Game #24: vs UMass - Sun Feb 9, 4pm CBS Sports Network

Shinze88 · Unread post by **Shinze88** » 10 years ago

Just another indication of the state of URI basketball. We are now pretty much a bad loss for any team with ncaa hopes.
While I never want URI to lose, I also want to see the A10 get as many teams in the dance as possible, a UMass loss to URI would hurt, but UMass has done enough to overcome a "bad" loss even on the road to URI.

I will be very interested to see how URI comes out to play after a beat down at VCU and the clunker at Fordham. The level of intensity, hustle and heart will tell me alot about Dan Hurley and where we are headed. While I dont expect URI to win today, it would be very discouraging to see UMass comes in and runs us off the court.

UMassHoops15 · Unread post by **UMassHoops15** » 10 years ago

RowdyPkunk wrote:
UMassHoops15 wrote:Losing to URI isn't going keep us out of the tourney, unless we completely collapse over the last 8 games we are in. Our rpi is way too high and our SOS is good. Keep dreaming folks.
The game itself might not keep u out completely... but considering your remaining schedule.... you'd almost have to win out and make a good run in the A-10 tourney to make the NCAA's.

I mean your OOC- your only real signature win was New Mexico. the rest are average teams at best. It took OT to beat Providence... really?

Then you look at in conference play- you barely beat St. Bonnie at home, you beat GMU by 1 pt... who until Saturday did not have a conference win, and only 7 wins total. You lose to Richmond who now doesn't have Lindsey for the rest of the season, you lose @ St Bonnies (2-6 in A-10), you lose at St Joes like VCU did last night...

And look at your remaining schedule- 2 games against URI, @GW.... very tough team to beat, VCU, @Dayton who can be tough when playing their A-game, and you end the year at home with SLU.

If y'all were to lose to URI... you would pretty much have to beat GW, VCU, & possibly even SLU to get in the tourney as an at large. Otherwise y'all would need to make a deep run in the A-10 tourney or win the tourney to get in.

Losing to URI, based on the rest of your remaining schedule, could very well keep you out of the NCAA tourney, unless you win the A-10 tourney by a miracle.

Clueless, our resume is more than our rpi, top 50 wins, top 100's wins, I'll explain it all after we win today.

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 10 years ago

We're doing a much better job of converting our opportunities at the hoop compared to normal. If we can keep that up it could be huge today.

RowdyPkunk · Unread post by **RowdyPkunk** » 10 years ago

Decent start by URI so far, that foul they just called on UMass was a good call but they waited to see he missed the shot to call it... wth?

Sweep The Leg · Unread post by **Sweep The Leg** » 10 years ago

Putney is quite the punk.

RowdyPkunk · Unread post by **RowdyPkunk** » 10 years ago

URI is playing really good D right now, keeping Chaz Williams at bay, Making FT's, and not turning the ball over much.

Y'all are doing really good. Keep it up!

GO RAMS!!!

Shinze88 · Unread post by **Shinze88** » 10 years ago

Sweep The Leg wrote:Putney is quite the punk.

Yes he is, wish he was wearing a URI jersey

Gonebarongone · Unread post by **Gonebarongone** » 10 years ago

Really had a chance to blow it open there up nine. X missed a layup, JR missed two FTs, a turnover.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

I thought X was fouled but UMass can score, need to keep it to half court game and not allow them to run. We only have 6 turnovers but I think all 6 have led to baskets

Sweep The Leg · Unread post by **Sweep The Leg** » 10 years ago

Gonebarongone wrote:Really had a chance to blow it open there up nine. X missed a layup, JR missed two FTs, a turnover.

Thought the exact same thing. X is having trouble finishing today, probably due to UMass bigs being so tall and athletic.

Dan needed to call a timeout during their run. You're at home, kill their momentum.

RowdyPkunk · Unread post by **RowdyPkunk** » 10 years ago

Holy cow what a Deep 3 by Xavier Munford

ElmCityRhody · Unread post by **ElmCityRhody** » 10 years ago

WHAT A GAME.. Where was this all season!??

EC !

RowdyPkunk · Unread post by **RowdyPkunk** » 10 years ago

ElmCityRhody wrote:WHAT A GAME.. Where was this all season!??

