State of the program

[rayers]

I feel bad for Pip because someday he will regret the things he said in the interview and will realize it was immature and vindictive. I feel worse for McCall because I am afraid he was not ready to run a program like UMass and for him to recover from all this will require intense self reflection and openness to change/growth. He is obviously short some important interpersonal and people management and leadership skills.

[TheOFFSeason]

What a clown. Says he decided to transfer before the 2017 season was even done. Yet wonders why other players didn't consider him a leader lol. And some people question if he checked out last year...

Exactly this, Pipkins comes off like an absolute fuckin moron in this interview and LOL to all the Pip Truthers who continued to say “he would never check out on his team, ultimate competitor, 110%, all hustle, not in his DNA to quit”....turns out he mentally checked out at the end of last season, was going thru the motions this season, his “only” good memory was scoring 44 points in a game and he “doesn’t give a damn about the future for UMass” oh and he’s a real tough guy from the streets who doesn’t have time for 12 year old fans on Snapchat “sending him shit after every loss”. Absolute clown, best of luck being the 8th man on a halfway decent Big East team. What a joke

I’ve known Eddie Cooley a long time and I would love to see his reaction to this podcast

[JoleonLescottsHair]

...will require intense self reflection and openness to change/growth.

The good news is that McCall seems to be doing just this.

[Kelz626]

What a clown. Says he decided to transfer before the 2017 season was even done. Yet wonders why other players didn't consider him a leader lol. And some people question if he checked out last year...

Exactly this, Pipkins comes off like an absolute fuckin moron in this interview and LOL to all the Pip Truthers who continued to say “he would never check out on his team, ultimate competitor, 110%, all hustle, not in his DNA to quit”....turns out he mentally checked out at the end of last season, was going thru the motions this season, his “only” good memory was scoring 44 points in a game and he “doesn’t give a damn about the future for UMass” oh and he’s a real tough guy from the streets who doesn’t have time for 12 year old fans on Snapchat “sending him shit after every loss”. Absolute clown, best of luck being the 8th man on a halfway decent Big East team. What a joke

I’ve known Eddie Cooley a long time and I would love to see his reaction to this podcast

OFFSeason, do you happen to have an insight on how Pipkins and Pierre were as far as their chemistry? I noticed when the podcast host mentioned “we talked with Carl Pierre, who’s decided to stay” Pipkins snickered almost sarcastically, wasn’t sure if that was because he didn’t get along with Pierre, or laughing at the idea of staying

[McKinney]

OFFSeason, do you happen to have an insight on how Pipkins and Pierre were as far as their chemistry? I noticed when the podcast host mentioned “we talked with Carl Pierre, who’s decided to stay” Pipkins snickered almost sarcastically, wasn’t sure if that was because he didn’t get along with Pierre, or laughing at the idea of staying

In Pierre's interview, he said that Pipkins was his dude. Pierre seemed to think he was really connected with Pipkins. That the fed off each other.

I interpreted Pipkins chuckle as laughing at staying. But maybe Pipkins thinks he's hot shit and too good for UMass and Carl Pierre. IDK.

My impression of Pipkins has done a complete 180 after this interview. Good riddance.

[SJGMoney]

What a clown. Says he decided to transfer before the 2017 season was even done. Yet wonders why other players didn't consider him a leader lol. And some people question if he checked out last year...

I only listened to pieces. Was he saying the 2017-2018 season or DKs last season?

He said he made up his mind during the 2017-18 season that he would graduate and transfer. He's not smart enough to know that his role under DK was the best way to use his very limited skills, he thinks he's Kyrie.

[fenway617]

Remember back in his 2nd year here some people here were saying Pipkins was better than Chaz Williams.

Turns out he he was just a just a small fish in a big pond.

[UMassHoops]

What a clown. Says he decided to transfer before the 2017 season was even done. Yet wonders why other players didn't consider him a leader lol. And some people question if he checked out last year...

Exactly this, Pipkins comes off like an absolute fuckin moron in this interview and LOL to all the Pip Truthers who continued to say “he would never check out on his team, ultimate competitor, 110%, all hustle, not in his DNA to quit”....turns out he mentally checked out at the end of last season, was going thru the motions this season, his “only” good memory was scoring 44 points in a game and he “doesn’t give a damn about the future for UMass” oh and he’s a real tough guy from the streets who doesn’t have time for 12 year old fans on Snapchat “sending him shit after every loss”. Absolute clown, best of luck being the 8th man on a halfway decent Big East team. What a joke

Fair enough if you called it early kudos for the insight. I'll admit I was one that thought Pip was that guy - competitor, all heart etc. And my logic was if he wasn't that guy MM wouldn't be playing him so much. Personally I couldn't compute the idea that you had this malcontent cancer on the team and yet you project him as your starting PG. This is the thing that concerns me most and I hope MM has done some serious introspection on how he has handled the team. Some of the board posters seemed to have known more about Pip's lousy attitude at least a year ago and yet MM did nothing.

Pip is not even a footnote in the history of UMass, good riddance. He's not a Kyrie, he's not even a Carl Smith (who was a heck of a baller). Pip has flushed any legacy. But MM is our coach -- that's who we have to live with, and he better bring his A game this year, it's only his career on the line.

Edit: And I nope for Carl Pierre's sake he can separate his affection for Pip (his guy) but also realizes that Pip's attitude is that of a complete loser. I have a lot of friends that I like, but wouldn't be caught dead with their self destructive attitude. I think Carl is way better than that and a winner.

[bunkerhill87]

thank you Tom Mclaughlin for all your well thought posts through out the year. We have have had a tough stretch as fans. All i wanted was the program to have stability with a long tenured coach. Hoped DK was the guy for a lot of reasons but I fully support what Mcall is trying to establish. High Character guys who play with passion and for the team. That may be trying to find a unicorn but if you can build the culture and a strong foundation of integrity Umass will be a destination for players. Sad to here about Pipkins. I fear many players have a false sense of their abilities to play at level beyond college and for most the apex is college. This program will take a few years to get back from the chaos that has plagued it the past couple of years. I will always support the team no matter.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Remember back in his 2nd year here some people here were saying Pipkins was better than Chaz Williams.

Turns out he he was just a just a small fish in a big pond.

[Butterfield76]

I, too, want to thank Tom McLaughlin for the wisdom, candor, and tireless support of UMass BB that he shares. It is always a pleasure to get a chance to peek behind the curtain and get an insiders view of things. Go UMass.

[MajBugman]

Pipgate adds even more perspective to the Dayton post game press conference.

[JoleonLescottsHair]

Pipgate adds even more perspective to the Dayton post game press conference.

What happened or was said at the press conference? It was certainly the last game where he played halfway decent.

[uz2b-len]

You probably can go to the UMass mens basketball facebook page and find the video. I might try that tonight after work.

[MJatUM]

What a damn shame. Went from having a chance to be potentially one of the best to ever play here to a footnote in a losing season. Went from fan favorite to a complete dog. Listening to Carl Pierre's interview a couple of months before Pips was like 2 different sides of the coin. Unless CP was just blowing smoke - it sounds like he really gets it.

I almost burst out laughing when Pip was talking about guys not getting their promises met, and Carl Pierre saying Coach McCall never promised him anything - told him there was a lot of playing time available and that if he worked hard he could earn it - and he did. Would not be surprised if certain assistants told certain players certain things and now the only thing certain is they're all gone.