Leaman Feels UM Can Be “A Very Good Hoop Team”
By John Sullivan, The Massachusetts Daily Collegian Sports Editor, December 1, 1970

Between answering dozens of telephone calls in his office yesterday, head coach Jack Leaman of the UMass basketball team was able to find enough breathing room to answer several questions about the 1970-71 Redman hoopsters, who open defense of their New England championship tonight with a home game against St. Anselm's College at 8.

Leaman was a man in demand on the day before the big Cage opener. His phone spent most of its time off the hook, but when things calmed down a bit, the head coach was able to sit back a little and give some serious answers about this UMass team.

He was first asked how the squad shapes up right now, at the culmination of six hard weeks of practice in preparation for this season. “I don't think we're playing as well right now as I thought we would be playing,” he answered.

He explained this view by pointing out that the Redmen had to go through all those practice sessions without the benefit of a scrimmage against another school, because of an N.C.A.A. rule that allows a team to play a maximum of 26 games over the span of pre-season and regular season. Since UMass added contests with George Washington and Syracuse, it boosted its regular load to 26 tilts.

Leaman feels that this lack of pre-season scrimmages has left the cagers a little flat, but he asserted his faith in the team when he said, “I do think we're a good basketball team. As soon as we get a little maturity, I feel we're going to be a very good basketball team.”

Switching to another topic, the coach was asked if he and the team had set any goals for themselves as they embark on a new campaign. Leaman replied that there were no real specific goals, just a few general ones, shared by all the members of the team.

“We want to win more games than we did last year and we'd like to win a game in a national tournament,” Leaman offered as one goal. He added that, of course, the squad would be shooting to defend its Yankee Conference championship; he slipped in a clincher to this, “And, most important to our kids, we're going to try to defend that New England championship.”

Coach Leaman pointed out the advantages of the Redmen playing this season as defending champions of N.E. basketball, commenting, “It has to give us a great deal of confidence in our own ability… And this will allow us to play up to our potential.”

He knows that every opponent UMass will play will be aiming to upset the Redmen, and he enjoys every bit of it. He quipped, “I think everybody will be trying to beat us. It's a tremendous feeling to sit back and have everyone aiming at you.”

When considering the teams that would be mostly likely to knock UMass on its crown, Leaman picked out UConn, Rhode Island and New Hampshire from the YanCon crop his team must face and, among the out-of-league squads, he cited Holy Cross (“That Holy Cross is going to be an exceptional basketball team.”), Boston College, Providence College (“Providence College has the potential…. offensively the most explosive team in New England.”), Syracuse (“Syracuse will be excellent.”) and Fordham (“Fordham will be tough.”).

Who will the Redmen be starting in an effort to assert dominance against their high-hoping opponents? The coach was decided on four positions, relating that Ken Mathias and Julius Erving would be two starting forwards, and that John Betancourt and Mike Pagliara would be the starting guards.

The third starter up front will be chosen sometime between now and gametime; and the candidates are Chris Coffin, Rich Vogeley, Tom Austin and Bill Kesgen. “All four seem to excel in one part of the game, but we're looking for a consistent performer, one who will give us the same game day in and day out,” Leaman informed. Presently, both Coffin and Vogeley are being pestered by minor leg injuries.

Whomever should start, the abundance of fine performers in this area makes the forecourt a Redman strong point, one with talent and depth. Backing up the starting guards will be hard-working Bill Greeley. Should the situation call for a shooter after Greeley, Sam Provo or Chris Nichols will get the nod. Bob Dempsey will come in should the need exist for a good ballhandler.

Leaman took a few moments to talk about his star cager, Erving. In reference to what UMass fans should expect from No. 32 this year, the coach said, “I think you can expect an awful lot from Julius Erving.”

Leaman cautioned that Erving may not match his statistics of last winter, but his overall play should be better. He elaborated, “I personally believe that he is a better basketball player than last year… but, I think, overall, that he will perform better for us this year.”

The coach went a step further and commented, “I think he is going to be the best, the very best player in New England, bar none.”

