Men's Basketball Hits The Road To Face Fordham

Jan. 11, 2002

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GAME DAY QUICK FACTS

The Teams: UMass (6-6, 0-1 A-10) at Fordham (4-9, 0-2 A-10)

Date: Saturday, Jan. 12, 2002

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Place: Rose Hill Gymnasium (3,470), Bronx, N.Y.

Radio: UMass Radio Network (Bob Behler, play-by-play, Jack Leaman, color, WLZX 99.3 FM, Springfield, flagship)

Probable Massachusetts Starters
Pos. No.  Name                  Ht.   Wt.   Yr.
F      1  Willie Jenkins        6-6   200   So.
F      3  Ronell Blizzard       6-8   205   Sr.
C     21  Eric Williams         6-8   243   Sr.
G     11  Kyle Wilson           6-2   175   Fr.
G     30  Shannon Crooks        6-2   222   Sr.

Probable Fordham Starters
Pos. No.  Name                  Ht.   Wt.   Yr.
F      1  Michael Haynes        6-8   205   So.
F      5  Teremun Johnson       6-6   205   Sr.
C      4  Jeff McMillan         6-8   250   So.
G     11  Mark Jarrell-Wright   6-5   190   So.
G     21  Smush Parker          6-4   180   So.

The Game: A pair of teams in search of their first Atlantic 10 victory square off in historic Rose Hill Gymnasium, as first-year coach Steve Lappas' Minutemen hit the road for the first time on the young conference season to tackle a Fordham squad that has lost five-straight games. Massachusetts, 6-6 overall and 0-1 in the A-10, enters today's game on a three-game losing streak after Wednesday's 70-62 homecourt loss to Ohio State. Under Lappas, though, UMass has enjoyed a complete reversal in fortune from a year ago when it stood 3-9 after 12 games and didn't earn its sixth win until the season's 16th game (an 80-69 victory over Duquesne, Jan. 20, 2001). The Minutemen opened the season 4-0 for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign (when they started 26-0 en route to a 35-2 record and a Final Four trip), but have since lost six of their last eight games. After dropping its league opener to defending A-10 regular-season champion St. Joseph's, 63-38, a week ago today in Amherst, UMass needs a win over the Rams to avoid its first 0-2 A-10 start since the 1991-92 campaign. That year, the Minutemen opened their league season with losses at George Washington (77-65) and to West Virginia (76-75) in Amherst, but then won 13 of their last 14 league games to capture the school's first-ever Atlantic 10 regular-season basketball crown en route to a 30-5 overall mark and a Sweet 16 appearance. Fordham, meanwhile, is 4-9 overall and 0-2 in the A-10 after Wednesday's 88-58 loss at preseason West Division favorite Xavier. Coach Bob Hill's team has dropped five straight since squaring its record at 4-4 with a 63-60 victory over Northwestern at Madison Square Garden, Dec. 22. The Rams are 2-1 at Rose Hill this season, scoring wins over Siena (78-69) and Delaware State (80-70), but dropping their A-10 opener to Temple, 86-75, last Sunday. UMass and Fordham share one common non-league opponent in Holy Cross. The Minutemen dropped a 67-56 decision to the Crusaders in Amherst, Dec. 4, while coach Ralph Willard's team beat the Rams, 95-77, in Worcester, Jan. 2.

Minute-Matters: Trends to consider as UMass takes to the road for the first time in the young A-10 season to face Fordham in the Bronx . . .

Since posting a 4-5 regular-season A-10 road record in 1990-91, the Minutemen have gone 56-24 (.700) away from home in conference play, including a 5-3 mark a year ago.

Nine times over the last 10 seasons UMass has won at least five Atlantic 10 road games, and in 1995-96 it recorded its only undefeated (8-0) league road record.

Although Massachusetts has gotten January off on the wrong foot with losses to St. Joseph's and Ohio State, the first month of the calendar year has traditionally been a good one for the Minutemen. Since recording a 6-4 January record in 1990-91, the Minutemen have gone 77-18 (.811) in the new year's first month, including last year's 7-1 mark, their best January record by percentage since a 9-0 mark during the 1997-98 campaign. UMass hasn't lost three-straight games in January since the 1989-90 season, when it went on a five-game skid from Jan. 18-30, 1990.

