Game 26, 2017-18: GW (2/14)

[eldonabe]

If we want a first round bye in the A-10 tournament, we need to win this game.

...and a couple more.

Think we need tonight, Duquesne and one other to get out of the bottom four. Duquesne has started to fall apart and we get them at home. Honestly, VCU doesn't defend and we get them at home too so ya never know but if we don't get KTM back to give us some minutes it could be rough sledding.

Doesn't matter - other than catching someone asleep or completely unprepared - Umass' season ends no later than that Thursday no matter what the rest of the regular season ends up being. I would love to see 2 or even 3 more wins, but I am not holding my breath and its OK with me if they don;t win another game.

This season has already been a success in my book.....

[69MG]

Agreed. MM has does as much as we could hope for with all that has gone on. Any more wins this year would be a bonus.

[TruBluMaroon]

It was posted elsewhere, but we might see some extra bodies on the bench tonight:

Heard through the grapevine you might be seeing some #UMass football players suiting up to finish the season with #Minutemen basketball. Matt McCall's squad has been dealing with attrition since before the year began.

https://twitter.com/FightMA247/status/9 ... 8836811776

Would be nice to know names, isn't this something that the Collegian would know?

[Roadtrip]

I gotta have one more win, I just gotta.

[MJatUM]

Definitely our best opportunity for a win before round 1 of the conference tournament. Spread is down to -3.5 and I'd have to imagine our severely limited roster is why that has come down. We are going to need everybody crashing the defensive boards tonight. GW isn't a great rebounding team but the size advantage alone means we will need tremendous effort from all five guys on the floor at all times to keep them off the offensive glass.
EDIT: they are actually below average in total rebound% (255th) but slightly above average at O-Rebound% (163) - so my point is emphasized even more. Also something that should work out in our favor: George Washington is not very good at getting to the line at 306th in free throws per FG attempt (.200 or one free throw per 5 FG attempts). As would not be a surprise to anyone that has watched this team, UMass is almost dead last 340/351 in that same stat (.178). [/Stat nerd fest].

I am not as worried about their size throwing our offense off. We should have at least a couple of speed advantages on these guys and hopefully with Pip and Pierre (and maybe CJ based off Sunday's effort) pulling guys out to the perimeter we might be able to get to the hoop fairly well.

No expectations for me in this one. Just want to see the hustle and the effort there from the tip. Glad it is on NESN+ and will be curious to see who (if anyone) from the football team is available tonight in any capacity above a foul sponge / extra body. I'd imagine a lot of these guys at least played hoops in high school so they should have some semblance of how to play the game. GO U!

[69MG]

^^ Here's your answer. Maybe more to come.

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UPDATE: @UMassFootball QB Randall West has been added to the @UMassBasketball roster. Will be immediately eligible to play. The R-Jr. will wear No. 41 and is listed as a forward.

#FightMassachusetts
‏@FightMA247
52s52 seconds ago
More #FightMassachusetts Retweeted UMass Basketball
West one of several #Minutemen football players who tried out recently for the hoop team to give them added depth as they finish out the season.

[Berkman]

From Mat Vatour article:

http://www.gazettenet.com/Backup-quarte ... m-15560701

[Berkman]

Stream is supposed to be up at 6:45 and all I am getting is a blank screen. Troubles tonight?

[MJatUM]

Game just tipped off, give it another whirl.

[Worcester_To_Amherst]

This is baaddddddd. Thank God for CJ. If they don't start draining some 3s it's going to be beyond ugly.

[BR72]

This is baaddddddd. Thank God for CJ. If they don't start draining some 3s it's going to be beyond ugly.

Agreed. With exception of CJ, everyone has been bad.

[Berkman]

I am disappointed. If they do this bad against GW I don't see where I will see a win on Sat against Davidson. They shoot a ton of threes.

[bobolink]

and sure enough, it's beyond ugly. I've seen GW a couple of times and they're not good, but they're having fun tonight against a group that looks completely out of it

[BR72]

Watanabe’s length is giving Pip fits. They need to figure out a way to get him some space to operate.

[TheInsider]

Not sure what people expected. We have one big and we had to get a guy from the football team. And he's played!! With our roster right now no A10 team should lose to us. Our guys play hard but we are just so undermanned. We have played 3 walkons today in the flow of the game. I have never seen that.