Game 10, 2016-17: NC A&T (12/13)

[UMassHoops]

It is true I haven't played a video game since about Madden 2006!

[MikeUMA]

This Gotham Classic really is a heap of shit.

I don't know who should be more pissed about their slate of games.
UM - for having to play 4 RPI killers
Schools like NC A&T, KSW, and Rider, who each have to travel to Stockton CA to play Pacific.

The Gazelle Group should bury this event for good after this year's offering.

[MikeUMA]

NC A&T hasn't played since getting thrashed 107-53 at Notre Dame on December 4th.

Their finals period was the 5th - 9th.

[69MG]

It is true I haven't played a video game since about Madden 2006!

The last one I played was "Pong" (not really). I'm betting 50% of the viewing audience doesn't know what it is.

[mlaconte459]

We dominate and Miller scores 10+

[MikeUMA]

Along with what LS71 mentioned in post #1...

NC A&T was picked to finish 7th in the 13-member MEAC this season. Sam Hunt was named to the league's First Team. Hunt's 13.6 ppg currently rank 14th-best in the league. He also makes 2.8 threes per game.

Davaris McGowens is 4th in the league in rebounding (7.4 rpg), and 5th in FG% (.536).

[ScottieB]

In 2016 with vaporizers, leaving the bong behind is a non-issue. Not that I have any personal experience...

[LS71]

^ Vaporizers? We didn't need no stinkin' vaporizers. The walk to the Cage was a reason to go when I was there...

Of course it didn't hurt that Julius was there for three of my four years at UMass.

[ScottieB]

Again, not that I know this from experience, but the best thing about the vaporizer is its distinct LACK of stink.

[PJ2015]

Have 4 free tickets for anyone that promises to use them. They're parquet pass tickets so I can text them to you.

DM if you want em.

[bunkerhill87]

the lack of students at any of these games is a super concern. How hard is it to budget 2-2-1/2 hrs of their time to support Umass athletics.
This team is young, enthusiastic, and at times fun to watch. This is a part of the college experience. Im in St bona territory a school of less than 2000 students puts much of the A10 to shame. Not a lot going on there to compete with but its absolutely absurd that we cannot get 1000 kids to turn out. these Mid December games are tough but come on. its Free!!!

[UMassHoops]

It's not something that should be a chore or civic duty. College basketball games are fun! Amherst is a cool place but it has limited "big events" compared to being near a big city. UMass basketball can become a must see event in the community. Something that brings pride to UMass students and the local residents. Someone had mentioned San Diego State attendance in another thread and I lived briefly in San Diego and there is a lot to do, the weather is perfect during basketball season, and yet they are selling out games. I googled a bit to try and see why. One key factor was winning, they have strung together 20+ winning seasons under Steve Fischer that have brought pride and excitement to the program. I think we are on the cusp of a run like that and naturally the fan base will begin to return. But will it transform to somewhat increased attendance or will it become "the show" where students and local residents begin to plan their day around the games?

Some tidbits: they have a student group that dresses up in crazy ways dubbed "the show" which brings some cool character and identity. Fischer describes in his first year visiting 75 groups at coffee houses, fraternities, student groups etc to promote the team.

It takes time to build a culture but we have a head start-- relatively recent success (people still remember our great run), foundational recruiting class, great facilities. But now is the time for the the AD, coach and staff to really take effort to the next level and embed UMass basketball as the go to event in western Mass. I know there are some that think it can never happen, but if students are giving up sun and surf because basketball is awesome and so is the Aztec experience, it can happen at UMass too.

http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscen ... ?sid=76210
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... oneil_dana

[MikeUMA]

the lack of students at any of these games is a super concern. How hard is it to budget 2-2-1/2 hrs of their time to support Umass athletics.
This team is young, enthusiastic, and at times fun to watch. This is a part of the college experience. Im in St bona territory a school of less than 2000 students puts much of the A10 to shame. Not a lot going on there to compete with but its absolutely absurd that we cannot get 1000 kids to turn out. these Mid December games are tough but come on. its Free!!!

Normally I'd agree, but these Gotham games are absolute stinkers. Plus, finals start later this week. If you're actually going to study, now's the time

[69MG]

NC A&T might be the only team in the country that is worse than us in all 3 of these categories:

FG% .405
3 point % .268
Free Throw % .576

We are: .427, .301, .617

[CapeCodBruiser]

I had an idea where every user on UMass Hoops would have a "Mullins Center attendance degree of difficulty" number next to their user name. The number would be derived by adding the number of miles you live from the Mullins Center then adding 10 points of difficulty for things such as being married, number of children under 21 years old, confined to wheelchair, work a full time job, over 65 years old, etc. So for me my user name would be Cape Cod Bruiser 85 (i am 45 miles from Mullins Center and have four 10 point additions currently). For a UMass Student living on campus most would be something like Hipster Fan 0 (0 miles and 0 10 point additions). There would be a special 500 point addition of difficulty allowed if you are currently serving prison time in a county, state or federal pen.