Saturday, October 31, 2009
PREGAME
Greetings from Alfond Stadium.
We're in Stephen King country on Halloween. Coincidence? Yeah probably.
It's gray out and very windy here which should mess with the kicking.
The guy sitting next to me is just getting over Swine Flu. I'll be washing my hands about twice a quarter.
James Madison just won at Delaware, which puts a huge dent in the Blue Hens playoff potential. At 3-3, the Hens would need to win out to get in and they have games left with Villanova and Navy. That makes UMass' game against James Madison a little dicier for the Minutemen.
Jonathan Hernandez is starting. But Tony Nelson is expected to play.
Somebody has spirit in the Maine sports information office has spirit. Perry McIntyre is listed at UMass' starting zombie.
FIRST QUARTER
Victor Cruz hasn't been on the field yet. No word on why.
Kyle Havens just suffered an ankle or a knee injury and Woodward is in.
9:25: Cuko just missed a 23-yard field goal against a tough wind.
1:25: Maine 3, UMass 0 - Jordan Waxman 25-yard field goal.
SECOND QUARTER
Havens and Nelson are back. Still no Cruz.
7:27 - Cruz in.
3:40: UMass 7, Maine 3 - Jonathan Hernandez one-yard TD run.
1:04: Maine 10, UMass 7 - Warren Smith pass to Tyrell Jones. Maine hasn't trailed at halftime this season.
HALFTIME
THIRD QUARTER
Woodward in at QB.
Cruz hurt.
8:55: Maine 13, UMass 7 - After a TD was called back, Waxman kicked a 32-yard field goal.
FOURTH QUARTER
8:46: Maine 19, UMass 9 - Warren Smith 5-yard TD run. But on the 2-point conversion try, Ke'Mon Bailey returned an interception for a TD.
UMass struggles again with six turnovers. Playoffs are very unlikely now and the quarterback scenario is up in the air and neither Havens nor Woodward played well.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Greetings from the First State. I'm sitting high up in the pressbox over Raymond Field in Newark, which is pronounced new-ARK for reasons no one really knows.
It's already been an interesting day in the CAA as No. 5 New Hampshire upset No. 2 Villanova and No. 1 Richmond narrowly escaped James Madison when the Dukes fumbled in the redzone in the final minutes. So if this game is anywhere close to that, I've got a good story on my hands.
Despite Kevin Morris' claim that everyone other than Rob Getek and Josh Jennings were healthy going into this game, linebacker Kurt Filler is out with a knee injury.
Darren Thellen is starting at strong safety in place of the suspended Shane Vivieros.
Other than that the depth chart is essentially the same.
FIRST QUARTER
8:33 - Delaware 6, UMass 0 - Pat Devlin 15-yard TD pass to Mark Mackey. Brandon Collier blocked the PAT.
4:17 - Delaware 20, UMass 0 - After another Devlin TD pass, Tony Nelson fumbled and Marcus Burley returned it 42 yards for a Blue Hen TD.
0:28.1 - Delaware 20, UMass 3 - Armando Cuko just kicked a 51-yard FG.
SECOND QUARTER
9:22 - Delaware 23, UMass 3 - Jon Striefsky 22-yard FG.
THIRD QUARTER
6:36 - Delaware 23, UMass 6- Cuko 37-yard FG.
2:07 - Delaware 30, UMass 6 - It's getting out of hand.
FOURTH QUARTER
11:29 - Delaware 37, UMass 13 - After UD turned a Havens' interception into a TD, Havens threw a four-yard TD pass to Andrew Krevis.
FINAL
Delaware 43, UMass 27 - UMass added two more late TDs, but never really threatened.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
I'm back for the live blog as
UMass takes on Stony Brook before its bye week. Again, I'm bumping
elbows with Matt Vautour, so I'll be sure to keep you updated with any
blog-worthy quips he floats my way.
Refresh for the latest updates, which will be posted at the top of the entry.
