Game 20, 2023-24: at Saint Louis (1/27)

[WillHerndonFan]

When we were down 15-6 I thought the game was over, the season was over and maybe Frank's coaching tenure was over. However, I love this team because they do not quit.

We won the rebounding battle by 9, turnovers by 5 and got to the line 7 more times. That's how you have to win games when the other team gets hot from 3. Of course, going 19/23 from the line was a welcome sight. They never got closer than 3 in the 2nd half and even though we did a few dumb things. Overall, we played OK.

In case you hadn't heard, IT'S HARD TO WIN ON THE ROAD.

We have a week off and then welcome our pain-in-the-ass foe, GMU to Amherst. They play @ St. Joe's on Wednesday before coming to Amherst. I'm OK with the week off. I think our guys could use a little rest.

I agree that this game put a lot of pressure on Frank (and his tenure) to win as a loss to a 1-7 team could have started our downward spiral . Another near bottom finish in the regular season and a first round A10 tourney exit are possible unless Frank and this team play to their ability every night.

[Juice Stand]

I posted before the game that this was a must win considering we were sitting in 11th place at the time. Well, we're up to 6th. Just goes to show how bunched up the middle of this league is.

Winning on the road is hard, and we did it in a place where we haven't won since 2015 against a coach that was possibly coaching to keep his job. Not an easy task. Rumors are apparently swirling that Travis may get canned very soon, poetic justice if UMass is the team to make it happen (although I've never really been a TF hater).

I give this team credit for playing tough, cleaning up the boards, and making their free throws down the stretch. Free throws have cost them multiple games, but not yesterday. Good stuff all around. Enjoy the week off, get some rest, and come out hungry to play a very good GMU team.

[Floyd]

Will , pretty much the same for any team isn't it? Doesn't really matter what the score is after 5-7 minutes, it's the final score that does. Lots of positives to take away, rebounding battle, less turnovers, made our free throws, kept their composure, and I thought Frank did a great job managing the game. You know who's in charge when Frank is constantly instructing these young guys, making sure they know where to be and what to run. Yeah he's demanding, but that's what this team/program needs.

My guess is we see even more improvement in talent and team play next year. We've got a good young group of hardworking kids who want to be better, and a couple experienced guys in Cross and Cohen. Limit the turnovers and we can beat any team in the A10 tourney

[vanmeter]

Impressive road win. 1 week to prepare for a good GMU team

[tdmass]

This is a very good win in a place that historically we've won one once . . . enjoy it!

[eldonabe]

Good win, they needed that. The unfortunate part is that they have put themselves in a position where they do not have a lot of wiggle room.

Pomeroy favors them in 7 of the last 10 games and they project a 10-8 conference record. At this point, I think most would take that. I certain would.

[umasscollective]

Great road win.

We’re thinking 9-2 down the stretch with losses @ Richmond and @ Bonnie’s to get to 21-9.

Big Game Saturday!

[WillHerndonFan]

Will , pretty much the same for any team isn't it? Doesn't really matter what the score is after 5-7 minutes, it's the final score that does. Lots of positives to take away, rebounding battle, less turnovers, made our free throws, kept their composure, and I thought Frank did a great job managing the game. You know who's in charge when Frank is constantly instructing these young guys, making sure they know where to be and what to run. Yeah he's demanding, but that's what this team/program needs.

My guess is we see even more improvement in talent and team play next year. We've got a good young group of hardworking kids who want to be better, and a couple experienced guys in Cross and Cohen. Limit the turnovers and we can beat any team in the A10 tourney

Floyd. Big fan of Frank and this team but still feel we are not playing to what we are capable of and we have seem glimpses of this team play at a high level. Does Richmond have better talent than us? Seen them play a bunch on ESPN+ and outside of Jordan King, this team has average talent. Yes they have more experienced players but we have more talent and some experienced players in Cross, Cohen and Diggins. There is no doubt in my mind we could be Richmond at 7-0 if we played to our ability night after night and had Cross available for all of our games and I agree we could beat anyone in the A10 tournament.

[DirSport]

First true road win of the season after an 0-4 start.

Has anyone else noticed that all of UMass' wins (except one, vs. West Virginia) have come by double digits? On average, they're winning by just under 17 points.

[stevemaz]

good win! rest up this week and gear up for the last 10 where i want to see 7-3 at the minimum. I think we will be favored in all games except at St B and at Richmond

[DanaDingle3]

First true road win of the season after an 0-4 start.

Has anyone else noticed that all of UMass' wins (except one, vs. West Virginia) have come by double digits? On average, they're winning by just under 17 points.

Yes, and I had been thinking most of the losses were a little unlucky, until after St. Joe's when I started thinking the overall lack of experience, especially in the backcourt was contributing to inability to close out strong.

We've shed one obstacle with a road win. Gotta take the next close game now.

[bmc24]

^ GP. Every time I want to sub Keon for JC, Keon makes anHUGE play! FM is adjusting by playing both simultaneously, which brings a great scoring dynamic out there.

[WillHerndonFan]

First true road win of the season after an 0-4 start.

Has anyone else noticed that all of UMass' wins (except one, vs. West Virginia) have come by double digits? On average, they're winning by just under 17 points.

Yes, it has been noticeable this year as they go on these runs in games and look awesome and go up big. The did that against st joes and went up 13 and then they lost focus. I think that is why they struggle in close games because their wins have been typically 10-20 point wins and it shows with 0 wins in tight ball games. Hopefully will win a couple close ones to build confidence in our ability to close out or come from behind to win a game.

[NilesGold]

how about DHS - I saw every minute of this game but did not realize what a solid game he played.

Curry - 11 points in I swear 11 minutes - please give him more minutes

I’ve been saying that Curry needs more minutes as well which means fewer minutes for Ndjigue and Thompson. His offense is too important for us to not play more.

My biggest issue with both Curry and DHS is their shot selection. Last night DHS took two fadeaway mid range jumpers in the 2nd half, and Curry took a totally out of control deep 2pt jumper with a lot of time on the clock.

Curry at present is offensively a scoring point guard who really hunts for his own shots. When the team is struggling to score that can be good, but in a lot of instances it seems detrimental.

It might make more sense to sub Curry in for Diggins at times when Diggins is struggling and the team needs an offensive spark.

[Juice Stand]

Yes, it has been noticeable this year as they go on these runs in games and look awesome and go up big. The did that against st joes and went up 13 and then they lost focus. I think that is why they struggle in close games because their wins have been typically 10-20 point wins and it shows with 0 wins in tight ball games. Hopefully will win a couple close ones to build confidence in our ability to close out or come from behind to win a game.

I'm going to call last night a close ball game. The final margin was 11 points, but it was only a 4-pt game with 2:30 to go. The reason it was a bigger margin is because they did exactly what you're talking about, maintaining focus, hitting free throws and closing it out.