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

[inthescoop]

Guys stop giving your hard earned money to this program. Stop going to the games. It’s time for the fans to be in control.

[inthescoop]

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.

Bruh, you’re not seeing what’s happening until the NEXT game? Spineless and hilarious

[Floyd]

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.

I said that to a friend of mine re: Sellers a while ago. Good young coach

[MakeMullinsGreatAgain]

^ 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?

I don't know about throwing in the towel. They had just won 2 in a row - kinda righted the ship a bit and put themselves back in contention to finish top 8. Even with yesterdays loss they are still only 1-1/2 games out of the 6th spot and 1 game back of the 8th spot and one of those teams they trail is Eastern Michigan who's season is about to unravel...the other is No.Illinois who will most likely lose the majority of their remaining games. I know it sounds ridiculous to say this after yesterdays performance but I think they win at least 5 more games just by showing up and that'll get them to 7 wins and that should be enough to get the 8 seed. I think 7 is the absolute minimum they win - but feel like they will get to 9-9 and thats without really upsetting anyone...unless you consider beating Buffalo at home and Bowling Green on the road upsets - which today they probably would be, but I'm hoping by the time we play those games we will be on a little run and we can take care of business.

[Floyd]

^ 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?

My guess is it'll be another total rebuild. Who's gonna come back?

[Steve81]

While listen right when they were commenting on it, but that rebound with their player on the ground and a 5 on 4 break and then a 3pt missed shot, don't know if it was a good shot, but would think not. Then that player final gets up gets the ball and we foul for a 3 point shot. I don't know the thoughts racing through these young men's head. This leads into suggestions on how VCU did it in the day and my experience.

Remember VCU had Navy Seals or something come in during the summer and run the players through difficult situations. I heard about initiations from Special Forces as we got some of them, about a kick boxers initiation from our unit that lived around Providence and of course how we initiated people in our unit. It does build a bound and mental toughness, belonging as a unit (team mates you count on) is required and not an option.

Frank should not recruit them if they can't handle being yelled at and then not perform.

[Floyd]

^ 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?

I don't know about throwing in the towel. They had just won 2 in a row - kinda righted the ship a bit and put themselves back in contention to finish top 8. Even with yesterdays loss they are still only 1-1/2 games out of the 6th spot and 1 game back of the 8th spot and one of those teams they trail is Eastern Michigan who's season is about to unravel...the other is No.Illinois who will most likely lose the majority of their remaining games. I know it sounds ridiculous to say this after yesterdays performance but I think they win at least 5 more games just by showing up and that'll get them to 7 wins and that should be enough to get the 8 seed. I think 7 is the absolute minimum they win - but feel like they will get to 9-9 and thats without really upsetting anyone...unless you consider beating Buffalo at home and Bowling Green on the road upsets - which today they probably would be, but I'm hoping by the time we play those games we will be on a little run and we can take care of business.

What has changed over the season? Pretty much nothing. Same stuff every game. I truly believe we have talented players who can win, but something isn't getting across to the team for some reason. Seems like a communication problem for whatever reason, either things aren't being taught or they're not listening. Bad mojo

[Steve81]

I don't watch a lot of games, but listening to some post game press conferences and Asl Frank videos and there are some that are soft. Frank needs to yell at them and challenge them while recruit. Afterwards it is too late. That is the point of the picture of having a few beers and getting them ready and as a unit we take our swings. We hold them because we don't want them swinging and hitting the small of the back with the base of the broom or hit the concrete.

What does the team do for bounding exercises?

I post this stuff that may not be popular as to build team work and mental toughness, because there are solutions and I refuse to believe the season is lost.

[Floyd]

This isn't the military. Just being able to handle someone screaming at you & calling you names doesnt teach you how to play & adapt to changes. I dont see the players arguing with each other or not passing to each other, or helping each other up off the floor. Seems like a system problem where guys aren't able to do certain things the way he wants them done. Maybe either change what they're doing or recruit only those players that you can see those particular skills. Everyone seems afraid to make a mistake because they'll get yanked
What's the deal with Clerc?

[Steve81]

This isn't the military. Just being able to handle someone screaming at you & calling you names doesnt teach you how to play & adapt to changes. I dont see the players arguing with each other or not passing to each other, or helping each other up off the floor. Seems like a system problem where guys aren't able to do certain things the way he wants them done. Maybe either change what they're doing or recruit only those players that you can see those particular skills. Everyone seems afraid to make a mistake because they'll get yanked
What's the deal with Clerc?

No I'm suppose to listen to you guys saying the season is lost, fire this one, fire that one. Back to my time at UMass. What are the causes, NOT the symptoms and address them.

[Floyd]

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.

You certainly have been the one who called this early on

[UMassNet15]

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?

I can share that Thorr is not here to replace Bamford. Bamford's buyout calls for him to be told a year in advance if we're moving on from him or we owe him ~$1M. This is a mess of epic proportions and I have reason to believe that this will remain the status quo moving forward. My guess is that Reyes isn't keen on making a move either because he probably wants out as soon as possible (as evidenced by his candidacy at WVU) and doesn't want to start a search he won't likely be here for. (Which in theory makes sense, but does leave us in an unenviable position).

[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?

I don't know about throwing in the towel. They had just won 2 in a row - kinda righted the ship a bit and put themselves back in contention to finish top 8. Even with yesterdays loss they are still only 1-1/2 games out of the 6th spot and 1 game back of the 8th spot and one of those teams they trail is Eastern Michigan who's season is about to unravel...the other is No.Illinois who will most likely lose the majority of their remaining games. I know it sounds ridiculous to say this after yesterdays performance but I think they win at least 5 more games just by showing up and that'll get them to 7 wins and that should be enough to get the 8 seed. I think 7 is the absolute minimum they win - but feel like they will get to 9-9 and thats without really upsetting anyone...unless you consider beating Buffalo at home and Bowling Green on the road upsets - which today they probably would be, but I'm hoping by the time we play those games we will be on a little run and we can take care of business.

Maybe "throwing in the towel" was the wrong expression. I'm just trying to figure out why the team frequently comes out with little to no energy. Maybe they have tuned Frank out and need to self-motivate, which I have seen them do on occasion. But maybe they are fed up with bad coaching decisions (dumb line-ups, yanking a player after 1 mistake even if he just gave us 7 points in 3 minutes, etc.). Something isn't right and how does that change in the next 6 weeks?

[tdmass]

For a coach that stresses discipline and control, this team has neither. Can someone tell me WHY Bettiol goes out to shadow cover or harass the opponents guards 25 feet from the basket? It accomplishes Nothing but gets him 2 quick fouls on a guy who is Very Foul prone and jeopardizes his very valuable time on the floor! If I'm the HC and your star player has to sit because of this, you're Not a smart coach!

[Floridafan71]

Still thinking about NIU game. Why was Wimberly in the last few minutes. How many mistakes has he made?