UMass transfer portal news - 2024

[Juice Stand]

I think we can replace most of that scoring loss. Curry, Ndjigue, and DHS could all improve their scoring output by 3 or 4 ppg, Big Lew and Nate G could add a combined 10, the three (or four?) transfers could combine to add another 12, and Marqui and Foster pick up some slack as well, so that would be 30-40 points replacing what we lost last year. If we don't see that kind of output from everyone, I don't think it matters too much since this looks to be a better defensive team, at least on paper. If our team defense improves significantly, then we won't need to replace all that scoring.

[stevemaz]

Rivera will be among our top 3 scorers and in double digits.

[Jackson96]

I don’t necessarily think it’s the amount of points we are replacing, but the kind of points. Cross and Cohen were the primary focus of the offense and when you look at their shooting % and amount of trips to the free throw line they took, they were the reason for any type of efficiency that we had. Thompson — even though he couldn’t shoot from deep — also helped in this regard by not really ever trying to do too much and being pretty good at finishing inside.

Cross and Cohen (well Cross in particular) also got us a lot of second chances with his effort level on the offensive glass. Cross was such an agitator.

The other piece is even with Cross and Cohen, the team struggled on offense down the stretch. We didn’t reach 70 points in our last 5 games.

To say we can replace those points through piecemeal doesn’t really work I don’t think. A couple of dudes are really going to have to step up (certainly possible) and we are going to need to figure out a way to be somewhat efficient.

Defensively I think we should be better given what we’ve added in the frontcourt. Yes we lost Thompson who was pretty good at guard, but hoping the other guards get better with a year under their belts (talking Curry and Worthy).

[TheInsider]

Right.. we lost two first team all A10 guys that were the focus of our offense. Change happens every year. It will just be interesting to see how it plays out.

[vanmeter]

In one of the most ridiculous - ever- NIL Payment, Great Osobor just got $2,000,000 NIL to play ay Washington. While he had a good junior year at Utak State, his first 2 years at Montana State he averaged 6 and 10 points. This is a absolute total joke for an average player like him. I am getting sick and tired of the NIL stuff. The NCAA should have some balls and try to find a way to limit this foolishness. When a limited player like Osobor can get 2,000,000, better players will be looking for 3,000,000.

[stevemaz]

In one of the most ridiculous - ever- NIL Payment, Great Osobor just got $2,000,000 NIL to play ay Washington. While he had a good junior year at Utak State, his first 2 years at Montana State he averaged 6 and 10 points. This is a absolute total joke for an average player like him. I am getting sick and tired of the NIL stuff. The NCAA should have some balls and try to find a way to limit this foolishness. When a limited player like Osobor can get 2,000,000, better players will be looking for 3,000,000.

This isnt what the supreme court had in mind where we now have legalized booster cash handouts.

[Juice Stand]

^ A little while back in a different thread, I wondered who is going to be held accountable for these deals. At some point soon, people are going to have major buyer's remorse when they pay that kind of money for an average to slightly above average player and their team is battling it out for 6th or 7th place in conference and looking at maybe getting into the NIT. Some people like to throw around their money, but most like to see some kind of return on their investment. I assume in this scenario it would be putting up huge numbers and winning. Who do the big money donors and fans hold responsible for failed signings, because there will be plenty of them.

[nv73]

Or how about when much better players on that team receive significantly less? Think there’ll be any discord in the locker room?

[Plano Minuteman]

^

That's a good point. Team dynamics will definitely be modified. Also, along with the money there is definitely going to be some increased pressure/scrutiny from fans as a result of these deals.

I've seen Great Osobor play a few times in person, he's a good player, better footwork than you'd expect. He's a marginal pro at best, though, so this is likely the most $ he'll ever receive playing basketball. Per sports reference, he had 5.7 win shares last year. Zach Edey was near the all-time win shares record last year with 10.5 WS, so Edey was worth nearly 4 million last year, according to the new economics.

I can see why a Jeff Linder wanted to get out of coaching (left Wyoming HC job for assistant at Texas Tech). Gotta be a GM as well well as a recruiter and a teacher now.

Good article in SI back in the Fall about a Michigan RB with a sweet NIL deal who treated his OLine well, took 'em out to dinner and all that. The irony was that all his linemen were likely NFL pros, while he was a marginal one.

[Floyd]

Like I said before, I think next year's team plays more uptempo. Better athletes, guys who can get out, run, and make things happen. I don't picture the feed the post offense as much, seems too stagnant for this group of seemingly athletic kids. Bench looks deep with what looks like decent talent. Should be able to score points but it might be more spread out than last year

[DoctorJ]

I expect a totally different offense next year. Probably more of a run and gun and press, if we can press better than we did under MM.

[minutefanjsf]

I expect a totally different offense next year. Probably more of a run and gun and press, if we can press better than we did under MM.

Frank always runs his offense through the post.

[DoctorJ]

Ok, I've only been watching frank for two years.

[devildawg3010]

Anyone think Tyler Mason will be back?

[DoctorJ]

I think he already transferred, no? Was he just testing the waters?