Game 26, 2023-24: VCU (2/20)

[69MG]

There's a game tomorrow and nobody seems to give a hoot (hoot is the politest word I could think of). They have 65 posts in their game thread already, but very few about the game itself.

They are scary good, having beaten Dayron, Richmond and Loyola. 2 of their 3 losses are to SBU (89-78 and 67-62). Very different games and two of the main factors were free throws and rebounds. SBU shot 21 more free throws than VCU in the 2 games and outrebounded them by 19.

There were other factors, but these are 2 areas that we might be able to exploit. But wow, are they talented (and tall, with long arms)

[eldonabe]

Umass is favored by a half point.

I have no idea as far as Jekyl or Hyde ....

[NilesGold]

They are scary good, having beaten Dayron, Richmond and Loyola.

A bit of hyperbole perhaps? VCU is good, but all three of those wins you highlighted were @ VCU. They've played very few good teams on the road in A10 play, with their best road win a 4pt victory over Mason, and their 2nd best would I guess be Davidson.

This should be a difficult, but very winnable game for UMass.

[inthescoop]

Umass is favored by a half point.

I have no idea as far as Jekyl or Hyde ....

Looks like it's at 3.5 now.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Whether they won or lost to LaSalle, this was always going to be a big game. It's a big game from a standings perspective, it's a big game to prove to the conference they are for real, it's a big game to prove to the fans that they are for real.

[Juice Stand]

I agree, IV. I think this is the most important home game so far, and yeah I know, they're all important. This one is important for all the normal basketball reasons, but I'm thinking from the perspective of gaining casual fan interest. Even as a mid major, VCU is a brand name that people recognize, and a win tonight would prove a lot to the casual fans and bring in a big crowd on Saturday for the Bonnies.

[69MG]

We need to take 1 of the 2 this week. From a seeding perspective, SBU is more important, but from a fan view and team confidence view, this game might be more important. Of course, Captain Obvious says you can't win both if you don't win the first one.

This is the one thing that scares me about this game. It was on Twitter, probably posted by a VCU guy.

6-5 Jackson v 6-0 so #5 Keon Thompson
6-5 Shulga v 6-2 jr #3 Rahsool Diggins
6-8 Bairstow v 6-4 fr #11 Jayden Ndjigue
6-9 Kuany v 6-7 sr #33 Matt Cross
6-10 Fermin v 6-10 sr #23 Josh Cohen

Frank will have to devise a game plan that allows Keon and others to get to the basket and how do we stop the first 3 from posting up our guards? Maybe we're faster than they are?

[69MG]

I take back what I said in the above post. This is what scares me the most about tonight.

Dean Wendel
@DeanWende1
Matt Cross (hand) QUESTIONABLE tonight, per sources. did not practice yesterday.

[Floyd]

ESPN+ for me tonite
Go Minutemen!

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Damn, that's not the news I was hoping to hear today.

[Berkman]

It is on CBS SPORTS CH 315 on Spectrum here in Mooresville NC.

[Camby4Life]

ESPN+ for me tonite
Go Minutemen!

CBS sports game tonight. Got to go to their app for this one.

[Upstate10]

We are gonna get smoked if Matt can't go. Our luck is hilarious.

[Floyd]

ESPN+ for me tonite
Go Minutemen!

CBS sports game tonight. Got to go to their app for this one.

Thanks Camby. Would have spent 10 minutes figuring that out at 7 pm

[Floyd]

We are gonna get smoked if Matt can't go. Our luck is hilarious.

He'll go. VCU at home, end of season. Matt is a warrior