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Considering that UMass is the fourth-winningest team in college basketball the last five years, Coach Cal's speeches are viewed with skepticism. | Considering that UMass is the fourth-winningest team in college basketball the last five years, Coach Cal's speeches are viewed with skepticism. | ||
- | "If you listen to John, you'd think UMass won't win a game this season," | + | "If you listen to John, you'd think UMass won't win a game this season," |
This season, however, Calipari' | This season, however, Calipari' | ||
- | " | + | " |
Since Calipari arrived at UMass eight years ago, every one of his teams has matched or bettered the success of the previous one. That has been due in part to players like Roe, who was the school' | Since Calipari arrived at UMass eight years ago, every one of his teams has matched or bettered the success of the previous one. That has been due in part to players like Roe, who was the school' | ||
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"We want to have football practice. We want them out there diving for loose balls, getting back to the way we've played -- with intensity." | "We want to have football practice. We want them out there diving for loose balls, getting back to the way we've played -- with intensity." | ||
- | That would come in handy against a Kentucky team that is one of the deepest in the nation. The Wildcats are coming off a 96-84 win over scrappy Maryland in the Tip-Off Classic. The Minutemen are 0-3 against Kentucky, with all of the games in the last four years. | + | That would come in handy against a Kentucky team that is one of the deepest in the nation. The Wildcats are coming off a 96-84 win over scrappy |
Among Calipari' | Among Calipari' | ||
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"The main thing is not to hurry. That's what they want. You have to attack it -- if not you're playing right into their hands." | "The main thing is not to hurry. That's what they want. You have to attack it -- if not you're playing right into their hands." | ||
- | Calipari said the Minutemen will not be carried by Marcus Camby, but the 6-foot-10-inch star center must make his presence felt against the Wildcats. | + | Calipari said the Minutemen will not be carried by [[camby_marcus|Marcus Camby]], but the 6-foot-10-inch star center must make his presence felt against the Wildcats. |
"We need him to be more assertive," | "We need him to be more assertive," | ||
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Even if a team returned 12 out of 12 members from a successful squad, it wouldn' | Even if a team returned 12 out of 12 members from a successful squad, it wouldn' | ||
- | "What we're looking for," sighed John Calipari, head basketball coach at Your State U, "is a team personality. We don't know who we are. We've got a lot of good players, but this isn't wrestling, where we're not sure who's going to fill in at the 130-pound class. There is so much involved. It's how we have to shift them around, how we're actually going to play." | + | "What we're looking for," sighed |
Of course, even without playing, Calipari' | Of course, even without playing, Calipari' | ||
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"If I'd have known we'd move up in the polls by not starting until the 28th," he quipped, " | "If I'd have known we'd move up in the polls by not starting until the 28th," he quipped, " | ||
- | It was hours before his team took the floor in Game 1 of a new season against nothing less than the No. 1-ranked team in the country. It was the second season in succession the University of Massachusetts had been placed in that exact scenario, and that's without counting the 1993 squad, which had to wait all the way till the third game of the season before upending No. 1 North Carolina in the semifinals of the preseason NIT. | + | It was hours before his team took the floor in Game 1 of a new season against nothing less than the No. 1-ranked team in the country. It was the second season in succession the University of Massachusetts had been placed in that exact scenario, and that's without counting the 1993 squad, which had to wait all the way till the third game of the season before |
- | In last year's opener, the Minutemen found themselves staring at defending national champion Arkansas, which had every key player returning. Two hours later, UMass had a 104-80 victory and the attention of every college basketball fan in America. | + | In last year's opener, the Minutemen found themselves staring at defending national champion |
