What will we look like in 2018-2019?

[uz2b-len]

Re: Holloway... I think if McCall really wanted to push him out or there was a problem, I don't think Holloway would have been with the team during his academic suspension. McCall could have told him he was done at that point, or strongly suggested so by not allowing him on the bench during home games and that sorta of thing.

Instead, I think McCall wants Holloway as part of this team next year and is doing everything he can to keep him engaged with the team and engaged in the academic services to ensure he is able to play next year. I think McCall realizes what a beast he has in Holloway and knows how to properly utilize him.

But, we all know anything can happen. So while doing the above, McCall is also continuing to recruit in case something goes awry.

I actually posted that same inference about McCall keeping Holloway around and got some heavy pushback suggesting that there would have been no benefit to getting rid of him at that point and it could have been very damaging to team morale. As far as McCall's current recruiting, he's having guys come and visit. Seems like he's pretty serious about it.

[NilesGold]

^ Sorry, I should have specified, a good team, where their top players from the prior season were all returning and those same players were once again the majority of the top players on the team in the following season.

[NilesGold]

I actually posted that same inference about McCall keeping Holloway around and got some heavy pushback suggesting that there would have been no benefit to getting rid of him at that point and it could have been very damaging to team morale.

Agreed. Nationally, thus far we've only seen about 1/4 of the transfers that are likely to happen this season been announced. So UMass isn't alone in having transfers not announce their intentions yet.

[Floyd]

OOPS. My bad. Yes should be "Embrace". THanks Floyd.

No problem, we knew what you meant. Maybe you can throw me those Courtside seats for a game next year tho.

[TheOFFSeason]

My overview for the coming season is that if everyone returns, we'll have an average amount of talent for the a10. We'll have one guy whose a top ten player in the conference (obviously, Pip) and one guy who is looking like he'll be better than average (Pierre). Cobb and Laurent may be better than average but that remains to be seen. Beyond that is nothing but average and below. Holloway and Baldwin haven't lived up to their potential and I can't call their contribution any better than average. Hines is average. Clergeot and Hayward haven't demonstrate that they would be any better than average, if that. From my exalted status i declare that McClean and KTM are below average for the conference, and the freshmen are, well, freshmen. So I think a decent coach could get them to 9-9 in the conference. I'm very curious to see if McCall can do better.

I think you might be confusing average player for average starter, but I still think you're wrong about the talent level. Some of the below is conjecture on my part, but there are a lot of unknowns across the league... a lot of opposing starters next year, came off the bench this year, or weren't even playing.

Pipkins is a top 5 player in the A10
Pierre, Cobb, Laurent, and Holloway are above average A10 STARTERS
Hines & Clergeot are probably average A10 STARTERS
Baldwin, Hayward, and Wood are probably average A10 players (not starters)

Assuming everyone comes back, those guys would take up most of the minutes. In the A10, above average talent level with an above average coach.

I think I have seen offseason on here a few times say cobb isn't going to start. I am inclined to agree with him, he seems to be very knowledgeable about this. Tre wood, imo will be better than average as a freshman. He's a real gamer

My take on Cobb (I'd estimate I’ve saw him 30-35 times before college) is that Fairfield was a perfect spot for him, he averaged double figures his first 2 yrs and has a good chance at an all MAAC selection, 1600+ pts, School Hall of Fame etc...then if he choose he would’ve had an opportunity to play in a mid level pro league overseas.
As an A10 player he can certainly be on the floor and have good games and bad games, maybe even score double figures if he gets enough opportunities, but he isn’t a starter on a team that contends for the A10 title and that is the difference...that is what I thought of Donte Clark(although I think Cobb has a better attitude).
My opinion of what Cobb can be in the A10 is shared by other coaches in the league. The way this roster is shaping up he might be a starter.
I also agree that Tre Wood is an above average A10 freshman who will be ready to play some meaningful minutes right away.

[uz2b-len]

Do you think Cobb might step up a notch because of "transforming his body" as McCall related on the Insider Show?

[Roadtrip]

I like that Cobb was willing to take on the challenge of moving up a few notches. UMass has done well with guys transferring up; Gaffney, Chaz, Lewis, even though he moved on.