*****
As promised here are the Top 3 Bad-Pun Headlines of the Game:
1. Horne Plenty on Band Day
2. SBU needs Band-Aids on Band Day
3. Seawolves team as bad as Gray Wolves nickname
Thanks for reading. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
*****
SBU
Passing
Coulter 14-23, 126 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
Mateo 11-56
Cuttino 3-20
Contardi 8-15
Receiving
Gush 6-52, 2 TDs
Porter 3-42
Towns 3-18
UMass
Havens 12-24, 259 yards, 2 INT
Rushing
Hernandez 29-140, 3 TDs
Gonnet 4-37
Zardas 6-29, 2 TDs
Receiving
Horne 5-124
Sanford 2-42
Hernandez 1-34
Cruz 1-21
Krevis 1-20
FINAL
UMass 44, SB 17
Final stats coming up
4Q-2:57
Darren Thellen picks off a pass from SB backup QB Dan Sweeney. Thellen's first INT.
Octavius Hawkins now at QB for UMass.
*****
4Q-6:34
UMass 44, SB 17
Welcome to the game Cedric Gonnet, who dragged three defenders 23 yards on his first touch and had 4 carries for 37 yards on the drive before Cuko's 35 yard FG.
*****
4Q-10:22
Scott Woodward now in at quarterback for the Minutemen. Herenandez ran for four yards to open the drive and then was replaced by Cedric Gonnet. We'll see if that's the end of Hernandez's day. Also, it's Sanford and Talley at WR.
*****
4Q-15:00
First 5 rushing TD game for UMass since 10/7/06 against William and Mary when Steve Baylark had two and Tony Nelson had three.
*****
3Q-0:40
UMass 41, SB 17
Zardas with a great second effort at the goal line to score from four yards out. Zardas' second TD of the night. Second-ever two TD game for the fullback.
*****
3Q-2:30
Shane Viveiros picks off Coulter for the Minutemen's first forced turnover of the day. Returned it 25 yards to the SB 15. That's Viveiros' 1st career INT.
*****
3Q-4:01
Bailey back in for this drive with the UMass defense.
*****
3Q-4:19
UMass 34, SB 17
A few penalties made it fourth and goal from the 25. 42-yard field goal by Armando Cuko salvages what could have been a touchdown drive. Fifth FG of 40+ this year for Cuko.
*****
3Q-7:02
Overheard in the pressbox (not by Matt): "Is Tony Nelson going to be the Wally Pipp of UMass football?"
FYI-Hernandez at 24-125 and 3 TDs along with the 34-yard reception. Funny line, but the answer (to a joke question) is, of course, no.
*****
3Q-7:50
Ducasse is back in the game here.
*****
3Q-9:05
Ke'Mon Bailey comes out with an injury. We'll keep you updated on both he and Vlad. Starting to look like that bye week is coming at just the right time.
*****
3Q-10:01
UMass 31, SB 17
Hernandez breaks through for 36 yards up the middle for a touchdown, his third of the game. He's now at 22 carries for 120 yards. First career 100-yard rushing game for Hernandez.
During that drive, Horne made his fourth catch for 111 yards. That's his fifth career 100-yard game.
*****
3Q-11:48
Vladimir Ducasse stays down after a Hernandez run and is looked at on the field after the play. We'll keep you updated.
*****
HALFTIME
UMass 24, SB 17
Stats
SB
Coulter 10-for-13, 100 yards 2 TDs, 0 INT
Cuttino 3 rushes, 20 yards
Gush 4 catches, 27 yards, 2 TDs
UMass
Havens 8-15, 178 yards, 2 INT
Hernandez 18 rushes, 70 yards, 2 TDs
Zardas 5 carries, 25 yards, 1 TD
Horne 3 catches, 85 yards
Hernandez 1 catch, 24 yards
Cruz 1 catch, 21 yards
2Q-0:18
UMass 24, SB 17
Cuko kicks a 30 yard field goal to push the lead back to seven.
*****
2Q-0:51
UMass makes a statement late in the half, going for it on fourth and inches at midfield and barely getting it on a Jon Hernandez run. Then, the Minutemen do what should be happening more often in this game -- getting the ball to Hernandez in open space and letting him make plays. He did just that on a 35-yard swing pass to the right side.
UMass currently has 3rd and 7 on the 9 yard line. Would be nice to punch one in here.
*****
2Q-2:33
UMass 21, SB 17
Jordan Gush scores on a TD pass on the very first play from scrimmage. 15 yards from Coulter. Gush was then flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play.
