Game 18: AT University of Massachusetts, Wednesday, January 16th, 7 PM, ESPN+

[Washingtonian]

This link doesn't have ESPN+ in big font, but the watch link leads to ESPN+:
https://gomason.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball

In addition, for anyone in the northeast, the game will be on NESN+. The game will also be on 11 Sports. (based on this link: https://gomason.com/news/2019/1/13/...-lift-mason-to-84-67-win-at-rhode-island.aspx)

UMass comes into this game with a 7-9 (5-4 at home) record after losing to Dayton by a score of 72-67 on Sunday.

The schedule is here: https://umassathletics.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=432
The stats are here: https://umassathletics.com/cumestats.aspx?path=mbball&year=2018#individual
The roster is here: https://umassathletics.com/roster.aspx?path=mbball
Last season's box score from Amherst, MA is here: https://gomason.com/boxscore.aspx?id=8278&path=mbball
UMass message board is here (as of this posting, there is a bunch of spam posts but they have a game thread from the game against Dayton): http://umasshoops.com/newboard/viewforum.php?f=1

Luwane Pimpkins is averaging 19.4 PPG/5.3 RPG (scored 15 points and 6 rebounds in last season's game, but had 7 turnovers), Jonathan Laurent is averaging 11.1 PPG, Carl Pierre is averaging 10.6 PPG (got 10 points in last season's game), and Rashaan Holloway is averaging 5.6 RPG (scored 13 points and got 10 rebounds in last season's game).

Discuss.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Holloway is a load of epic proportions. It looks like he's put on 50 pounds compared to last year. He will be a load to handle in the post. The good thing is he can't play that much due to conditioning. I'm confident in Greene/Kier shutting down Pipkins. GMU continues to win on the road. Mason 75 - UMess 64.

 

[MasonSAE4]

If memory serves me right, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man couldn’t hit shit to save his life last year in the one game against us he was academically eligible for. Watched them play Dayton yesterday and he was getting shots to go down. We’re much smaller than Dayton so hopefully that’s out of his system. If not could be a long game.

Also McCall is annoying as f**k to watch on the bench.

 

[gmujim92]

UMass wants this one bad after losing three close games to us last season. Our guys should also expect them to be desperate to avoid falling to 0-4 in conference.

Our three A-10 wins have come by an average of 19 points, but this feels like a close game.

 

[mkaufman1]

It’s time to run teams like Umass over. There’s no excuse at this point to not beat them and Fordham this week.

Cover Pimpkins well, and make sure Holloway gets uncomfortable in the post with doubles and being pushed around.

Mason 72
Umass 59

 

[gmujim92]

This will be another telling week about how ready this team is to compete for the double bye in Brooklyn.

Avoid a letdown, take care of business and we are in great position at 5-1 through the first one-third of the conference schedule.

Get a split and we’re still in good shape at 4-2. Anything worse ... ugh.

 

[GMU_DCU]

If I remember from when we played them with Holloway last year Paulsen was deliberately telling the team to push the pace to wear him out and beat him down the floor.

 

[PoorManProfit]

Can't lose this game if team wants to be taken seriously.

G Mas 74
UMass 72

 

[Five Two]

Verizon FiOS does carry Eleven Sports. However, my FiOS guide doesnt show the game scheduled for Wed night. hmmm.

The keys for us will be the same for the rest of the games on our schedule:
limit turnovers
shoot the 3 at a decent clip

Do those 2 things on Wed and we come home with a W

 

[GreenLantern]

Us - 77
Them - 72
OT

 

[TweederGMU]

Holloway and Baptiste are 2 big bodies that could give us fits. AJ, Reuter and Greg will have their hands full. Need to shut down Holloway. These guys HAVE to make their layups.

If we keep Pimpkins to under 20 points then we have an excellent shot. Have to continue to make 3's, we are on the road so let the rain commence.

Need to take care of the ball and not have dumb turnovers. Looking at you Greene and Reuter.

If we make some 3's and big men make some layups we will roll.


Goodguys 68
Minute Rice 64

 

[Quentin Daniels]

Holloway is a load of epic proportions. It looks like he's put on 50 pounds compared to last year.

He looks like Jai Lewis
.
.
.
.
.
.....if he ate Darryl Monroe.

 

[mkaufman1]

He looks like Jai Lewis
.
.
.
.
.
.....if he ate Darryl Monroe.

Lol Jai could definitely move a lot quicker than Holloway. In fact Jai would probably beat Reuter down the court and many other bigs.

 

[Washingtonian]

Lol Jai could definitely move a lot quicker than Holloway. In fact Jai would probably beat Reuter down the court and many other bigs.

Jai could hit 3's!

 

[GMUSig03]

I think biggest key for this game is 3pt shooting, so long as they don't go off and we don't pull a Davidson, we should win.

Pipkins is very inefficient (38% and 31% overall/from 3, respectively), but they have 4 other guys in their rotation that shoot a very good percentage from 3.

Halloway is mostly a waste of space, it's a shame he has never gotten into excellent shape since I think he has the general skill and athleticism to be a beast with his size if he had ever put it all together. If he gets the ball - foul him. Shoots less than 40% from the line. Gets in foul trouble a lot and rarely plays 20 mins+.

I think we are a much better all around team based on respective performances over the last 2 months. Umass has lost 4 in a row, and 7 of the last 10, but they have had very close losses on the road to Temple, SLU and Dayton - all by 5 pts or less.

Bonus match-up to watch - would be cool to see if Wood and JDS are ever matched up together.

 

[Copes4Three]

Mason 78, UMASS 71.
UMASS is hungry for a W after losing a close one against dayton. I'm expecting Paulsen to push the pace when Holloway is on the court. This game relies heavily on Kier and Greene to shut down pipkins. I'd like to see Otis turn the page in this game as this is a weaker A10 opponent. Game will go back and forth until the second half, Mason will go on a run then get cold magically. UMASS will mount a little comeback late in the 2nd half but it will be too late. Pierre will get hot because the focus will be on pippkins.

Impact players for UMASS: Pippkins, Pierre And Diallo.
Impact players for GMU: Kier, Otis and Calixte

 

[psyclone]

kenpom: UMass by 1
Sagarin: UMass by .3 (essentially pickem)

 

[99 Patriot]

Huge game. Guys have been on the road for 4-5 days and I'm sure are anxious to get back to Fairfax. Need same level of intensity and continued smart play. UMass will play hungry and desperate. Hopefully we hit enough shots to hold on. Wonder if our women's team will stick around to support the guys?

 

[psyclone]

Checked the FIOS guide for 11 (channel 597). Mason game not listed. They list a Grand Canyon game that begins at 8. If a game is on ESPN+, does that prevent any other channel in this market from carrying it?

 

[GMU1983]

on NESN+ channel 628-1 on DTV