Game 8, 2024-25: NJIT (12/1)

[Jackson96]

Not a very inspiring second half that’s for sure but there were some encouraging signs from a few players. Some productive minutes from worthy and Nate g. Had 10 assists on 16 baskets in the first half. Found some offense along the baseline. First half defense was pretty good.

Shouldn’t be giving up 44 in a half to that team though. And the shooting is still very much an issue that is going to really limit this team’s ceiling unless they improve.

[DoctorJ]

Just turned it on. Where we really 0/27 from 3 point land ?

3/17 from the 3. Diggs hit a nice one at the end.

Shahid had a nice game too. Looks like Rivera can't play the 3 but he's pretty good at the 4. DHS can play the 5 but we didn't need him today and rested him. Abdel still looks like he's not feeling well, played limited minutes.

This was the kind of confidence building game we could have used a little earlier in the schedule this year.

[LouMass]

Anyone having issues streaming games from UMass on ESPN+? Have been unable to stream home games om Roku recently. No problem with the soccergames from Penn and VA.

I would go to Roku software and update the software. Also, you can have it restart your device. That often solves problems.

Only problem I consistently have is the audio track slows down and Jakes voice gets deep. That I solve by exiting and going back in. I think all these issues are software related.

Thanks, will give that a try.

[Camby4Life]

Just turned it on. Where we really 0/27 from 3 point land ?

3-17 for the record

Diggins was 0-27 last 4 games until he hit last one.

[Camby4Life]

Not a lot of minutes for DHS today. Maybe he's resting up a bit after last week with three games in seven days, this week.

ShahMu is having a pretty darn nice game. I want to see him continue to get minutes. Would love to see him continue to improve as we move forward.

DHS had a hand injury 2nd half and didn’t play. Good game to get him rest. He’s been best player last 4 games

[Camby4Life]

Rivera plays tough and that’s why Frank Martin plays him. Lead the team in points and rebounds. Unfortunately we gotta deal with UMass fans who don’t know how to shoot a basketball that still want him benched every game.

Diggins still can’t throw a grape into the ocean.

Yeah we won, but we still need much more from our guards to be competitive in the A10. Curry and Diggins both scoring under 10 points will not cut it, not even close.

Rivera is a walking double/double if he just stays in the paint and attacks the boards. He’s a tough matchup for defenders. He’s definitely a Frank style player.

[bobolink]

Rivera should never shoot outside paint. Just focus on rebounding and layups. Play like Rodman.

Unfortunately, he cannot shoot FTs from inside the paint. He draws a lot of fouls, which is helpful, but needs to make >50%.

Wondering if UMass's poor second half had a lot to do with missing DHS.

[BR72]

Rivera should never shoot outside paint. Just focus on rebounding and layups. Play like Rodman.

Unfortunately, he cannot shoot FTs from inside the paint. He draws a lot of fouls, which is helpful, but needs to make >50%.

Wondering if UMass's poor second half had a lot to do with missing DHS.

Absolutely. NJIT outrebounded us in the 2nd half, which doesn’t happen if DHS is playing.

Also, can our guards learn not to foul guys going for layups when Shahid is in the game. At least three times he blocked shots only to have fouls called on our guards.

[Juice Stand]

A win is a win. I loved the first half, a lot of attacking the rim. The second half wasn't as pretty, but DHS being out probably contributed. I think the announced attendance was just over 2,000, which I think was probably close to accurate.

Moving on to CCSU, hopefully DHS and Akil Watson are good to go. I hear that CCSU is vastly improved, but that's a game we need to win at home.

[Camby4Life]

Rivera should never shoot outside paint. Just focus on rebounding and layups. Play like Rodman.

Unfortunately, he cannot shoot FTs from inside the paint. He draws a lot of fouls, which is helpful, but needs to make >50%.

Wondering if UMass's poor second half had a lot to do with missing DHS.

Rivera shot 47% ft last year and 11% 3’s. Don’t think those numbers will improve this year but he still might be able to replicate 13 ppg and 8 rpg

[JoleonLescottsHair]

Rivera plays tough and that’s why Frank Martin plays him. Lead the team in points and rebounds. Unfortunately we gotta deal with UMass fans who don’t know how to shoot a basketball that still want him benched every game.

Rivera played much better today. Absolutely. Hopefully he continues to play in a way that helps the team because he wasn’t doing that in previous games whether you want to acknowledge that or not. I still don’t think he fits especially well with this team, but will be thrilled if wrong. And, some of us who have been critical know how to shoot a basketball, so take it for what it is worth.

[69MG]

Whoa, just got home & turned on the game. Looks like 500 people there. Anyone actually there? 69, DoctorJ?

I was there. Official attendance was 2154. They must have counted the band and the cheerleaders. I've given up trying to guess. When I think it's 4500 it turns out to be 3200. When I think it's 1000, it's 2100.

[Floyd]

Looks like 1k but paid will probably be 3k.

Should we refer to you as DoctorJ still or Suzie?

Not sure I get the joke. Just don't call me late for dinner.

Sorry, got you mixed up with Juice. In football thread about the collective, someone made a comment about Suzie & a lemonade stand

[69MG]

The hand injury to DHS looked pretty bad. He had a splint on it in the 2nd half and only played 11 minutes in the first half.

Not sure why Curry was on the bench for the last 8 minutes or so. He has been playing a lot of minutes so maybe because Worthy was playing well Frank decided to rest him. Of course, Curry was taken out right after a bad turnover and a foul. Maybe Frank being Frank, who knows.

Props to Worthy who played with a lot more confidence today. He always has energy, but today it translated into points.

Somebody mentioned it earlier but I'll repeat it. Shadid had 4 blocks today. At least 3 times in the second half we fouled guys driving to the basket with Shahid camped under the hoop. They either got 5 or 6 points off of those free throws. If they let the guys go, 90% chance Shahid either blocks or alters the shot. We need to be smarter than that. If we can get 10 points from Shaid with his defense, I'm starting to be OK with the center position rotation of DHS and Shahid. When we play bigger teams, we'll need DHS back at the 4.

Also want to compliment Sool on how he played PG today. 8 assists and 1 turnover. We need him to score, but if his shot isn't falling, this is a great way to help the team. I do have a question for Frank. Why did he have Sool guarding #20 on NJIT. He's their best scorer and we have a couple of other guys who are better defenders.

EDIT: Just watched Frank's post game presser. He said Curry has a leg issue. It didn't sound major, but he said it affected Curry's defense in the 2nd half and that's why he sat him. Let's hope Curry and DHS are OK for Wednesday.

[Juice Stand]

I don't know, am I reading too much into this? In the postgame presser, it almost sounds like Frank Martin thinks Jaylen Curry is faking an injury, or isn't tough enough to deal with whatever discomfort or pain he has in his leg. That portion starts at around 8:45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VslPOfz1-Ag

"I don't know, he's dealing with something with his leg. I got no idea what it is, the trainer didn't know about it, yesterday in practice he claimed it was bothering him"

He then went on to shift his answer away from Curry and his injury over to "building a defense first program" and more "church of Frank Martin" speak.
Is he saying that Curry isn't bought in and isn't preparing and playing the right way? And was he hobbled in practice but you and the trainer didn't know about it? This is one of our top players. I hope the staff is paying attention when he's hobbled and is telling people during practice that it's an issue. I just found Frank's answer to be strange and not providing any clarity.