Game 4: Scouting UMASS

[bball23]

So what do people know about this team?  I know they are very athletic, rebound well and like to get out and go when they can.  Chaz Williams is VERY good and will be a tough matchup for NU.  I know they are picked high in the A-10 in the Pre-season polls and will want this game vs us simply from the standpoint of beating a BCS team in the non-conference and getting a shot (more than likely) at New Mexico. 

 

I have to also think that NU knows how important these games are for us as well if we want to have a decent year this year.  So I fully expect both teams to come out in full force and play hard.  UMASS has put up a lot of points in there games, but have also given up some points.  To this point I would say they have been a bit more tested than we have playing Boston College and LSU already. 

 

I think the keys to the game will be to keep them off the glass and not turn the ball over.  We have shown the ability to not turn the ball over much so far, but this UMASS team will have much better athletes to pressure us more.  How do our young guards adjust to this?  What happens when we get punched in the mouth for the first time this year? 

 

This will be a very interesting game to see how we look vs a much better team.  Plus its our first game not on our own court. 

 

Thoughts?

 

 

[hhcmatt]

A few things

 

• We need to dominate the turnover battle.  So far we've done well at protecting the ball and turning the other team over.  UMass has done the opposite.
• Minimalize their advantage on the offensive glass, especially 6'10" center Cady Lalanne who has 14 offensive rebounds.  UMass shoots too well to give them second chances.
• Figure out how to frustrate or contain Chaz Williams.  Combine the offense of Biggs with the defense of Parker and you have Chaz Williams.  He and a couple of the other UMass players are willing to get into foul trouble.
• Be ready to run some zone - I know Miles hates it but it's already frustrated UMass and they're not an outside shooting team

[tcp]

Last two suggestions are big. They get into foul trouble and don't like zone, so there's some opportunity before UMass improves in those areas down the road.

 

We have a reasonable chance at pulling an upset, even though I wouldn't pick it that way. But this isn't at all a lost cause matchup.

 

Edit: The more I think about it, and from the limited viewing I've had of UMass, we probably need 18-20 good minutes out of Smith as well.

[Handy Johnson]

I'm ready to see a game where we get a "popped in the mouth", to see how we respond.  I've got a feeling we'll learn alot about this team in the next few days, and I think we'll all be pleasantly surprised by our firepower, our ability to run with people and how salty we actually are.

[PJJack]

I watch a lot of east coast basketball so here are 10 things on UMass

1) You are not going to frustrate and contain Chaz Willimas, he is too good. He does play out of control in spurts. But he has games when he only has 2 points at the half then finishes with 25 for the game.

2) Try to get Umass into foul trouble, they’re very aggressive on defense and take a lot of really dumb chances away from the basket.

3) They at times get caught up in being a run and shoot team and are prone to turnovers.

4) They lost their best three point shooters from last season so they struggle from long range.

5) They have struggled esp early in the game (1st half) shooting free throws.

6) The two players everyone will talk about are Chaz and Cady LaLanne who are both a double/double each per-game machine but Sampson Carter should be a name you all start to remember. He is healthy and been their most consistent player this season.

7) Speaking of Chaz and Cady, the former was the A10 player of the week this week, the latter was A10 player of the week last week.  

8) They beat LSU 92-90 but the game wasn't as close as the final score indicates. Umass trailed 3-0 and never trailed again. They had lead by as many as 15 in the second half. LSU gout a few garbage time steals and a 3 pointer at the buzzer to make the score closer than what it was.

9) Umass has struggled vs. the zone and vs. Youngstown State they got beat by the pick and roll often.

10) They like to full court press but not the whole game. They get a lot of steals and make teams turn the ball over with their press. Conversely they struggle when team press them. Esp their backup PG Trey Davis who gets that deer in the headlights look.

