Game 17, 2023-24: at Loyola Chicago (1/17)

[WillHerndonFan]

That sucked…initiate contact but no whistle.

Call a blocking foul on UMasss with free throws; not let em play.

UMass got robbed tonight!

Maybe I’m in the minority but I thought that the refs were solid tonight.

Terrible officiating is when you allow free throws and constant stoppage of the game to dictate the winner. Let the players play and call fouls that matter.

[WillHerndonFan]

If Curry keeps developing at this rate, he'll be starting in the next two weeks.

Very encouraging performance from him today.

At times in the game, I was at a loss for why Frank takes out Curry when he is our only consistent offensive guard. This kid is the left handed version of Mike Williams.

[69MG]

These heartbreaking losses are killing me. I didn't look any of them up, so I don't remember all the players. To name a few:

St. Louis - Guard drives uncontested to the rim for the game winning basket.

GMU - Too many to list individually

Way back in time, we had Temple beat, threw the ball away (unforced turnover) and they scored. Maybe sent into OT, but I know we lost.

I'll throw the Harvard game from this year in as well. Their little guard just killed us in the last minute of regulation.

[MikeUMA]

At times in the game, I was at a loss for why Frank takes out Curry when he is our only consistent offensive guard. This kid is the left handed version of Mike Williams.

Maybe, but I also think it's a bit early for that comparison. We have half a season of tape on Curry, and he's only recently started to break out.

[Juice Stand]

Free throws. This team has shown their fatal flaw, and it's unfortunately free throws. It cost them the Harvard and Georgia Tech games and now Loyola as well. In the last 1:30, they missed four of them. There are going to be a lot of close games in conference play and in the tournament, and their inability to consistently hit free throws will limit what kind of season they have. I was disappointed in Frank's response to a fan question in the last podcast where he kind of shrugged off the free throw issue. For a guy that preaches mental and physical toughness he just let it slide and said guys are tired, they're hurt, so it's hard. Yeah, of course it's hard, but other teams can finish at the line and we to figure that out.

With that said, I'll try to be positive. They played with tremendous fight and grit without Cross, and Jaylen Curry is showing that he is a real stud. I didn't expect them to win, so to be in the game and have a lead that late is more than I anticipated.

[MakeMullinsGreatAgain]

that was as hard a loss to take as I can remember. Some are saying missed FT's and turnovers and yes while they missed a few late, overall they shot 72% - they just never seem to have the right guys (Curry, Diggins, Cross) shooting them at the crucial times. I knew there was no way in hell Jayden was making those FT's - DHS either - however, I do think if Jayden doesn't foul out, he somehow either grabs that rebound at the end of the game or somehow gets a hand on it so they don't get that And One so I see why he was in there down the stretch.

Turnovers - only 10 - and if they would stop trying to feed Cohen from the top of the key with that damn lob they probably have 6 or 7 - I swear they throw it out of bounds more than they actually get it to him.

As crushing a loss that was maybe we end up looking back as this was the game they realized they can play and beat anyone in this league. Tough to say they def. win if Matt played but Matt is exactly what they needed last night - especially on that last play.

[Floyd]

OK, so most everyone thought they were gonna lose, especially with no Cross, but they hung tough and actually had it until the last 15-20 seconds. The game plan was actually pretty good, Josh had a pretty good game, and aside from maybe the free throw line and occasional defensive board failures, this team stayed closed and clawed back, and should have won it. Perimeter shooting has to improve. Loyola actually played a pretty solid game, got a few calls their way, and we were right there without our best player. So we learn and grow from this, and when we get to the a10 tourney, we don't make those mistakes. It's an awesome team to watch and root for, these kids play hard

[eldonabe]

In that final 6 minutes I thought they lost the game with a couple bad 3 point attempts. Diggins chucked up that airball and there were 2 others that were just ill advised shots at the time they were taken.

All in all however, they played solid ball. If Curry can play like that consistently, they are a better team.

[BillGASox1]

Coach seems to de-emphasize the importance of practicing foul shots on his recent podcasts. The importance shows in our close game losses and the W/L difference of 3-5 points. Our record is MUCH different with better free throw shooting!

[TruBluMaroon]

Coach seems to de-emphasize the importance of practicing foul shots on his recent podcasts. The importance shows in our close game losses and the W/L difference of 3-5 points. Our record is MUCH different with better free throw shooting!

First semester ended in before Christmas and I’ve heard reports that the Spring semester doesn’t start until February. What the hell else are they going to do during their Non-Practice (FREE) time. Having your own building should allow you plenty of time to improve all kinds of shooting; Free Throw ; Post Power Moves inside; hook shots; wing bank shots ; Finishing at the basket; Last second shots

[Juice Stand]

Coach was not happy after the game. From The Collegian:

“It’s what we’ve done all year,” Martin said of the team’s mentality to stay in it. “We don’t lay down, we don’t run out the door, but at the end of the day, playing hard and losing is totally unacceptable. And I’m tired of it. We did everything we’re supposed to do to put ourselves in a place to win and then we just peed down our leg and gave up the game and that’s totally unacceptable.”

https://dailycollegian.com/2024/01/hear ... l-seconds/

[CapeCodBruiser]

Red: [to Andy] Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.

Guys we all love UMass and this basketball program. We fight online with naysayers and back our guys and University. Every season we become acquainted with a new roster of players and personalities. We look forward to these games with great anticipation as they help us get thru these brutal New England winters. At this point our perspective of losing over the years is "numb". There was a wrestler from Dorchester Pete Doherty aka The Duke of Dorchester who would enter the ring with a lot of hope. But would end up getting his arse kicked by the likes of Andre the Giant (Dayton Basketball). I still have hope that we can go 10-3 or 9-4 in these remaining 13 A10 games. I will go up to campus for some games and relive the good days from 40 years ago when I was in my final semester in the Spring of 1984. Nothing is over until we say it is. As the great Corey Hart said NEVER SURRENDER! Good luck and see you at the Mullins Center.

[Mykl_18]

Does Keon Thompson start for any other team in the A10? Deserve better play from our starting PG

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Does Keon Thompson start for any other team in the A10? Deserve better play from our starting PG

He's had a few off games, but he's been solid all season. Curry may be making a case to take on the job with his play, but KT has earned being the starter thus far. It is a valid question because Curry has come along, not because we "deserve better play from our starting PG" insinuating KT is bad.

[MikeUMA]

Tough to say they def. win if Matt played but Matt is exactly what they needed last night - especially on that last play.

Yes. If Cross was on the floor on that last possession, he/we would have gotten that rebound. That was the tenacity that was lacking when it mattered most.