Game 12, 2025-26: Kent State (12/20)

[Worcester_To_Amherst]

Wake up call. Kent State is a solid team, certainly would be a top half A10 team in my opinion. UMass made a ton of mistakes, but too many missed shots was the biggest issue. A lot of missed free throws, looks at the rim, and not enough 3s. I’m not too discouraged by this one. The “big 4” of Banks, Bettiol, DHS, and Parker need to carry this team. Didn’t get anywhere close to enough from them today. Onto the next one.

[DanaDingle3]

Dunno how anyone could've watched the 1st half where we got killed on 50/50 balls and lacked aggression and claim we lost because we missed shots and coaching wasn't an issue. Their one guy practically outrebounded our starting 5.

Kent St settled in quickly and outplayed us in every facet. The team didn't come out w fire. UMass eventually dug their heels in, but at that point they were in a hole and missed a bunch of shots.

[69MG]

We have 4 guys who can score and they get about 75% of our points. When 2 of them go 6 for 28 and the 4th guy only takes 2 shots we aren't winning. We missed a ton of open shots and tried too hard to force the ball into the paint resulting in turnovers. Maybe it was the Kent State defense, but there is no excuse for only scoring 59 points.

Maybe Placide will be a guy who can give us some scoring and I think Clerc is getting better every week. Yes, he makes some mistakes, but I like his aggressiveness.

I'm not giving up un this team because I think most of the issues are fixable. I also will be surprised if we see a player any better than Gillespie in conference play.

[UMassfan_19]

Better coached team won simple as that

[minutefanjsf]

Dunno how anyone could've watched the 1st half where we got killed on 50/50 balls and lacked aggression and claim we lost because we missed shots and coaching wasn't an issue. Their one guy practically outrebounded our starting 5.

Kent St settled in quickly and outplayed us in every facet. The team didn't come out w fire. UMass eventually dug their heels in, but at that point they were in a hole and missed a bunch of shots.

Losing the hustle plays mattered, including the lazy fouls in the first half. Trying to get with the right energy/mindset on the court was the reason for the substitutions. No aggression on offense as well to start. The defense was solid the whole game. It boiled down to missed shots.

[Juice Stand]

I'm oddly not that upset about the loss yesterday. I'm obviously disappointed that we lost, but Kent St scared me and they totally lived up to the scouting report. They were swarming on defense, not allowing any good looks to Banks on the perimeter, and clogging the lane limiting looks by Bettiol and DHS and forcing them to put up contested shots from farther away than they'd probably like. Offensively, Gillespie is smooth as all get out, and I was really impressed by their balance. #6, Woidke was particularly impressive. He can make shots from several spots on the floor and is strong with the ball.

A well coached team like that with star power, they could absolutely compete with the top of the A10. We knew Kent St was a tough draw for our opener, and they proved it. Our guys really battled I thought, and every time we got close, Kent St punched back. But yesterday did not change my opinion of our team. Tough, resilient, with talent at multiple spots and we will win a lot of MAC games. We just got beat by a better team yesterday.

[Carl Spackler]

others have pointed out how I've felt these last several games...the starting lineup lacks outside shooters...other than Banks a well coached team can pack the paint, face guard Banks, switch all screens and make it very difficult for him to get comfortable, open shots. In the last 5 games that Danny has started he is 5-27. I like Danny, he has upside and should be playing, he should develop into a very good pure point guard, facilitator, floor general and I'm guessing his shooting will improve as he continues to develop. That said, a lineup with Danny and Ndjigue on the perimeter together, playing big minutes is an issue in my opinion. DHS is not a shooter and Leo does 90% of his damage in the paint. Kent State just gave the MAC the blueprint for bogging down the UMass offense. In the same 5 game stretch Parker is 19 for 39 including 12 for 26 from 3. He has a monster game against FSU, then only takes 2 shots against Kent in a game where we couldn't score.

[Juice Stand]

I'll be at the game, leaving shortly.

Talked with the wife about buying a season ticket next year. Flexing the Tuesday games and bring the wife or others.

They don't allow you to flex tickets anymore. You can thank our dear leader, Ryan Bamford for that. Eliminating that option is just a clear money grab by the department. I have two season tickets, and I usually bring family or friends with me for the second seat. I always loved being able to flex it out if people were unavailable, but I've had to eat the cost twice already this year. It's just money out of my wallet and in to Bamford's piggy bank for absolutely nothing.

[Floyd]

Thought when we fought back late in the 2nd and when we were down 2, we had a great opportunity. But we rushed a few shots and tried to force a few drives, and made a couple bad forced passes. That was the time to settle it down and get good shots. But we lost composure there and they made a little run to extend the lead & that was it. Didn't think we played great, and certainly didn't have a great shooting game, but we still had a shot at a W, so that's encouraging that we can be successful in the MAC. Kent State is a pretty good, well coached team

[69MG]

others have pointed out how I've felt these last several games...the starting lineup lacks outside shooters...other than Banks a well coached team can pack the paint, face guard Banks, switch all screens and make it very difficult for him to get comfortable, open shots. In the last 5 games that Danny has started he is 5-27. I like Danny, he has upside and should be playing, he should develop into a very good pure point guard, facilitator, floor general and I'm guessing his shooting will improve as he continues to develop. That said, a lineup with Danny and Ndjigue on the perimeter together, playing big minutes is an issue in my opinion. DHS is not a shooter and Leo does 90% of his damage in the paint. Kent State just gave the MAC the blueprint for bogging down the UMass offense. In the same 5 game stretch Parker is 19 for 39 including 12 for 26 from 3. He has a monster game against FSU, then only takes 2 shots against Kent in a game where we couldn't score.