Leaman was then requested to compare Erving on a national level, up there with the best basketball players in the land, and Leaman was more than willing to answer, “I think he could play anywhere. There is no doubt in my mind that he is among the best five or ten players in the country.”

In assessing Erving's tremendous knack at controlling a whole ballgame from any area on the floor, Leaman asserted, “I don't know if there are any players in the country who are better total players than Erving.” That's Julius Erving, No. 32.

As far as team spirit on this Redman contingent, the head coach could remark, “I think it's been excellent.” He made it clear that this group has had to muddle through six long weeks of practice without a scrimmage to break up the routine, but they have seen it through because they want very badly to repeat their feats of last winter. “They do realize what it takes to be a winner,” Leaman said.

UMass should have its best running basketball team ever this year assures the coach. “I think we should run more or better than we ever have,” he enthused, “There's a lot more freedom on offense than ever before.”

After talking about his aspirations for a running offense, the subject of defense, a Leaman favorite, was brought up and the coach was asked what role defense plays on a championship team. His answer: “Oh, I think its separates the good from the great. I don't think you can be a championship team in any sport without practicing defense.”

Praising the healthy aspects of what defense can mean to a hard-working team brought the meeting with Coach Leaman to a significant close as he ended up by saying, “I think, if we can play good defense, it can pull us together. I think this is integral part in our championship.”

SIDEBAR: Cage Doors
Curry Hicks Cage will be open to UMass students wishing to see tonight's basketball games at 5:30 p.m. The freshman game starts a half hour later at 6 p.m. and the varsity contest will get under way at 8 p.m. If enough students show a desire to enter the Cage in orderly fashion, then the doors will be opened at a slightly earlier time, between 5 and 5:15 p.m. Students will be admitted only if they have their UMass student identification cards with them. To facilitate matters, all are advised to have their ID's in their hands upon arriving at the doors so that the line can more easily flow into the building. Courtesy is at all times urged, especially as far as making room for someone else to have a seat by the moving of one's coat.

  Each Cager Contributes To The Team’s Success
From The Massachusetts Daily Collegian, December 1, 1970

Although great teams must be made of great players, it is the working together of these players that eventually determines the success or failure of any team. Blessed with some tremendous individual talent, the success or failure of the 1970-71 Redman basketballers will depend upon how well they work together. That, truly, is the mark of any real super team. With that in mind, let us take a brief look at the individuals who make up the UMass basketball team.

JULIUS ERVING, No. 32, Junior

After setting twelve new UMass records and being named New England’s best college basketball player in his first varsity season one wonders what is in store for the multitalented junior.

The 6'5 co-captain averaged 25.7 points and 20.9 rebounds, second in the nation, in his unbelievable sophomore year. In his first varsity start, Erving pulled down 28 rebounds, a school record, as well as scoring 27 points against a powerful Providence College team.

Erving also pulled down 28 caroms against Maine as well as 27 against both Boston University and Northeastern. His biggest scoring nights were 37 against Fordham and New Hampshire and 34 against Boston University.

During the past summer, Erving led the Olympic Development team to a 103 record in Finland, Poland, Russia and Estonia and was chosen on several occasions as the game's top player. He was also named to the All-Tourney team in Estonia.

His long arms and fingers and his fantastic jumping ability make Erving one of the most exciting basketball players in the nation.

KEN MATHIAS, No. 42, Senior

After a solid sophomore season in which he averaged 10.5 points and 8.9 rebounds a game, the senior co-captain’s statistics fell off a bit last season as he hit for 7.5 points and collected six rebounds. However, the drop in statistics is probably due to the fact that Mathias was called upon to play an unfamiliar center position. This season, he will be able to move back to a forward and both he and the team should benefit.

Mathias is an aggressive rebounder and defensive player and should team with Erving to provide the Redmen with one of the finest forecourts in New England. His biggest games in '69-70 were 16 points versus both URI and UConn and 15 against Penn and AIC.

