UMassHoops.com

Not to overlook Bona, but getting a thread started for SLU.

7:30 start time for this one, as this game is another twin-bill with the women, who take on Rhody starting at 5:00. Stream on ESPN+, no traditional TV.

Good test for us in our A-10 home opener. UM is 2-7 vs SLU since Travis Ford took over there in 2016, and 6-16 since SLU joined the Atlantic 10.
https://umasshoops.com/wiki/doku.php?id ... t_st_louis

We did beat SLU in their trip to Mullins last season, as our offense worked, in a 91-85 win.
https://umasshoops.com/wiki/doku.php?id ... 0_st_louis
They got revenge 3 days later back at home, in a 90-59 drubbing.
https://umasshoops.com/wiki/doku.php?id ... 3_st_louis

This year, they built an 8-5 record in their non-conf slate, mostly in the friendly confines of their home arena. They're 1-3 anywhere else.
https://slubillikens.com/sports/mens-ba ... ath=mbball

They won at home over Memphis (90-84) and against Providence in front of a partisan crowd at Mohegan Sun, 76-73. They also hung tough at #13 Auburn, but fell 65-60.

Common opponent so far: Murray State. They beat 'em in STL, 91-68. We won in Myrtle Beach, 71-69 on Noah's game winning 3.

Of late, they've lost some mojo, going 1-3.
L 84-62 at Iona
L 57-52 at home vs Boise State
W 83-75 at home over Drake
L 69-67 at home to Southern Illinois - Edwardsville. SIUE, now at 9-4, has the best non-conf record in the Ohio Valley, but that's going to drag SLU's NCAA Tournament resume.

A10Talk has 'em at #2 in their latest power rankings
https://twitter.com/A10Talk/status/1607786207487967234

Yuri Collins leads all of D-1 in Assists and APG (10.3). He dished 20 versus Tennessee State a month ago.

SLU opens their A-10 slate on 12/31 at 1 PM Eastern at Saint Joe's, also on ESPN+.

Great rundown. Thanks Mike.

Yup, terrific rundown.

I'm terrified of what Yuri Collins might do to us if Noah is still out or even a little gimpy. Our point guards haven't looked great running the offense without Noah, and Frank Martin has lamented about how they're getting beat regularly by the opposing PG. Collins might have his way with Keon and Diggins.

This game has me focused on how we play against Collins and Jimerson. When Stl has been losing lately, they had poor shooting from Jimerson and either high turnovers relative to assists and bad shooting from Collins. If both of them do poorly, they seem to lose.

I'm hoping we can find ways of disrupting Collins.

Noah and Weeks seem like keys to this game, in my non coaching opinion.

Anyone who feels the need to actually go to this game, please be sure to bring a paper bag to wear over your head.

stevemaz wrote: Sat Dec 31, 2022 4:47 pm Anyone who feels the need to actually go to this game, please be sure to bring a paper bag to wear over your head.

A little dramatic for a 9-4 team?

^ It's a double header with the women, so there's a reason to attend!

69MG wrote: Sat Dec 31, 2022 7:50 pm ^ It's a double header with the women, so there's a reason to attend!

I agree then.. The Women's team actually runs an offense!

I don't know what to think about this one. My maroon colored glasses says UMass shook off the rust Saturday and Frank will light an absolute forest fire under the asses in practice the next couple days and they will get back to playing D like they did in Myrtle beach and we'll win. On the other hand, I see Yuri Collins doing what every other point guard has done us against us and score 35 points and we lose by double digits.

Noah can't get too caught up in this being him vs Yuri. I'd rather Noah have double digit assists and 8-10 points in this one rather than 26 points and only 2 assists - he needs to get others involved - Cross, Weeks, Luis all need to be well into double digits - 14+ for each. Need DD's energy off the bench. We know Kante will bring 110% effort and hopefully Wildens will be back - need that big body down low.

Maybe St Louis will take a page out of our book and absolutely puke all over themselves like we do when we go on the road in A-10 play.

TF's teams are generally well prepared so this one will be tough. I think we respond and it's a tight game down to the end. Collins will be a handful, but Noah generally steps up so this should be a great matchup

Maybe it was the flu in Olean, but we have to have more production out of Weeks, Cross and Dominguez.

It sounds like Diggins will be back after the birth of his child. Maybe this is the spark he needed to "find his joy" or however Coach Martin has described it. We'll need the extra PG help against Yuri Collins.

Wildens will be out for a while with knee tendonitis. That's a big blow.
https://twitter.com/MLBergman_/status/1 ... KIbBA&s=19

What's the rotation now? I would start:
Kante
DD or Gapare
Cross
Weeks
Noah

And I hope all of them are healthy.

Juice Stand wrote: Mon Jan 02, 2023 3:32 pm
https://twitter.com/MLBergman_/status/1 ... KIbBA&s=19

"To attend to his girlfriends birth"? I know what it means but it sounds funny

So what did he have, a boy or girl? Congrats Rahsool

capezona wrote: Mon Jan 02, 2023 1:12 pm Maybe it was the flu in Olean, but we have to have more production out of Weeks, Cross and Dominguez.

Makes me wonder how many within the program got a flu shot. They don't always work, but they're free, so why not get one and help the program by staying healthy?
(I realize the danger of turning this into a vaccine debate, so please don't. Or take it over to General where I can ignore it.)