[NilesGold]

Do you think Cobb might step up a notch because of "transforming his body" as McCall related on the Insider Show?

Also, playing for a better coach can make you look a lot better.

[UMassfan_19]

I think you might be confusing average player for average starter, but I still think you're wrong about the talent level. Some of the below is conjecture on my part, but there are a lot of unknowns across the league... a lot of opposing starters next year, came off the bench this year, or weren't even playing.

Pipkins is a top 5 player in the A10
Pierre, Cobb, Laurent, and Holloway are above average A10 STARTERS
Hines & Clergeot are probably average A10 STARTERS
Baldwin, Hayward, and Wood are probably average A10 players (not starters)

Assuming everyone comes back, those guys would take up most of the minutes. In the A10, above average talent level with an above average coach.

I think I have seen offseason on here a few times say cobb isn't going to start. I am inclined to agree with him, he seems to be very knowledgeable about this. Tre wood, imo will be better than average as a freshman. He's a real gamer

My take on Cobb (I'd estimate I’ve saw him 30-35 times before college) is that Fairfield was a perfect spot for him, he averaged double figures his first 2 yrs and has a good chance at an all MAAC selection, 1600+ pts, School Hall of Fame etc...then if he choose he would’ve had an opportunity to play in a mid level pro league overseas.
As an A10 player he can certainly be on the floor and have good games and bad games, maybe even score double figures if he gets enough opportunities, but he isn’t a starter on a team that contends for the A10 title and that is the difference...that is what I thought of Donte Clark(although I think Cobb has a better attitude).
My opinion of what Cobb can be in the A10 is shared by other coaches in the league. The way this roster is shaping up he might be a starter.
I also agree that Tre Wood is an above average A10 freshman who will be ready to play some meaningful minutes right away.

Is you really analysis of Cobb as a player individually or does it include how he fits into the system and does the system being out the best in him

[TheOFFSeason]

Replying to all of you I would say that I would be shocked if he didn’t improve his body and individual skill level during this year off and a good coaching staff will definitely make a difference (don’t know enough about Sydney Johnson’s development ability to comment on how much better this UMass staff is...I do know he has has trouble getting players). Fairfield ran a very controlled system and he did well within it...MM wants to be more open, so we will have to see. He isn’t explosive with either speed or leaping ability. I think he can blend in at the A10 level but to win the league and be a top 25 type of team I have reservations that he is the guy. Hope I’m wrong...it won’t be the first time a player has surprised me

[Slapthefloor93]

I don’t see Cobb starting because the only spots for him to take would be the 2 or 3. If we assume Luwane is the starting 2, that means it’s between him and Carl for the 3. The way Carl played this season, I have to think McCall would reward him and put him back out there, at least to begin the year.

[uz2b-len]

That assumes Pip does not start at the 1

[Roadtrip]

^Yeah, Pip may start at the 1 to begin the year, then move to the 2 during the season. Be nice to see Wood jump right in and get the job done at PG.

[natwam2547]

Replying to all of you I would say that I would be shocked if he didn’t improve his body and individual skill level during this year off and a good coaching staff will definitely make a difference (don’t know enough about Sydney Johnson’s development ability to comment on how much better this UMass staff is...I do know he has has trouble getting players). Fairfield ran a very controlled system and he did well within it...MM wants to be more open, so we will have to see. He isn’t explosive with either speed or leaping ability. I think he can blend in at the A10 level but to win the league and be a top 25 type of team I have reservations that he is the guy. Hope I’m wrong...it won’t be the first time a player has surprised me

I don't think Cobb needs to be "the guy". We already have "the guy". But I hope he does more than blend in as well. If it somehow works that he's the 6th or 7th guy on this team then that would be ideal IMO.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Role players and back end bench guys are good to have as well. Not everyone needs to be the #1 player on the squad. That's a great problem to have if you do have that.


IF players are going to leave, with the amount of recruiting McCall has done we should know fairly quick who is going to commit. It's going to be an interesting spring and summer as we learn more about the newcomers/1st year eligible guys.