Game 9, 2023-24: vs Georgia Tech (DHC, 12/21)

[MikeUMA]

Getting a way-early game thread going for this one.

Georgia Tech was slotted as our day one opponent for the Diamond Head Classic. Normally that matchup doesn't mean a lot, except for the Tafara Gapare factor. Gapare transferred from us to them in the off-season.

Tech took it up a notch today, with their graphic promoting the event


Yep, that's Gapare. No way that's a coincidence to use him in that photo.

Motivation level: increased.

Game will be at 9 PM Eastern / 4 PM Hawaii, on ESPN2.

[MikeUMA]

Tech got a good win yesterday, at home over #7 Duke.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... /401604090

Gapare a DNP though, not sure why.

[devildawg3010]

GT got back to back wins vs ranked opponents this past week. #21 Miss St. and then #7 Duke. As of today they are 4-2 with two other wins vs Georgia Southern and Howard. Their two losses are to Cincy and UMass Lowell. They play Georgia, Alabama A&M, and Penn State before we play them.

Tafara has been a DNP the last 3 games. I know that since Ndongo came back Tafara has not played. . Ndongo lead the team in scoring with 21 against Duke.

[Upstate10]

I was just in Honolulu for the Maui Invitational. If any one has any questions or wants any food recs ask away. I have a couple good spots.

[UMassFan99]

This now seems like an extremely tough game and far more difficult than just a week ago. Yikes.

[Quann]

I was just in Honolulu for the Maui Invitational. If any one has any questions or wants any food recs ask away. I have a couple good spots.

Fantastic. Love the whole island of Oahu. Where’d you stay?

[stevemaz]

Tech got a good win yesterday, at home over #7 Duke.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... /401604090

Gapare a DNP though, not sure why.

maybe cuz he stinks..

[tdmass]

He's not the "saviour" people bitched about last year because of lack of PT. Frank had this one right on!

[natwam2547]

This now seems like an extremely tough game and far more difficult than just a week ago. Yikes.

That's fine. I'd rather it be against a quality opponent. Chances of us winning this tournament were slim anyway. I'd rather get the exposure to better teams than what they've been playing currently. Doesn't mean they can't pull out a 2-1 record. Their 2nd game against either Portland or Hawai'i is winnable and the only other team I'd say they'd be rather large underdogs against would be TCU. If they get out of there playing Georgia Tech, Portland and ODU/Temple I'm happy with it.

[NDR18]

Not sure if anyone saw this from yesterday

Tafara Gapare scored a career-high 20 points for Georgia Tech. He equaled his previous career high of 15 points in the first half alone. Gapare entered the game with 17 points scored all season.

[DoctorJ]

We know he can score if given enough minutes. Can he guard anyone yet?

[Floyd]

I'm sure he'll try to have a monster game against us.

[MakeMullinsGreatAgain]

I'm sure he'll try to have a monster game against us.

I hope he does - he'll be forcing shots left and right and turning the ball over all night.

Gotta believe he'll be guarding Cross - for all those on the board who go to practices and might have seen Gapare guard Matt - did Cross eat him up?

[UMassFan99]

Going to be a tough game. They have some big wins and some talent for sure. Another big test for us. Some solid guard play in particular and agreed that Tafare is going to be fired up. That said, hoping Cross and Cohen can have a major presence. Doesn’t look like they have a lot of bigs outside of one minimally used player and Gafare (if you want to call him a big). Cohen needs to dominate for us.

[UMassFan99]

I'm sure he'll try to have a monster game against us.

I hope he does - he'll be forcing shots left and right and turning the ball over all night.

Gotta believe he'll be guarding Cross - for all those on the board who go to practices and might have seen Gapare guard Matt - did Cross eat him up?

Was wondering who will D him up. He’s definitely a uniquely equipped player on offense.