2026-27 Season

[69MG]

^ Very true. I also have not posted as much as I usually do. I'm having trouble figuring out the roster and how this group will mesh.

We have 6 guys that ae 6'9 or taller. For me, I like 5 bigs; 2 centers, 2 PF and 1 swing. Maybe Helgason (6'9, 180) will end up as a SF. The second coming of Putney. In this day of positionless BB maybe it doesn't matter. Same holds true for us not having anyone between 6'6 and 6'9.

I have no idea what to expect from Martin, Zemljik or Sylla. There isn't much info or tape on them. I try to ignore the hype.

As for the transfers, they don't compare to Leo and Marcus. Both of them had proven track records and I was confident they would be good. They exceeded my expectations. The stats from these 3 don't measure up and I'm hoping for the best.

The big keys for me are major jumps from Clerc and Wimbley, better shooting from Danny and more scoring from Jaylen.

That's all I've got and it isn't much. Maybe this group will surprise me in a good way.

[inthescoop]

I think players got to campus last Monday for summer session. I don't remember how long that lasts, but I hope we get some content and updates out of it.

Can't remember a time when there was so little hype about UMass basketball. Its no surprise there's little interest in the program

Our AD is in ghost mode. Our collective is in ghost mode. I feel that the fans aren't even being let in anymore. There is so little interest because we as fans are also given so little to be pumped about.

[Juice Stand]

^Now that NIL is in-house, how active and viable is the collective these days? Pat has done a ton of good and selfless work, but I wonder how much support remains. I don't think I've received an email update since middle of last season.

You're right that the fans aren't being let in anymore. I used to get an invite to attend one open practice in the summer. Hasn't happened in a few years.

[69MG]

^ I also think Pat must have given up on The Collective. I haven't seen anything about it in a long time. As for the open practice, I think you have to be at a high level amount to the Court Club.
Edit: I don't think they do the open practice anymore, unless it is done in secret. The Court Club used to have its own benefits page but I no longer see one

[Steve81]

I think there are invites to practice once or twice a year. Last year only gave $200 to women's basketball and got an invite. Men's have a friend that gives more than most and has gone to invite last year. Perhaps those that give $2,500* with season tickets, can chime in and see if that was enough last year to get an invite to a basketball practice. ($2,500 specifically to men's basketball.)

[Floyd]

They ought to be paying fans to go to open practices. Pay $2500 and you MIGHT receive an invite to a practice? Insanity. This program is a mediocre lower level program that acts like its an elite program. Big salaries for little results. There's no pressure to win

[Steve81]

They ought to be paying fans to go to open practices. Pay $2500 and you MIGHT receive an invite to a practice? Insanity. This program is a mediocre lower level program that acts like its an elite program. Big salaries for little results. There's no pressure to win

I don't know why some people think UMass owes them. Let me set the record straight, UMass owes you nothing! You are not entity to special invites with out support. If that is your expectation, I'd say you are fans with a bad attitude. As John Kennedy said with a twist, it's not what UMass basketball can do for you, it's what you can do for UMass basketball. No strings, that is loyalty.

[Uminuteman]

Because that's what teams with good fan followings do! They engage their fanbase and try to expand it:

The program offers a few different ways for fans to watch the team:Pre-Season & Summer Workouts: UConn frequently hosts free summer team workouts or open practices in late summer (typically August) at Gampel Pavilion.Pre-Tournament

Workouts: Both the men's and women's teams often host free, open practices open to the public just before the NCAA tournament.

Special Events: UConn hosts premium, behind-the-scenes fan experiences—such as the "Inside UConn Hoops" event. These tickets often cost around $200 and offer a chance to watch practice, meet the coaching staff, and take photos.

But hey, we were great in themid-90's. Isn't that enough?

[Juice Stand]

Steve, I used to get invites to open practices at my donor level. It's not a big deal. Just a practice that people can come watch for a couple hours and then go home. It's kind of a neat thing, and definitely not worth big money. I no longer get those invites, and it sounds like it's because they've made them more exclusive, only available to higher level donors. That's exactly the point.

Let me set the record straight, UMass owes you nothing! You are not entity to special invites with out support.

That is exactly the BS type of attitude that turns people off. I'm a diehard fan, I'm a donor, I'm a season ticket holder. They should be embracing and valuing their dwindling fanbase, but they only care about the high rollers. If I remember correctly, "you were, you are, UMass". We're all part of the UMass community, but they keep pushing us regular folk away.

[Juice Stand]

Because that's what teams with good fan followings do! They engage their fanbase and try to expand it...

Great post, Uminuteman. I wish UMass had that kind of vision and care for their everyday fans. Make it a real community where people feel welcome and like they are part of something other than just the games. Bringing a kid to an event like that, seeing the players up close and maybe getting an autograph or fist bump, that instantly makes a lifetime fan. Alas, it is not to be.