- | But the ringleader of that bunch was Lou Roe, and he can be found in the FleetCenter tonight in his new gig as a member of the Detroit Pistons. Roe was more than just a rugged, 6-foot-7-inch inside player who guaranteed the Minutemen X points and X rebounds a night. Lou Roe was a ferocious competitor, and that spirit rubbed off on the team. | + | But the ringleader of that bunch was [[roe_lou|Lou Roe]], and he can be found in the [[wp>TD Garden|FleetCenter]] tonight in his new gig as a member of the Detroit Pistons. Roe was more than just a rugged, 6-foot-7-inch inside player who guaranteed the Minutemen X points and X rebounds a night. Lou Roe was a ferocious competitor, and that spirit rubbed off on the team. |
- | Also missing from the [[season_1994-95|' | + | Also missing from the [[season_1994-95|' |
"The layman would never understand how valuable a player like Kellogg was to us," Calipari explained. "Real basketball fans know. There were many more talented players around, but not many as steady. | "The layman would never understand how valuable a player like Kellogg was to us," Calipari explained. "Real basketball fans know. There were many more talented players around, but not many as steady. | ||
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"When you've got to depend on erratic players," | "When you've got to depend on erratic players," | ||
- | This year Calipari has no true point guard. He's got Edgar Padilla and Carmelo Travieso, each of whom can shoot better than Kellogg, but neither of whom has ever really had to take permanent control of the team. Could either or both survive Kentucky' | + | This year Calipari has no true point guard. He's got [[padilla_edgar|Edgar Padilla]] and [[travieso_carmelo|Carmelo Travieso]], each of whom can shoot better than Kellogg, but neither of whom has ever really had to take permanent control of the team. Could either or both survive Kentucky' |
Speaking of Kentucky, what kind of an opener is this? Where is North Adams State when you need it? What, was [[opponent_aic|AIC]] booked? | Speaking of Kentucky, what kind of an opener is this? Where is North Adams State when you need it? What, was [[opponent_aic|AIC]] booked? | ||
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While the hoop junkies would be in near unanimous agreement that most of Calipari' | While the hoop junkies would be in near unanimous agreement that most of Calipari' | ||
- | In other words, Kentucky would be happy to find a spot for Marcus Camby. | + | In other words, Kentucky would be happy to find a spot for [[camby_marcus|Marcus Camby]]. |
" | " | ||
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From [[http:// | From [[http:// | ||
- | Marcus Camby had 32 points, nine rebounds and five blocks as fifth-ranked Massachusetts toppled number one Kentucky, 92-82, in a Great Eight game at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan. | + | [[camby_marcus|Marcus Camby]] had 32 points, nine rebounds and five blocks as fifth-ranked Massachusetts toppled number one [[opponent_kentucky|Kentucky]], 92-82, in a Great Eight game at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan. |
- | [{{ https:// | + | [{{ :: |
It is the second straight season that the Minutemen (1-0) started their season by defeating the top-ranked team in the country. | It is the second straight season that the Minutemen (1-0) started their season by defeating the top-ranked team in the country. | ||
- | Massachusetts routed Arkansas in the Tip-Off Classic in [[springfield_civic_center|Springfield]], | + | Massachusetts routed |
The Minutemen improved to 3-0 all-time against number one teams and won for the first time in four tries against Kentucky. | The Minutemen improved to 3-0 all-time against number one teams and won for the first time in four tries against Kentucky. | ||
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"The biggest thing I was worried about was would we play the way we always played, which is aggressive, go after the jugular and play with emotion. We did today." | "The biggest thing I was worried about was would we play the way we always played, which is aggressive, go after the jugular and play with emotion. We did today." | ||
