2024-25 Season

[InnervisionsUMASS]

We don't yet know if the 23-24 season is done, but might as well start this thread now.

The biggest thing of note at this point for next year: 2024-2025 will be the last A10 season for UMass.



Discuss.

[Upstate10]

Need Cross, Cohen, Sool, Keon, DHS back and we can have a really, really special season. I am beyond anxious for whatever portal news that is coming. We are sooooo close.

[Floyd]

Gotta get more athletic up front

[DoctorJ]

Even if we are done for this year, Frank brought us a better team and showed serious progress.

I hope people keep continuing to support the program.

We will lose people. It always happens.

I expect Foster, Majok and maybe Worthy will look elsewhere for more minutes. Incoming group looks solid. Don't know what to say about Foster, four stars for what??? Barely saw the court. Majok should go to CCSU and get minutes.

[69MG]

Frank said it earlier this season when asked about what was needed for next year. I don't know if the 3 incoming recruits bring this, but lots of players in the portal.

Another 3 point shooter
A rim protector
More athleticism

[Juice Stand]

My wish list from the current roster is to keep our top 8 rotation players. It wouldn't bother me one bit if Marqui, Foster, Majok, or Mason left to open up spots for the incoming freshmen or experienced transfers.

I know that's unlikely to happen, so here's what I think will happen with those 8 rotation guys. Cohen, Ndjigue, Rahsool, and Keon I think are likely to return. I think Jaylen Curry will get poached by a bigger NIL offer, and Matt Cross will see if he can get some professional offers. I love DHS and think he could be one of the more explosive frontcourt players in the league next year, but I really think he's going to head back down south and play closer to home. I want to see Robert Davis return and think he will. He has potential and just had a hard time adjusting.

That leaves us with five regular rotation players, what looks on paper to be a good incoming freshman class, and whoever stays from the Marqui/Foster/Majok/Mason group. Until I hear otherwise, I'll be crossing my fingers like hell that as many guys as possible want to come back and dominate the A10 for one last run.

[DanaDingle3]

^ Agree with everything you wrote except Davis. Don't know how much he improved this year, and even in the last game, he got beat on D and turned it over in limited minutes. He'd probably benefit from a change. I'll be rooting for him here or elsewhere. Very likeable, and seemingly hardworking kid.

I wouldn't want to see DHS leave. He could be very good here.

[Juice Stand]

I don't think Davis improved at all this year. Maybe he did in some marginal area that an amateur scout like me won't notice, but I think he has potential for next year and beyond. Frank has proven that he can develop players (see Keon and Rahsool), and I think he can help Davis reach the next level.

[inthescoop]

I don't think Davis improved at all this year. Maybe he did in some marginal area that an amateur scout like me won't notice, but I think he has potential for next year and beyond. Frank has proven that he can develop players (see Keon and Rahsool), and I think he can help Davis reach the next level.

I definitely think he improved in the things he wasn’t as good at prior to college - for example, his defense and rebounding.

Saying it since day 1, the best shooters move well without the ball and find the shot for themselves. He has an incredible shot but at times he just stands there in the corner waiting for the ball not adjusting to the angle of the player. He definitely needs to work on moving without the ball and be ready to shoot at all times off a screen. I also think there was a ton of pressure on him that may have been created on his own behalf but he just needs to stay calm and collected and build confidence.

If the rumors are true and Cross is in fact on his way out, we’ll need DHS to step up more than any people on the team as he will go from a bench player to being heavily relied on.

[Worcester_To_Amherst]

I'm a believer that Davis improved, but the consistency game to game never happened. He was bad in the game yesterday, but that's not unusual for a freshmen to have trouble in a situation like that.

I can't get caught up in the roster changes year to year anymore, just too many unknowns and outside forces at play. I'll pay attention but won't be emotionally invested. Just hoping they put a better team on the floor next year, however it happens. 2023-2024 exceeded any expectation I had going into the year, so I'm happy.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

I also believe Davis improved over the course. Obviously seeing yesterday wasn't a great final statement to his rookie campaign, so I get why some might be a bit jaded. Based on the jump we saw both KT and RD make from their year 1 to year 2 here, I suspect Davis can/will do the same.

[kd68]

I believe going to the MAC will adversely effect our recruitment efforts and any effort to get good portal players. Sorry to negative. We had a good year, but things are changing and changing fast.

[Floyd]

I also think there was a ton of pressure on him that may have been created on his own behalf

I agree. Confidence is great but if you're gonna hype yourself up before playing a minute, the pressure to produce will always be there. Stay humble, work hard, and come back strong next year. The fans will support you

[Juice Stand]

^Bingo, Floyd. I'm a fan of Davis and he's got such a great attitude. I think he'll be back and I think he'll be a much more reliable player next year.

[Floyd]

If the chatter of Cross leaving is true, I think it would be a mistake on his part unless it was a huge payday somewhere. This team fits his skillset, and he gets the minutes and touches he needs to succeed. If they could recruit or portal in another big power forward type ( and maybe we have it in DHS) , slide Matt to the SF spot where he could get more perimeter looks ( he CAN shoot it), still drive & slash to the rim, still rebound, I think we would be better. DHS is the most athletic forward we have, he has shown he can shoot it midrange, and attacks the glass very well. With Rahsool and Matt on the perimeter more, we have better perimeter scoring, still have a rebounding advantage, and Matt is a good penetrator from the wing. Curry & Keon are a very solid pg tandem that should only get better.

Getting another athletic, long, inside presence to spell Cohen or DHS, and keep Matt more of a 3 could keep him fresher and give us a more consistent 3 pt threat to compliment Rahsool.
Matt to me is more of a Gary Forbes type than an inside type of player. Irregardless, I don't see anyone who is irreplaceable, but finding another consistent big man scorer like Cohen might be the toughest, but we need more up front.