Game 7, 2022-23: at Harvard (12/2)

[Jackson96]

Hell of a second half at the offensive end and got enough stops defensively. All the fouls made it choppy. Love when Noah is aggressive offensively. He was only taking 8 shots a night coming into this one. Hope he and TJ are ok. Really nice minutes for Gapare — made some mistakes but clearly flashed a level that is really high.

Some interesting lineups at times — been that way all year. Think FM is still learning his team. I think by now we all know about his son. I’m in the maybe give him a little run off the bench but he’s a real non scorer out there. Would love to see Cross finishing better inside.

[Floyd]

Miss a FT, then foul a 89% FT shooter….IN THE DOUBLE BONUS…what was FM thinking! Should have not shot FT !! BAD COACHING

TJ a good ft shooter. % say he hits it, then u sub out, no?

TJ was injured…..he is only shooting 62%, the odds are now against you. A miss had to be considered. By fouling right after the miss with Harvard in the bonus, you give them two FT without time coming off the clock. The guy they fouled is a 89% shooter. If TJ was not healthy enough to drop back and defend the perimeter in a zone, then he should not have shot the FT.
You have to consider all of the options, they did not.

If u take him out prior, they get to pick the FT shooter, no? Typically pick the worst shooter. Still a greater chance to miss the shot, could still foul. I still like the odds of TJ hitting it, then sub.
Maybe I have the scenario wrong, but I like those odds

[capezona]

Think this game is an early milestone for Gapare. I expect we'll see a lot more of him in the rotation now.

[e_parade]

This seems like one of those game where, in the past few years, the team would have just sort of given up and lost big after going down double digits. Instead they climbed back to win it.

Still have yet to give up 70 points in a game this year.

[HerndonHops]

Gritty team that finds a way. This is going to be a fun season.

[capezona]

Don't think I remember a game before where Noah had 0 assists. He took over the game late. What a gutsy game.

[MikeUMA]

^
Ooh, good catch.
I looked up the details...
UM only tallied 8 assists tonight (on 27 makes), the least amount in a win since 2016.
Noah had 0 in his 32 minutes, the first time he went without one in his 48 career UM games.

[Floyd]

They didn't hit much the 1st half so that didn't help either

If this offense ever gets really flowing, this team will be tough to beat. 6-1 & mostly on the road. Nice

[Sheck]

Only took FM two games to match the number of non-conference road wins we had under the entire tenure of McCall. Impressive.

[stevemaz]

Hopefully Fernandes injury isnt too serious. I think we would survive monday without him, but Thursday vs UML would be tough. It would be awesome if we are 11-1 heading into conference play where the schedule sets up nicely for us. I felt in the preseason UMass would be a top 4 A10 team and that is obviously true, but now my goal is to be a top 1 A10 team.

[Juice Stand]

That was outstanding. The depth of this team continues to shine through as they build chemistry.

1. Matt Cross: I could watch that dude go for loose balls and tie-ups all day. Effort and energy. He's a little helter skelter driving to the hoop at times, but damn, he's a tough player
2. Speaking of tough, how about Noah Fernandes. This dude is one of the all time (yes, I said it) clutch and winning performers this school has seen. I hope he's ok. TJ said it best: “He’s a tough, I can’t cuss, but he’s a tough dude,” Weeks said. “I knew he was gonna hit those. I had no worry in my mind he was going to miss them.” (https://www.gazettenet.com/Umass-at-har ... n-49045245
3. Gapare: He has arrived folks. And we only saw a sliver of what he's capable of. His presence and athleticism changed this game and forced Frank's hand. He couldn't take him out of the game. Then he goes out there and hits the game winning shot and defended Ledlum on the baseline for the game-sealing turnover.

I'm proud of this team. That's outstanding effort and determination. Can't wait to get back in the Mullins Center and see them play again.

[stevemaz]

well said Juice

[skizz]

This team does not give up.

Frank Martin basketball.

Does Frank Martin basketball also mean extremely bad, soft, telegraphed passes? It looks like UM isn’t expecting Harvard to be guarding anyone.

An absolutely stupid post.

[Quann]

God this is fun having a real coach. What a win!

[Quann]

Hopefully Fernandes injury isnt too serious. I think we would survive monday without him, but Thursday vs UML would be tough. It would be awesome if we are 11-1 heading into conference play where the schedule sets up nicely for us. I felt in the preseason UMass would be a top 4 A10 team and that is obviously true, but now my goal is to be a top 1 A10 team.

Any update on his injury?