EC !

Y'all got a lot of talent, much better than your record would suggest.

Y'all are playing outta this world right now.

RowdyPkunk · Unread post by **RowdyPkunk** » 10 years ago

E.C. Matthews is only a freshman? Dang he's playing like he's a junior at least right now

Sweep The Leg · Unread post by **Sweep The Leg** » 10 years ago

Screwed by the refs once again. Two no calls on UMass at the end.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

don't pull that card Sweep, they did not cost us this game

Sweep The Leg · Unread post by **Sweep The Leg** » 10 years ago

twisted3829 wrote:don't pull that card Sweep, they did not cost us this game

You think the block on TJ was clean? Or the block on EC that wasn't called? The last minute has been bad.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

and how many lay ups have we missed and how many turnovers, and on replay the block on buchanan was clean

Sweep The Leg · Unread post by **Sweep The Leg** » 10 years ago

twisted3829 wrote:and how many lay ups have we missed and how many turnovers, and on replay the block on buchanan was clean

Forearm to the side is clean, since when?

UMassHoops15 · Unread post by **UMassHoops15** » 10 years ago

There was no forearm to his side, but I'll admit most of our fans would be complaining too if the shoe was on the other foot.

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 10 years ago

Bullshit twisted. Chaz Williams should have been fouled out twice. All game on the offensive end he jumps into guys, no calls. Then at the end he's guarding Munford and dives away like Superman punched him in the dick and they call offensive on Munford. Or are you saying Williams had no effect on the outcome of this game?

Sweep The Leg · Unread post by **Sweep The Leg** » 10 years ago

UMassHoops15 wrote:There was no forearm to his side, but I'll admit most of our fans would be complaining too if the shoe was on the other foot.

Normally, the home team gets that call. We, unfortunately, are not most teams. Great hustle by Putney, but TJ should have dunked it, so there would be alternative other than to foul.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

what I'm saying is I'm not making excuses, the team lost the game not the refs costing us the game. Stop making excuses for the losses, too many turnovers and too many missed inside shots

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

1-for-5 FGs, 3 TOs in final 3 minutes. This is why we lost, not the refs. We failed to close out the game (looked tired)

hrstrat57 · Unread post by **hrstrat57** » 10 years ago

Refs normally swallow the whistle on a net touch = very odd call.

Sweep The Leg · Unread post by **Sweep The Leg** » 10 years ago

twisted3829 wrote:1-for-5 FGs, 3 TOs in final 3 minutes. This is why we lost, not the refs. We failed to close out the game (looked tired)

I know you don't want be a homer, but there is looking for objectiveness. Yes, we did some bad things, but we were down by one possession with under a minute left. What happened in that minute did effect the outcome of the game.

We were down 1 add EC get bumped at the top of the key, UMass had 6 fouls at the time, that would be a 1-1. Instead no call and then a turnover.

Then down 3, a breakaway where 95% of home teams get that call, no call. There was a lot of lower body contact with his off-arm, not the one he blocked the shot with. And Gil got called for that same type play twice today.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

After going up 7 (62-55) with Munford's three ft's at the 8:35 mark, URI went ice cold. They scored just 6 points to close out the game. They matched that with 6 to's in that span and missed 9 shots. You don't win any games with that.

TO Reischel
Missed FG Buchanan
TO Matthews
TO Munford
Missed 3FG Martin
Missed FG Munford
Missed FG Matthews
Made FG Biruta
1-2 FT Munford
TO Munford
TO Mathews
Missed 3FG Munford
Missed FG Matthews
Missed FG Buchanan
Missed 3FG Matthews
Made 3FG Matthews
TO Reischel
Missed 3FG Munford

UMassHoops15 · Unread post by **UMassHoops15** » 10 years ago

And Mr. VCU here's our tourney resume that you think isn't good enough "if" we had lost to URI:

RPI: 11 or 13, depending on who you ask.
SOS: 41
Non-Conference SOS: 22
3 wins vs the Top 50
11-4 against the Top 100
Haven't play anyone with an rpi over 200
Wins against Providence, LSU, New Mexico, BYU, St. Joe's, Clemson, @ Ohio,
Bad Losts: ???? @ St. Bonnie who has an RPI of 78 and a home record of 11-3

Better RPI and SOS than VCU. More top 50 and 100 wins.Your L at Northern Iowa is wrose than our L at St. Bonnie

NJ03 · Unread post by **NJ03** » 10 years ago

However no top 25 RPI wins

As I said earlier even with a loss to URI today you would have still been in just closer to the bubble. If you win the games your supposed to (us, Mason, duq) then you're fine.