- | Kentucky had pulled within 76-74 on free throws by Walter McCarty, but Camby made a pair of free throws and hit a turnaround jumper to make it 80-74. The Wildcats never threatened after that. | + | Kentucky had pulled within 76-74 on free throws by [[wp>Walter McCarty]], but Camby made a pair of free throws and hit a turnaround jumper to make it 80-74. The Wildcats never threatened after that. |
- | "We got beat by a great team and a great player," | + | "We got beat by a great team and a great player," |
"We didn't make our free throws, there' | "We didn't make our free throws, there' | ||
+ | [{{ :: | ||
[[dingle_dana|Dana Dingle]] added 19 points for Massachusetts, | [[dingle_dana|Dana Dingle]] added 19 points for Massachusetts, | ||
"We knew they were going to make a run," said Camby. "You have to give credit to our team, our guards were outstanding. We knew they would double and triple-team me, but the guards got me the ball and I was able to do something." | "We knew they were going to make a run," said Camby. "You have to give credit to our team, our guards were outstanding. We knew they would double and triple-team me, but the guards got me the ball and I was able to do something." | ||
- | [{{ : | ||
Camby finished 11-of-16 from the field and made 10-of-11 free throws. Massachusetts enjoyed a 31-18 edge at the foul line, as Kentucky missed 10 free throws. The Minutemen shot 53 per cent from the field (29-of-55), while Kentucky shot 27-of-62 from the field (44 per cent). | Camby finished 11-of-16 from the field and made 10-of-11 free throws. Massachusetts enjoyed a 31-18 edge at the foul line, as Kentucky missed 10 free throws. The Minutemen shot 53 per cent from the field (29-of-55), while Kentucky shot 27-of-62 from the field (44 per cent). | ||
- | Tony Delk had 21 points and McCarty added 17 for the Wildcats (1-1), who played their second ranked opponent in as many games. Kentucky defeated number 19 Maryland, 96-84, in its season-opener last Friday. | + | [[wp>Tony Delk]] had 21 points and McCarty added 17 for the Wildcats (1-1), who played their second ranked opponent in as many games. Kentucky defeated number 19 [[opponent_maryland|Maryland]], 96-84, in its season-opener last Friday. |
- | Massachusetts started the second half with a 11-1 run. Camby opened the half with a dunk. After Mark Pope made one of two free throws to pull the Wildcats within 47-46, Camby made a jumper, Edgar Padilla made a pair of free throws and Dingle added a three-point play to make it 54-46. Padilla capped the run with a layup with 16:51 to play. | + | Massachusetts started the second half with a 11-1 run. Camby opened the half with a dunk. After Mark Pope made one of two free throws to pull the Wildcats within 47-46, Camby made a jumper, |
" | " | ||
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By Justin C. Smith, [[http:// | By Justin C. Smith, [[http:// | ||
- | "If we can't play defense against these guys," junior Marcus Camby asked after playing a sloppy exhibition game. "What are we going to do against Kentucky?" | + | "If we can't play defense against these guys," junior |
[{{ : | [{{ : | ||
Answer: Win. | Answer: Win. | ||
- | For the third straight year, the Massachusetts men's basketball team took on the No. 1 ranked team in the country and made the pollsters eat their votes. Camby led the way for Minutemen scoring 32 points in a rousing 92-82 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats. | + | For the third straight year, the Massachusetts men's basketball team took on the No. 1 ranked team in the country and made the pollsters eat their votes. Camby led the way for Minutemen scoring 32 points in a rousing 92-82 victory over the [[opponent_kentucky|Kentucky Wildcats]]. |
- | This adds another chapter to the legacy of UMass knocking off top ranked teams. North Carolina 91-86 (OT) in 1993 and Arkansas 104-80 last year. | + | This adds another chapter to the legacy of UMass knocking off top ranked teams. |
- | Just 37 seconds into the contest senior co-captain [[bright_donta|Donta Bright]] nailed a three-pointer with the shot clock running down to give UMass the lead. It also started a 9-to-1 run that got the Minutemen out of the blocks quickly, as well as gaining confidence over Rick Pitino’s troops. | + | Just 37 seconds into the contest senior co-captain [[bright_donta|Donta Bright]] nailed a three-pointer with the shot clock running down to give UMass the lead. It also started a 9-to-1 run that got the Minutemen out of the blocks quickly, as well as gaining confidence over [[pitino_rick|Rick Pitino’s]] troops. |
