UMassHoops.com

^ Although this was not the topic, I need to dispute two (2) of your comments.
- The ‘70 - ‘71 team was 23-4
Probably the best team before Cal’s Final 4
- The starting 5 for ‘76 - ‘77 were all 1000 point scorers; Donoghue, Town, Pyatt, Claiborne, Eldridge and they also won an NIT game in a smaller field ( 16 Teams) and the NCAA Tournament only has 32 teams.

The ‘69-‘70 team also lost by 5 to the top ranked Marquette Warriors in the NIT. Teams did not have to accept an NCAA bid and Al Maguire didn’t like their seed.
Marquette went to a Box and 1 in the game against a UMass player …..hint- It was NOT Julius Erving…..anyone care to share who it was? I recall the story and will let you know when the correct answer appears

Let me guess, Rick Patino or Al Skinner...

I'd guess that it is Mr. Ray Ellerbrook.



Ricky and Al were not on that 69-70 squad.

RAY ELLERBROOK is correct

Julius fouled out in the 1st half with 13 points.

For accuracy’s sake our Rick spells his last name,’Pitino’.

I was at UMASS from 1992-1994. I started watching them in the cage. They had to take a timeout to sweep up the debris from the ceiling. Than got to be at a couple of A10 championship games at Mullins before they were at MSG.
I ran Xcountry and track and field for Umass and coach by the legend Ken Obrien. It was awesome being a part of the athletic program.

First post BTW

Welcome aboard!

Was wondering who goes farthest back to watch a Umass game in person? There probably is one or two before me. I was in school in 1961 at Umass as a freshman and saw them numerous times at the Cage. Favorite player was Peter Bernard. Was exciting to watch that team and fans were loud and enthusiastic. Anyone on the site before me?

^ I was Class of 62 undergrad so started ahead of you. I have often championed Peter Bernard as a favorite of mine, and Doug Grutchfield as an all-time UMass player (Doug - Class of 61) is in our Athletic HOF. Keep posting about our era! We had terrific hoops.

I was thinking Old Cage you go back the furthest. Is there anyone before you? The Cage was a fun place to watch the games. I live now furthest spot in New England from Amherst- Caribou- but hope I meet you and other fans at the stadium someday. This years team has been one of my all time favorites the way they play as a team. I Try to catch each game on Nesn or espn plus. Wish we had one station that Carried all games home and away.

Berkman is probably one of the oldest on here still active.

There is a member called "thecaptain" who I think started a year before me.

I'm quite sure Berkie is older, but I'm not sure about his UMass background or hoops watching.

Quann wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 12:30 pm Berkman is probably one of the oldest on here still active.

Berkie has been watching hoops for a long time, but I don't recall how long. I'm pretty sure when I spoke to him he mentioned that he did not go to UMass. There is also a poster on the board "Class of 1960" if I remember correctly.

I started out in Class of '62, so first in-person game would have been Fall of '58. As I recall, the first scheduled home game had to be postponed because the janitorial crew put too much oil on the floor and it was treacherously slick. Don't remember for sure, but first home game that was actually played that season may have been Matt Zunic's BU team - with a tenacious guard named Jack something. Jack? Jack? Damn, what was that name

^ Fall of 58 we started together. You are correct that the first home game was BU with Jack Leaman. One thing that seems strange now is that our hoops seasons did not start until after the Thanksgiving break.

Must be someone older lurking out there.