2020-21 Season

[gr8won]

TB started following Frederick Scott from Rider. Scott also following some Umass connections. 6’8” 230

[DoctorJ]

TB started following Frederick Scott from Rider. Scott also following some Umass connections. 6’8” 230

He did terribly against us last year but he is good. Had nice games against Temple, Vermont... was okay again Arizona State and Wisconsin. Logged big minutes. Only fouled out twice, at the end of the season. Can hit the threes at the buzzer. This would be a good get for one year to back up Tre and play along side of him.

I won't be surprised if he is the guy.

Nice detective work!!!!!!!!!

[DoctorJ]

Looks like 7 winnable games so far. Looking forward to seeing the field for Jamaica.

[Jackson96]

TB started following Frederick Scott from Rider. Scott also following some Umass connections. 6’8” 230

Who are these UMass connections he is following? I looked at his Twitter account because well I’m bored and weird and the dude follows 19 people and not of them are UMass-related. I’m wondering if I am missing something or have the wrong Mr Pickford altogether (that is a dazed and confused reference - I know the player is named Scott)...

[NilesGold]

^ I think Scott was following TB for a short period of time, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. FWIW Scott seems to be more of a stretch 4 type, not a center or post player. If UMass is still looking at non-centers (also reportedly contacted GT Dimencio Vaughn) it could indicate that there's still a possibility that we lose another player.

[TheInsider]

A GT with a bigger body that can rebound and defend doesn't need to be a "True Center".

[Worcester_To_Amherst]

I’m really hoping the season goes on as planned because I think we’re right in the mix for the #2 team in the league (I think Richmond is #1 until someone else proves otherwise).

Richmond seems a clear #1, and to me SLU is a clear #2. SLU returns everybody, gets a great shooter coming off injury year and has frosh talent coming in. Bona and Duquesne also return everyone, so there's your top 4 preseason picks. I see UMass, Davidson, and perennials Dayton and VCU as the next 4. We're returning a lot. Tre alone is a lot, and I think we all feel there'll be much more to next year's team. But we're returning freshman becoming sophomores and the others are all returning 5 older staters. Of course it's way too early to tell. Perhaps the unbalanced schedule will matter., e.g. we got Fordham and St. Joe only once last season, so maybe twice next year?

I would argue we're right there with St Louis and Duq since we were evenly matched with them both last year. I'm not sure what either of those teams are bringing in for new guys, but I'd say the 3 of us are neck-in-neck. I kind forget about Bona (I feel like that's happened a lot over the years) but I would agree that they are ahead of us for now. They return everyone and were clearly much better than us last year, although we played them when we were reeling and they were playing great.

Bottom line, I think we'll be competing (I'll revise) for a top 4 seed.

[DoctorJ]

Is Vaughn a PG or SG or combo?

[NilesGold]

^ Vaughn is a wing, good rebounder & strong/big enough to guard most forwards.

[NilesGold]

A GT with a bigger body that can rebound and defend doesn't need to be a "True Center".

I can't speak to how good of an overall defender Scott is, but his 5.2 rpg and 0.3 bpg aren't what I'd ideally be looking for to shore up UMass' depth behind Tre.

[DoctorJ]

I thought he sounded pretty good. Maybe not optimal but he is no rookie.

[DoctorJ]

^ Vaughn is a wing, good rebounder & strong/big enough to guard most forwards.

How's his ball handling? I saw he had nine assists in one game.

[NilesGold]

^ Vaughn is a wing, good rebounder & strong/big enough to guard most forwards.

How's his ball handling? I saw he had nine assists in one game.

No idea, looks like he averaged 1.9 apg, with 4 assists being his 2nd highest amount in a game. Averaged 2.2 TO pg.

[DoctorJ]

Very curious that we'd be going for a wing right now, unless someone is leaving.

[69MG]

^ I agree. I think we need someone bigger than can defend the post when they back up Tre. Mark Gasperini fits that mold but I'm not enamored with him. There are other grad transfer bigs available, but I would probably prefer a freshman.