*****
2Q-2:39
Kenny Tuiloma picks off Havens at the UM 42 yard line and brings it 27 yards down to the 15. Looks like Havens and Victor Cruz weren't on the same page with that route. We'll see if the defense can bail them out.
*****
2Q-9:34
UMass 21, SB 10
Impressive drive from UMass ends with another Hernandez TD, this time from 9 yards out. Hernandez now has 13 carries for 50 yards and 2 TDs. His second 2 TD game this year (Albany).
*****
END OF FIRST QUARTER
UMass 14, SB 10
First quarter stats:
SB
Coulter 6-for-8, 62 yards, 1 TD
Cuttino 3 rushes, 20 yards
Gush 2 catch, 11 yards
Porter 1 catch, 20 yards
Cuttino 1 catch, 14 yards
UMass
Havens 4-for-7, 106 yards, 1 INT
Zardes 4 rushes, 22 yards, 1 TD
Hernandez 6 rushes, 14 yards, 1 TD
Horne 2 catches, 65 yards
Cruz 1 catch, 21 yards
Krevis 1 catch, 20 yards
*****
1Q-2:04
UMass 14, SB 10
The Minutemen come right back and answer with a three-yard touchdown run by Jon Hernandez. Both Zardas and Hernandez have scored already.
*****
1Q-6:02
SB 10, UMass 7
The drive goes backwards, but the Havens pick gives SB a Wesley Skiffington 43-yard field goal and the lead.
*****
1Q-7:07
Havens intercepted on third down by Aaron West. Gives SB possession on the UMass 24 yard line. Bad throw and an easy pick for West, who stepped in front of the receiver.
*****
1Q-8:12
TIED 7-7
Jordan Gush scores on a five yard pass by Michael Coulter to even the score.
Who needs Edwin Gowins? Stony Brook got a nice return and then marched 48 yards for a touchdown behind Conte Cuttino (3 carries, 20 yards, 1 catch, 14 yards).
Nice job by Coulter, who has stood in late and taken some punishment in order to complete a couple of key passes, including a big third-down screen to Cuttino to keep the chains moving early. Coulter is 4-for-4 for 32 yards and one TD
NOTE: First first-quarter score by an opponent against UMass this season.
*****
1Q-12:39
UMass 7, Stony Brook 0
Chris
Zardas runs in from 3 yards out on a right pitch on third and goal for
the touchdown. Armando Cuko adds the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
****
NOTE:
Nelson had 14 straight starts before today's game. No word on why the
change wasn't listed on the pregame notes. Draw your own conclusions.
****
1Q-14:50
UMass starts with the ball and Havens hits Jeremy Horne for a 49-yard gain on the very first play of the game.
LATE NOTE: Tony Nelson is out with an upper body injury. Jon Hernandez gets first career start.
****
Pregame updates
*Stony Brook is without TB Edwin Gowins (arch) who is listed
as a backup, but leads the team with 200 rushing yards on 43 carries.
*For the second straight week Jared Chivers will start at
center in place of John Ihne (upper body). Ihne is still expected to
play. Brandon Flanagan will start for the second week in a row.
*It's Band Day here, with more than 4,000 band students from
more than 75 different high schools from the Northeast who will perform
at halftime and after the game.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Jim Pignatiello handling live blog duties these evening, but have no fear, I'm elbow to elbow with Matt Vautour and will share any blog-worthy quips with you.
As promised, here are the top 3 bad-pun headlines of the game:
1. UMass Cruz's to Victor-y
2. UMass makes Albany not-so-Great Danes
3. UMass goes Cuko for Albany
FINAL: UMASS 44, ALBANY 7
STATS
Albany
Rushing
Gannon 14-61
McCarty 10-42
Smith 5-13
Bush 1-(-7)
Passing
Esposito 13-26, 3 INT, 124 yards, 3 Sacks
Receiving
Bush 5-56
Gannon 3-25
Kirchner 2-17
Lullen 2-10
UMass
Rushing
Hernandez 9-88
Nelson 21-77
Gonnet 5-21
Zardas 4-9
Passing
Havens 20-32, 1 INT, 284 yard, 2 TDs, 1 Sack
Receiving
Cruz 6-121, 2 TDs
Talley 5-86
Sanford 3-31
Silver 1-15
Tackles
Dickson (9, 2 unassisted)
Holmes (8, 1 unassisted)
Miles (7, 4 unassisted)
Monette (7, 3 unassisted)
*****
4Q-3:20
Cedric Gonnet has a 58-yard touchdown run called back by a holding penalty. No wonder the hole was so wide open for him.