Instead of letting up. the Minutemen continued what got them the lead pressuring the Kentucky backcourt and making the Wildcats take rushed shots. That lead to UMass opening up their biggest lead of the night at 29-10, ten minutes into the first half. At that point Kentucky had only hit three baskets from the field. | Instead of letting up. the Minutemen continued what got them the lead pressuring the Kentucky backcourt and making the Wildcats take rushed shots. That lead to UMass opening up their biggest lead of the night at 29-10, ten minutes into the first half. At that point Kentucky had only hit three baskets from the field. | ||
- | The Wildcats, true to their ranking, were far from finished as they used the three-pointer as the major weapon in getting back into the game hitting six-of-seven from downtown, including all five in the final 10 minutes of the half. Tony Delk (21 points) hit three while Walter McCarty (17 points) sank two in the 31-14 run that got the Wildcats within two with 1:43 left in the first half. And when Antoine Walker hit a bank shot with three seconds remaining, the game went to the half tied at 45. | + | The Wildcats, true to their ranking, were far from finished as they used the three-pointer as the major weapon in getting back into the game hitting six-of-seven from downtown, including all five in the final 10 minutes of the half. [[wp>Tony Delk]] (21 points) hit three while [[wp>Walter McCarty]] (17 points) sank two in the 31-14 run that got the Wildcats within two with 1:43 left in the first half. And when [[wp>Antoine Walker]] hit a bank shot with three seconds remaining, the game went to the half tied at 45. |
"We knew they were going to make a run," Camby said. "They are a good team and you've got to give them credit." | "We knew they were going to make a run," Camby said. "They are a good team and you've got to give them credit." | ||
- | The second half started much like the first, as Camby stole a Ron Mercer pass from the top of the key and went in for a flying two-handed slam for a lead the Minutemen would never relinquish. | + | The second half started much like the first, as Camby stole a [[wp>Ron Mercer]] pass from the top of the key and went in for a flying two-handed slam for a lead the Minutemen would never relinquish. |
- | Camby, who was by far the standout in the first half, got tremendous support from senior Dana Dingle (15 second half points, 19 for the game). Bright chipped in as well, scoring 17 on the night. | + | Camby, who was by far the standout in the first half, got tremendous support from senior |
[{{ : | [{{ : | ||
- | The UMass backcourt of Edgar Padilla and Carmelo Travieso played all but the last minute of the game. Freshman Charlton Clarke attempted to play, but after on the court for less than a minute in the first half, had to come out of the game. When he returned from the locker room at halftime, Clarke was on crutches. | + | The UMass backcourt of [[padilla_edgar|Edgar Padilla]] and [[travieso_carmelo|Carmelo Travieso]] played all but the last minute of the game. Freshman |
Camby credited the juniors for their yeoman-like efforts. | Camby credited the juniors for their yeoman-like efforts. | ||
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A glaring weakness in the past for the Minutemen was their foul shooting. There was no sign of that on this night as the margin of victory came down to how UMass shot from the charity stripe. Calipari' | A glaring weakness in the past for the Minutemen was their foul shooting. There was no sign of that on this night as the margin of victory came down to how UMass shot from the charity stripe. Calipari' | ||
- | UMass returns to action Saturday in the Franklin National Bank Classic against Maryland. | + | UMass returns to action |
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By Joe Burris, [[https:// | By Joe Burris, [[https:// | ||
- | AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - From now on, don't believe a thing John Calipari says. The man cannot be taken at his word. | + | AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - From now on, don't believe a thing [[calipari_john|John Calipari]] says. The man cannot be taken at his word. |
Throughout the preseason, the University of Massachusetts coach said his program was perched on the panic button. He said his team could not defend, could not hit the open man and didn't play with passion and emotion. | Throughout the preseason, the University of Massachusetts coach said his program was perched on the panic button. He said his team could not defend, could not hit the open man and didn't play with passion and emotion. | ||
