Game 32, 2018-19: vs GW (3/13, A10 First Round)

[MikeUMA]

UM (13) vs GW (12) on Wednesday, 1:00 PM at Barclays. No traditional TV. Streaming on ESPN+

In the regular season meeting a few weeks back, we had a 14-12 lead in the first, then gave up one of our runs, this one 18-4, to make it 30-18. We never got closer than 8 the rest of the way.

Our defense had one of those nights where we allow season highs. GW was last in the league in scoring at that time, but against us they hit .667 from the floor in the first, and .551 for the game.

Pip came back from the hamstring injury after sitting out the previous three. He came off the bench, played 28, and scored 13 on 5-14 shooting. Pierre led with 14, on 4-10 shooting. Holloway only got 12 minutes of PT.

https://umassathletics.com/news/2019/2/ ... tball.aspx

Pretty much impossible to predict what we're going to get on Wednesday.
Which versions of Pip and Holloway will show up?
Who besides Pierre will carry some of the scoring?
Do we feel like playing defense?

Law of averages says GW won't shoot as well as they did in our last game. But if we deliver a similar performance like we did at the Smith Center, or Saturday's first half at Rhody, Wednesday night will begin our off-season.

[capezona]

Do we feel like playing defense?

Great way to say it.

[uz2b-len]

I believe this was one of the games where McCall sent in some subs for no apparent reason and GW went on their run.

[69MG]

I don't want to sound like the "coachspeak" broken record, but we are more talented than GW. Play harder and play smarter and we should win. I'm putting this game on Rashaan. There is no way GW can stop him without double or triple teaming him. If they do, he has to find the open man and make the right play. And as Mike said, do we feel like playing defense?

[Rudy]

Bumped. Just because there is no way this should be the 7th topic (9th with stickies). And only about three posts.

I know its a down year but geeesh. Lets win a couple games and dream a little. Its Tourney time.

[capezona]

^ That's right! We still have a chance for the big dance!

[UMassHoops]

The most positive thing I can imagine is that our team that has underachieved and seems to play hard whenever it feels like it might be one of those teams that goes on an inexplicable tournament run because they finally play hard for several straight games once it's playoff time. Sort of like Playoff Rondo or Playoff Al step up the intensity, do we get Playoff Pip or Playoff Holloway carrying us to victories?

Crazier things have happened...

[Juice Stand]

I posted in the Luwane Pipkins thread that I think I heard McCall say that Pip won't play at all in Brooklyn, so it appears that we won't see some end-of-career heroics from him. If someone heard that differently or can correct me, please do.

[UMassHoops]

I posted in the Luwane Pipkins thread that I think I heard McCall say that Pip won't play at all in Brooklyn, so it appears that we won't see some end-of-career heroics from him. If someone heard that differently or can correct me, please do.

That's really odd unless he reinjured himself....

[69MG]

UMass Bill
‏@UMass_Bill
Follow Follow @UMass_Bill
More
Replying to @CurryHicksSage
Coach said Pip has to get hamstring healed so he can move on. Having trouble moving. Also said Cobb has chipped bone and I think Diallo done for season too. I will miss Pip. Wish he was staying.

I liked our chances on Wed. and Thursday if we had LP and Diallo. We can still win, but we can't have off days from any of our key remaining players.

[JoleonLescottsHair]

It's hard for me to say this, but Pipkins sitting out probably helps our chances. They just play better without him this year.

[78]

Diallo recently had surgery on his knee to relieve pain...

[inthescoop]

Waited all year for the A-10 tournament in Brooklyn only for UMass to have 1pm and 230pm games..... FUCKKKKKKKK.

Is anyone here actually going?

[Floyd]

Ah.....no

[69MG]

So many questions to be answered in this game. First, with 4 guys out (LP. Diallo, Cobb, KTM) we now have a 9 man rotation. That's probably a good thing.

1. How are we going to score 70 points or more? I think we need 50+ from Holloway, Pierre and Laurent. That means one of them has to go off for 20+
and the other 2 have to give us 30. Then, can we scrape 20+ from Baptiste, Clergeot, Chatman, McLean, Wood and Hayward?

2. Can Tre give us the kind of PG play that most of us feel he is capable of? We've seen him do it in a few games, but not many. They don't have anyone who can stop Holloway so can Tre find a way to get him the ball in the right spots?

3. Will we show up? I was at the Richmond game and that's the hardest I have seen us play on D and on the boards all year. Why, why, why?

4. Will LP be with the team as a cheerleader or does he stay home? He can add value if he's on the bench pumping guys up. If he's not into it he shouldn't make the trip.