KAEO Matt Cross

[umasscollective]

Cross named ACC POTW
https://theacc.com/news/2024/12/16/smus ... onors.aspx

For a large (18 teams now) power conference, that's a nice accomplishment.

Why can’t we get players like that?

Oh e can get ‘em but wecan’t we KEEP ‘em? (See Mike’s post!)

Happy for Matt and his family. Matt is a fierce competitor and has been fiercely loyal to Frank and this program. The financial opportunity he was offered, along with the chance to prove himself again in the ACC—where his career began at Louisville and Miami—was simply impossible to pass up. He was professional and communicative throughout the process, and I know this was a hard decision for him to make. That said, let’s be honest—100% of us would’ve made the same choice in his shoes.

Frank Martin has proven time and time again that he can identify elite talent and bring it into this program. Look at the track record: Cross, Cohen, Curry, Diggins, Jayden, DHS, Carbuccia, Nate, etc. Keeping them in this NIL and free-movement era will be a challenge, no doubt—but we’re making it happen. Significant recruiting wins and retention successes have already been achieved:

Recruitment
- Cohen
- Curry
- Carbuccia

Retainment
- Cross year 1
- Curry year 1
- Diggins year 1 and 2
- Jayden, DHS,

Now, we need to stop with the “woe is me” mindset and focus on what we can do. Our peers are up against this challenge too, so are the programs above us we strive to be. This is the reality of modern college basketball. The solution is action. If we want to build something great and sustain it, it’s going to take more positivity, more time, and more money.

Thanks for your support. Need as much as we can get! www.TheMassCollective.com

[NilesGold]

Frank Martin has proven time and time again that he can identify elite talent and bring it into this program. Look at the track record: Cross, Cohen, Curry, Diggins, Jayden, DHS, Carbuccia, Nate, etc. Keeping them in this NIL and free-movement era will be a challenge, no doubt—but we’re making it happen. Significant recruiting wins and retention successes have already been achieved:

Recruitment
- Cohen
- Curry
- Carbuccia

Retainment
- Cross year 1
- Curry year 1
- Diggins year 1 and 2
- Jayden, DHS,

I agree with much of what you said, but I have to respectfully disagree with your characterization of Frank as a great identifier and recruiter of elite talent.

Cross and Cohen played here at an elite A10 level, but no one else has.

RJ Luis has become elite, but only after leaving UMass.

I’d argue that the decision to retain Diggins and Curry and count in them to carry the backcourt and really the whole team is one of the major reasons this season has gone so horribly wrong, they are not up to the task.

I love DHS and Ndjigue, but they are not elite, at least not yet.

Carbuccia is a wait and see, he’s not even here yet.

There’s a pretty big list of players who Frank brought to UMass that haven’t panned out or haven’t progressed to anything close to elite

[inthescoop]

^I think in the latter half of RJ's season at UMass we all had a good idea of how great he can be one day.. that was a really good get

With that said, we didn't retain him, and overall, most of Frank's recruits have been strikes rather than hits

[Floyd]

Matt looking pretty good today vs BC

[inthescoop]

Must feel good for Matt to be back home - 20 points versus BC with 15 minutes to go

[Floyd]

^ I'm sure he's got a few fans & family members at the game. He looks strong. 7/8 from the field so far too

[TruBluMaroon]

Took a few days to stop laughing at seeing Matt Cross and loyal in the same sentence. Just because UM was the only school since elementary that he attended in consecutive years does not rise to the definition of LOYAL.

MC is loyal to only MC and nothing else matters!

Look a bit deeper into his exit from Miami.

I understand that he is a hard worker and was appreciated by some of the UM Hoopsters; but do not call him LOYAL to UM!

[bobolink]

His new team beat BC on their home floor by 26, as he went 7-9 from the field, 3-3 on both 3s and FTs. 20 points, 8 rebounds, best in both categories for his team.

[MakeMullinsGreatAgain]

great article about Matt (once you get past the UFC stuff)

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/matt-cr ... killer-the

[doubledribble]

great article about Matt (once you get past the UFC stuff)

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/matt-cr ... killer-the

Nice article! “Why can’t we get players like that?”

[MikeUMA]

Happy birthday Matt Cross. At SMU this season, Matt is averaging 12.0 (3rd on team) and 8.2 (1st / 5th in ACC), shooting .502 from the field and .396 from three.

We desperately could have used that kind of production this season. Absolutely sucks that we lost him to the almighty NIL bag, but we're just not in that upper tier that has that kind of $$$.

The A10 First Teamer last season could have contended for A10 POY this season.

This season, Matt has played in 25 of their 26 games, starting in 22 of 'em. Has 6 double-doubles. Was the ACC's Player of the Week (12/16) after putting up 16 & 16 in a win over LSU.

SMU is currently the 5th seed in the bonkers 18-team ACC, at 11-4. They have a big game this weekend vs Clemson (13-2).

[MikeUMA]

Not sure if we've heard this story before about Cross and the way last season ended
https://youtu.be/gpURx1eh2uY?si=AZ-K1pSRxKW1WP0K&t=451

[inthescoop]

Not sure if we've heard this story before about Cross and the way last season ended
https://youtu.be/gpURx1eh2uY?si=AZ-K1pSRxKW1WP0K&t=451

Matt Cross is the real deal

Did Frank possibly hint that he’s going to join the Jay Wrights and Tony Bennetts? Hmmm

[MikeUMA]

Did Frank possibly hint that he’s going to join the Jay Wrights and Tony Bennetts? Hmmm

I said mostly the same in the Frank thread
https://www.umasshoops.com/newboard/vie ... 34#p573034

[Floyd]

That's an interesting thing he said about telling Cross he needs to take the money.