KAEO Matt Cross

[Upstate10]

Are we done pretending that there is a chance that he comes back?

[umasscollective]

Are we done pretending that there is a chance that he comes back?

There is a chance he still comes back.

[Upstate10]

Are we done pretending that there is a chance that he comes back?

There is a chance he still comes back.

I will believe as long as you tell me to believe. Greatly appreciate the transparency.

[tdmass]

I can see Cross playing for either of those schools.

[DoctorJ]

He's still my favorite player in college hoops right now.

Can we get more of these guys?

I think we can. Hoping we already have someone lined up. Sounds like that is the case but I'm hoping for Cross like impact and leading by example.

We need THAT

[Juice Stand]

If you're looking for someone to lead by example, I think that torch has been passed to Diggins and Ndjigue. I'm not holding out hope for Matt to come back. I thank him for his two outstanding years and wish him luck. He's one transfer that I'll definitely keep an eye on and root for.

[MakeMullinsGreatAgain]

I really believe Matt will be back. On the latest podcast Frank talked about legacy and how you can't go to 3/4 schools and come back and be a legend. He never mentioned Matt's name but I have to believe he had a conversation with Matt about this. I don't doubt he told Matt to test the waters and do whats best for him, but I also think he left that door wide open for him to come back. I also think the way the Collective is talking they think there is a good chance he'll be back - and I think they probably know it s a better chance than they are even saying publicly.

I also wonder if the timing of announcing the TBT will not be competing in this years tournament has anything to do with Cross? Did this now free up another 25-50K they could offer him? If it did I'm all for it - as nice as it was to see some old UMass players play last summer - I'd much rather see Matt back so I'm all for it!

[Plano Minuteman]

Just based on what I see on the court, Cross just wants to win and make the tourney in his last year. We're not in a position to do that at the moment, but if we can get a couple guys out of the portal that give us a reasonable chance of making it. I think Cross would be in.

The 2 guys would be a 2 guard/wing that can shoot about 35+ percent from 3 and plays solid D, and another frontcourt player than can protect the rim and has enough offensive chops to keep defenses honest.

[natwam2547]

I will be rooting for him.. he gave us two good years and that says a lot these days.

I wish I could say this is hyperbole, but it's not. If a player gives you 2, you have to say thank you and move on in today's landscape. Same with Keon. Except I think Keon is still probably better suited here alongside Curry, whereas Cross I get trying to "get that bag" for one more year.

[Juice Stand]

I also wonder if the timing of announcing the TBT will not be competing in this years tournament has anything to do with Cross? Did this now free up another 25-50K they could offer him? If it did I'm all for it - as nice as it was to see some old UMass players play last summer - I'd much rather see Matt back so I'm all for it!

Where did you see that? Like you, I enjoyed the process leading up to the TBT and seeing those guys get back together, but if I'm donating to the collective, I probably want my dollars spent on helping build a roster with Frank Martin and not on an alumni team. If they're not entering a TBT team this year and freed up some money to entice Matt or some other high quality players, I'm pleased with that.

[JoleonLescottsHair]

I will be rooting for him.. he gave us two good years and that says a lot these days.

I wish I could say this is hyperbole, but it's not. If a player gives you 2, you have to say thank you and move on in today's landscape. Same with Keon. Except I think Keon is still probably better suited here alongside Curry, whereas Cross I get trying to "get that bag" for one more year.

I’m still hoping to learn whether the collective met with Keon before he entered the portal.

[MakeMullinsGreatAgain]

I also wonder if the timing of announcing the TBT will not be competing in this years tournament has anything to do with Cross? Did this now free up another 25-50K they could offer him? If it did I'm all for it - as nice as it was to see some old UMass players play last summer - I'd much rather see Matt back so I'm all for it!

Where did you see that? Like you, I enjoyed the process leading up to the TBT and seeing those guys get back together, but if I'm donating to the collective, I probably want my dollars spent on helping build a roster with Frank Martin and not on an alumni team. If they're not entering a TBT team this year and freed up some money to entice Matt or some other high quality players, I'm pleased with that.

are you asking where I saw there would be no TBT team? If so it was all over X yesterday.

[umasscollective]

I really believe Matt will be back. On the latest podcast Frank talked about legacy and how you can't go to 3/4 schools and come back and be a legend. He never mentioned Matt's name but I have to believe he had a conversation with Matt about this. I don't doubt he told Matt to test the waters and do whats best for him, but I also think he left that door wide open for him to come back. I also think the way the Collective is talking they think there is a good chance he'll be back - and I think they probably know it s a better chance than they are even saying publicly.

I also wonder if the timing of announcing the TBT will not be competing in this years tournament has anything to do with Cross? Did this now free up another 25-50K they could offer him? If it did I'm all for it - as nice as it was to see some old UMass players play last summer - I'd much rather see Matt back so I'm all for it!

We will not be fielding a TBT Team in 2024. This decision was made over a month ago. A few quick facts:

- Last years team cost around $38k in operating expenses.
- 3k of that was raised from folks directly supporting the TBT team.
- The other 35k was provided by myself, no Collective funds were used for TBT.
- This year they instituted a 10k entry fee, meaning total cost would be closer to 50k to operate.

Again - there is no crossover in TBT and Mass Co funds. Its hard enough to raise $ for the Mass Co, doing it for both the Mass Co and TBT would be competing against each other in a sense, and personally I think my own funds are better allocated to the Mass Co at this time than TBT.

Hope that clears up your questions.

[umasscollective]

I also wonder if the timing of announcing the TBT will not be competing in this years tournament has anything to do with Cross? Did this now free up another 25-50K they could offer him? If it did I'm all for it - as nice as it was to see some old UMass players play last summer - I'd much rather see Matt back so I'm all for it!

Where did you see that? Like you, I enjoyed the process leading up to the TBT and seeing those guys get back together, but if I'm donating to the collective, I probably want my dollars spent on helping build a roster with Frank Martin and not on an alumni team. If they're not entering a TBT team this year and freed up some money to entice Matt or some other high quality players, I'm pleased with that.

Mass Co funds were not used for TBT.

[Juice Stand]

Thanks as always for clarification. Much appreciated.