Gonebarongone · Unread post by **Gonebarongone** » 10 years ago

RF1 wrote:After going up 7 (62-55) with Munford's three ft's at the 8:35 mark, URI went ice cold. They scored just 6 points to close out the game. They matched that with 6 to's in that span and missed 9 shots. You don't win any games with that.

TO Reischel
Missed FG Buchanan
TO Matthews
TO Munford
Missed 3FG Martin
Missed FG Munford
Missed FG Matthews
Made FG Biruta
1-2 FT Munford
TO Munford
TO Munford
Missed 3FG Munford
Missed FG Matthews
Missed FG Buchanan
Missed 3FG Matthews
Made 3FG Matthews
TO Reischel
Missed 3FG Munford

Add that the Matthews made three was an offensive rebound off a terrible offensive set. The no call on the block was tough, even though it was probably the right call. The net touch was terrible. But, man, the offense is so bad at the end of these close games. Turnovers and contested jumpers.

NJ03 · Unread post by **NJ03** » 10 years ago

We're going to start getting these wins eventually. We're close. But man oh man is the transition process tough to watch.

Blue Man · Unread post by **Blue Man** » 10 years ago

RF1 wrote:After going up 7 (62-55) with Munford's three ft's at the 8:35 mark, URI went ice cold. They scored just 6 points to close out the game. They matched that with 6 to's in that span and missed 9 shots. You don't win any games with that.

TO Reischel
Missed FG Buchanan
TO Matthews
TO Munford
Missed 3FG Martin
Missed FG Munford
Missed FG Matthews
Made FG Biruta
1-2 FT Munford
TO Munford
TO Munford
Missed 3FG Munford
Missed FG Matthews
Missed FG Buchanan
Missed 3FG Matthews
Made 3FG Matthews
TO Reischel
Missed 3FG Munford

Sweep...or any fans booing: if you think the refs cost this game...you don't know basketball.

We lost that game. Look at the above. Think about the lack of transition defense. Think about our inability to hit layups when it counts or convert on a fast break. Think about dumb offensive fouls by lowering your shoulder or raising your elbow. Think about the 5 times we stepped out of bounds. Bitch about the goaltending all you want but thats the rule.

We are an embarrassment to the game of basketball and lets adjust to the fact that we are just destined to suck like the cleveland browns....and we should always fear losing any close game.

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 10 years ago

Blue Man: grow up

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

We have trouble in the half court, when the opponent puts the heat on late in games.

URI should have won this game. They played well enough, until the end.

Good teams close out games, especially at home. If Williams had fouled out, which he should have, we would have won.

We don't have a Chaz. EC was great, I think he got tired late. Just no depth. Having Butler in late showed that.

Great effort, though. A couple more pieces, we start winning these types of games, along with expected maturation by EC and Hassan.

Blue Man, I understand the frustration big time. If we don't get help for next year, you will be right and it will really suck. [About losing close games, that is] But we're not an embarrassment.

Sweep The Leg · Unread post by **Sweep The Leg** » 10 years ago

Blue Man wrote:
RF1 wrote:After going up 7 (62-55) with Munford's three ft's at the 8:35 mark, URI went ice cold. They scored just 6 points to close out the game. They matched that with 6 to's in that span and missed 9 shots. You don't win any games with that.

TO Reischel
Missed FG Buchanan
TO Matthews
TO Munford
Missed 3FG Martin
Missed FG Munford
Missed FG Matthews
Made FG Biruta
1-2 FT Munford
TO Munford
TO Munford
Missed 3FG Munford
Missed FG Matthews
Missed FG Buchanan
Missed 3FG Matthews
Made 3FG Matthews
TO Reischel
Missed 3FG Munford

Sweep...or any fans booing: if you think the refs cost this game...you don't know basketball.