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[{{ :: | [{{ :: | ||
- | The same players that cried after a subpar effort in an exhibition game against a Russian team scored one of the biggest wins in school history last night, a 92-82 dismissal of top-ranked Kentucky in the second annual Great Eight tournament at the Palace of Auburn Hills. | + | The same players that cried after a subpar effort in an exhibition game against a Russian team scored one of the biggest wins in school history last night, a 92-82 dismissal of top-ranked |
- | It marks the third consecutive season that UMass has upset the nation' | + | It marks the third consecutive season that UMass has upset the nation' |
- | Center Marcus Camby scored a game-high 32 points and added 9 rebounds and 5 blocks for fifth-ranked UMass. The Minutemen jumped out to a 29-10 lead with 10:10 left in the first half, saw Kentucky hit six 3-pointers to tie the game at the break, 45-45, then outplayed the Wildcats throughout the second half, taking a 47-45 lead on a Camby dunk and never trailing. | + | Center |
"I was worried about this team playing with passion," | "I was worried about this team playing with passion," | ||
- | A few weeks ago, the coach' | + | A few weeks ago, the coach' |
"I got mean," said Calipari. "I made our practices wars. It was like football practice out there. Compared to our practices, this was easy." | "I got mean," said Calipari. "I made our practices wars. It was like football practice out there. Compared to our practices, this was easy." | ||
- | With just two guards available, the Minuteman surprisingly exploited Kentucky' | + | With just two guards available, the Minuteman surprisingly exploited Kentucky' |
"Our guards were unbelievable tonight," | "Our guards were unbelievable tonight," | ||
- | Then there was forward Donta Bright. He scored 7 of UMass' first 16 points and finished with 17. Dana Dingle overcame a sluggish start to tally 19 points. | + | Then there was forward |
[{{ : | [{{ : | ||
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Kentucky' | Kentucky' | ||
- | With 16:50 to go, UMass went ahead, 68-58, and appeared primed to open more room. But again Kentucky rallied and with 10:05 left cut the margin to 64-62 on Tony Delk's trey. UMass answered with clutch baskets by Camby, Dingle and Bright to keep the Wildcats at bay. | + | With 16:50 to go, UMass went ahead, 68-58, and appeared primed to open more room. But again Kentucky rallied and with 10:05 left cut the margin to 64-62 on [[wp> |
- | "They were a better team tonight, no question about it," said Kentucky coach Rick Pitino. " | + | "They were a better team tonight, no question about it," said Kentucky coach [[pitino_rick|Rick Pitino]]. " |
UMass went up, 78-74, with 3:18 left, and with the Wildcats misfiring on most of their perimeter bids, the Minutemen sank 14 of 16 free throws over the last 2:58 to seal the stunner. | UMass went up, 78-74, with 3:18 left, and with the Wildcats misfiring on most of their perimeter bids, the Minutemen sank 14 of 16 free throws over the last 2:58 to seal the stunner. | ||
- | "My team needed me to step it up tonight because we no longer have Lou Roe and Derek Kellogg," | + | "My team needed me to step it up tonight because we no longer have [[roe_lou|Lou Roe]] and [[kellogg_derek|Derek Kellogg]]," said Camby. "And that's what I did. |
" | " | ||
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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - We should be used to this by now. If it's early in the season, then Your State U is busy dusting off a No. 1 somebody, right? Isn't that the way it works? | AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - We should be used to this by now. If it's early in the season, then Your State U is busy dusting off a No. 1 somebody, right? Isn't that the way it works? | ||
- | [{{ https:// | + | [{{ :: |
- | Two years ago, it was North Carolina. Last year it was Arkansas. This year it was Kentucky. And it doesn' | + | [[game19931124_north_carolina|Two years ago, it was North Carolina]]. [[game19941125_arkansas|Last year it was Arkansas]]. This year it was [[opponent_kentucky|Kentucky]]. And it doesn' |
- | Of course, John Calipari still wants to know exactly where it came from. " | + | Of course, |
