Game 12, 2025-26: Kent State (12/20)

[69MG]

I don't know how ESPN came up with this prediction, but I'll take it. Nolan has us winning 74-72.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... tate-umass

[tdmass]

Wouldn't rely on that ESPN conundrum, they had us losing to FSU by 22%

[69MG]

^ I agree. But I will say that if we hold them to 72, as Nolan shows, we should win. I think we can score more than 72 on them.

[tdmass]

Yeah, I agree!

[Berkman]

The Florida game is the best they played this season. Looks like the team is coming together.

[philosopher]

^ Happy Chanukah to you and to everyone here!

^^!

[JoleonLescottsHair]

The Florida game is the best they played this season. Looks like the team is coming together.

Minutemen played a good game and it was a satisfying win. But after just getting smoked by Dayton, the Noles now have three 30 point losses this season. Our win seems a little less impressive than it initially felt.

[Floyd]

Seems like we haven't played in a month. I need more UMass hoops!

[bobolink]

Kent State has a star in Gillespie, currently second in the MAC in scoring (19.4/game), first in rebounds (11.9/game), and first in blocks (2/game). The 6'8" phenom starts at the 5 for them. I have no idea how UMass can handle him. Their other starting big is Whaley, with the unusual listing of 6'7", 289 lbs! He left their last game with an apparent knee issue. Other starters have been Safford (6'4" senior), Medley (5'11"), and Williamson (6'1"). Medley tops the MAC in assists (6.4/game), and Williamson is 46.3% on 3s. Their 6th man has been Woidke (6' freshman), shooting 48% on 3s.
They play very fast and shoot a lot of 3s. I wouldn't bet on this one. Either team can get hot and score explosively.

[e_parade]

Wouldn't rely on that ESPN conundrum, they had us losing to FSU by 22%

Based on this one data point, I will extrapolated that we'll win by 20 instead of 2.

This is good science. Please don't check the science.

[MikeUMA]

It's sad you make comments, which show you have no idea of waving the flag represents.

Imagine being such an absolute tool that you embrace the deep MACtion tradition of flying the fucking flag to the point that you lecture hardcore UMass fans about their knowledge of a shitty conference. Yes, what it “represents.” What is represents. Honor, tradition. Get out of here. You mentioned sad? The over the top prediction bit has faded. Now you’re just kind of being an ass.

Throttle back. There's no need to be so rude about it.

[MikeUMA]

Let's take a look at Kent State...

Interesting that Kent State also dropped their home game in the SBC Challenge. Theirs was 103-97 to Troy (current NET 142).

Kent lost their last one, in a long road trip, at Portland this past Sunday, 88-78.
https://kentstatesports.com/news/2025/1 ... o-portland

Similar to us, they've had a home-heavy schedule so far. Portland was their only true away game, and they're 2-0 in neutral site.

In Quad 3 games, they're 4-2. 3-0 against Q4. 2-0 against the D-3s.
We are 3-1 vs Q3, 5-2 against Q4.

[69MG]

Flex pack voucher offer for $12.00.

https://umasstix.evenue.net/events/MBFFP

[69MG]

I'll expand a little on what bobolink gave us about 4 posts ago. He covered most of it. They have 2 guys with some serious injury history.

Safford, their 6'4 guard, played only 8 games last year due to hip surgery. He's played in 10 out of their 11 games this year averaging 16 points and 5.6 boards. He takes 6 threes a game and hits at 41%.

Whaley, as bobolink said, is huge at 6'7, 289. I looked at some tape and he is pretty athletic for a guy his size. He spent 3 years at UNLV, redshirting in 2022-2023 from back surgery. He recovered well enough to play in 34 games on 2023-2024, but then only played in 2 games in 2024-2025. He's been in all 11 games this year, but went out early last game per bobolink. He averages 10.5 and 3.5 boards. Most of his game is close to the hoop.

Gillespie and Whaley handle the inside and the other 3 guys, Safford, Medley and Williamson are all over 40% from three. They play at one of the fastest paces in the NCAA and take almost 30 threes a game. They are not the tallest team we'll face with their 2 bigs at 6'8 and 6'7.

Off the bench, they play 3 guys the most. Woidke, 18 minutes, 9.1 points and 48 of his 62 shots have been threes. He's 23/48 so he needs to be watched. Griffith, 6'8, 16 minutes, 5.5 points and Entenmann, 6'9 who gets 14 minutes (5 points 3.2 boards).

The over on this game is 168.5 which is insane!

[SignMan]

^ I never follow "over." Does it have to do with rebounds or blocked shots?
I know a little about cricket Overs, but I seriously doubt any Poster here could understand that.

Everybody enjoy great over holidays.

Hoping to watch the game this afternoon.

SM