2025-26 Season

[Juice Stand]

WMUA preview show: https://spotify.link/JW33RsjNuXb

[69MG]

^ Not much to be learned from that. Pretty sure any 3 or 4 of us could have done that preview, and maybe better. When they talked about Danny's outside shooting ability, I knew they were lost. Danny will be very good at most PG functions, but shooting is not his strong suit.

[Juice Stand]

Totally. Between the Carbuccia shooting note and two of the three guys advocating for Luka in the starting lineup, I didn't take it too seriously. But it was an enjoyable listen and I'm glad the student radio station was doing a hoops preview. I hope they do one after each exhibition game and keep it going through the year. I don't know how many students listen to the radio (probably not many), but if it helps build some interest in the student body, that's probably a good thing.

We don't get a whole lot of media coverage at UMass, so I'll take what I can get.

[MikeUMA]

I haven't listened yet, but I appreciate the effort in trying. It's so hard to know about these newcomers until you actually see them in a game situation. You can't get much from highlight videos or coach speak, unless the coaches get real, and they're not likely to do that with journalists.

[Juice Stand]

^ Ditto, and that's why I hope they do a show after each exhibition so they can form more concrete opinions.

Let's engage in a similar exercise as to what they did in the show. Who's your opening day starting lineup, and primary backup at each position? They did starting lineup and first 3 off the bench, but Frank plays a very deep bench so he'll likely go more than 3-deep.

PG: Brown, Carbuccia
SG: Banks, Parker
SF: Ndjigue, Wimbley
PF: Hankins-Sanford, Bettiol
C: Clerc, Outlaw

Limited time: Luka, Osman, Placide

Least amount of Frank wrath: Hankins-Sanford
Most amount of Frank wrath: Outlaw (REBOUND THE #$%! BALL!)

*This comes with the standard disclaimer that I have very little idea on some of these new guys, which is part of why I'm excited to start the season. Finally get to see them in action. I'm pretty confident in Banks and Bettiol given their D1 experience, and Wimbley seems like a real-deal freshman, but most of the other guys...no clue.

[69MG]

^ I love doing this stuff, even though we have no idea. I have a slightly different lineup.

PG: Parker, Carbuccia
SG: Banks, Brown
SF: If anyone says other than Ndjigue, Wimbley they haven't been paying attention (sorry for the bit of humor here)
PF: Daniel, Outlaw
C: Clerc, Bettiol Although Outlaw and Bettiol could be reversed as you said.

[MikeUMA]

I hope they do a show after each exhibition so they can form more concrete opinions.

Not sure if that show is back on a weekly schedule at this point. I left 'em a comment question in Spotify.

Hopefully they go to the RIC exhibition at home on 10/25, and then they'd have material for a follow-up / preview of the season opener (11/3).

[MikeUMA]

I finished making pages for all of our newcomers, including info and stats from our incoming transfers. The JuCo ones were a challenge.
https://umasshoops.com/wiki/doku.php?id ... -26#roster

[69MG]

I just looked at last year's stats for our top 4 guards.

Banks - 46% FG, 42% 3 pt, 75% FT, 2.0/2.0 A/to
Parker - 42% FG, 43% 3 pt, 86% FT, 4.1/2.5 A/to
Brown - 45% FG, 36% 3 pt, 75% FT, 3.4/3.4 A/to
Danny - 46% FG, 19% 3 pt, 53% FT, 7.6/2.2 A/to

Just info, no opinions or comments. They all bring something good to the table.

[Juice Stand]

Nothing new here, other than maybe Frank saying he's learning to put lineups together earlier than he's used to, but it's nice to have some more local coverage. Give it a watch and maybe if it gets enough traffic they'll keep it going throughout the season: https://www.westernmassnews.com/2025/10 ... ew-season/

[Juice Stand]

I just looked at last year's stats for our top 4 guards.

Banks - 46% FG, 42% 3 pt, 75% FT, 2.0/2.0 A/to
Parker - 42% FG, 43% 3 pt, 86% FT, 4.1/2.5 A/to
Brown - 45% FG, 36% 3 pt, 75% FT, 3.4/3.4 A/to
Danny - 46% FG, 19% 3 pt, 53% FT, 7.6/2.2 A/to

Just info, no opinions or comments. They all bring something good to the table.

Aside from Danny, Those are impressive FT percentages. It'll be nice to have reliable FT shooters for end-of-game situations. I remember times last year with Ndjigue and Rivera in at the same time, which was a problem when we had a late lead. Unfortunately we didn't have many of those, but it did happen occasionally.

[69MG]

^ Maybe Danny starts games and Parker is in at the end of close games. My only concern is having Jayden and Danny in at the same time, even at the start of the game. That leaves just 1 shooter (Banks) and I am not fond of that. Start Parker and put Danny in when Wimbley subs in for Jayden.

[Juice Stand]

If you watch the video from Western Mass News, you'll see that Frank says he's never been a fan of forming lineups this early in the year. He likes to let things settle out through game play, but last year taught him that it's probably not the best approach anymore, and he's working on developing lineups now. There's a lot that goes in to that, experience, chemistry on the court, etc. and while it's good to have a bunch of brick layers when you're building a chimney, it's probably not the best strategy for a basketball team. Jayden and Parker to start with Wimbley and Danny off the bench sounds good to me.

Like I've said a few times before, how miserable last year's team was has made a lasting impression on Frank, in my opinion. I think he was embarrassed by it, he knows that the dwindling fan base is sick of it, and he's willing to be open to adjusting some of his coaching philosophies. I'm excited to see how it comes together.

[m626t]

I finished making pages for all of our newcomers, including info and stats from our incoming transfers. The JuCo ones were a challenge.
https://umasshoops.com/wiki/doku.php?id ... -26#roster

thanks for doing the work. it'll certainly be interesting to see if there is any real talent as the season unfolds.

[UMassfan_19]

Anyone at the court club practice have insight