- | His team had lost an exhibition to the Converse All-Stars. He had no idea what to expect last night from a group playing its first real game without emotional leader Lou Roe and intellectual leader Derek Kellogg. | + | His team had lost [[game19951117_converse_all-stars|an exhibition to the Converse All-Stars]]. He had no idea what to expect last night from a group playing its first real game without emotional leader |
And then there' | And then there' | ||
- | Beating Kentucky is always great fun. Rick Pitino has McDonald' | + | Beating Kentucky is always great fun. [[pitino_rick|Rick Pitino]] has McDonald' |
- | John Calipari? He's got a backcourt born the same day (5/9/75) on the same Caribbean island. Swear to God. Kentucky has been playing basketball since Teddy Roosevelt was in the White House, and here is a statement you can take directly to the savings institution of your choice: Never before has Kentucky been beaten by an all-Spanish-speaking backcourt. | + | John Calipari? He's got a backcourt |
- | ``Can you imagine our two guards playing 40 minutes?" | + | "Can you imagine our two guards playing 40 minutes?" |
- | The two Puerto Rico natives had to withstand the most frightening pressure college basketball has to offer. | + | [{{ : |
+ | The two Puerto Rico natives had to withstand the most frightening pressure college basketball has to offer. | ||
The five University of Massachusetts starters scored every one of the 92 points. It was one of the truly great five-man efforts in UMass history. But it represented something more than points, rebounds, assists and steals to the coach. He was looking for some things that were not to be found in any box score. | The five University of Massachusetts starters scored every one of the 92 points. It was one of the truly great five-man efforts in UMass history. But it represented something more than points, rebounds, assists and steals to the coach. He was looking for some things that were not to be found in any box score. | ||
- | [{{ https:// | + | "The biggest worry I had was whether or not we would play UMass basketball," |
- | ``The biggest worry I had was whether or not we would play UMass basketball," | + | |
When Coach Cal is old and gray and he once again thinks about this game, he'll be thinking about a team that built a 19-point (29-10) first-half lead, found itself tied at halftime, then never allowed a deeper team to feel the satisfaction of a second-half lead for so much as one second or one possession. In other words, UMass took Kentucky' | When Coach Cal is old and gray and he once again thinks about this game, he'll be thinking about a team that built a 19-point (29-10) first-half lead, found itself tied at halftime, then never allowed a deeper team to feel the satisfaction of a second-half lead for so much as one second or one possession. In other words, UMass took Kentucky' | ||
- | What a sweet game it was. It was Padilla and Travieso burying early threes to give themselves some confidence. It was Donta Bright owning the baseline and playing his best game since hitting Arkansas with 24 last year. It was Dana Dingle slashing to the hoop, hitting face-up jumpers and even astonishing Minutemen hoop cognoscenti with two right-hand baskets. | + | [{{ :: |
+ | What a sweet game it was. It was Padilla and Travieso burying early threes to give themselves some confidence. It was [[bright_donta|Donta Bright]] owning the baseline and playing his best game since hitting Arkansas with 24 last year. It was [[dingle_dana|Dana Dingle]] slashing to the hoop, hitting face-up jumpers and even astonishing Minutemen hoop cognoscenti with two right-hand baskets. | ||
And it was Marcus. Oh boy, was it Marcus. | And it was Marcus. Oh boy, was it Marcus. | ||
- | ``Marcus Camby," | + | " |
Marcus Camby was a Man, capital M, last night. He let Kentucky know who was boss inside with five blocks. He hit enough soft turnarounds, | Marcus Camby was a Man, capital M, last night. He let Kentucky know who was boss inside with five blocks. He hit enough soft turnarounds, | ||
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Three times in the second half, he hit turnarounds in traffic when the lead was down to 2. On one, he looked like [[wp> | Three times in the second half, he hit turnarounds in traffic when the lead was down to 2. On one, he looked like [[wp> | ||
