Game 29, 2023-24: at Davidson (3/2)

[Quann]

Yeah I’m not saying that’s why we won the game or anything like that. I’m just saying I think we got lucky on that call.

Definitely. That was a clear shooting foul, should have been 3 shots.

[HerndonHops]

His father was a great coach at Davidson 33 years - Bob McKilopp.
Rasool made play of the game - blocked shot and retrieved ball to Curry. Rasool 4-6 from 3, rest of the team 1-18.

Yes, but what about the Bamford reference?

[minutefanjsf]

His father was a great coach at Davidson 33 years - Bob McKilopp.
Rasool made play of the game - blocked shot and retrieved ball to Curry. Rasool 4-6 from 3, rest of the team 1-18.

Yes, but what about the Bamford reference?

Bamford’s dad was an AD at Plymouth State in NH.

[inthescoop]

Matt Cross is the courage of our team - his fight won us this game

And wow what a quick feel play by Diggins at the end with the block and backwards pass - play of the game

When we went down 66-63, I thought we were smoked, with some lucky breaks and the team always fighting, we got a nice well earned W

[69MG]

I was gone all day and just watched the replay. My first thought is, if we can win a game on the road playing this poorly, we are in good shape. Davidson is not a terrible team; their Achilles heel is like ours - they can't shoot from the outside. But wow, do they run some awesome back door cuts.

For me, DHS was the hero of the game. They did everything they could to take Josh out of the game, but Daniel is a different type of player and they had no answer for him.

Matt is tough as nails and we needed every one of his 26 points. But let's be honest, he may have given them16 points on missed cuts. He and Josh were MIA on defense.

Anyhow, I'm thrilled with another road win. Let's finish it off on Wednesday for a 20-win regular season.

[Juice Stand]

For me, DHS was the hero of the game. They did everything they could to take Josh out of the game, but Daniel is a different type of player and they had no answer for him.

I think this is part of why this team has been as good as they are this year. When a lot of teams sub out the starting big man, they rotate in a similar style backup so the game plan remains relatively similar. UMass subs in a completely different change of pace player. Josh has that smooth old school offensive skill set, and if that's not working, you bring in the strong athletic leaper in Daniel. I'm glad we have 'em both and the change of pace is fun to watch.

[Berkman]

I met up with Jay Burnham before the game and had a nice chat with him.

Met Jaylyn Curry's mother and grandmother who were sitting near me. Nice people. Also the guy sitting next to me ran track with the coaches wife.

My wife was not that happy with the officials. No 15 for Davidson spent most of the game holding Josh near the basket and did not get called for fouls that often. That is why he did not score that much. Did miss several bunnies near the hoop. Nice game to watch but nail biting at times.

Probably be the last time I get to go to a UMass game as they only play here every other year.

[Floyd]

For me, DHS was the hero of the game. They did everything they could to take Josh out of the game, but Daniel is a different type of player and they had no answer for him.

I think this is part of why this team has been as good as they are this year. When a lot of teams sub out the starting big man, they rotate in a similar style backup so the game plan remains relatively similar. UMass subs in a completely different change of pace player. Josh has that smooth old school offensive skill set, and if that's not working, you bring in the strong athletic leaper in Daniel. I'm glad we have 'em both and the change of pace is fun to watch.

Love DHS. Every game he seems to make that one play out of nowhere that makes you go "wow". I agree Juice, he's different than our other big guys, and it's a nice change of pace. Imagine another athletic big guy (6-10 or bigger) to pair with DHS or to rotate in with Matt and Josh. The combinations could be incredible

[Floyd]

I was gone all day and just watched the replay. My first thought is, if we can win a game on the road playing this poorly, we are in good shape. Davidson is not a terrible team; their Achilles heel is like ours - they can't shoot from the outside. But wow, do they run some awesome back door cuts.

For me, DHS was the hero of the game. They did everything they could to take Josh out of the game, but Daniel is a different type of player and they had no answer for him.

Matt is tough as nails and we needed every one of his 26 points. But let's be honest, he may have given them16 points on missed cuts. He and Josh were MIA on defense.

Anyhow, I'm thrilled with another road win. Let's finish it off on Wednesday for a 20-win regular season.

Hey, seems like the past few road games you havent been able to watch, and they won. Maybe that's it, you have to only watch replays for away games!

[69MG]

^ They won't let me go hockey games at home any more. When I go we never score more than 2 goals.

If anyone wants to watch the Davidson replay, here it is. You might have to sign in with your Cable ID, I'm not sure.

https://www.usanetwork.com/watch/generic?pid=4505494

[Berkman]

At the game yesterday, first live one for me, I noticed that after a timeout with the coach giving instructions he would leave the huddle before the time was up and one of the assistants would continue giving instructions. Anyone know why?

[inthescoop]

^It’s always good to have more than one coaches perspective - Frank values his assistant coaches

[69MG]

I think all, or almost all, of the assistant coaches were previously DI head coaches so Frank really does accept their input.

[vanmeter]

I think the assistant coaches seem very competent and this is certainly a big asset for Frank. I think with recruiting good players - solid assistants are most important and I feel we have them

[NilesGold]

Felt like we stole that one. And that foul on Thompson should have been a shooting foul.

Cross carried us offensively with some help from DHS on the glass and Diggins from 3. Jayden made a ton of little things that were big plays. Rest of the guys were really ineffective. Cohen was a mess out there. Keon didn’t do anything. Curry hit a wide open three but took 12 shots to score 8 points. Davis missed all of his threes and was not good on defense.

I guess we took care of the ball for the most part and we were great on the offensive glass. And then we got stops in the last couple of minutes. Still feels like we stole it.

Credit Davidson. Their defense made us look awful on offense — we had 8 assists on 24 baskets and and had to take quite a few last second shots. They took advantage of our defense with all those goddamn back cuts. That Bailey kid is really good.

Obviously will take the win. Good to win a close one. Good to win on the road. Now finish out with a win over Fordham and you’ve got 20. Probably 2-3 more wins than I was expecting.

I think you and I are mostly on the same page. UMass was lucky to win this game, but it should never have been close.

I think the foul on Thompson was way too close for comfort.

Diggins' saving the ball while falling out of bounds was dumb luck that it went to a UMass player, and very nearly could've gone into the hands of a Davidson player right under the basket.

This might have been the only game that UMass didn't use a zone defense for a single possession, and it might have been the game where a zone defense would've been the most effective... completely baffling that the coaches never used it.