*****
4Q-6:23
UMass 44, Albany 7
Cuko 40-yard field goal.
Three good notes:
UMass has outscores its two opponents this year 51-0 in the first, third and fourth quarters combined. Its been outscored 10-28 in the second quarter.
UMass has scored its most points since scoring 51 against Central Conn. State on 11/12/05.
Cuko ties a career-high with three FGs in one game.
4Q-9:02
Albany fumbles away the ensuing kickoff, which is recovered by Aaron Fears. That's five turnovers for the GDs, the most for them since Nov. 12, 2005
4Q-9:14
UMass 41, Albany 7
58 yard touchdown run for Hernadez, who explodes through the line and can't be caught from behind.
4Q-10:54
UMass 34, Albany 7
The rout is on.
Jonathan Hernandez scores his first career touchdown run from one yard out, capping a drive of 9 plays, 64 yards over 3:16
4Q-13:53
Talley catches his fifth pass of the game. He now has five catches for 88 yards. Both are career-highs.
*****
END OF FOURTH
UMass 27, Albany 7
Ihne has a sling on his left arm. Check out the Gazette later to get updates on all injuries.
Although I'm not sure what the media will get. We'v been informed that UMass is no longer doing in-game injury updates. Good times!
Albany
Rush
Gannon 11-63
McCarty 10-42
Pass
Esposito 9-18, 3 INTs
Rec.
Bush 4-49
UMass
Rush
Nelson 21-83
Zardas 4-12
Pass
Havens 16-28, 1 INT, 2 Tds
Rec.
Cruz 6-121
Talley 4-77
*****
Official Attendance: 13,215
*****
3Q-3:26
UMass 27, Albany 7
Havens hits Cruz on fourth and goal on a three yard quick slant from the slot.
Two big throws to Talley (including Havens' best throw of the day to the left sideline on 3rd and 22, give the Minutemen first and goal at the three yard line. Nelson was stuffed twice and Havens WAY overthrew a wide open Cruz in the end zone before UMass took a timeout before fourth down prior to the throw to Cruz.
3Q-7:06
Terrific interception by Jeromy Miles who juggles the ball and shrugs off a lot of contact to pull down the ball and give the offense the ball in Albany territory.
3Q-7:54
Nothing fun and relevant from Matt yet. Best line of the night so far is our discussion about the free ice cream at the US Women's Open a few years back. Email him to ask about that and our Cracker Barrell non-sighting. He's at mvautour@gazettenet.com.
3Q-8:55
Cuko has a 42-yard field goal attempt blocked.
UMass center John Ihne was injured during the drive. They are working on him on a table on the sidelines. Horne hasn't returned yet either. I'll keep you updated on both.
*****
CHEAP PLUG WHILE WE'RE HERE: Check out the Gazette Sports Podcast every Thursday, featuring plenty of UMass coverage from Matt Vautour every week. You can download it here.
*****
HALFTIME STATS
Albany
Gannon 6 carries, 45 yards; 2 rec. 3 yards
McCarty 10-42
Andrew Smith 3-9
Esposito 8-for-13 2 INT, 1 Lost fumble
Tim Bush 4 rec. 49 yards
UMass
Nelson 11 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
Zardas 4-12
Hernandez 2-4
Havens 10-for-1, 1 INT, 1 TD
Cruz 5 rec., 118 yards, 1 TD
Talley 1 rec., 12 yards
Sanford 1 rec., 10 yards
Horne 1 rec., 9 yards
DEF: Holmes (7 tackles, 1 unassisted); Harrington (6, 1); Miles (5, 2), Davis (4, 1)
Other Key Numbers
First Downs: UMass 10, Albany 7
Third down converstions: UMass 4-for-10, Albany 4-for-8
Time of Possession: UMass 16:08; Albany 13:5
HALF
UMass 20, Albany 7
Herb Glass missed a 50-yard field goal attempt with 7 seconds left and UMass takes a knee to end the half. Horne is standing on the sidelines, but has not returned. Halftime stats coming soon.
