Game 27: @ La Salle

ODog · Post by **ODog** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:35 pm

bharms08 wrote: The Bad:

1) the Lappas promo for Blake Griffin might give me worse nightmares than tonights game

Ummm...Steve said Blake Griffith. You know, Blake Griffith? Hackjob City.

Post by **MikeUMA** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:25 pm

If you feel like reliving this one, CBS College Sports is re-running it now.

The good news, they're almost at the part where we start to look alive

Marty Peretz · Post by **Marty Peretz** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:21 pm

This season has now officially become toxic. The guys are ready for it to be over, you can just tell. I'm not longer confident that we have the capability of making any sort of run in the a-10 tourney, but I'm obviously hoping I'm wrong.

xlgman · Post by **xlgman** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:40 pm

When some of your starters don't start the second half, I think that sends a message from the coach that he's fed up. That's pretty rare, isn't it? I thought DK looked pissed and frustrated until we started getting some success with the trap and energy in the middle of the second half. The whole staff just looks beside themselves sometimes.

Ricky scored all 20 of his points in the final 11:00.

InnervisionsUMASS · Post by **InnervisionsUMASS** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:43 pm

And all of his points came in the 2nd half....................

DK had his jacket and tie off within minutes of the 2nd half starting, if I recall correctly... reminds me of my high school coach, minus the sweat under the armpits that was amazingly clear on my downsairs non-HDTV haha

AlPatino · Post by **AlPatino** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:57 am

Sadly, this quote from the Philadelphia Inquirer sums up the season at this point:

"UMass (10-17, 5-9) is fighting to even reach Atlantic City. As remarkable as it seems, the Minutemen won at No. 15 Kansas in December. (Those same Jayhawks slaughtered No. 11 Missouri, 90-65, yesterday.)

That UMass team did not show itself until it was too late. Through the first 30 minutes, as the Explorers built a 72-46 lead, it was as if UMass were looking to get out of Philly as quickly as possible to avoid the coming snowstorm."

"http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/2 ... ext=lg&c=y

vanmeter · Post by **vanmeter** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:19 am

There is no question it has been a very dissappointing season. I think both players and coaches should share in this responsibility.

While these are not players who DK recruited, it is still his responsibility to have the team play to its strengths. I amhttp://umasshoops.com/board/viewforum.php?f=1
Men's Hoop Forum sure Ford did not want to have a slow down type offense when he arrived, however he adjusted to this fact until he was able to employ his run/gun offense in his 3rd year. This team is certainly not a 20 win team, talent wise, however it is definitely better than a 10 win team.

As far as the players, it is clear that with the exception of Tony Gaffney, and to a lesser extent, David Gibbs, this team is absolutely terrible defensively. While some players try hard but are just plain slow (Bonner/Glass) others make little or no effort (Lowe, Gurley, Harris).

I hope that the players coming here next year have the defensive mentality that we need. Certainly Kellogg comes from a pedigree of excellent defensive minded coaches (Both Calipari and Flint).

I am optimistic that next year's team will be far more defensive oriented and those not giving 100% on both ends will be on the bench.

Umass89 · Post by **Umass89** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:30 am

I'll no doubt get hammered for this, but I give the guys some credit (starting w/Bonner & ending w/DK) for gutting it out. The underclassman need leadership and Bonner helped provide some. Down 26 points away, it would have been easy to "get on the bus home" and fade into the woodwork. Instead, they showed some fire, pride and tenacity and battled back.

I will concede that had they shown the same resolve throughout - this would probably have been a W. That said, I'm still happy they fought through 'til the end on this one - if for no other reason than to set the table for the last few games of the year and head into next year with a better trajectory.

I feel for the seniors - it sucks to go this way.

farkdogg · Post by **farkdogg** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:10 pm

I guess I'm confused by your Bonner leadership quote. Is leadership 17 mins, 1-3 from the field, and 4-8 from the line? B/c if that's the case, we had a ton of leaders yesterday ...

I for one am excited about getting some new blood in there next season.

Going on 11 years affiliated w/ UMass and probably now 11 years w/o a tournament bid. Im just wondering how many trips to UMass, trips to Temple, trips to Fordham, trips to Seattle for Gonzaga, and endless hours GameTracking to make until this team can taste the tournament!!

man, that felt good ... I'm at peace... GO UMASS!!

xlgman · Post by **xlgman** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:22 pm

fark - did you watch the game? Bonner made a lot of plays to help us turn things around midway through the second half. Things that don't stand out in the boxscore. He played tough - ripped a few rebounds out of their hands, took a charge, drew some fouls, got back on the break to stop or disrupt some plays, even busted his ass on one posession chasing around guys outside the 3pt line, etc. Most of all he led by example by not giving up.

farkdogg · Post by **farkdogg** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:43 pm

I did watch the game...

No one doubts Bonner's passion ... He runs the court a lot w/ hustle, but we need a leader that plays more than 17 mins per game.

At this time of year, players shouldnt need motivation to win...

Umass89 · Post by **Umass89** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:57 pm

farkdogg wrote:I did watch the game...

No one doubts Bonner's passion ... He runs the court a lot w/ hustle, but we need a leader that plays more than 17 mins per game.

At this time of year, players shouldnt need motivation to win...

...I could be wrong, but I doubt it's his decision how much playing time he gets....

Point was, although it would've been easy - hell even understandable - if they all just folded up their tents and quit - Bonner was hustling, scrapping, fighting even at 26 points down - after a few guys seemed to have waved the white flag (judging by body language alone).

78 · Post by 78 » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:58 pm

I just don't buy the great job they did by battling back from 26 down. They should have never gotten down by 26, they made little effort to play defense for most of the game, and playing hard for 8 minutes doesn't excuse playing like crap for 32 minutes.

Post by **MikeUMA** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:59 pm

It was encouraging to see them score in that bunch, but 78 is right, being down 26 points shouldn't be the spark to start playing hard. By then the game is out of reach, no matter what you do.

This team has shown time and time again that they don't bring it unless they're sufficiently motivated by a big-time opponent. Why they can't bring it against everyone else is a mystery that, through February, we haven't been able to solve. That's what's frustrating.

sasso72 · Post by **sasso72** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:54 pm

I definitely think motivation has been the problem with this years team. But I don't think the caliber of the opponent is the motivating force. Look what happened against Memphis,Vanderbilt and Houston. I really feel we just got Kansas on a real off night.I feel it is the coaches job to motivate the kids and sadly, that"s where it has been lacking this year.