UMass

[artvandalay]

The center combination of Venning and Brown combined for 22pts 11 rebounds and 3 steals. I don't like when either one dribbles to much but this combo has been the most consistent position all year for the Bonnies!!

[DemBonnies]

Feb 24, 2024 17:06:54 GMT -5 kccgold said:

UMass has some nice young pieces. It’s too bad Martin is such a prick that they will hit the portal after the season.

I like beating them when they are good

I enjoy beating them as well as I in-person witnessed many a thrashing at Mullins Ctr...have their number lately.

I will say Martin paid a great visit to our table when some 3rd Rob Bonnies were at dinner in Springfield in December for the Hall of Fame double header.

Couldn't have been more friendly and effusive about SBU & Reilly Center and talked at length about how NIL will hurt the small schools that people root for in March Madness and even how it will impact a state U like UMass.

Out of all the jerks to coach at Mass, I found him to be most engaging and the least offensive.

[Chuck]

Thoughts on a very competitive game.
— My MVPs of the game goes to Assa and Barry for the combined defensive job on Matt Cross. Last game against Bonnies Cross was UMass leading scorer with 19 points. Last night he was held to 5 points on 2-8 shooting from the field. Cross also led UMass with 4 turnovers. Cross 25% shooting last night is his lowest during A-10 games this year. Very impressive considering Matt’ 54.8% shooting is the 8th best FG% during conference games. Among starters Cross had a -8, which was the 2nd worse among UMass starters. Solid defensive game from Assa and Barry.
— Assa and Barry’s (+/-) stat is very interesting. Assa had the Bonnies best with a +15, while Barry had the worse with a -5. Four negative points occurred when Barry fouled a made 3 point shot.
— First matchup was dominated by Chad, outscoring Cohen 15-4 and holding Cohen to 25% shooting from the field (2-8). This game was basically a draw with Cohen with 2 more points and Chad with 3 more rebounds. Rest of their stats were very similar. A difference is on defense Chad handles Cohen 1-on-1, where Cohen gets help in defending Chad down on the blocks.
— Despite Mika’s 35.7% (5-14) shooting from the field, Mika had a solid game. He outscored UMass PG Keon Thompson 14-7 (holding him 3 points under his average). Really enjoyed Dr. G sharing his knowledge of the game. He pointed out Schmidt using “Spain pick and roll” with Mika. It was very effective in getting open looks for Mika. Mika’s 14 shots was the game high between both teams. I’ll be watching for Schmidt using “Spain pick and roll” for rest of the season.
— Moses had a critical 6 minute stretch (7:54 to 1:54). In these 6 minutes Moses had 4 points, 3 rebounds and a steal. With 7:54 left, Moses scores with a layup breaking a tie (58-58). Game is tied again with 2:57 left in the game. Moses had the play of the night missing a shot in heavy traffic in the paint. Incredibly jumping over everyone and grabbing his own miss shot. Moses then follows it up with a layup in the paint. Again Moses scoring breaks a tie. Bona would lead for rest of the game. As Dr. G stated, "Moses hit several big shots." Moses was Bonnies 2nd leading scorer with 15 points (Chad had 16).

Both road wins against VCU (NET 78) and UMass (NET 85) are close to being Q1 wins. For a Q1 road win opponent needs a NET 75 or under. Need to root for VCU and UMass for rest of the season.

Bonnies are at the point where they need to win A-10 Tournament for a chance at the Big Dance. Q1 wins will become very important for seeding if they make NCAA Tournament. Bonnies have shown they can lose to any team in the conference, but on the other hand they have the talent to beat any team in A10. Very frustrating team this season. Still it wouldn’t be a shocker to see Bonnies win A-10 Tournament.

gobonnies.com/documents/2024/2/24/Game_27_box_UMass_2.PDF
gobonnies.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2023-24/massachusetts/boxscore/6216
www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/matt-cross-1/gamelog/2024
www.warrennolan.com/basketball/2024/team-net-sheet?team=Saint-Bonaventure
hoopstudent.com/basketball-spain-pick-and-roll/#:~:text=Spain%20pick%20and%20roll%20is%20potentially%20effective%20because,defensive%20tactics%2C%20most%20notably%2C%20the%20drop%20coverage%20tactic.