2Q-0:37
Albany's Dave Casale gets the INT off Havens when Joe Sanford can't come up with the pass. Albany immediately completes a 23-yard pass and has a shot to cut into the lead with 0:31 left.
*****
2Q-1:51
Just got word that Albany RB David McCarty, who had 125 yards against the Minutemen last year, suffered a hip injury and his return to the game is questionable.
*****
2Q-2:05
UMass 20, Albany 7
The big throw to Cruz put UMass in position to give Cuko a shot from 37 yards out and he converted.
*****
2Q-3:19
Another big throw from Havens to Cruz down the left sideline. A gain of 24 yards gives UMass 1st and 10 on the 21 yard line. Cruz, 4 receptions, 114 yards. His fourth career 100-yard game.
*****
2Q-8:22
UMass 17, Albany 7
Havens rolls right and hits Cruz down the right sideline for a 67 yard touchdown. Nice catch by Cruz, who was at top speed and still adjusted to the ball, then exploded down the sideline. Big-time answer from the Minutemen, whose previous offensive drive was lackluster.
*****
2Q-9:06
UMass 10, Albany 7
Albany gets on the board on an Andrew Smith three-yard touchdown run. The GDs had great field position after a shanked Caleb Violette punt. The total drive was 8 plays, 32 yards in 3 minutes, 30 seconds.
*****
Early 2Q
We had a injury stoppage as I was inputting the 1Q stats. Horne was down for a while, but came off the field under his own power. I'll keep you updated if/when he returns.
*****
First quarter stats
Albany
Justin Gannon 3 carries, 37 yards
David McCarty 5 carries, 17 yards
Vinny Esposito 3-for-5, 1 INT, 1 yards
UMass
Tony Nelson 6 carries, 38 yards; 1 rec., 8 yardsChris Zardas 4 carries, 12 yards
Kyle Havens 4-for-7, 42 yards
Julian Talley 1 rec., 12 yards
Victor Cruz 1 rec., 12 yards
Joe Sanford 1 rec., 10 yards
DEF: Tyler Holmes (five tackles, one unassisted),
2Q-14:34
Esposito gives up the ball yet again, this time intercepted by Perry McIntyre over the middle on first down. UMass takes over at their own 16 yard line.
*****
End of 1Q
After the teams punted back and forth, the first quarter ends with Albany moving the ball on the back of Justin Gannon. When we get started, it'll be 3rd and two on the UMass 30 for the Great Danes.
First quarter stats coming soon
*****
1Q-7:47
Cuko's 39-yard field goal try came out low and hit the crossbar. Albany takes over at their own 22.
*****
1Q-9:04
UMass forces another turnover, this time on Albany's second play of the drive. Ke"mon Bailey tipped Esposito's pass over the middle and Tyler Holmes came up with the INT.
Albany was then flagged for pass interference on a deep try to Horne. Tony Nelson then broke free for a 1st down at the Albany 20.
NOTE: Holmes now has an interception in his last three games, going back to last year's season-finale.
*****
UMass 10-0
1Q-9:58
After Kyle Havens hit Julian Talley on a third-down slant for a first down, Tony Nelson scored from two yards out to give the Minutemen a 10-0 lead (after Cuko's extra point).
*****
1Q-11:50
Albany comes out with five WR on first play and Brandon Collier breaks through the interior line and drills QB Vinny Esposit, forcing a fumble. Collier eventually recovered the fumble and UMass starts the drive on the Albany 20 yard line.
*****
UMass 3-0
1Q-12:07 left
Armando Cuko's career-long 47-yard field goal with 12:07 left in the first capped a 8-play, 32-yard opening scoring drive for the MInutemen.
*****
Coin toss won by UMass and will receive the opening kickoff.
*****
We're here live at a dreary but festive McGuirk for the Minutemen's home-opener against Albany. Should be an interesting matchup with first-year coach Kevin Morris squaring off against one of his mentor's, Great Danes coach Bob Ford.
Some early news before kickoff as Eric Dickson is starting for D.J. Adeoba (knee) at weakside L, while Kumar Davis is starting for Shane Viverios (hip) at strong safety.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
No surprises in the starting lineup for UMass. I'll be curious to see how much the Minutemen play fullcourt against Duquesne.
