Game 18, 2018-19: at VCU (1/19)

[Slapthefloor93]

Thought I’d start this up now. I’m expecting our season to get worse before it gets better with yet another gutsy loss a la the Dayton and SLU games, but where there is breath there is hope.

VCU is the best all-around team in the A10, but they’re far from unbeatable. Their biggest strength is on the defensive side of the ball (particularly with their lengthy/athletic guards), and their biggest weakness is perimeter shooting. They are a complete team that shares the rock and don’t really have one particular “go-to” guy like we do (although pg Marcus Evans is most likely to take over a given game).

I think the key to the game will be to get Holloway going down low to give our shooters some space to breathe. On the other end, we need to play strong interior D and force them to shoot from the outside. If they are able to have their way with us in the lane it could be a long game.

[natwam2547]

I think we play hard and get beat by a better team, in a hard place to play. 75-67.

[PreecherJenkins]

think this one will be like the valentines day beating of 2012.

VCU 79
UMCALLS: 58

[minutefanjsf]

They will win this game. This game will be a coming out party for a UMass player. I got this weird vibe/feeling. We are due for something like this. It has been too long.

[Floyd]

Im with ya minutefanjsf. Its time

[Worcester_To_Amherst]

I'm going with..... play a good hard game but lose a close one on the road to one of the better teams in the league. Now if only they can translate that type of play to home games against lesser teams.....

[Berkman]

Vegas has us a 10 point underdog.

[JoleonLescottsHair]

Another good article from Walfish. His stuff is always thoughtful. He reminds me of Tom Kertes from years ago. This piece puts our struggles in a useful context, and the quotes from Pierre perhaps provide a bit of a counter to the whole "McCall has lost the team" theory casually tossed around here. Pretty good chance we lose today and this has been a very dissapointing season. No doubt. But the thin line can swing quickly and I'm pretty sure McCall is ALWAYS working and thinking and that usually results in success at some point.

https://www.gazettenet.com/UMass-visits ... s-22879252

[Floyd]

One thing we lead the league in is games on tv where the previous game goes into OT.

[UMassHoops]

Solid start defensively, team is really competing. We have to figure it out offensively but if we take care of the basketball we have a puncher's chance to win this game.

[sssnnnlll]

Gotta love the defensive effort so far. Wish the officials would put their whistles away for a few possessions.

[Juice Stand]

Unable to watch and just checked out the live stats feed. Am I reading this correctly: VCU has 17 free throws attempted already? What's the deal?

[Floyd]

Guys are showing a lot of grit and toughness. Love it

[inthescoop]

MVP of the 1st half: Unique McLean.

[Floyd]

^Unique can change things when he rebounds and makes a highlight reel play. Kid is tough