 

 

They have a great deal of experience, 5 of their 7 players in their rotation have played together for the past 3 seasons. Derrek Gorden transfered from W. Kentucky where he lead the team in scoring as a freshman, due to NCAA transfer rules he sat out last season and has had an up and down year so far this season while he gets his timing back. He is a very good player, a slasher to the basket and gets a ton of rebounds.  He isn't much of an outside shooter though but he is very good on D. The A10 isn't a weak confrence, VCU and La Salle both made the tourney last season and up until this season Butler, Temple, and Xavier were part of the A10 so Umass has played some very good teams the past few season in-confrence.

 

Their team is very athletic as evidence of this play in their last game

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3uorwKh_qw.

 

They have won big games on the road the past few seasons inc at Mississippi State, LaSalle, Xavier, Seton Hall, and neutral site wins vs. Temple twice so they are not a just play well at home team.  They are well coached and they are close to being ranked in the top 25. They received votes in both polls this season.

[HB]

Holy cow, that is a bad ass dunk. Looked a little like Mikki Moore attacking that situation!

[Silverbacked1]

Thanks and welcome PJ

[49r]

In case you were wondering, this is for UMass:

 

Kenpom rankings as of 11-19-13.
==============================

 

A-10 (0-0):

9. VCU

26. Saint Louis

46. UMass
61. St. Joseph's
68. George Washington
78. Dayton
86. Richmond
88. St. Bonaventure
105. George Mason
107. LaSalle
166. Rhode Island
176. Fordham
219. Duquesne

 

Non-Conference (3-0):

---Coaches vs. Cancer Boston Tip Off---

93. Boston College - W

 

---ESPN College Hoops Tip Off Marathon---

52. LSU - W

 

153. Youngstown State - W

 

---Charleston Classic---
69. Nebraska
22./94. New Mexico/UAB
54./149./115./123. Clemson/Davidson/Georgia/Temple

 

197. Eastern Michigan

30. BYU

335. Northern Illinois

110. @Ohio
64. @Florida State
42. Providence

228. Miami (Ohio)

157. Elon

[hhcmatt]

BTW, say hello to the gents from UMassHoops.com

[bball23]

I had gone over to see their board earlier.  They assume (most of them) that they should beat us.  Which I can totally understand.  We have a ton of unknowns and haven't really proven anything at all to this point. They have a few solid wins already.  They are very athletic and much more experienced than us.

 

I do think though that we are a pretty good defensive team.  If we can (as mentioned above) limit them to one shot, and make them play D I think we can stay right in this game.  I'm hoping with their aggressive style of D it opens up driving lanes for our guards and we can really attack the rim.  Gotta finish when we get to the rim, or kick it out to our shooters.  I also think we have good enough guards to maybe get them in foul trouble if they do play as aggressive as they do.

 

As crazy as this may sound....Benny Parker may end up being a big part of this game.  Benny is a pretty darn good on ball defender and can hopefully at least slow down Williams.  He is damn good though so it won't be easy at all.  Then we just have to keep their bigs off the boards.  I definitely have a lot of respect for their team and know that this would be a very good win for a young NU team....but it will NOT be easy at all.

[49r]

Oh, and by the way...

 

Anyone from the UMass boards who want to clown on the B1G for having 12 teams (not ten), better check themselves...seeing as how they play in the thirteen team "Atlantic 10", featuring such Atlantic Coast cities as Dayton...and St. Louis.

 

 

[49r]

But seriously, after perusing the thread Dimes linked above, it's clear that their fans are feeling a little - overlooked, maybe - because we weren't really talking about them until just today really.

 

For those UMass lurkers, let me assure you, we've been looking forward to this one since the offseason began.  And none of us here have entertained even one second of a thought that we think this game will be anything short of an absolute battle for our talented (but young) team.

 

I don't think any of us could honestly say we expect to win the game, but more like we are optimistic that we can give ourselves a chance to win the game.  Which is really how we feel going up against the likes of Ohio State or Indiana.  Or Iowa.  Or Purdue.  So, UMass fan, don't worry.  Your Minutemen will have our full attention and respect on Thursday morning in Charleston.