11:23: Duquesne 24, UMass 10 - The MInutemen look like they're over their heads early. This was a bad matchup for them.
5:32: Duquesne 31, UMass 24 - Minutemen are on a 12-0 run.
3:45: Duq 35, UMass, 27 - It's going to be a long road for UMass.
0:00: Duquesne 42, UMass 41 - Amazing swing for the Minutemen, who finsied the half on a 29-9 run.
HALFTIME
15:19: Duquesne 53, UMass 52 - The Minutemen actually took a lead a moment ago as this once-blowout has become pretty entertaining.
11:48: UMass 62, Duquesne 60 - Anthony Gurley has 20 points.
7:48: Duquesne 66, UMass 62 - The Minutemen have slowed down a bit and they're struggling to score.
Final - Kind of a fitting end for the Minutemen, who didn't quite have enough and finished their season at 12-18.
Chris Lowe had a career-high 23 points. Gaffney had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn't enough.
...seven months til Midnight Madness...
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Tip will be a few minutes late here after senior day ceremonies. URI played the Jamaican national anthem to honor senior Jason Francis. I'm guessing its not a coincidence that Thorr Bjorn worked for UMass when the Gabon national anthem was played for Stephane Lasme.
UMass lacrosse leads 5-2 at halftime.
No. 4 Pitt just beat No. 1 UConn.
Same starting lineup as Wednesday.
FIRST HALF
15:47 6-6 - Chris Lowe has four of UMass' six points. UMass lax is up 6-3 after three.
13:10: UMass 16, URI 10 - Matt Glass just dunked on a baseline drive. I'm not kidding.
7:47: UMass 24, URI 22 - Matt Glass leads all scorers with 10 points. His previous high this year is 12. He has two, two-pointers. Before today he'd had six all season. UMass is undefeated (1-0) all time when Glass has more than one two in a game.
4:42: URI 32, UMass 28 - RHody is on a 10-2 run. UMass lacrosse beats Harvard 7-3.
0:00: UMass 41, URI 37 - Pretty typical game for the Minutemen with Matt Glass (13 points) and Gary Correia (9) accounting for over half of UMass' points.
SECOND HALF
15:54: UMass 47, URI 42 - Good start to the half.
11:51: UMass 54, URI 51 - Gary "The Microwave" Correia is up to 12 points. UMass has four guys in double figures and none are named Gurley or Gaffney.
7:50: UMass 57, URI 56 - The Minutemen look like they're just trying to hold on right now.
5:02: UMass 62, URI 59 - David Gibbs just hit another big 3-pointer.
2:18: URI 66, UMass 64 - Rams on a 10-2 run.
17.6: UMass 70, URI 69 - Ram ball. 15 on shot clock.
06.5: URI 71, UMass 70 - UMass inbounding from under own basket.
0:00: UMass 72, URI 71 - Chris Lowe hits a runner at the buzzer to give UMass the win.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
FIRST HALF
17:25: UMass 9, GW 2 - The Minutemen are playing full up tempo, the same way they ended the La Salle game and GW looks frazzled.
11:04: UMass 20, GW 15 - After giving up an 11-2 run, the Minutemen have scored five straight.
7:38: UMass 25, GW 21 - Harris and Lowe have six each. GW leads 15-9 in the glass.
3:18: GW 30, UMass 28 - The Colonials weathered UMass' surprise attack approach and have taken the lead.
0:00 GW 36, UMass 33 - Tough finish to the half for the Minutemen, who don't look like they're playing for their postseason life.
HALFTIME
Give Ryan Walsh credit. He and I had a bet during football season on whether Syracuse, his alma mater, would make it to a bowl. He bet yes. I went with no. The loser had to cover one basketball game in just a mustache. Fittingly the Channel 22 sports anchor looks more than a bit like Ron Burgundy.
UMass needs a spark of some kind or this is going to slip away from them.
SECOND HALF
15:39: UMass 45, GW 40 - Good start to the half for UMass, especially Chris Lowe, who has three assists on four UMass baskets.
7:24: UMass 62, GW 54 - Matt Glass just hit a big three to finish the Minutemen's prettiest bal movement of the night.
FINAL: UMass pulled away at the end with a great effort by their seniors.
...three days to Rhody...