Carl, I said this exact message before the season started. You can't have just 1 guy out there who can shoot. It makes us too easy to defend. It's a given that Leo, DHS and Banks are starting and playing a lot of minutes. I don't like having Danny and Jayden out there at the same time. It's a good defensive unit, but you can't have 2 guys who can't score on the court at the same time. I wish we had a viable option at the 3 who can hit threes, but we don't. So do we go small with Danny, Banks and KJ? This is where Placide could help. We could rotate Placide, KJ and Banks and get Jayden or Danny minutes with two of the three.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Dunno how anyone could've watched the 1st half where we got killed on 50/50 balls and lacked aggression and claim we lost because we missed shots and coaching wasn't an issue. Their one guy practically outrebounded our starting 5.

Kent St settled in quickly and outplayed us in every facet. The team didn't come out w fire. UMass eventually dug their heels in, but at that point they were in a hole and missed a bunch of shots.

I mean, we lost because we got killed on 50/50 balls, lacked aggression AND missed shots. It's unfortunate that the coaching couldn't get the players to be better in all these areas. But making a few more of those easy shots might have overcame the first two issues cited.

While I get that Kent State is part of the top half of the MAC, but yesterday's loss just takes the wind out of the sails after the two "name" wins. And it happened at home in front of an engaged crowd... something we do often here at UMass.

[Berkman]

What coach should have done in the 2 nd half is use our leading scorer who was being guarded very tightly as a decoy away from the plays to open shots up for others.

[Carl Spackler]

i'll go back to my lament that we have done a poor job retaining talented players to the portal. Lewis Walker is averaging over 18 a night, nearly 6 boards while shooting over 51%....he never dressed last season, this is his first year of college basketball. I assume he practiced and based on this year's results Frank should have recognized that this kid can really play. He's 75-83 from the FT line...at 6'6 230 with a soft touch and great scoring instincts. How do we let him transfer to NC A&T?
Did Frank do everything in his power to bring him back? Was it money? Was he homesick?
Look at the development of Gillespie at Kent...this is his 4th season their and he's a monster...i'm sure he had opportunities to go elsewhere but he stayed at Kent.
DHS and Ndjigue have stayed for 3 seasons and there are others like Diggins that stuck around but we've lost far too many talented players. If Oklahoma State comes calling (Curry) i get it. St. John's (Luis) i get it. But Stephen F. Austin and NC A&T simply can't poach our best players.

[minutefanjsf]

i'll go back to my lament that we have done a poor job retaining talented players to the portal. Lewis Walker is averaging over 18 a night, nearly 6 boards while shooting over 51%....he never dressed last season, this is his first year of college basketball. I assume he practiced and based on this year's results Frank should have recognized that this kid can really play. He's 75-83 from the FT line...at 6'6 230 with a soft touch and great scoring instincts. How do we let him transfer to NC A&T?
Did Frank do everything in his power to bring him back? Was it money? Was he homesick?
Look at the development of Gillespie at Kent...this is his 4th season their and he's a monster...i'm sure he had opportunities to go elsewhere but he stayed at Kent.
DHS and Ndjigue have stayed for 3 seasons and there are others like Diggins that stuck around but we've lost far too many talented players. If Oklahoma State comes calling (Curry) i get it. St. John's (Luis) i get it. But Stephen F. Austin and NC A&T simply can't poach our best players.

Kids transfer for a lot of reasons. No idea why Walker redshirted. That is rare these days. It was announced at the start of the season/school last year he would redshirt. The school he is at now is very close to his hometown, too. I don't think we want any coach begging players to stay. Assuming Frank didn't recognize his talent, as a reason he left is a big leap. Doumbia also left. UMass as a school is not an easy academic ride, either. Most of these guys are not going pro in hoops, even overseas. Academics matter as well as family.

[Carl Spackler]

i'll go back to my lament that we have done a poor job retaining talented players to the portal. Lewis Walker is averaging over 18 a night, nearly 6 boards while shooting over 51%....he never dressed last season, this is his first year of college basketball. I assume he practiced and based on this year's results Frank should have recognized that this kid can really play. He's 75-83 from the FT line...at 6'6 230 with a soft touch and great scoring instincts. How do we let him transfer to NC A&T?
Did Frank do everything in his power to bring him back? Was it money? Was he homesick?
Look at the development of Gillespie at Kent...this is his 4th season their and he's a monster...i'm sure he had opportunities to go elsewhere but he stayed at Kent.
DHS and Ndjigue have stayed for 3 seasons and there are others like Diggins that stuck around but we've lost far too many talented players. If Oklahoma State comes calling (Curry) i get it. St. John's (Luis) i get it. But Stephen F. Austin and NC A&T simply can't poach our best players.

Kids transfer for a lot of reasons. No idea why Walker redshirted. That is rare these days. It was announced at the start of the season/school last year he would redshirt. The school he is at now is very close to his hometown, too. I don't think we want any coach begging players to stay. Assuming Frank didn't recognize his talent, as a reason he left is a big leap. Doumbia also left. UMass as a school is not an easy academic ride, either. Most of these guys are not going pro in hoops, even overseas. Academics matter as well as family.

Who said beg? And I mentioned homesick as a possible reason for leaving. My question is, did the staff recognize his talent and do everything in their power to retain him? Maybe they did, maybe they didn't. We'll probably never know. Freshman averaging 18 and 6 at a high shooting percentage don't grow on trees.