- | But perhaps the biggest play of the entire ballgame came on the first possession of the second half. Kentucky had the basketball. One of those patented threes could have done some damage. Not to worry. The 6-foot-11-inch Camby flashed out high to pick off a sloppy pass and took it all the way for a thundering dunk, which, according Dingle, | + | But perhaps the biggest play of the entire ballgame came on the first possession of the second half. Kentucky had the basketball. One of those patented threes could have done some damage. Not to worry. The 6-foot-11-inch Camby flashed out high to pick off a sloppy pass and took it all the way for a thundering dunk, which, according Dingle, |
- | ``The thing about that play," explained Padilla, | + | "The thing about that play," explained Padilla, |
We all should have known what was coming. Early-season No. 1's have no chance against Your State U. | We all should have known what was coming. Early-season No. 1's have no chance against Your State U. | ||
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By Joe Burris, [[https:// | By Joe Burris, [[https:// | ||
- | UBURN HILLS, Mich. - The first feats -- a couple of tomahawk rejections -- were downright scary. Right up there with the bedroom scene in "The Exorcist." | + | AUBURN |
- | When the University of Massachusetts junior center swatted a University of Kentucky attempt into orbit for the fifth time, you pitied the Wildcat fans who couldn' | + | When the University of Massachusetts junior center swatted a [[opponent_kentucky|University of Kentucky]] attempt into orbit for the fifth time, you pitied the Wildcat fans who couldn' |
[{{ : | [{{ : | ||
When the game was over, Camby had led fifth-ranked UMass to a 92-82 shocker over top-ranked Kentucky with an awesome display of power and precision. | When the game was over, Camby had led fifth-ranked UMass to a 92-82 shocker over top-ranked Kentucky with an awesome display of power and precision. | ||
- | " | + | " |
- | In doing so, Camby proved he will take over the leader-enforcer role that Lou Roe and [[williams_harper|Harper Williams]] once assumed. Yet unlike Roe and Williams, ferocious warrior types who outmuscled the opposition, Camby uses size, finesse and timing. With him, UMass still is capable of matching up with anyone in the country. | + | In doing so, Camby proved he will take over the leader-enforcer role that [[roe_lou|Lou Roe]] and [[williams_harper|Harper Williams]] once assumed. Yet unlike Roe and Williams, ferocious warrior types who outmuscled the opposition, Camby uses size, finesse and timing. With him, UMass still is capable of matching up with anyone in the country. |
- | "I just had to step it up," said Camby, who finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots. "We were getting a lot of pressure; a lot of people were saying that because we lost Lou, Derek Kellogg and Mike Williams, we weren' | + | "I just had to step it up," said Camby, who finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots. "We were getting a lot of pressure; a lot of people were saying that because we lost Lou, [[kellogg_derek|Derek Kellogg]] and [[williams_mike|Mike Williams]], we weren' |
"I want to be a leader out there a lot. Lou was our vocal leader, our heart and soul of the team last year. I think someone had to step it up. And it should be me, considering I'm going to get most of the shots and the focus is going to be on me. That's why I worked hard on my game this summer." | "I want to be a leader out there a lot. Lou was our vocal leader, our heart and soul of the team last year. I think someone had to step it up. And it should be me, considering I'm going to get most of the shots and the focus is going to be on me. That's why I worked hard on my game this summer." | ||
- | Among the things Camby worked on was handling the ball. He provided glimpses in the Minutemen' | + | Among the things Camby worked on was handling the ball. He provided glimpses in the Minutemen' |
- | With 2:10 left in the Kentucky game, Camby rebounded a missed free throw by guard Allen Edwards, then dribbled the length of the floor and dished off to forward Donta Bright on the wing. Bright was fouled on the drive and sank two free throws to give UMass an 82-78 lead. | + | With 2:10 left in the Kentucky game, Camby rebounded a missed free throw by guard [[wp>Allen Edwards |
- | "I pretty much had that in my hand for a while now," said Camby. "But we're still trying to lob it to me so I can make plays and allow Edgar Padilla to bring the ball up the floor." | + | "I pretty much had that in my hand for a while now," said Camby. "But we're still trying to lob it to me so I can make plays and allow [[padilla_edgar|Edgar Padilla]] to bring the ball up the floor." |
