Game 27, 2014-15: at VCU

[KahunaK]

FYI- Called VCU for a block of game tickets and was told that there are only single tickets left. If students do not pick up their tickets some may come available the week before the game. So if you are thinking of going, get your tix asap.

[Marshmont_63]

Awful news to hear. Very reminiscent of Jesse Morgan going down in the SLU game a few years ago. Best of luck in the recovery process, Briante!
http://m.espn.go.com/ncb/story?storyId= ... rc=desktop

[Chris20]

Big, big blow to their defense. Might actually help them on offense, though. They have young guys behind Weber with better tools on that end. Can't replace what he does defensively though. Our game just got easier.

[MassModestMouse]

12 steals away from the record, damn. Gotta feel for the kid.

[uz2b-len]

That's a terrible shame.

[Refuse2Lose83]

Gotta feel for the kid, but as I said in the other thread, they'll still be a very good team, but I don't think they go real deep in March anymore.

[uz2b-len]

It's not just losing their best player. It's also having to readjust or even reinvent their whole playing style. As we have seen this year that can be a long haul even when you'll get started before the season. I'll be curious to see how the great Shaka Smart rises to the occasion.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Can't wait to get down there and see us play in that gym again. Other than that stupid "national ranking" banner, it's a fantastic atmosphere.

[fenway617]

I really... REALLY hope they work on getting the ball in bounds from under the basket this week or else this game might get ugly. Far weaker teams than VCU game UMass fits with their press.


Also this game comes exactly one year from the VCU @ Umass game in 2014.

[Calmass9]

Also this game comes exactly one year from the VCU @ Umass game in 2014.

Best atmosphere I've ever been a part of at the Mullins. Incredible night and one of Chaz's finest performances in a UMass uniform and probably the most memorable one for me. Not sure if it gets talked about often because his stat line was only about a B for Chaz standards, but that dude poured his heart and soul into that game and was visibily exhausted after. His mother and daughter were there and all 3 shared a very tearful, joyous hug after the game. Pretty special moment that I was about 10 feet away from. Bars were slammed by 10pm and the students were shocked at the amount of alumni that stayed in the area that night after the game. Probably the most fun alumni experience I've had in the 3+ years since graduating.

As for this game, I'd be pretty surprised if we pulled this one out and it's going to take a whale of an effort to get a W down there. Just a really hard place to win on the road.

[MikeEsq]

VCU ranked 25th in this week's AP poll. We need this one. Getting it would be HUGE on our resume. Whatever happens, I think Trey Davis is going to have the game of his season. I think he knows he has a lot to prove from the last time he was there, and he's a completely different player now at peak confidence. BBD FTW!

[NilesGold]

UMass beat VCU last year without making a 3pt shot. I'm pretty sure VCU doesn't play any zone defense. VCU attempts a lot of 3's, 2nd in the league at 24 3PA a game (3rd team isn't even close) and makes a mediocre 34% of them. VCU defends the 3pt line really well, but are not big or deep inside. I actually really like this matchup for UMass, the biggest problem is that the game is @ VCU.

[Uminuteman]

^
34% from 3 is the same as 50% from 2. At that volume of shots taken it adds up to a lot of points.

[Chris20]

I like the matchup in the half court. The question is how we deal with the press. Even without Weber, they have long and fast athletes, and they usually get away with a lot at home.

Last year we had Sampson Carter as an extra ball handler with size, and obviously Chaz. This year I have some concerns.....If they trap Trey/Jabari with the ball and deny the other guard, who are we passing to? Maxie is a turnover machine when he dribbles more than once, and I don't have a lot of confidence in DG, Dyson, etc. against extreme pressure. I think Clark might be a key factor.

One thing that does give me some optimism is Trey's performance last year against them. He was excellent as I recall.

[MJatUM]

I like the matchup in the half court. The question is how we deal with the press. Even without Weber, they have long and fast athletes, and they usually get away with a lot at home.

This is my biggest fear... It seems like a lot seems to go uncalled in terms of "hands on" defense at VCU. We were hand checked to death there 2 seasons ago and that was supposed to be a point of emphasis that season.

We're going to need somebody unlikely to step up and help get the ball across half court. I, like Chris above, actually like our matchups in this game.. Particularly Cady in the half court.