2021-2022 Season

[vanmeter]

Away game at Yale. Their gymnasium the John Lee Ampitheatre is a relic.
Went to a game there 15 or so years ago. Antiquated is an understatement. Noticed on the walls plaques for rope climbing captains. It said 97-98 and I scratched my head as I didn’t think that rope climbing was a sport. Then I looked closely and it said 1897.

[capezona]

[DanaDingle3]

Did we escape with *only* two transfers (not counting Carl here)? Kudos to McCall for keeping most of the team together in a year when the transfer floodgates opened. Now, time for him to address the public & let everyone know what's what for this upcoming season.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Did we escape with *only* two transfers (not counting Carl here)? Kudos to McCall for keeping most of the team together in a year when the transfer floodgates opened. Now, time for him to address the public & let everyone know what's what for this upcoming season.

Actually, we did better than that... once Ronnie decided to leave, it was almost a given we'd have 3. The rest were never expected to leave.

[69MG]

Just to clarify, today is the last day to enter the portal and not have to sit out. After a slow 10 day period, there have been about 15 new entries in the last 2 days. There are over 1700 names in the portal, an average of almost 5.5 per team. They do count senior grad transfers and walkons so maybe it's more like 4.5 true transfers per team. Everyone hold your breath until midnight.

[DanaDingle3]

Drat. Jumped the gun. Thanks, MG. If the season goes south, blame me, not Matt.

[69MG]

^
One thing I can guarantee, if the season goes south the blame will will go to someone with matching M initials, not D initials.

[69MG]

A not very complimentary preview of the 2021-2022 season. Unfortunately, this is pretty much how I feel. I've been ranting about the frontcourt for weeks and they feel the same way I do.

https://staringatthefloorboards.wordpre ... n-preview/

[69MG]

It looks like we'll know for sure who is back on July 6. 7 players are already on campus: Noah, Cairo, Dibaji, DD, TJ, CJ Kelly and Steadman. Here's the podcast:

https://umassathletics.com/sports/2018/ ... dcast.aspx

UMass Basketball
@UMassBasketball
7m
“When you have guys who are driven, self-motivated and want to be great players, that’s a strength. That excites me.” --
@CoachMattMcCall
A successful Summer 1 is in the books, but come July 6: the boys are BACK.

[DanaDingle3]

A not very complimentary preview of the 2021-2022 season. Unfortunately, this is pretty much how I feel. I've been ranting about the frontcourt for weeks and they feel the same way I do.

https://staringatthefloorboards.wordpre ... n-preview/

Wow! Very little respect, and honestly, the program under McCall hasn't earned it. Interesting bit about the new bigs not being able to play at McCall's preferred speed. I suppose if we hit enough threes, we can give up twos. We'll see.

[Juice Stand]

Good summer update podcast from Jay Burnham and McCall. I love that Noah Fernandes is on campus right now. He was our second best player last year (in my opinion), and will be our most important player this year. He has a great combination of talent and tenacity. The fact that he's one of the 5 guys that chose to be on campus before July 6th is impressive. He's going to improve, get stronger, and as the starting PG, lead this team.

Also pumped that Cairo is on campus. I wasn't totally sure about his commitment to the program for a little while there, but he's one of the guys that voluntary showed up and is working out. He's our #1 junkyard dog right now and he really surprised last year. I don't think anybody else on the roster has the fight that he has. Add a little experience and being more comfortable out there, and he could be a big piece.

As far as that writeup, I didn't think it was too brutal. Actually it was complimentary at times:

This year’s team isn’t nearly as talented as last year’s, but they might actually be better off overall. STRENGTHS: Backcourt. Noah Fernandes returns as arguably the league’s most dynamic PG

It's a little hypocritical to say that we may be better off than last year, but still slot us in at 11th place, but the writer is saying we might have the best PG in the league. For a PG dominated game, I'll take that. For the weaknesses, yeah, the writer wasn't very kind. But in fairness, nobody knows much about how this front court will play, and at what speed. A lot of new guys up there. It's a glass half full review to me. Slotted us in at 11, but said we might be better off than last year, and our guards are good enough for a top half finish.

[Roadtrip]

I'll go out on a limb here and say UMass finishes better than 11th. No maroon shades or MM Koolaid says 9th +/-1. A medium dose of the koolaid says 4th +/-1.

[capezona]

I'll go out on a limb here and say UMass finishes better than 11th. No maroon shades or MM Koolaid says 9th +/-1. A medium dose of the koolaid says 4th +/-1.

Is that a glass half full of koolaid?

[Acer71]

Me, I'm just looking forward to seeing live Bball from a team that wants to represent UMASS and leaves it on the court. Hoping for a middle of the pack finish now that all the drama is over.

[Floyd]

I'm with you Acer. Love to see a high finish but as long as they leave it all on the floor, play together, play smart, I'll be happy because theres enough talent to play well. All In!