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69MG · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:08 am Post subject: Dayton

According the Dayton web site there are fewer than 150 tickets left, so the game will be a sellout. They are promoting it as "Red Out Day", so everyone is supposed to wear red. We all know that this is a tough place to play but I don't think our guys will be affected by the hype.
Dayton does present a tough matchup for us because they are a lot like us, although not as quick as us. They have 5 players who average roughly 9 points per game or more and they rotate 8 or 9 players. They start 2 guys at 6-9, a 6-6 forward and their guards are 6-0 and 6-4, so it is about a wash as far as size. Fabrizius (6-9 forward) likes to shoot the 3 and hits 41%. Sounds a lot like Put.
If we have 8 healthy players this may be a game where we have to play up-tempo and press. This won't be easy, but if we play with the same intensity we had against X, we have a great chance at a big road win and a bye in the tournament.

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:28 am Post subject:

Not that our NCAA chances are all good right now, I bet you Dayton fans are looking at this as an opportunity to completely burst our bubble. They will be fired up.
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BTHoops · Junior Joined: 10 Jan 2004 Posts: 624

Forget bursting our bubble, Dayton is trying to make the field. They are probably in better position than UMass as far as an at large bid:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology/bubble-watch

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:43 am Post subject:

That too....
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Marty Peretz · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:36 pm Post subject:

Agree that this is a real test for us to see how far we've progressed. We've beaten the upper tier teams in this conference but we've done so at home. We've yet to beat an above .500 (at least an above 500 conference record) team on the road. We also haven't really played any road games at big arenas. The biggest was probably Richmond which I think had about 7K, but LaSalle, St. Joes, GW and URI all had fewer than 5K on hand. I actually think this team really likes playing under the bright lights. They enjoy the spotlight which is one of the things I like most about this club. We've also had some real success against Dayton in recent seasons, so I'm feeling pretty good about this one. Didn't feel good about St. Joes or LaSalle on the road when we played them earlier, but I like our chances tomorrow for whatever reason.
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Chris20 · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:43 pm Post subject:

I feel the same way Marty. I expected SJU and Lasalle to be very difficult, and even Duquesne and URI. I feel better about this one.

Which means we're going down in flames, likely.... Cool

uz2b-len · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:50 pm Post subject:

Since there are comments here comparing our performances against La Salle and Xavier, I want to add a couple of things. Firstly, La Salle was more prepared against us than was Xavier. They had a game plan to take Chazz out of his game, and they did. (Remember, they had a week off as did we to prepare.) The did a lot of switching and double teaming to keep him bottled up. That's one reason he was able to get 10 assists. Secondly, the referees really hurt us against La Salle, taking points off the board against us at least twice. And the really lame blocking foul called against Max at the end. There was nothing like that against Xavier. Thirdly, we shot 9-18 from the line against La Salle and 16-18 against Xavier. So I really don't think the difference between the games was whether or not Chaz was under control.
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Chris20 · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:53 pm Post subject:

That call killed us. What a horrible call.

eldonabe · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:53 pm Post subject:

UMass1991 · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:36 pm Post subject:

Quote from Seth Davis' bubble watch on SI.com in regards to Dayton:

Of course, this is Dayton, so anything can happen, especially with a visit from UMass.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/andy_glockner/02/24/Bubble.Watch.Update/index.html#ixzz1nKV65mE0

CapeCodBruiser · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:35 pm Post subject:

Anyone doing a "game watch" in Worcester? I remember a few years ago we did a game watch at Jillians when UMass played Kentucky and Sign Man lined up his masterpieces along the wall of the bar room. IV and UMass Bill were other luminaries there that night. There is a place in Tatnuck called Stakes Pub that has The Dish and cold beer.

For the next two games I would love to see UMass get these teams in foul trouble early. I think Dayton is watching tapes of Freddie, Jesse and Put taking jump shots from long range. Using up fakes to get those anxious defenders in the air and creating contact will lead to early free throws and getting us in the bonus quickly. Sean Carter is due for a breakout game as well so I think getting the ball to him in the paint will lead to fouls and some lay ups. Enjoy the game everyone.

CapeCodBruiser · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:16 am Post subject:

Dayton is a 5 point favorite in line I saw. Take UMass on moneyline and beat The Man.