We lost that game. Look at the above. Think about the lack of transition defense. Think about our inability to hit layups when it counts or convert on a fast break. Think about dumb offensive fouls by lowering your shoulder or raising your elbow. Think about the 5 times we stepped out of bounds. Bitch about the goaltending all you want but thats the rule.

We are an embarrassment to the game of basketball and lets adjust to the fact that we are just destined to suck like the cleveland browns....and we should always fear losing any close game.

Yeah, none of us know anything about hoops. I thought the game overall was officiated well until those two calls I mentioned (I never mentioned the goaltending by the way because that was the correct call). They affected the outcome, would we have won? Maybe, maybe not. We did struggle mightily after being up 7. It seemed we tried not to lose rather than stepping on their throats.

Transition defense? It's not poor transition defense when they are breakaways. Heh heh...

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 10 years ago

Blue Man wrote:
RF1 wrote:After going up 7 (62-55) with Munford's three ft's at the 8:35 mark, URI went ice cold. They scored just 6 points to close out the game. They matched that with 6 to's in that span and missed 9 shots. You don't win any games with that.

TO Reischel
Missed FG Buchanan
TO Matthews
TO Munford
Missed 3FG Martin
Missed FG Munford
Missed FG Matthews
Made FG Biruta
1-2 FT Munford
TO Munford
TO Munford
Missed 3FG Munford
Missed FG Matthews
Missed FG Buchanan
Missed 3FG Matthews
Made 3FG Matthews
TO Reischel
Missed 3FG Munford

Sweep...or any fans booing: if you think the refs cost this game...you don't know basketball.

We lost that game. Look at the above. Think about the lack of transition defense. Think about our inability to hit layups when it counts or convert on a fast break. Think about dumb offensive fouls by lowering your shoulder or raising your elbow. Think about the 5 times we stepped out of bounds. Bitch about the goaltending all you want but thats the rule.

We are an embarrassment to the game of basketball and lets adjust to the fact that we are just destined to suck like the cleveland browns....and we should always fear losing any close game.

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW, BLUE MAN! THIS IS FOR YOU…….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcJm1pOswfM

BPR2010 · Unread post by **BPR2010** » 10 years ago

But Sweep, the goaltending is one of the points were trying to make. It could have been a 2 point game still, and our own player took that away from us. That was not on the refs. Neither was shooting 2-11 down the stretch with 6 turnovers. In my opinion, that game never should've gotten to the point where the refs could impact it. Those 2 calls that you say are "bad", came when we were already losing. The game was already lost at that point. We for whatever reason, take the foot off the pedal with leads late in games. We have no killer mentality. UMass put the foot on the gas, hit their free throws late, and won it fair and square. Put the blame where it should be, on Dan and the rest of the team. Umass simply outplayed us when it mattered. Another thing I'll point out, why does Dan seem to have trouble drawing up plays out of timeouts? Normally, out of TO's is when a team should excel in offensive sets. With this team, I feel like were at a disadvantage. Am I crazy, or do people see this as well? Played a great 35 minutes tonight, but yet again, no killer instinct. We'll keep losing close games unless they learn to manage games late with a lead.

UMassHoops15 · Unread post by **UMassHoops15** » 10 years ago

NJ03 wrote:However no top 25 RPI wins

As I said earlier even with a loss to URI today you would have still been in just closer to the bubble. If you win the games your supposed to (us, Mason, duq) then you're fine.

Here use this: http://www.rpiforecast.com/wizard/Massachusetts.html

Even if we lose out, we'll be 19-11 with an rpi around 46 and a sos around 40. With enough good wins to get us in. We won't deserve to be but our numbers are strong enough to survive a lost or 2 against bad teams like URI, Duquesne and GMU.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

Would have been nice if Hurley had gotten Gordon when he transferred. He played 33 minutes, had 11 pts, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists against us.

UMassHoops15 · Unread post by **UMassHoops15** » 10 years ago

Would have been nice if UMass had gotten EC. We were in on him bad, even hired his AAU coach as an assistant, still couldn't get him. He'll be making me sick for the next 3 plus years!

