Game 32, 2014-15: La Salle (Brooklyn)

[Marshmont_63]

This is potentially the last game of our season if we don't win. I hope Kellogg gets the guys fired up. Now or never. No sleep till Brooklyn!!

[MikeUMA]

DK shouldn't need to say anything at this point. Team needs to look themselves in the mirror and decide how they want to end the season: going down swinging, or mailing it in.

As for La Salle, Rothstein likes 'em:

@JonRothstein
La Salle has now beaten Dayton and won a game at VCU. Explorers won't fear anyone in BK. Veteran front court and a scorer in Jordan Price.

[fenway617]

They have to beat a team for a 3rd time in a season much like they did last year with URI. If any team finished the season worse than Umass it's La Salle, finishing 3-6 in their last 9 games inc. losses to StL in OT, a blowout loss to Fordham and a loss to Umass to start that 9 game stretch. They did mix in a win vs. Dayton to end the season. They only go 7 deep so if Umass can get them into early foul trouble Umass could run away from them. In the first meeting Jordan Price had 4 fouls and only put in 12 points. But in the game at Amherst he scored 30 of their 59 points. So Umass has beat them with price having a so-so game and with him having a great game. But if Price goes off for 30 points+ Umass isn't winning a 3rd time.

[MJatUM]

Gotta start out well... I'm afraid if we get punched in the mouth early it will be a long day. Last game of the season, everyone needs to be held accountable. If someone isn't pulling their weight on effort and hustle, get their ass out of the game. I don't care if it's Cady or TBerg. Enough is enough.

[LS71]

Here's the recipe for victory ->make the open shots the offense gives and cut down on turnovers.

Anything less and the season ends Thursday.

[MikeEsq]

I smell a loss.

[MikeUMA]

Who's going and where are you sitting?

I'm taking a day off that day. On the fence about watching from my couch or heading into Brooklyn.

[MikeUMA]

@Daniel_Malone
Trey Davis sporting a new, shaved haircut at practice today. Said it's time to start fresh for Brooklyn.

Like it. I'll take any sign of our guys doing things differently.

[LS71]

^ Me too. What I'd really like to see is a team of guys that plays like it WANTS to win!

[mlaconte459]

^ section 6 row 7 for me. Will be rocking my #21 jersey and probably the loudest person in the arena. (besides Dereks Dad)

[Calmass9]

Who's going and where are you sitting?

I'm taking a day off that day. On the fence about watching from my couch or heading into Brooklyn.

I'll be there +3 sitting in the section behind the UMass bench. Probably section 7 since I assume we will be the home team on Thursday.

[EBox]

Section 24, center court, directly opposite the scorers table. Amazing view for both halves. Debating but probably going to wear my #3 Chaz jersey. Maybe it will stir up some good karma in the building with our team, although when I wore it to the UM/St. Louis game in Amherst last year...well, you know what happened.

[MassMan06]

If we lose and still get a postseason offer, do we accept? It would almost certainly be CBI and I think I'd rather just let this season die.

Participants over last few years:

2014 – Fresno State, Hampton, Illinois State, Morehead State, Old Dominion, Oregon State, Penn State, Princeton, Radford, Siena, South Dakota State, Stony Brook, Texas A&M, Tulane, UTEP, Wyoming
2013 – Bryant, Charleston, George Mason, Houston, Lehigh, North Dakota State, Purdue, Richmond,
Santa Clara, Texas, Tulsa, Vermont, Western Illinois, Western Michigan, Wright State, Wyoming
2012 – Butler, Delaware, Evansville, Milwaukee, North Dakota State, Oregon State, Penn, Pittsburgh, Princeton, Quinnipiac, San Francisco, TCU, Washington State, Western Illinois, Wofford, Wyoming

[UMassTom'91]

Yes, you accept any postseason offer. For the seniors, it's another chance to play. For the underclassmen, it gives them experience in a postseason tournament. UMass is not at a level where they should be declining postseason tournament invites.

Always keep playing.

[Berkman]

I don't expect them to win and NO I don't think they should accept any post season bids outside of the NCAA and that won't happen unless they run the table. Maybe if they don't get the "post season tournament" experience this year they will be more motivated to make a post season tournament next year. I don't see that happening unless DK brings in some JC re bounders. I will see what they look like in the Vegas tournament next fall when we make our trip to visit our son out there at that time.