What will we look like in 2018-2019?

Swampy · Post by **Swampy** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 9:58 am

^ What exactly is the benefit to Chris Baldwin for faking an injury?

InnervisionsUMASS · Post by **InnervisionsUMASS** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:05 am

Yeah, I don't see that being the case either.

Jackson96 · Post by **Jackson96** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:27 am

I don't have any idea what's going on with Baldwin and his knee, but something does seem a little funky to me based off McCall's quotes in two Matty V stories:

Story 1:

UMass junior big man Chris Baldwin missed the game with a knee ailment. He made the trip but didn’t dress. He’ll be evaluated early in the week.

“He had some pain in his knee. He took himself out of the La Salle game. His knee was bothering him. I told him in order to play he needed to be 100 percent mentally and physically,” McCall said. “It’s a privilege not a right to play this game. You have to be 100 percent invested. If something is bothering you, get with the trainers.”

Story 2:

McCall said Baldwin had a doctor’s appointment scheduled Tuesday that could clarify his status going forward.

“He’s been doing treatment,” McCall said. “I don’t know exactly what the diagnosis is.”

McCall just doesn't seem particularly concerned about the injury itself and the "it's a privilege not a right to play this game" quote is an odd thing to say about an injured player. I don't even know what that means in context to an injury. If you're injured and cannot play, then you are injured and cannot play.

No idea though, just seems kind of odd to me.

Old-School · Post by **Old-School** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:35 am

Baldwin was a known dink as a high school player and has done nothing to dispel that as a college player. I thought hed turn the corner when he decided to stay with the program after Kellogg left but he still cant break out with such a limited roster. I expect him to transfer.

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:50 am

Swampy wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2018 9:58 am ^ What exactly is the benefit to Chris Baldwin for faking an injury?

Not sure, just speculating here, maybe he's decided he's going to leave after the season is over and he just doesn't want to play for McCall anymore. If he flat out quits it would reflect poorly on him and another coach might be less willing to take him... so instead he claims he has an injury and can't play.

69MG · Post by **69MG** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 11:10 am

I have been rooting for Chris to turn things around and be a major factor on this year's team. I am starting to think that ship has sailed and that he probably will transfer. As far as other teams wanting him, it's a tough call. His reputation has already been established but he does have some talent when he wants to play. In most cases there is a coach out there who will feel like he can connect with a player and bring out the best in him. I imagine that this is true with Chris since he has not done anything illegal or grossly negligent.

At this point trading Chris for Easley or even Braswell seems OK with me.

Floyd · Post by **Floyd** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 12:13 pm

NilesGold wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:50 am
Swampy wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2018 9:58 am ^ What exactly is the benefit to Chris Baldwin for faking an injury?
Not sure, just speculating here, maybe he's decided he's going to leave after the season is over and he just doesn't want to play for McCall anymore. If he flat out quits it would reflect poorly on him and another coach might be less willing to take him... so instead he claims he has an injury and can't play.

I'll add that maybe he's not faking an injury. If there's some discomfort there, maybe he doesn't want to risk a more serious injury. He may have decided he's not completely happy here and wants to go elsewhere, and if his knee is bothering him, wants to be sure to be careful. Only he really knows

One thing we've seen from MM is that he demands his players to be all in. I wouldn't be surprised to see some more turnover. I'm sure it's a tough transition from last year for these kids, while also being a student

natwam2547 · Post by **natwam2547** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 12:22 pm

Swampy wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2018 9:58 am ^ What exactly is the benefit to Chris Baldwin for faking an injury?

I think there is a big difference between faking an injury and McCall questioning Baldwin's toughness, which is exactly what I think he's doing here. I highly doubt Baldwin is completely healthy and is just doing this to sit out. However, it sounds like McCall is skeptical of the severity of the injury and that combined with his low motor this year probably has McCall annoyed. Especially with a limited roster to begin with.

m626t · Post by **m626t** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 12:39 pm

Well, we should know more pretty quickly given he had a dr's appointment scheduled for today.

Roadtrip · Post by **Roadtrip** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 12:46 pm

I think coach needs to clean house with both Baldwin and Holloway. Nothing against either one other than a perceived lack of being all in.

InnervisionsUMASS · Post by **InnervisionsUMASS** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 12:46 pm

Floyd wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2018 12:13 pm
I'll add that maybe he's not faking an injury. If there's some discomfort there, maybe he doesn't want to risk a more serious injury. He may have decided he's not completely happy here and wants to go elsewhere, and if his knee is bothering him, wants to be sure to be careful. Only he really knows

This I could buy. I just can't see the kid faking an injury. The staff would snuff that out quickly and be discussed in any backdoor reference done when he tries to transfer.

eldonabe · Post by **eldonabe** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 1:52 pm

How about a slightly more broad view.....

Maybe McCall is trying to run a P5 Program and doesn't have P5 quality players here yet (mentally or physically). These kids don't understand the commitment that MM is asking of them and/or they just don't have the full capacity to give it....

InnervisionsUMASS · Post by **InnervisionsUMASS** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 1:55 pm

That is entirely possible and I trust he'll make the right calls moving forward as the roster changes occur with seniors leaving, transfers being able to play, possible other departures and incoming freshmen.

Whatever the problems are, or are based on, we need to trust the process of a new coach and new system.

Jackson96 · Post by **Jackson96** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:07 pm

I think anything is possible. Just think something sounds funky. It could be James Brown funky or it could be The Meters funky. Funky nonetheless...

UMassHoops · Post by **UMassHoops** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 4:20 pm

I think it’s pretty obvious MM is questioning his toughness. You can see guys like Pip that MM absolutely loves that are playing through back pain and knee discomfort and contrast that with his statements here. Every player should absolutely protect themselves if they feel they have a legitimate structural issue that needs to be fixed, but there are plenty of injuries you can play through as well.

Like it or not MM wants a certain type of mental and physical toughness on his team, and it doesn’t appear optional.

UMassHoops.com

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