[rf1]

The announced attendance of 7,016 for the game yesterday was by far the biggest crowd for a UMass home game at the Mullins Center this season. The 2nd most attended game in Amherst was far behind at 4,418 as UMass is averaging just 3,493 in the 9,493 seat Mullins Center. Yesterday's crowd was not just large by this season's standards but one of the biggest in the last decade there.

[ohs73]

Having Dr. G on the telecast was an enjoyable aspect Saturday. He knows the A10 inside and out and appreciates good fundamental ball.

[Chuck]

Feb 24, 2024 19:24:01 GMT -5 bigcat said:

Cross got free a few times but Assa held him to 5 points and 7 boards on 2-for-8 shooting. Assa had 6 points and 5 boards so it was a stalemate.

I'll even take it a step farther. Assa outplayed Matt Cross.
-- Assa shot 50% (3-6) from the field, while Cross was (2-8) for 25%.
-- Both had 1 assist, but Assa had 0 turnovers compared to 4 for Cross.
-- One advantage for Cross was he had 2 more rebounds (7-5).
-- Big advantage with (+/-) stat. Assa had a game high +13 compared to Cross -8, which was lowest among UMass starters.

Solid game for Assa, while Matt Cross struggled.

gobonnies.com/documents/2024/2/24/Game_27_box_UMass_2.PDF

[kccgold]

Feb 25, 2024 9:13:06 GMT -5 rf1 said:

The announced attendance of 7,016 for the game yesterday was by far the biggest crowd for a UMass home game at the Mullins Center this season. The 2nd most attended game in Amherst was far behind at 4,418 as UMass is averaging just 3,493 in the 9,493 seat Mullins Center. Yesterday's crowd was not just large by this season's standards but one of the biggest in the last decade there.

Well UMass fans were calling it “the biggest home game in a decade”

That’s funny when you consider we are sad/upset about a disappointing season, and it is. And yet, we were their biggest home game in a decade hahah

[bigcat]

Probably because UMAss has sucked for the last decade and the Bonnies have been good… except for the end of last season and every third game this season. 😃

[Hermit]

I understand many on here have no respect for Frank Martin. I used to feel the same way. But, over the years, I have come to understand him.
I believe the UMass fans are feeling the same way. It was great to see 7,000 fans in the seats for the game. The team isn’t there yet, but they are coming. And I certainly love the fact that those fans felt the Bonnies coming in was a huge game!
The A-10 needs teams that are better than good. There are plenty of “good” teams in the conference now, yet the rest of the country is paying no attention.
Check out Martins post game interview on YouTube. I’m hoping he will be successful at UMass……it helps the conference……and it helps the Bonnies if we can continue to beat them!

[kccgold]

Martin negative recruited the hell out of us in the RJ Luis recruitment.

Recruiting is recruiting but we shouldn’t “like” conference rival coaches disparaging our community, school and what we stand for. Even if he’s nice at a luncheon once

The sad thing is that Luis liked it here and he is a promising player that transferred from UMass because he ended up not liking playing for Frank Martin. I wish him well at St Johns

[wgt]

Glad to read that MARTIN comes across as a good guy. However, meeting him in a casual situation doesn't provide an opportunity to get beyond the facade. That said maybe he's a great guy.

I feel many players these days would have a difficult time playing for him. His in your face tirades with players after a mistake requires a real thick skin.

[wgt]

Two or 3 times during the broadcast DR. G referred to Bona as a JEKYLL and HYDE team. "When their offense is good its really good. And when bad its really bad."

Something we have known for a long time.

When "really good" 90,94, 90, 89, 99, 91

When "really bad." 54, 54, 50, 59

We have lived with the frustration of their inconsistency all season.

I can't imagine their level of frustration following those bad games.

Might the Amherst win lead to a level of consistency at a critical time heading into March?


I have no clue.

[vodorr]

Anyone else notice how they talked about Martin A LOT more than they talked about Schmidt?

[bjif]

UMASS leaving A10 for football reasons and joining the MAC. I think I got this news release right. It is unreal that they are bringing all other sports as well.

[bjif]

Sorry did not see the other thread.