 

Here's to a good game.  And for whoever wins, I will be pulling for them against New Mexico.

[Tallbaby21]

Keep Chaz out of the paint. If that means going zone, so be it.

[PJJack]

Oh, and by the way...

 

Anyone from the UMass boards who want to clown on the B1G for having 12 teams (not ten), better check themselves...seeing as how they play in the thirteen team "Atlantic 10", featuring such Atlantic Coast cities as Dayton...and St. Louis.

 

 

 

Funny or not I don't think anyone mentioned anything about the Big10 having 12 teams.

 

I failed to mention in my prior post foolishly that the A10 also has St. Louis who won the A10 last season.

Just reading fan boards and local newspapers from the Amherst area UMass is really looking forward to this game, it is their 3rd game out of 4 against a power conference team (SEC, ACC, Big 10) and a win Thursday would mean a (likely)  game vs. #19 New Mexico and win or lose that game it would mean a 3rd game vs. another power confrence team. UMass was a bubble team last season, they were in the "next four out" category. A big reason was their RPI wasn't great so playing these teams from big conferences has energized the team and their fans.  The Big 10 is a loaded confrence so Nebraska will play so many great teams this season in confrence but Umass has so few games vs. big power schools so this game is huge for them.

 

This is probably the best Umass team since the Calapri and Camby days so the fans are really locked in.  They played LSU last Tuesday on a non-holiday at a 11am start time and had about 6K fans at the game.

[FredsSlacks]

BTW, say hello to the gents from UMassHoops.com

LOL. one of the poeple on that board was seriously concerned about Vooch's size and 3 point shot.

 

"They do have a center who is over 7 feet in sophomore Sergej Vucetic, but he only weighs about 240 pounds, and is known for shooting the 3. "

[hskr4life]

 

BTW, say hello to the gents from UMassHoops.com

LOL. one of the poeple on that board was seriously concerned about Vooch's size and 3 point shot.

 

"They do have a center who is over 7 feet in sophomore Sergej Vucetic, but he only weighs about 240 pounds, and is known for shooting the 3. "

 

 

May have mistaken him with Pitchford... but I mean seeing a 7 foot center on another roster is probably cause for concern for another team who doesnt "know" our team.

[FredsSlacks]

 

 

BTW, say hello to the gents from UMassHoops.com

LOL. one of the poeple on that board was seriously concerned about Vooch's size and 3 point shot.

 

"They do have a center who is over 7 feet in sophomore Sergej Vucetic, but he only weighs about 240 pounds, and is known for shooting the 3. "

 

 

May have mistaken him with Pitchford... but I mean seeing a 7 foot center on another roster is probably cause for concern for another team who doesnt "know" our team.

 

i know. it's just funny to see anyone worried about vucetic

[hskr4life]

 

 

 

BTW, say hello to the gents from UMassHoops.com

LOL. one of the poeple on that board was seriously concerned about Vooch's size and 3 point shot.

 

"They do have a center who is over 7 feet in sophomore Sergej Vucetic, but he only weighs about 240 pounds, and is known for shooting the 3. "

 

 

May have mistaken him with Pitchford... but I mean seeing a 7 foot center on another roster is probably cause for concern for another team who doesnt "know" our team.

 

i know. it's just funny to see anyone worried about vucetic

 

 

its possible he goes off for 30 though

[Silverbacked1]

I was going to be the guy to tell them about us. Didn't like my name. Must already have a Silverback over there.

[Silverbacked1]

BTW, say hello to the gents from UMassHoops.com

LOL. one of the poeple on that board was seriously concerned about Vooch's size and 3 point shot.