JOHN BETANCOURT, No. 10, Junior

Coach Leaman described Betancourt as “possibly the second best sophomore in New England” in '69-70 and few UMass fans are likely to disagree. After a fantastic freshman year in which he helped lead the frosh to a 15-0 mark, Betancourt stepped right into a starting berth on the varsity.

Although only 5' 10, he possesses fine ball-handling ability and proved himself to be an exceptional clutch player last season. His biggest scoring nights came in two of UMass' toughest contests (25 vs. BC and 19 vs. Holy Cross). He was the team's third leading scorer last season, averaging 8.8 and will be counted upon to pick up some of the scoring slack left by the departure of Ray Ellerbrook. An excellent defensive player, his finest effort came against All-American Dean Meminger in the NIT against Marquette.

MIKE PAGLIARA, No. 14, Junior

Another member of the 15-0 frosh unit, Pagliara got a late start in '69-70 due to an injury but came on late in the year to prove that he is ready to move into a starting role this season.

Pagliara is an excellent shooter (47% in '69-70), especially from the charity stripe where he was second on the team last season with 74%. Like Betancourt, Pagliara is a fine ball-handler and the two team up to give UMass a well-balanced backcourt.

RICH VOGELEY, No. 44, Junior

One of the team's best shooters, Vogeley is battling for the fifth starting spot. Although he saw action in only fourteen games, Vogeley led the team in both field goal percentage (57%) and free throw accuracy (86%).

With a year of experience behind him, Vogeley may be ready, and if he can continue his accurate shooting, he could prove to be the key to UMass' success.

BOB DEMPSEY, No. 22, Senior

One of the squad's best ball-handlers, Dempsey will prove a valuable relief man for the starting backcourt. He has acquired a good deal of experience over the last two years, playing in 18 games in '69-70, and this should come in handy in clutch situations.

In his sophomore year, he was called into action due to an injury to Joe Disarcina and responded beautifully by leading the Redmen to six straight wins.

BILL GREELEY, No. 20, Senior

Like Dempsey, Greeley has had two years experience and will serve also as a backup guard. Although only 5'9, he runs the team exceptionally well and is regarded as a fine defensive player

CHRIS COFFIN, No. 24, Junior

Also fighting for a starting berth up front, Coffin's forte is defense. He is exceptionally quick and mobile and will probably play much the same role as Jack Gallagher did in '69-70 by guarding the opponent's leading scorer.

SAM PROVO, No. 34, Junior

Possibly the team's best shooting guard, Provo could see action if the backcourt is having problems scoring. He also is fighting for the third guard spot and if shooting is necessary, Provo will likely get the call.

TOM AUSTIN, No. 30

Austin was red-shirted last year and seems ready this season to help fill up the hole in the middle. He played center on the 15-0 frosh team and is very quick for his size. Although a good defensive player, Austin is also a talented shooter for a big man and could help take some pressure off of Mathias and Erving up front.

BILL KESGEN, No. 50, Junior

Adding depth up front, Kesgen uses his size well underneath the boards. He could prove to be a valuable reserve and should add rebounding strength to an already strong forecourt.

CHRIS NICHOLS, No. 12, Junior

Another player battling for the third guard spot, Nichols is probably the most aggressive of the bunch. He was the third guard on the 15-0 frosh team and is returning to UMass basketball after a year's layoff.

TOM MCLAUGHLIN, No. 40, Junior

A transfer from Tennessee where he was the top performer on the Vols frosh team, McLaughlin should prove a valuable asset to the Redmen. Although ineligible until second semester, he can play both guard and forward and his size could make him a key man in the Redmen's somewhat short backcourt.

CHARLIE PETERS, No. 54, Sophomore

One of only two sophomores on the club, Peters will add depth to the somewhat weak pivot position. He proved to be an excellent rebounder late in his freshman season and if he can improve his offense a bit, he should see a lot of action this season.

CHUCK OLSEN, No. 52, Sophomore

Though not even a starter at the outset of his freshman season, Olsen has proved himself through hard work and determination. He will provide more depth to an already strong UMass forecourt.