Game 19, 2025-26: at Northern Illinois (1/17)

[inthescoop]

Just a reminder that we got beat by the team that every coach in the MAC predicted to finish last this season, and no one seems that upset? Alright.. fight about the color of jerseys instead

2025-26 MAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Akron (11) – 143
2. Miami (2) – 133
3. Kent State – 122
4. Ohio – 108
5. UMass – 98
6. Toledo – 95
7. Bowling Green – 73
8. Ball State – 62
9. Eastern Michigan – 52
10. Western Michigan – 46
11. Buffalo – 37
12. Central Michigan – 31
13. Northern Illinois – 14

[69MG]

Unless a miracle happens, I would say that the basketball season ended tonight.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Unless a miracle happens, I would say that the basketball season ended tonight.

This basketball season ended on 3/23/2015.

[NilesGold]

Just a reminder that we got beat by the team that every coach in the MAC predicted to finish last this season, and no one seems that upset?

I would be livid if I didn't already think this season was over. There's virtually zero chance this program finds even a moderate level of sustained success as long as Bamford & Frank are still here. UMass needs to negotiate buyouts for both of them, every minute we spend with those two still around is wasted.

[TheInsider]

If UMass could only afford one buyout it would have to be Bamford. He has got to go. Let the new AD figure out what to do with the coach.

[Floyd]

The lack of interest, as shown by the little commentary around the program, is close to the worst I've ever seen it. And that's in the social media age

[Juice Stand]

Pathetic. Fire everyone.

[Juice Stand]

A guy on twitter, @patrickflattery states that this was the worse UMass loss in the KenPom era:

Patrick
@PatrickFlattery
NIU entered the day at 322 and sits at 316 right now making it still the worst loss in the KenPom era. Can anyone identify the thing every game on this list has in common?
................
Patrick
@PatrickFlattery
Nov 22, 2025
Today felt like the worst loss ever so I did the research. Here are the worst UMass losses in the KenPom era
310 - at Saint Louis 1/25/17
312 - vs. Green Bay 11/22/25
312 - Howard 11/16/18
315 - at Quinnipiac 11/29/17
8:59 PM · Jan 17, 2026

Fire everyone.

[minutefanjsf]

If UMass could only afford one buyout it would have to be Bamford. He has got to go. Let the new AD figure out what to do with the coach.

Considering Thorr is the only one interacting/posting on social media, I assume Bamford is already gone. Hopefully it is a fiscal year/school year type scheduling thing and he will officially be gone in May/June. I don't pretend to understand how changing the AD without changing the coach will improve things, is that possible? Can the AD put the right/enough pressure to make the results better? Is the assumption Bamford just let's Frank be Frank and accepts this shit show?

[sbloombe]

I can accept that we are stuck with FM for the rest of this season for financial reasons. But this needs to be his last season, period.

There is another coach in New England, who has had a lot of success at his current school, who used to coach at UMass, whose star player is a 20ppg Sophomore from Springfield, whose name is Pat Sellers, who should be our next coach.

[Steve81]

Posting here as Mike has not started the thread, but the next game against Toledo is so important to the mental health of the fans and team.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

If UMass could only afford one buyout it would have to be Bamford. He has got to go. Let the new AD figure out what to do with the coach.

Considering Thorr is the only one interacting/posting on social media, I assume Bamford is already gone. Hopefully it is a fiscal year/school year type scheduling thing and he will officially be gone in May/June. I don't pretend to understand how changing the AD without changing the coach will improve things, is that possible? Can the AD put the right/enough pressure to make the results better? Is the assumption Bamford just let's Frank be Frank and accepts this shit show?

Yep, still hoping my prediction of this scenario comes true.

[Uminuteman]

Posting here as Mike has not started the thread, but the next game against Toledo is so important to the mental health of the fans and team.

No it's not. The season is over. Football is getting some good transfers and many will save a ton of money by not attending games and paying for parking. See, there is always a silver lining!!

[69MG]

^ I absolutely hate to say it, but I'm of the opinion that the players have thrown in the towel. The score was 66-66 with 3:27 to go and we could only muster 2 points the rest of the way? I'm out unless we show some heart and start beating a bunch of teams we shouldn't beat. Sadly, next year's team might be worse. Who's going to replace Bettiol and Banks?

[minutefanjsf]

^ I absolutely hate to say it, but I'm of the opinion that the players have thrown in the towel. The score was 66-66 with 3:27 to go and we could only muster 2 points the rest of the way? I'm out unless we show some heart and start beating a bunch of teams we shouldn't beat. Sadly, next year's team might be worse. Who's going to replace Bettiol and Banks?

Unless they are point shaving, which makes no sense since we were favored by 7.5, they haven’t quit. They just missed wide open shots and FTs. The even with the 18 TOs and 20 something points off them, they still had good shots to take and missed them all…..