2019-20 season

[uz2b-len]

^ Was that the game they didn't want him in the huddle because he was sick (I recall someone saying that about one of the recent games)?

Maybe. He was kind of covering his mouth while he talked with whatever piece of paper or scorecard he was holding.

[TheOFFSeason]

Ya, there's been stuff on the internet (I know) about this. Some people are saying one thing, TheOFFSeason stated a different thing.

There does seem to be smoke.

I do not know of anything that would substantiate any of that post from the Dayton board. I was told face to face at the St Joes game that MM and TB get along well.

Without having any knowledge of what caused last nights post game I will say that watching the tape of Tony and Cox was pretty accurate to the Tony I know...and also a lot of what has been missing from the team for awhile: toughness, an edge, someone who doesn’t sit back and take shit. Too many straight conference road losses and very little done to change it...maybe Tony started us on the right path.
My guess is Toppin had something to say to Tony the first time thru the line and the video picks it up with Tony barking something back at him as he is heading back to the locker room...Cox moved in to see what it’s all about and Tony let him know what he thought...Cox was going to verbally defend his player. The cop jumped in and that made it look like a fight was being broken up, which wasn’t going to happen. Case closed.

I’ll say it again, TB is not getting the head coaching job unless MM moves on to a better/different job on his own...another words, MM doesn’t get canned and TB takes over.


Also, I cannot retrieve my messages on here so if you have sent me one I cannot read it or respond.

[uz2b-len]

I liked reading that. Thanks Offy.

[69MG]

^^ As usual, you provide good information. I do agree that TB brings an attitude that has been lacking.

[LS71]

I’ll say it again, TB is not getting the head coaching job unless MM moves on to a better/different job on his own...another words, MM doesn’t get canned and TB takes over.

I don’t doubt what you’re saying, but like a lot of things isn’t that option subject to change?

[TheOFFSeason]

I’ll say it again, TB is not getting the head coaching job unless MM moves on to a better/different job on his own...another words, MM doesn’t get canned and TB takes over.

I don’t doubt what you’re saying, but like a lot of things isn’t that option subject to change?

If he was released for a impropriety during the season Bamford would probably give Tony the reins, but if the HC is let go for poor performance the whole staff is going.

[JoleonLescottsHair]

Shocking that some jerk on a Dayton or urine message board would post negative info about the staff or start rumors based on their “special” inside info. Fuck these guys. When UMass is beating their ass in the next two years we’ll all understand much better why they were nervous and full of shit.

Glad TB gives it back.

[NilesGold]

With the regular season winding down, looking back to my pre-season expectations, 4 players have really surprised me.

Tre Mitchell - I expected him to be good, and be very good in future years, but I didn't expect that by the end of conference play as a freshman he'd be arguably one of the best 5 players in the A10.

Preston Santos - I figured he'd be a minor role player off the bench this season, mostly just to help with the press. Definitely never envisioned him starting and averaging over 10 points & almost 5 rebounds a game since the move.

Sy Chatman - I had high hopes for him this season, he could've left in the off-season but didn't so I assumed he wanted to be here. I might never know if his on court struggles were related to off the court stuff, but regardless he was disappointing when he played.

Carl Pierre - Carl's struggles are hard to reconcile with how much of a pleasant surprise he was as a freshman, and with how he's been overshadowed by Tre & even TJ to a lesser extent when he was healthy. Yes, he caught teams sleeping early on his first year, but by the time A10 play rolled around, and certainly by the mid-point, he was an unknown no longer.

[LS71]

UMass has had its best performances of the season since going with Tre, Samba Preson, Kolton and Carl as starters.

They're 4-3 over that period. Their defense has improved as has their rebounding.

Only one of the three losses was a stinker, but they played well against URIne on the road and vs Dayton at home.

They beat a then winless St. Joseph's team...worth noting since past teams might have lost that one...but they also got the Mason monkey of their backs and beat Dookane and St. Looie.

The season is trending positive as the regular season winds down. They are quickly becoming the team no one wants to play in Brooklyn!

[eldonabe]

I am not a huge Kolton fan. He seems to be a good kid character-wise, but he is kind of a ball killer on offense. Polar opposite of East who is too loose with the ball too often and weak on defense (for now at least).

There are moments his style is definitely needed, but overall I would prefer East - I think he has much more upside between the two.

[minutefanjsf]

I am not a huge Kolton fan. He seems to be a good kid character-wise, but he is kind of a ball killer on offense. Polar opposite of East who is too loose with the ball too often and weak on defense (for now at least).

There are moments his style is definitely needed, but overall I would prefer East - I think he has much more upside between the two.

Defense wins games. Kolton doesn’t turn it over. His vision of the court and ability to thread the needle are best on the team arguably. He doesn’t need to score. He will develop scoring/shooting, he was injured.

[69MG]

The St. Louis game was kind of a turnaround for Sean and Kolton. Sean's A/TO was 7-2 and Kolton's was 1/2. Kolton's defense is certainly better but Sean is much more dynamic on offense.

The big improvement I saw in Sean was better decision making on passes. No looping cross court passes that used to get picked off and he didn't try any high risk passes except that long one to Tre that worked. Kolton had one awful pass that I can recall, right to a defender. They each have their place and MM can juggle them depending on the flow of the game.

[eldonabe]

The St. Louis game was kind of a turnaround for Sean and Kolton. Sean's A/TO was 7-2 and Kolton's was 1/2. Kolton's defense is certainly better but Sean is much more dynamic on offense.

The big improvement I saw in Sean was better decision making on passes. No looping cross court passes that used to get picked off and he didn't try any high risk passes except that long one to Tre that worked. Kolton had one awful pass that I can recall, right to a defender. They each have their place and MM can juggle them depending on the flow of the game.

Yes this....

Defense does win Championships, but last time I checked you still have to also score more points than the other team.

If Sean can take better care of the ball (like the other night) I would prefer him on the court. KW out there is like playing 4 on 5 when they are on offense. I still think has has a huge and valuable role in this line up but IMO East's game better compliments the rest of the talent on the floor most of the time.

KW is a modern day Mike Babul - a lock down defender but when he scored, it was by accident.

[MassMan06]

According to KenPom, Kolton has a higher turnover rate (32.2 vs 23.4) and lower assist rate (22.4 vs 34.5). East's assist rate is actually 32nd in the country.

For context:

Assist Rate (ARate): This is assists divided by the field goals made by the player’s teammates while he is on the court.
Turnover Rate (TORate): This is the percentage of personal possessions used on turnovers. It can be highly dependent on context. Players that do little passing or dribbling (i.e. spot-up shooters) will have an artificially deflated TO%.

[uz2b-len]

I never could understand how Babel could drive the Baseline and dunk it one time in his entire career. It looked so easy and natural when he did it. As for Kolton, the team has played better with him at the starter. Not to say he should play more minutes but certainly he should keep starting. McCall has alluded more than once to how Sean's play is influenced by his mood. Sean maybe the kind of guy who does better coming off the bench. At least for now. I agree with you that he is much more Dynamic on offense. I think both he and Walker are good on-the-ball Defenders but lose track of their guys without the ball giving up open shots.