2026-27 season

[Bags]

Time to turn the page.
25-26 was a good MAC inaugural season. If you go by the preseason coach’s polls, the team lived up to expectations. I enjoyed watching them play throughout the season. Really, only a couple of regular season loses and a flat tournament defeat was the difference between 1st and 3rd. Coach Leflar continues to impress. I must admit that I was a bit skeptical when he talked about the players having a full UMASS experience on and off the court, as one of his preseason goal's. But the retention and success showed that he is quite competent. I agree that extending his contract was one of RB’S better moves.
At this point, it looks like the core team stayed intact, with only a couple of transfers. Coaching staff stays the same.
They lose a lot of scoring. Who will step up?
Some promising frosh signed, and awaiting the debut of Taylor Derkack, but you never know what’s going to happen, and no use counting on them. It would be nice though, if someone exceeds expectations. Did pickup a transfer from Ball State, Alba Caballero. She brings height and MAC experience.

Returning players
#2 Chinenye Odenigbo. She’s gonna be a senior and this could be her year. Nice inside moves, shot blocker, she will be given more responsibility, expectations that she will look for her shot, play more minutes.
#3 Aiyanna Perkins.She could replace Palmeri. Very good shooter, and think that she can run the offense if needed.
#10 Yamani McKayle is our best player, she’s doing a lot already. Can she cut back on some of the risky passes, and show more leadership? MAC POY?
#33 Ayanna Franks. Did we clone Lily Ferguson? Plays hard, good defensively, very active, if she could become more consistent offensively, could be a real pest.
#30 Jess Ross should and will get more minutes. I like her outside shot and maybe they could go two bigs lineup.
Curious what others on the board think.

[vanmeter]

Very imprressive that we were able to retain Yahmani McKayle, Chinenye Odenigbo, and Ayanna Franks - all starters from last years team. In addition key reserves Aiyanna Perkins and Jess Ross also return. I was pleasantly suprised about Yahmani. She was 1st team all MAC this past season as a sophomore, and the fact that she stayed, is a testament to Coach Leflar and the program.

With Taylor Derkack (hopefully healthy after 2 successive ACL'S), transfers Reagan Hurst and Alba Caballero, and Freshmen Kylie Sooley, Imani Shelton, and Tessa Gladieux, I think things look very bright. Of course much will depend on the newcomers as we do have large shoes to fill with the graduation of Meg Olbrys, Allie Palmieri, and Lilly Ferguson.

[tdmass]

Need somebody in the low post that can score like Megan. Don't know if we have one right now.

[Juice Stand]

I'm expecting a regression, but I believe in Leflar, McKayle is a star, and they have some solid/solid+ pieces in Franks, Odenigbo, Perkins, and maybe a couple others. A regression doesn't mean bottom of the MAC. I still think they will have a good squad that wins a lot of games, maybe just not top 3 in the conference.

[NilesGold]

^ A step back is always possible but the team’s strength was defense and I don’t see why that can’t continue to be stellar. I think the chances of a step back are no more likely than improvement or no change.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

I'm expecting a regression, but I believe in Leflar, McKayle is a star, and they have some solid/solid+ pieces in Franks, Odenigbo, Perkins, and maybe a couple others. A regression doesn't mean bottom of the MAC. I still think they will have a good squad that wins a lot of games, maybe just not top 3 in the conference.

I think they will be about the same. The coaching, thus far, has shown to get a lot of the talent on the roster and I expect that will continue. The record will likely be about what it was, maybe a few games better or worse, but I'm not thinking there will be a regression.

[Juice Stand]

You guys might be right, and like I said, I believe in Leflar and having McKayle is obviously a huge plus. I just think they take a small step back because I thought Oblrys and Palmieri were that good. I'm not sure if they'll get that same level from the next wave of players. I hope I'm wrong and they contend for a title this year.

[NilesGold]

^ I don’t think Palmieri is that big of a loss. Decent player, but far from irreplaceable.

[Juice Stand]

Maybe not, but I thought she had a real killer instinct mentality. Fierce competitor in addition to being a talented player.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

You guys might be right, and like I said, I believe in Leflar and having McKayle is obviously a huge plus. I just think they take a small step back because I thought Oblrys and Palmieri were that good. I'm not sure if they'll get that same level from the next wave of players. I hope I'm wrong and they contend for a title this year.

Small step back might happen, but I wouldn't call that a regression. If they are about the same as this past year, I'd consider that a positive. Obviously rooting for a small step forward or, perhaps, a progression

[Bags]

Palmeri shot 382% overall and 313% from 3 point.
3rd leading scorer behind McKayle and Olbrys

[Rolling Ridge]

Just a quick note about this year's UMass Gives, which starts today (4/29) and runs through tomorrow (4/30).

My wife and I have established established a $25,000 Challenge Gift in support of UMass Women’s Basketball. Anyone who may be interested can help us reach our overall donor goal and unlock this gift. All contributions to Script U – Women’s Basketball or the Fastbreak Club count toward the challenge, and all gifts of at least $5.00 will help and will be greatly appreciated.

Here is a link to the UMass Gives Women's Basketball page: https://umass.scalefunder.com/gday/givi ... ent/111314

We have also established a similar challenge for UMass Football, which can be found here: https://umass.scalefunder.com/gday/givi ... ent/111321

Many thanks!

[69MG]

RR, thanks for doing this. I made my contribution this morning.

[Rolling Ridge]

RR, thanks for doing this. I made my contribution this morning.

Awesome! Thanks so much!

[bottom line]

I made my contribution this morning.