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

This team has reached the point where they play just about anybody tough at home.

Closing out and winning close games against good teams, is the toughest thing to do for a team.

I can not be surprised they continue to lose these types of games. They are getting closer, but they won't get there without someone who can run the half court offense UNDER PRESSURE.

Whether that means setting their teammates up for good shots, or taking it himself to the hole [a la Cotton]. That's what it will take.

Everything else will flow from that leadership.

A very good PG makes their coaches look really smart. Hurley included.

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 10 years ago

Same story. We can't close. It is frustrating because I thought we were playing a good game. Hopefully we will grow from this and get better for next season. Still hoping for a few wins down the stretch.

zporiri · Unread post by **zporiri** » 10 years ago

on a bright note, i was very happy with the student section today. it was nice to see the 100's standing for the whole game. had good creative chants ("hit the gym", "chicken legs") and were loud the whole game.

would've been nice for us to get a win and not have our offense disappear in the last 10 minutes as they seem to do most games. i still think the future is bright-ec had almost as many WOW plays as chaz today (frustrating to see him throw up these shots that look like prayers but always go in. talented player.).

ram12 · Unread post by **ram12** » 10 years ago

Just got back from the game. Man we have a tough time closing at games. We really need some depth to give our guys a breather. Gil's foul trouble really hurt us again today.

As for the students, only the 100's section did a good job. We had a lot of students there and they CAN make an impact on the game with their energy. It's pathetic to see all the students in the 200's jumping up and down for mini basketballs and free t-shirts during the breaks, but the game is on and they all sit there. The UMASS student section was louder than our students for the better part of the game on our own home floor. Its absolutely pathetic. Hurley is on the bench waiving his hands in the air for people to stand and show some enthusiasm but nothing happens. I understand we aren't going as well as we'd like but all of this works together.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

EC is going to be all A10 by his junior year.

If he gets a good you-know what to play alongside him by then, he's going to be a nightmare matchup for everyone else.

If so, the sky's the limit.

Same for Hassan. Give him a good big man in the middle, and watch out.

All we need, two more big timers, and maybe we'll forget all the angst we're going through now.

At times, we seem like we're miles away from getting good, other times like tonight, it seems like we're not that far away.

I think we're closer than a lot of people think.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

rhodyfan3 wrote: Still hoping for a few wins down the stretch.

You will get your wish. There will be few wins from here on out. I fear they get no more than two victories in the remaining seven regular season games.

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 10 years ago

Yes. Hoping for some revenge on Fordham last game of the year.

UMassHoops15 · Unread post by **UMassHoops15** » 10 years ago

NJ03 wrote:However no top 25 RPI wins

As I said earlier even with a loss to URI today you would have still been in just closer to the bubble. If you win the games your supposed to (us, Mason, duq) then you're fine.

And New Mexico is a top 25 rpi win.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

UMass would have to forfeit to not make it in now.

Even with a loss tonight, wouldn't hurt them much. Remember, it's a conference road game, and our RPI isn't horrible.

What does everyone think they're going to do to us at their place?

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 10 years ago

Ugh tough loss. And it is a loss not a lost umASS. We have everyone coming back, they have to get better right? JR didn't miss the big controversial play but pulled the net. I personally believe that a player can't be so bad over the course of two years. So here is hoping that he doesn't continue to be such a negative next year.

Regardless, he didn't lose the game. We have to execute better next year. Would like to see the stat of how many missed/blocked lay ups we had today.

... Not much to say. I think we've shown an improvement and luckily they all come back. Question is if the loss of X will offset the improvement the team makes. Tough season.

Really think Hassan is more key than EC. If EC improves marginally and Hassan really becomes a threat we will be ok. EC is great but he can't be the sole star going forward no matter how good he is. Hassan has to be able to create offense for himself next year and at the least finish through contact. Still I think EC could be an nba player, just for team success, it will take two big dogs filling up the stat sheet and executing down the stretch.

Under 5 minutes it becomes focus and prep. Who has it in the tank to win the game with conviction. Comes from hard work prep in the offseason.