Game 21, 2025-26: at Buffalo (1/23)

[Jack]

Good solid road win against a decent Buffalo team. Another close one but this team seems to be learning how to win late. Moving up the MAC standings towards respectability.

[minutefanjsf]

Didn't deserve to win this one, when you let the worst shooting player in the MAC take 9 shots, including 2 threes'. He's a lay up man the rest of the year and nothing else. What a big embarrassment for Frank if they blew a 20 point game in which we played our best and worst . . . frustrating!

It is insane that Frank allows DHS, Ndjigue, Carbuccia and Wimbley to attempt on average 5 3's a game between the 4 of them. They're all shooting below 25% from 3. As a group they've attempted more 3's than Parker. Total fucking madness that any coach would allow that.

I largely agree on the shooting comment, but Wimbley has recently found his outside shot. His numbers on the year are terrible, but since the start of MAC play, he's 5/14 for 37.5% from 3, so I'm ok with him taking one when he's open. The other guys, especially Danny, absolutely not.

I disagree that they didn't deserve to win. It could have been an embarrassing loss after blowing that big lead, but I'm going glass half full on this one. I'm saying thank goodness for that great 1st half to allow us to stay in the game in the 2nd. And to beat a team higher in the rankings, on their home court, after trailing by 7 late, that's good stuff. They absolutely deserved to win because they picked themselves up off the mat and competed at the end.

These guys are D1 players who from their respective positions should have a three point shot in their arsenals. If they are open and don't take the shots, that would allow defenses to use five guys to cover four or even three/two if DHS, Danny, and Jayden on the floor together. Taking the shots is necessary. Also, the way UMass rebounds on the offensive glass allows these 4-5 shots a game to be a good idea, IMHO. The goal on offense shouldn't be to get these guys these shots, of course, but again they are necessary. The real issue is the amount of layups and bunnies (open and through contact) that they, and the rest of the team misses. The close to four minute drought in this game was not due to poor shot selection or guys who shouldn't take threes taking them. If the only two guys (Banks and Bettiol) on the floor are reliable scorers, that isn't going to work out so well as we saw in the first four games of conference play. The player pushing us over the hump offensively since then has been Jayden.

[MakeMullinsGreatAgain]

I think we are going to upset Miami on tuesday

Wish it was at home - top 25 team coming in - playing well - might have actually drawn 5K - maybe more. If we do not beat them - hopefully they stay undefeated coming into Mullins on 2/17 - they could be inside the Top 20 at that point. Looking at their schedule, the toughest game they have (besides us on Tuesday) is at Buffalo and based on what I saw last night, they should beat them easily.

[69MG]

Good solid road win against a decent Buffalo team. Another close one but this team seems to be learning how to win late. Moving up the MAC standings towards respectability.

I haven't seen anyone give credit to KJ for playing solid D on Freitag on that last possession. He stayed in front of him and contested the shot without fouling.

[minutefanjsf]

I think we are going to upset Miami on tuesday

I agree. I think we win both halves and win by about 7. 84-77.

[Bags]

I'm enjoying these close games in the MAC even if the ball didn't bounce our way for some of them. Thought it was gonna the first blowout for us. From what I saw on tv liked Alumni Arena.

All of the MAC arenas I’ve seen on TV are decent sized, and aren’t cookie cutter. I see highly angled bleachers, different designs, spaces that have some character.
Actually enjoying the level of competition. All of the games that we’ve played have been close, (watch , next game is a blowout). The play is physical and there are plenty of skilled players.
In the A10, sometimes we got our ass kicked. At least we’re in these games.

[Berkman]

All I can say is that a win by 1 is no different than a win by 10 or more, they all look the same.

[NilesGold]

All I can say is that a win by 1 is no different than a win by 10 or more, they all look the same.

They only look the same in the W/L column and in the standings.

Also, fuck ICE, abolish it.

[Juice Stand]

It is insane that Frank allows DHS, Ndjigue, Carbuccia and Wimbley to attempt on average 5 3's a game between the 4 of them. They're all shooting below 25% from 3. As a group they've attempted more 3's than Parker. Total fucking madness that any coach would allow that.

I largely agree on the shooting comment, but Wimbley has recently found his outside shot. His numbers on the year are terrible, but since the start of MAC play, he's 5/14 for 37.5% from 3, so I'm ok with him taking one when he's open. The other guys, especially Danny, absolutely not.

I disagree that they didn't deserve to win. It could have been an embarrassing loss after blowing that big lead, but I'm going glass half full on this one. I'm saying thank goodness for that great 1st half to allow us to stay in the game in the 2nd. And to beat a team higher in the rankings, on their home court, after trailing by 7 late, that's good stuff. They absolutely deserved to win because they picked themselves up off the mat and competed at the end.

These guys are D1 players who from their respective positions should have a three point shot in their arsenals..

I'm sorry. Maybe they should have that shot in their arsenals, but the truth is that they don't. Both the numbers and the eye test bear that out. Although as I said, Wimbley has been better lately so I'm ok with him taking a few.

Career 3pt stats:
Jayden (3 years) : 28.9%
DHS (4 years): 24.0%
Danny (1 year): 17.9%

Play to your strengths and stop this nonsense.

[Juice Stand]

Also, fuck ICE, abolish it.

I hate getting political here, but the recent events are just too much. Abolish AND prosecute ICE.

[devildawg3010]

Also, fuck ICE, abolish it.

I hate getting political here, but the recent events are just too much. Abolish AND prosecute ICE.

Respectfully, this is a UMass basketball forum. If you feel the need to express your political thoughts then find another site for fuck's sake.

[Juice Stand]

Respectfully, I'll leave that up to the moderator of this forum. That's my one and only political post.

[devildawg3010]

Respectfully, I'll leave that up to the moderator of this forum. That's my one and only political post.

I enjoy both your takes on basketball, I enjoy reading your posts, I come here bc I am UMass basketball fan. Sports gives me break from the real world and politics. If you think this is a the appropriate forum to discuss politics or your political beliefs then we will agree to disagree.

[Juice Stand]

Fair enough. Back to hoops talk for me. Go U.

[devildawg3010]

Go UMass!!! Can't wait for Tues night.