Game 23, 2024-25: SLU (2/4)

[MikeUMA]

Don't see Shahid playing in this one. He's just not polished enough to guard Avila all over the court. Think we'll go small, with DHS tasked with guarding Avila for long stretches.

Agreed that Shahid might not see much of the floor on Tuesday.

Also agree that it'll be DHS on him. Malek still has trouble on D, and DHS seems to be fully back to his pre-injury self.

If DHS is ever going to get his starting job back, now's the time.

[inthescoop]

The key to this game will be our ball movement. We are definitely the better team than Duquesne, but we were also lucky that Diggins essentially single handedly saved us versus Duquesne. Our ball movement from Curry and Worthy was simply passing the ball around, no dribble drive penetration or creating open shots for others. Iso ball from Rahsool kicked in the last quarter of the game and after Rahsool's latest performances, there is no doubt, he will be on lockdown where this team will need to learn to create as a whole.
In regard to SLU, it's tough to argue that we are the better team, so I don't believe that an elite Diggins performance alone can save us. Huge game for UMass. I hope that we come to play, and we have a solid crowd.

[inthescoop]

Don't see Shahid playing in this one. He's just not polished enough to guard Avila all over the court. Think we'll go small, with DHS tasked with guarding Avila for long stretches.

Also agree with 69 that our depth could be a factor with physical play and creating foul trouble. Looking for Watson to get some time and be active on D.

Shahid is an incredible blocker but he can be pushed around down low (I believe that he never had the proper coaching to position himself correctly due to his late start to the game) and he has butter fingers to the max.. not sure if he eats a ton of popcorn before the game.

Also per Eurobasket (not sure if it's correct), Shahid is a Pakistani basketball player. Pretty neat - That would be a first for UMass. https://basketball.eurobasket.com/playe ... mad/703104

[MikeUMA]

The two current Co-Players of the Week in the A10, Diggins and Jimerson, get a chance to play for the tiebreaker.

[inthescoop]

UMass open up as -1.5 point favorites

Over/under is 150.5

[69MG]

Vegas doesn't know what to do with this game. Some books have us as 1.5 point favorites and others have us a 1.5 point dogs. For me, the keys to this game will be how well we play defense and our ability to wear them down and maybe get a starter or 2 in foul trouble. No way to predict what kind of offense will show up.

If you've ever heard Frank speak, he often mentions that there are some games for every team where the shots don't fall, but you can always play defense.

[eldonabe]

Any more wins at this point is gravy as far as I am concerned. At the start of conference play, they looked so bad that 5 wins looked like the ceiling.

Unfortunately, they have already lost too many games for any hope beyond one magical run in the Conf Tourney.

[MakeMullinsGreatAgain]

Any more wins at this point is gravy as far as I am concerned. At the start of conference play, they looked so bad that 5 wins looked like the ceiling.

Unfortunately, they have already lost too many games for any hope beyond one magical run in the Conf Tourney.

if they lost the rest of their games I'd be all for firing Frank and Bamford! that would be miserable failure, and someone should lose their job!

[eldonabe]

Any more wins at this point is gravy as far as I am concerned. At the start of conference play, they looked so bad that 5 wins looked like the ceiling.

Unfortunately, they have already lost too many games for any hope beyond one magical run in the Conf Tourney.

if they lost the rest of their games I'd be all for firing Frank and Bamford! that would be miserable failure, and someone should lose their job!

What a difference 9 games makes. As I said - 9 games ago, 5 was looking a lot like reality and I doubt many/most would be calling for RB and Frank's head if it went that way.


My official prediction is that Frank rides out this full contract for two reasons.... he will never be able to command this kind of money from anywhere else now, and he has son#2 on the way who he will absolutely give a slot to on his roster. Unless/Until Bamford is shown the door, Frank is safe.

[Juice Stand]

If Frank leaves voluntarily, it'll be because he's become disillusioned with college coaching and the lack of continuity that he constantly talks about. If that's the case, he'll have plenty of TV opportunities where his "Church of Frank" soundbites and knack for story telling will be a hit, and they'll probably pay fairly well.

I don't really see UMass having the appetite to buy him out if things go south. UMass is resourced enough, the Collective is strong enough, and he's a good enough coach and recruiter that he should have success in the MAC.

[MikeUMA]

OK so I'm sad. I looked for a local preview article for tonight's game. Nothing from the Gazette, nothing from the Collegian.

The Collegian is trying. They usually offer a couple of things after each game, especially home. Just a little bummed that they didn't produce something for arguably our biggest home game of the season.

The Gazette, I'm getting increasingly worried about. Their remaining reporters are stretched too thin, they seem to be pivoting what's left to high school coverage first, they're starting to restrict their UMass sports articles online, etc. Gone are the days where Matt Vautour would churn out content pre and post game.

Could go on about the demise of local media, but it's certainly ground that's been covered.

[doubledribble]

OK so I'm sad. I looked for a local preview article for tonight's game. Nothing from the Gazette, nothing from the Collegian.

The Collegian is trying. They usually offer a couple of things after each game, especially home. Just a little bummed that they didn't produce something for arguably our biggest home game of the season.

The Gazette, I'm getting increasingly worried about. Their remaining reporters are stretched too thin, they seem to be pivoting what's left to high school coverage first, they're starting to restrict their UMass sports articles online, etc. Gone are the days where Matt Vautour would churn out content pre and post game.

Could go on about the demise of local media, but it's certainly ground that's been covered.

Don’t worry be happy!
Collegian staff just recovering from break.
I will be sad if there is not a big student turnout tonight!

[Juice Stand]

I agree, Mike. The Gazette is my go-to for UMass coverage and it has dropped off considerably in the last few weeks. This is a big game in the standings with a marquee player coming to town. People should be hyped for this one, including the local press.

[doubledribble]

I agree, Mike. The Gazette is my go-to for UMass coverage and it has dropped off considerably in the last few weeks. This is a big game in the standings with a marquee player coming to town. People should be hyped for this one, including the local press.

Including the STUDENTS! I’m hopeing to see a bunch there tonight!
You’re right.. big game.

[DrG]

OK so I'm sad. I looked for a local preview article for tonight's game. Nothing from the Gazette, nothing from the Collegian.

The Collegian is trying. They usually offer a couple of things after each game, especially home. Just a little bummed that they didn't produce something for arguably our biggest home game of the season.

The Gazette, I'm getting increasingly worried about. Their remaining reporters are stretched too thin, they seem to be pivoting what's left to high school coverage first, they're starting to restrict their UMass sports articles online, etc. Gone are the days where Matt Vautour would churn out content pre and post game.

Could go on about the demise of local media, but it's certainly ground that's been covered.

Mike, as a native New Jerseyan, I was saddened by the news that the once-great Newark Star-Ledger is dropping its print edition and going on-line only. That's just the way it is in the newspaper business now, large and small. I guess we'll have to start winning more to get even local coverage.