- | Point guard Padilla, much maligned during the preseason, had a 14-point, 6- assist effort Tuesday night -- and Camby had a big role in that, too. After Padilla botched a few plays, coach John Calipari colorfully voiced his displeasure. But Camby motioned to the coach to ease up on the guard, and Padilla played through the errors. | + | Point guard Padilla, much maligned during the preseason, had a 14-point, 6- assist effort Tuesday night -- and Camby had a big role in that, too. After Padilla botched a few plays, coach [[calipari_john|John Calipari]] colorfully voiced his displeasure. But Camby motioned to the coach to ease up on the guard, and Padilla played through the errors. |
" | " | ||
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By Bob Ryan, [[https:// | By Bob Ryan, [[https:// | ||
- | he letter should be arriving at Coach Cal's desk sometime today. | + | The letter should be arriving at [[calipari_john|Coach Cal's]] desk sometime today. |
Dear John, | Dear John, | ||
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[{{ : | [{{ : | ||
- | When you're Kentucky, and the major issue with your conglomeration of pampered High School All-Americans is parceling out playing time, a loss on Nov. 28 is not such a bad thing, as long as it doesn' | + | When you' |
- | " | + | " |
Pitino needed something to get his players' | Pitino needed something to get his players' | ||
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If a Kentucky coach ever went through a season without defeating a Division 1 opponent, he would not be fired. He would be executed. On statewide television. | If a Kentucky coach ever went through a season without defeating a Division 1 opponent, he would not be fired. He would be executed. On statewide television. | ||
- | UMass is now 112-18 during the last four-and-a-fraction seasons, with four consecutive Atlantic 10 championships, | + | UMass is now 112-18 during the last four-and-a-fraction seasons, with four consecutive Atlantic 10 championships, |
Calipari has good players, but they aren't the inner sanctum high school elite people sometimes think they are. Indeed, Coach Cal and his staff, only hours prior to pistol-whipping Pitino' | Calipari has good players, but they aren't the inner sanctum high school elite people sometimes think they are. Indeed, Coach Cal and his staff, only hours prior to pistol-whipping Pitino' | ||
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2. [[game19920322_syracuse|March 22, 1992. UMass 77, Syracuse 71 (OT).]] Take that, Big East. | 2. [[game19920322_syracuse|March 22, 1992. UMass 77, Syracuse 71 (OT).]] Take that, Big East. | ||
- | 3. Nov. 24, 1993. UMass 91, North Carolina 86 (OT). Topples top-ranked team and legendary coach. | + | 3. [[game19931124_north_carolina|Nov. 24, 1993. UMass 91, North Carolina 86 (OT)]]. Topples top-ranked team and legendary coach. |
- | 4. Nov. 25, 1994. UMass 104, Arkansas 80. Pulverizes defending national champ with every key player returning. | + | 4. [[game19941125_arkansas|Nov. 25, 1994. UMass 104, Arkansas 80]]. Pulverizes defending national champ with every key player returning. |
5. Nov. 28, 1995. UMass 92, Kentucky 82. Roughs up yet another No. 1 team with a classic tradition. | 5. Nov. 28, 1995. UMass 92, Kentucky 82. Roughs up yet another No. 1 team with a classic tradition. | ||
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When UMass plays brilliantly to defeat a No. 1-ranked Kentucky team, John Calipari never knows who is sitting home watching. It might be a 6-foot-11-inch center. It might be a 6-7 forward with [[wp> | When UMass plays brilliantly to defeat a No. 1-ranked Kentucky team, John Calipari never knows who is sitting home watching. It might be a 6-foot-11-inch center. It might be a 6-7 forward with [[wp> | ||
- | What we do know is that Your State U's display of athletic excellence two nights ago put the name of the school on the lips of every college basketball fan in America. Now it's up to incoming president [[wp> | + | What we do know is that Your State U's display of athletic excellence two nights ago put the name of the school on the lips of every college basketball fan in America. Now it's up to incoming president [[wp> |
===== Other content ===== | ===== Other content ===== | ||
- | * [[https:// | + | |
- | * Highlights from [[https:// | + | |
+ | * Video: | ||
* [[https:// | * [[https:// | ||
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</ | </ | ||
- | {{tag>" | + | {{tag>" |