Game 3, 2013-14: Youngstown State

njumass08 · Post by **njumass08** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:39 am

Just an observation from being at the game yesterday, but I would say many of the season ticket holders might be more of the "I want to relax and watch the game" crowd than the "I am so pumped for this game. I can't wait to go crazy" crowd.

UMass87 · Post by **UMass87** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:44 am

I was sitting with the season ticket holders and I was, unusual for me, pretty subdued. IMO much of the subdued crowd was due to the much less than inspiring play. Don't get me wrong - I'm very happy they won - particularly when they didn't play well. It's difficult for a team committing 19 turnovers against inferior competition to get the crowd going.

Mrbaseball220 · Post by **Mrbaseball220** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:46 am

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

That is my problem. It is not the size of the crowd that always gets to me, it is more the energy in the crowd. I was just so dissapointed that at several times during the game, you could hear a pin drop.

To me a sporting event is supposed to be loud and exciting. Even when they are playing the Umass song fans don't stand and chant. They don't do anything during Sweet Caroline or any song for that matter. No U- Mass Chants and if they do have them it is for like 5 seconds.

I do agree however that this is better then it's been and no where near as bad as it could be, so we'll take it, move on and see if winning does not bring the rest of out the wood work.

njumass08 · Post by **njumass08** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:47 am

BTW, Not sure if I just didn't see it last year, but the Mac n Cheese/Chili/Chowder station is awesome. I had the Mac n Cheese yesterday and it was great.

UMass87 · Post by **UMass87** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:51 am

mrbaseball220 - I agree that being loud should be a big part of attending any college basketball game. I vehemently disagree that anyone should ever sing Sweet Caroline or even condone the playing of it. It isn't as bad as the stupid "noise" exhortation on scoreboards or, even, as the bizarre and narcissistic antics of SignMan but Sweet Caroline is still a pox on the sport watching public.

78 · Post by 78 » Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:56 am

UMass87 wrote:mrbaseball220 - I agree that being loud should be a big part of attending any college basketball game. I vehemently disagree that anyone should ever sing Sweet Caroline or even condone the playing of it. It isn't as bad as the stupid "noise" exhortation on scoreboards or, even, as the bizarre and narcissistic antics of SignMan but Sweet Caroline is still a pox on the sport watching public.

If I never hear that song again it will be too soon.

CapeCodBruiser · Post by **CapeCodBruiser** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:56 am

I was sitting just inside the hockey boards down low yesterday behind YSU bench. When the player intros started and the order is given for "everybody to rise" and I was up. But then I look behind me and everyone is superglued to their seats. So it puts a damper on your enthusiasm as you dont want to be "that guy" the whole game.....esxpecially in the prime seats. Like the other guy said maybe these people just want to come in to the game, relax, oogle the UMass dance team and cheerleaders and eat some popcorn. I dont know....get a Sociology major to study the crowd behavior. But I say get your tickets now as the big crowds will come and you dont want to miss out. (P.S. The gal in the blue oxford that kept circling press row the entire game was very distracting

)

UMass87 · Post by **UMass87** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:58 am

CapeCodBruiser - you bring up an interestin g point - the upgrade in talent on the chearleading and dance teams was evident yesterday.

69MG · Post by **69MG** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:05 am

CapeCodBruiser wrote:I was sitting just inside the hockey boards down low yesterday behind YSU bench. When the player intros started and the order is given for "everybody to rise" and I was up. But then I look behind me and everyone is superglued to their seats. So it puts a damper on your enthusiasm as you dont want to be "that guy" the whole game.....esxpecially in the prime seats. Like the other guy said maybe these people just want to come in to the game, relax, oogle the UMass dance team and cheerleaders and eat some popcorn. I dont know....get a Sociology major to study the crowd behavior. But I say get your tickets now as the big crowds will come and you dont want to miss out. (P.S. The gal in the blue oxford that kept circling press row the entire game was very distracting )

This is hard to figure. I was in section D (padded seats, across from UM bench). Myself and the 3 old people (myself included) I was with stood up for the player intros and so did almost everyone else in that section. I'm just guessing that "Youngstown State" just didn't inspire enthusiasm from the crowd.

Mrbaseball220 · Post by **Mrbaseball220** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:15 am

UMass87 wrote:mrbaseball220 - I agree that being loud should be a big part of attending any college basketball game. I vehemently disagree that anyone should ever sing Sweet Caroline or even condone the playing of it. It isn't as bad as the stupid "noise" exhortation on scoreboards or, even, as the bizarre and narcissistic antics of SignMan but Sweet Caroline is still a pox on the sport watching public.

I was just using those as examples of ways to try to get the crowd more hyped up if you will. I am surprised to see a few of you so against Sweet Caroline....To each their own.

MassModestMouse · Post by **MassModestMouse** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:16 am

It was a sloppily played game at 1pm on a Sunday against Youngstown St. If the crowd is subdued for a 7 oclock game on a Friday against a name opponent then I'll start complaining. The timing plus the level of play made the crowd's energy level rather predictable.

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:16 am

Blutrane93 wrote:^Well you think we're doing well defensively and our turnovers aren't a big deal, and since we're averaging 88 points per game I would imagine you don't see a lot of weaknesses so far. Unless, you don't like the way the water girls are distributing high quality H20.

The turnovers are a big deal, I'm just not sure I'd blame it on the coaching. In the first two games we were +1 in turnover margin, I hope yesterday is the exception and not the new normal. Our defense on the whole is good, not great. Transition defense has been poor, but that has nothing to do with the press. Our offense has been great and even more encouraging is that there seems to be lots of room for improvement.

I'd like to see the freshmen get a few more minutes in the middle of games to give our main rotation time to rest. I'd like to see Cady get more touches in the post.

All in all I think the players and coaches are doing a very good job.

UMass87 · Post by **UMass87** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:21 am

NilesGold wrote:... I'd like to see Cady get more touches in the post.

...

After the turnovers, this was the most discouraging aspect of the game for me. Trey Davis was the only player who properly passed into Cady down low. It's tough for Chaz because of his height/wingspan - he can only dish to Cady off of the drive so I don't blame him - but Putney, Esho and DG need to learn to bounce it around their guy to the low post. All of them look to pass it over their man which is not going to work.

MJatUM · Post by **MJatUM** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:29 am

What's the old saying? Fake a pass to make a pass?

natwam2547 · Post by **natwam2547** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:50 am

I think the minority thought the team would be 3-0 right now. We all hoped that this would be the case, but we have to be pleased with where the team is right now. My major concerns are always the FT's and the TO's. Their offense has always seemed risk/reward so I guess the TO's will come in bunches at times.

I think they have a very nice mix of talent right now. Each player adds their own dimension to the team. If Sampson stays healthy the rest of the way, he will be the x-factor. He's playing his balls off right now, including those clutch FT's at the end of the LSU game.

Regarding attendance, for game 3 against Youngstown State at 1PM on a Sunday, it is what it is. If they aren't above 6,000 consistently for conference home games, then there will be something to gripe about.