[69MG]

Juice, I'm with you and Uminuteman on this issue. I am also a donor and a STH. There used to be a separate benefits chart for The Court Club and it told you what the donor level was in order to get invited to the open practice. I was a good event. You got to meet the players and the coaches at a reception after the practice.

Now, there is only 1 benefit chart (Script U) and there is no mention of the open practice. There are many other examples of the Athletic Dept. not caring about the STH or donors. One I remember was supposed to be STH appreciation night and they forgot to do it.

Enough ranting for now.

[UMassFan99]

They ought to be paying fans to go to open practices. Pay $2500 and you MIGHT receive an invite to a practice? Insanity. This program is a mediocre lower level program that acts like its an elite program. Big salaries for little results. There's no pressure to win

I don't know why some people think UMass owes them. Let me set the record straight, UMass owes you nothing! You are not entity to special invites with out support. If that is your expectation, I'd say you are fans with a bad attitude. As John Kennedy said with a twist, it's not what UMass basketball can do for you, it's what you can do for UMass basketball. No strings, that is loyalty.

This is exactly what’s wrong with UMass in one statement. Seems like something that Bamford would say.

[minutefanjsf]

Steve, I used to get invites to open practices at my donor level. It's not a big deal. Just a practice that people can come watch for a couple hours and then go home. It's kind of a neat thing, and definitely not worth big money. I no longer get those invites, and it sounds like it's because they've made them more exclusive, only available to higher level donors. That's exactly the point.

Let me set the record straight, UMass owes you nothing! You are not entity to special invites with out support.

That is exactly the BS type of attitude that turns people off. I'm a diehard fan, I'm a donor, I'm a season ticket holder. They should be embracing and valuing their dwindling fanbase, but they only care about the high rollers. If I remember correctly, "you were, you are, UMass". We're all part of the UMass community, but they keep pushing us regular folk away.

I know this is the hoops thread, I am not a STH, I have ST for football. I’ll take it a step further… getting rid of the ability to flex tickets (yes it is back for football this year) as well as running promotions that sell tickets below the value of the season tickets have been two stupid things the dept. continues to do. This year, the football ST gift was a nit hat or two tickets to a hoops or hockey game. Until hoops, football, etc. approach 80% capacity at all games, STH for both sports should be enticed with low price or complimentary tickets to fill the place.

[Steve81]

They ought to be paying fans to go to open practices. Pay $2500 and you MIGHT receive an invite to a practice? Insanity. This program is a mediocre lower level program that acts like its an elite program. Big salaries for little results. There's no pressure to win

I don't know why some people think UMass owes them. Let me set the record straight, UMass owes you nothing! You are not entity to special invites with out support. If that is your expectation, I'd say you are fans with a bad attitude. As John Kennedy said with a twist, it's not what UMass basketball can do for you, it's what you can do for UMass basketball. No strings, that is loyalty.

My posts started as a response to 69MG post regarding "secret" practice.

^ I also think Pat must have given up on The Collective. I haven't seen anything about it in a long time. As for the open practice, I think you have to be at a high level amount to the Court Club.
Edit: I don't think they do the open practice anymore, unless it is done in secret. The Court Club used to have its own benefits page but I no longer see one

Then Floyd, who I don't know if the he was the guy, who helped by having Swampy also using his Bruiser connection to get us on the coach's list to the sold out game at the Bonnies, first A10 game in January 2000. Also pass the game program to him during the game. But the comment was directed at him and a swipe at some that are so called loyal fans that seem to have reason not to support the program, but then want freebies. I never posted about open practices as Floyd twisted the posts. We can agree to disagree on our views of loyal fans.

All that said, prefer the exhibition games to be on weekends when more people can attend and have the team engage with the fans after the game. I never posted about open practices as it is something I never would go to. I did not go to the invite to a practice for the women's team as well.

[Juice Stand]

I know this is the hoops thread, I am not a STH, I have ST for football. I’ll take it a step further… getting rid of the ability to flex tickets (yes it is back for football this year) as well as running promotions that sell tickets below the value of the season tickets have been two stupid things the dept. continues to do. This year, the football ST gift was a nit hat or two tickets to a hoops or hockey game. Until hoops, football, etc. approach 80% capacity at all games, STH for both sports should be enticed with low price or complimentary tickets to fill the place.

Yup, getting rid of the flex was dumb. It's back for basketball this year as well, thankfully. To their credit, they did have a free ticket giveaway for STH's for the Miami (OH) game. I was able to bring a few friends that otherwise probably wouldn't have gone. They spent probably close to $150 collectively on concessions and merch.

Speaking of value, I'll get back on my soapbox and bitch about forcing STH to pay full price for D3 UMass Boston games that are scheduled at noon on a weekday. Paying good money for tickets I don't want and a game I can't attend. That is the definition of throwing money in the trash.