 

"They do have a center who is over 7 feet in sophomore Sergej Vucetic, but he only weighs about 240 pounds, and is known for shooting the 3. "

 

May have mistaken him with Pitchford... but I mean seeing a 7 foot center on another roster is probably cause for concern for another team who doesnt "know" our team.

i know. it's just funny to see anyone worried about vucetic

 

its possible he goes off for 30 though

Would that be 30 in his career?

[49r]

 

Oh, and by the way...

 

Anyone from the UMass boards who want to clown on the B1G for having 12 teams (not ten), better check themselves...seeing as how they play in the thirteen team "Atlantic 10", featuring such Atlantic Coast cities as Dayton...and St. Louis.

 

 

 

Funny or not I don't think anyone mentioned anything about the Big10 having 12 teams.

 

I failed to mention in my prior post foolishly that the A10 also has St. Louis who won the A10 last season.

Just reading fan boards and local newspapers from the Amherst area UMass is really looking forward to this game, it is their 3rd game out of 4 against a power conference team (SEC, ACC, Big 10) and a win Thursday would mean a (likely)  game vs. #19 New Mexico and win or lose that game it would mean a 3rd game vs. another power confrence team. UMass was a bubble team last season, they were in the "next four out" category. A big reason was their RPI wasn't great so playing these teams from big conferences has energized the team and their fans.  The Big 10 is a loaded confrence so Nebraska will play so many great teams this season in confrence but Umass has so few games vs. big power schools so this game is huge for them.

 

This is probably the best Umass team since the Calapri and Camby days so the fans are really locked in.  They played LSU last Tuesday on a non-holiday at a 11am start time and had about 6K fans at the game.

 

 

I think that all of us here are pretty impressed with what you folks have building up there, and I remember those Camby teams...man I hated you guys back then!  It was getting tiring seeing you on TV all the time!  

 

It's too bad we aren't another year or two in to the Tim Miles rebuild here, then we might give you something to worry about, too!  As it is, expect a scrappy team to keep the game close, but I expect a UMass win.

[49r]

I think they have one user over there though that has a few misgivings about our program.

 

"One of the worst all time in NCAA history" or something to that effect.

 

I'll admit we've been underperforming for years and years, but all time worst?  Not by a mile, man...not by a mile.

[royalfan]

I think the early start time in empty arena is probably a benefit for us.  Seems Umass is high energy team that is a bit careless at times if some scouting reports are correct?  If so, they may have a little trouble creating energy at that hour in that environment.  Games like this is where coaching is huge.  Are they a well coached club?  Obviously they are getting it done on the recruiting front. 

[PJJack]

I think the early start time in empty arena is probably a benefit for us.  Seems Umass is high energy team that is a bit careless at times if some scouting reports are correct?  If so, they may have a little trouble creating energy at that hour in that environment.  Games like this is where coaching is huge.  Are they a well coached club?  Obviously they are getting it done on the recruiting front. 

Their coach is Derrek Kellogg who played for Umass in the early-mid 90's when they were starting to become a top program and dancing in the field of 64.  He later was Calapri's assistant for several years at Memphis so he knows what he is doing.  They played last year in a Puerto Rico tournament and struggled in the first game in an empty arena vs. Providence but they did win on a buzzer beater.  The feeling is the early start time in SC in an almost certain sparse crowd would favor Nebraska.  UMass feeds of energy so without a crowd factor it might take them a while to get going.

[tcp]

 

 

 

BTW, say hello to the gents from UMassHoops.com

LOL. one of the poeple on that board was seriously concerned about Vooch's size and 3 point shot.

 

"They do have a center who is over 7 feet in sophomore Sergej Vucetic, but he only weighs about 240 pounds, and is known for shooting the 3. "

 

 

May have mistaken him with Pitchford... but I mean seeing a 7 foot center on another roster is probably cause for concern for another team who doesnt "know" our team.

 

i know. it's just funny to see anyone worried about vucetic

 

they should be worried about serge. if he gets in the game, it means we've won.