Sunday, March 1, 2009
PREGAME
The UMass team is pondering staying tonight in Philly in fear of the impending weather. I'm considering doing the same.
The current La Salle athletic department's staff has done a nice job trying to dree up Tom Gola arena, but it's still the worst venue in the Atlantic 10.
FIRST HALF
15:20: La Salle 12, UMass 3 - This game has the look of a really ugly one for UMass.
11:42: La Salle 19, UMass 10 - UMass isn't playing any defense.
3:59: La Salle 38, UMass 26 - The Minutemen seem energyless. Ricky Harris is on the bench with two fouls, both charges.
0:00: La Salle 46, UMass 29 - My early prediction of ugly appears to be on track. La Salle leads 28-14 on the glass. The Explorers have turned nine offensive rebounds into eight points.
HALFTME
14:34: La Salle 59, UMass 39 - Kellogg started Gibbs, Gurley and Correia in the second half over Lowe, Harris and Bonner.
9:29: La Salle 72, UMass 54 - The Minutemen haven't thrown in the towel, but they're forced to gamble which has led to some easy basket for the Explorers.
FINAL: It's little consolation for the Minutemen, who lossed a critical game, 97-88, but they made a heck of a comeback to keep from getting blown out.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
No free T-shirts seems to have driven down the attendance.
FIRST HALF
15:19: UMass 8, Duquesne 4 - The Minutemen are up, but Ricky Harris is 0-for-2 on open shots so far. He struggled a bit from the field Sunday too. UMass can't afford a long slump from him.
11:06: UMass 18, Duquesne 14 - Matt Glass has nne points already. Luke Bonner has two fouls.
3:55: Duquesne 33, UMass 32 - Lowe, Glass two fouls each. Harris just made a three. Duquesne keeps getting free for easy baskets on defense.
HALFTIME: Duquesne 46, UMass 35 -Ugly finish to the half for the Minutemen, who could get blown out if they don't turn things around fast.
3:14: Duq 83, UMass 70 - The Dukes led by as many as 21. UMass has made a run, but it's going to come up way short.
FINAL - Duquesne 94-77
Turned out to be an ugly one at the Mullins Center as UMass couldn't keep up with the Dukes.
...four days til historic Tom Gola Arena...
Sunday, February 22, 2009
In the building: Bruiser Flint, former associate A.D. Bill Strickland and former UMass field hockey star Streya Volla.
14:08: UMass 12, Saint Joseph's 12 - A Matt Glass three gave Chris Lowe the UMass assist record.
11:08: UMass 19, SJU 14 - Kellogg just played his promised lineup ofBonner, Lynch and Gaffney on the floor together. If UMass had another big man, I might actually consider starting this group.
3:52: UMass 31, St. Joe's 27 - Gurley has been found. He's got seven points. Gaffney does too. Bonner has two fouls.
1:43: UMass 35, St. Joe 33 - This game is starting like a lot of recent UMass games.
HALFTIME: UMass 36, SJU 36 - UMass played pretty well in the first half, but they've done that before.
15:21: St. Joe's 44, UMass 38 - Hawks are on an 8-0 run.
11:58: St. Joe's 51, UMass 45 - Nivins can't graduate soon enough for UMass' He's got 14 points and sven boards.
3:34: St. Joe 63, UMass 61 - Gaffney has 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
42.4: UMass 66, SJU 65 - Luke just hit a three, his first hoop of the game to put UMass ahead.
2.0: UMass 70, SJU 69 - Chris Lowe makes two free throws to give the Minutemen the lead.
FINAL
As I walked off the court, Chris Lowe's father (also named Chris Lowe) was standing by himself. As a sea of disappointed Hawk fans walked out around him, he just smiled proudly. No doubt he'll be telling the relatives, co-workers and neighbors about his son's heroics for years to come.
...three days til Duquesne...
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Pregame
Matt Glass starting for Gurley.
Nice showing by the students, who'll brave any weather for a free T-shirt.
FIRST HALF
15:09: UMass 10, URI 2 - Lowe needed five assists to tie Carl Smith for the school's career record of 633. He's got two.
11:29: UMass 17, URI 11 - Gaffney just finished an alley-oop. Not sure where he sits in pursuit of Will Herndon's season-record of alley-oop dunks.
