Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

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tom mclaughlin
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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by tom mclaughlin » Sat Jan 15, 2022 8:10 pm

I have been in touch with Matt on occasion. But he has never really reached out. I’m heartbroken seeing the crowds especially the students. As bad as the teams were when I coached (I was 30 and really wasn’t ready) the fans showed up and the 40 minute gang and getting the band to come and sit right behind the visiting team were things I remember. George Parks was a huge help and bleed maroon. A true gentleman!

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econalum
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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by econalum » Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:07 pm

The crowd was really OLD for a college basketball game - the majority of attendees seemed to be at 55-75, undoubtedly hoping for days long gone. A few parents with grade-schoolers. maybe 100 of college-age, tops.

The arena was as dead as I have ever seen. Even the 'dance team' seemed uninterested.
Last edited by econalum on Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by Berkman » Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:09 pm

What you people need to do is to go to the women's games to see some real good UMass games. The women deserve your support.

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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by wmmmfan » Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:35 pm

Time to send MM on his way, turn the rest of the season over to the assistants. I’ve been a fan for 46 years and this is the first time I have no interest in watching. I do out of loyalty to the young men representing our state U but this season is a total bust.

Fire McCall, start a fundraising drive of $1M just like football to show coaches the fan base will support them, and go after a proven winner.This program can thrive again but it needs the right leader.

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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by 69MG » Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:41 pm

I'm not going to say much about the game because it's basically the same thing game after game. I have often been critical of the way MM substitutes and that was maybe his worst job to date. That, and not playing to your strength on offense, which is the 3 point shot. It may sound stupid, but we should have taken 35-40 of them tonight against a team like URI. Too much dribbling and trying to get to the rim against a good interior defensive team.

This game and the Duq. game had the same pattern. The starting lineup was doing OK and he breaks the flow by subbing. Early in the game today (other than the 2 shot clock violations to start the game) our starters were playing pretty well and we had a 4 point lead with about 13 1/2 minute left.
Steadman and Buttrick were scoring, rebounding and playing pretty good D against the Martin twins. So MM starts subbing.

Not a knock against DD personally because others also had issues, but while he was in the game we went from a 2 point lead to a 9 point deficit in a little over 5 minutes.

Time to start a search.

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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by LS71 » Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:59 pm

Bamford fired Bell after UMass lost to URI. Just sayin’…
"Win without boasting, lose without crying." -- Julius Erving

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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by Floyd » Sat Jan 15, 2022 11:21 pm

Yeah, time for a change. The program has become bland, stagnant, and uninspired. I like most of the players, but have lost confidence in MM to utilize players strengths, build a balanced roster, and create excitement around the program.

Was glad an alum like Ricky came back but if they make a change, would he be welcomed back? It would be a shame to see him leave a place that he excelled.
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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by UMassHoops » Sun Jan 16, 2022 5:47 am

wmmmfan wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:35 pm Time to send MM on his way, turn the rest of the season over to the assistants. I’ve been a fan for 46 years and this is the first time I have no interest in watching. I do out of loyalty to the young men representing our state U but this season is a total bust.

Fire McCall, start a fundraising drive of $1M just like football to show coaches the fan base will support them, and go after a proven winner.This program can thrive again but it needs the right leader.
I stopped watching UMass basketball this year. First time in 35 years I haven’t seen a single game.

I won’t watch again until the equipment manager is gone and we bring in a new coach.

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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by stevemaz » Sun Jan 16, 2022 6:44 am

I would let him go today.

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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by Juice Stand » Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:50 am

After listening to the Lappas podcast, I started comparing the two eras. They're both really dark eras for UMass hoops, really not a lot to get excited about. Ford had a brief but exciting run, and DK, for all his faults, is a UMass guy and brought us three years of Chaz and Co.

When Lappas was let go, we had a winning season, a winning conference record, and the roster looked very good with Freeman and Lasme developing into stars. Lappas had us headed in the right direction. That's not the case here. It will be an almost complete rebuild from the ground up, especially difficult since we have no recruits for next year.

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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by Uminuteman » Sun Jan 16, 2022 9:19 am

MM has "built" a low level D1 squad. Lots of small shooters who are quite good at what they do offensively but are compromised on the defensive end and no frontcourt. You can sneak in an upset win when you are shooting lights out, but the lack of size makes it very difficult to compete day in and day out. We get hammered on the boards and in the paint regularly and that is on the coach. He recruited the team and put their defensive schemes into play. Both are extremely underwhelming.

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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by BillGASox1 » Sun Jan 16, 2022 9:36 am

Been following UMass basketball since the early 70's when they were a joy to watch @ CH, AND very competitive (Skinner, McLaughlin, Endicott, Burke, Pitino, Duarte, etc.). Unfortunately, the program has fallen to unsurmountable depths...
1) total lack of interest by fans
2) players are not performing even the basics of schoolyard 'ball
3) URI totally out hustled us yesterday, especially evident in the 12 point turnaround.
4) turnovers ad nauseum
5) associate coaches looked totally disinterested
6) Head coach is a joke

Given the lack of teachable coaching, and any modicum of progress, if you're a young prospect, you have to ask yourself. "why would I come to UMass?" "What benefit is it to me?"
We have plenty of credible hoop prospects in the NE area (like the 70's) that "could" come to UMass IF we had a coach and AD who were worth their salary. The fan base would soon return.
.
This is really a pathetic program, that needs immediate fixing!

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econalum
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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by econalum » Sun Jan 16, 2022 9:43 am

^^^^^^
Excellent analysis. MM played URI's game without their height and lateral speed. Lots of missed layups. Not enough 3 pointer launching against a team where that was really the only path for competitiveness.

We are bereft of a game underneath. Those Mitchell brothers are a force playing together.
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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by GOODY » Sun Jan 16, 2022 10:04 am

We are hoping for at least competitive basketball. Doesn’t have to be the days of glory. Just be able to hang with some of the top teams and make the tournament for a start

BillGASox1
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Re: Game 16, 2021-22: Rhode Island (1/15)

Post by BillGASox1 » Sun Jan 16, 2022 10:47 am

GOODY wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 10:04 am We are hoping for at least competitive basketball. Doesn’t have to be the days of glory. Just be able to hang with some of the top teams and make the tournament for a start
GOODY wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 10:04 am We are hoping for at least competitive basketball. Doesn’t have to be the days of glory. Just be able to hang with some of the top teams and make the tournament for a start
GOODY wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 10:04 am We are hoping for at least competitive basketball. Doesn’t have to be the days of glory. Just be able to hang with some of the top teams and make the tournament for a start
You are correct...it starts with credible coaching and a lucid AD!

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