Games 5 & 6, 2024-25: Temple & Florida State (11/23,24)

[Juice Stand]

I can't say that I'm optimistic about the results, but I'm looking forward to a weekend of college basketball. I'll be there for the early game watching my second favorite New England team, Vermont, take on Delaware, then grab a meal and get ready for UMass Temple in the evening.

I've seen Temple play twice and they've looked very average. They trailed in both games but never quit, and they have some really nice players. I think his last name is Settle, long athletic kid, terrific player. Jamal Mashburn's son is also on the team, and he can light it up if he gets going. I hope the week of practice and revamped starting lineup makes a difference for our guys.

[JoleonLescottsHair]

So much for the big starting 5 shake up. Muhammed replaces Abdelgawod. That’s the move. Rivera right back in there.

[JoleonLescottsHair]

….glad Muhammed got the nod. Seemed obvious. He makes a significance difference when he is on the floor.

[DanaDingle3]

I don't know what to make of the fact that Diggins hasn't found his footing into the 5th game here.

[JoleonLescottsHair]

^ he's been pretty bad with most points coming after games have been decided. This team is not good. Flat and uninspired. Something is clearly not right. They don’t seem tight.

[DanaDingle3]

It's hard to see what they're even trying to do. Guys are being shuttled in and out so quickly with so many different lineup combinations. No idea what's going on. Weird half.

[devildawg3010]

Jayden is a disruptive force.

[devildawg3010]

That second unit played hard out there.

[Floyd]

I thought the same thing, they don't seem meshed yet at all. No clear leader established yet, that go to guy. I can see the effort, but it's like they're unsure of each other out there. Last year was like that too. It's like they play a little tight, like they don't want to fuck up.
Gotta get past the doubt and just play

[JoleonLescottsHair]

Jayden and Nate playing hard. DSH and Muhammed look solid. Not much else. Since we are still apparently in the “learning about the team” phase of the season, I sit Diggins the second half. He seems completely checked out. Has this season. I wonder if his off season request to get time at the point has messed with him? He looks completely disinterested. Rivera sits, too. Let Nate and Curry get the touches.

[DanaDingle3]

Seriously get Guerengomba and Njidgue in for Rivera and Diggins !!

[JoleonLescottsHair]

We’re not good and, quite honestly, Frank’s coaching has left a lot to be desired this season. That has never been my concern before but there are weird line ups, head scratcher substitutions, and poor use of timeouts. When you have a team that doesn't appear to play well together and the coaching is unable to correct….

* good to see us finally burn a timeout down 13 with 2:30 to go.

[Quann]

UMass football and basketball fandom is just continuous unending pain. Fuck.

[Floyd]

Feel like I had a root canal & colonoscopy in the same day today. WTF

[Jackson96]

I’m usually fairly measured in my thoughts, but this team stinks. I don’t know one thing they do well.