.

[stevemaz]

i think we are about ready for a stevemaz prediction... any guesses?

[e_parade]

i think we are about ready for a stevemaz prediction... any guesses?

It'll be a rosier prediction that what will actually happen.