Final Four run, 30th anniversary

[MikeUMA]

UM will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Final Four season, during the February 21 game against Buffalo (6 PM start).
https://umassathletics.com/news/2026/1/ ... -four-team

"Most" members of that team expected to return. Similar celebrations in the past have indeed drawn a bunch of those alums back. Marcus Camby has been great about coming back, but I think the White Lion Brewing location in Amherst (that he had a stake in) closed a few months ago. (There's still one in Springfield.)

Calipari almost certainly won't be there in person. Arkansas has a home game that same afternoon.

[Steve81]

Looking forward to it.

[MikeUMA]

Kinda sad to admit that I'm "meh" about this. I'm a little fatigued about the recognition of that year, probably compounded by the fact that it's the last time we won a conference tournament title and an NCAA Tournament game.

Also, it feels like we "just" gave these guys a big celebration, but that was coming up on five years ago now, with the induction of that team into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame, in September 2021.

I might save up some enthusiasm for the Lightning in a Bottle documentary.

[SignMan]

Kinda sad to admit that I'm "meh" about this. I'm a little fatigued about the recognition of that year, probably compounded by the fact that it's the last time we won a conference tournament title and an NCAA Tournament game.

Also, it feels like we "just" gave these guys a big celebration, but that was coming up on five years ago now, with the induction of that team into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame, in September 2021.

I might save up some enthusiasm for the Lightning in a Bottle documentary.

I'm considering coming in from FL.
Could make a MIKE MEH sign.

[Juice Stand]

Kinda sad to admit that I'm "meh" about this. I'm a little fatigued about the recognition of that year, probably compounded by the fact that it's the last time we won a conference tournament title and an NCAA Tournament game.

I hate to say it too, but as much as we all cherish that run and we never want to take it for granted or forget, aren't there other teams or players worth celebrating?

[InnervisionsUMASS]

This team should be celebrated yearly. Glad they do it at least every 10 years.

[MikeUMA]

I'm considering coming in from FL.
Could make a MIKE MEH sign.

Ha ha. I'm not worthy of a Sign Man creation.

Keep me posted if you do come up though. If some good peeps go that might convince me to get up there.

[SignMan]

^ will know about 2 weeks prior to the game.

[Floyd]

This team should be celebrated yearly. Glad they do it at least every 10 years.

Highlights on the big board during uneventful halftime would be good

[InnervisionsUMASS]

This team should be celebrated yearly. Glad they do it at least every 10 years.

Highlights on the big board during uneventful halftime would be good

Nah, any reason to work on getting these guys back on campus is the way to go. Obviously I was exaggerating about yearly.

[Floyd]

I meant at games other than those that they come back. Most young fans have no idea what that team was like, and the longtime fans just appreciate the old highlights. Pump up the crowd

[Berkman]

My neighbor and I were at that game.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

I meant at games other than those that they come back. Most young fans have no idea what that team was like, and the longtime fans just appreciate the old highlights. Pump up the crowd

They used to do that pretty regularly with the footage from the 100 Year documentary.

[LS71]

I have mixed feelings about this.

One the one hand I’m happy to celebrate the successes of that season and the Calipari era.

On the other it’s a bitter reminder of how far UMass has fallen.

[Steve81]

The higher you go, the further you fall. Glad to see them all back and will be happier when we rise to conference champions. Think it's in the cards, just don't know when we get that great hand.