7:24: UMass 24, URI 15 - Gaffney just picked up his second foul. Lowe now has four assists.
6:04 - Lowe fed Harris for a 3-pointer to tie the record.
5:02 - UMass 31, URI 19 - Lowe and Harris each have seven points.
SECOND HALF
15:57 - UMass 34, URI 33 - UMass, which started sharp is struggling.
6:04: 51-51: Once again the Minutemen are in a tight game late. Can they fix what's been a bad script?
2:04: URI 59, UMass 57 - UMass' missed open shots are killing them.
Final -
URI 71, UMass 59 - Same old story.
...four days til Philly...
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Pregame
It's snowing in Olean. That's basically like saying it isn't snowing in
Tucson. It's pretty much a given. I've never been here for basketball
when it hasn't snowed at least a little.
I'm going to try to resist the temptation to make Hardball jokes about St. Bonaventure guard Chris Matthews.
First half
15:51: UMass 13, SBU 6 - UMass won the tip and immediately scored on an alley-oop from Luke Bonner to Tony Gaffney.
St. Bonaventure freshman standout Andrew Nicholson was called for a charged and spiked tha ball earning a technical and a seat on the Bonnie bench. Not a bright move that may cost the Bonnies their best player for most of the half.
The St. Bonaventure students are still quite profane and not terribly original.
12:30: UMass 15, SBU 12 -Da'Quan Cook, who replace Nicholson has two fouls now.
The St. Bonaventure fans are taunting Luke about his last name and what it sounds like, which is odd coming from fans of St. Bonnerventure.
6:45: UMass 25, SBU 21 - The Bonnies have four players with four fouls. Ricky Harris just hit two threes. Everybody talks about the lost art of the mid-range jumber. I like the lost art of post-to-post passing. Tyrell Lynch just fed Gaffney out of a double team for a lay-up.
UMass hockey is up 2-0 thanks to George Miller who is either there or listening on the radio and texting me.
2:06: UMass 36, SBU 29 - Luke just took his 22nd charge of the season, which is by far the team high.
0:29.2: UMass 38, SBU 31 - SBU has the ball for last shot.
HALFTIME
Gaffney and Harris each had 10 points, Gurley had seven. SBU is 0-for-8 from 3-point range and Andrew Nicholson has only played three minutes so they could get better quickly.
UMass hockey is up 3-0 in the second.
Saint Joseph's keeps unloading bullets into its foot losing to La Salle.
15:34: UMass 50, SBU 44 - Nicholson has made an impact right away
11:44: UMass 53, SBU 52 - SBU just got second T of the game, this one for delay of game.
7:51: SBU 62, UMass 61 - UMass is struggling all of a sudden and SBU has found the range and is riding their momentum.
3:31: 71-71 - Chris Lowe picked up two fouls in 12 seconds and has four.
1:44: SBU 75, UMass 73 - Bonnies have the ball with a chance to go ahead by two possessions.
RECAP
The Bonnies outscored the Minutemen 12-4 in the last 3:31. SBU outrebounded UMass 48-28. Gaffney led UMass with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Ricky Harris had 19 points, while Chris Lowe added 13.
Chris Matthews, who was scoredless in the first half had 18 in the second to lead SBU.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
There may be more UMass fan here than Fordham ones. There's a considerable Chris Lowe contingent.
FIRST HALF
15:35: UMass 12, Fordham 3 - Gaffney has 7 points already. Fordham is really bad.
13:22: UMass 19, Fordham 7 - Chris Lowe looks a little extra juiced with friends and family here. But so far he isn't overdoing it.
9:21: UMass 32, Fordham 13 - Luke Bonner has just made consecutive threes.
5:26: UMass 42, Fordham 20 - Every scholarship player but Matt Glass has scored for UMass alreay and he just checked in.
2:51: UMass 48, Fordham 27 - Lowe has 10 points and five assists already.
0:00: UMass 57, Fordham 28 - This one is over. Go watch Lost.
SECOND HALF
15:12: UMass 70, Fordham 39 - There are career high numbers all over the place including Bonner's four threes and Glass' 17 rebounds. UMass has 12 threes.
0:58.7: UMass 89, FU 64 - UMass has stopped trying to score for the most part.
Final 91-68