In racing to its first 4-0 start since the 1995-96 season, UMass averaged 65.8 ppg, and shot 46.5 percent from the field and 42.0 percent from three-point range, but in the eight games since it has averaged 62.6 ppg, and shot 40.9 percent from the field, 24.1 percent from beyond the arc.

The Minutemen held their foes to 34.6 percent field goal shooting and 59.8 ppg over the season's first four games, but over the last eight games opponents have shot 42.6 percent from the field and averaged 67.4 ppg.

In its six victories this season, Massachusetts has shot 47.7 percent from the field, 35.4 percent from three-point range and 66.3 percent at the free throw line while averaging 67.5 ppg, but in its six defeats it has averaged 59.8 ppg and shot 37.9 percent from the floor, 24.1 percent from beyond the arc and 62.5 percent at the foul line.

UMass has out-shot its opponent from the field in each of its six wins this year and in seven of 12 games overall.

Massachusetts, which has made at least one trey in 105-consecutive games and in 481 of 488 games it has played since the arc was added to the college game (1986-87), has hit just 20.8 percent (22-of-106) from three-point range over the last six games.

The Minuteman bench has provided 19.6 points per game (compared to the opponent's 9.5 ppg) and has outscored their opponent's bench in 11 of 12 outings.

In its wins, the UMass bench has averaged 20.0 ppg, compared to 19.2 ppg in its losses. Against Ohio State, the Minuteman bench provided a season-high-tying 26 points.

Massachusetts has averaged 16.5 assists per game in its six wins, but just 13.0 apg in its losses. In five of their six victories the Minutemen have recorded at least 15 assists.

The Minutemen rank fourth in the Atlantic 10 in field goal percentage defense (.398) and have allowed only five teams to shoot better than 37.1 percent from the floor against them.

UMass ranks third in the A-10 in three-point percentage defense (.311) and fourth in scoring defense (64.8 ppg).

The Minutemen are 6-0 this season when yielding 62 or fewer points, and have won 15-straight games when allowing 62 or fewer points since a 54-51 loss at Ohio State, Dec. 10, 2000.

Conversely, Massachusetts is 0-2 this season, and has lost 23-straight games when allowing its opponent to score 80 or more points since recording a 93-89 win at Duquesne, Jan. 20, 1996.

In its wins this year, UMass has limited its foes to 34.7 percent field goal shooting, including just 27.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc, and 58.0 ppg, but in its losses, foes have shot 45.3 percent from the field, including 36.6 percent from three-point range, and averaged 71.7 ppg.

Massachusetts ranks second in the Atlantic 10 in rebound margin (+3.8 rpg), but has been outrebounded in each of its last two games. The Minutemen have outrebounded their opponent in five of six victories this season and eight times overall.

Despite hitting 64.4 percent from the foul line on the year, the Minutemen have hit 71.4 percent at the stripe at crunch time (game's final 5:00 minutes).

UMass opponents have made (198) more free throws than the Minutemen have attempted (177) for the year. Minuteman foes have shot 123 more free throws on the year.

The Minutemen have overcome double-digit opponent leads in two (Arkansas-Little Rock and Oregon) of their six victories, and have trailed at some point in 11 of 12 outings this season. The only game UMass led from start to finish was the Marist contest.

The Massachusetts offensive attack is balanced, as seven players contribute at least 5.7 ppg, led by senior guard Shannon Crooks' 14.4 scoring average.

Crooks, who has recorded a team-high 11 double-figure scoring games this season and has led the Minutemen in scoring six times, tallied a season-high 22 points against Ohio State.

Senior center Kitwana Rhymer is third in the A-10 in blocks with 2.42 bpg. He has blocked at least two shots in eight of 12 games, including a career-high-tying six snuffs vs. Holy Cross.

Rhymer has averaged 12.7 ppg and 7.2 rpg in UMass wins, while shooting 58.9 percent from the floor, but has averaged 4.2 ppg and 5.3 rpg in its losses, and shot 34.5 percent from the field.

Sophomore guard Anthony Anderson ranks fifth in the A-10 in assist/turnover ratio (2.05/1.0). For the season, he has a team-high 43 assists and just 21 turnovers in 385 minutes of work.

Junior forward Micah Brand came off the bench for the first time this season in the Ohio State game, and responded with 15 points and and a game-high nine rebounds. He has tallied eight double-digit scoring games this year.

Senior forward Eric Williams has averaged 7.5 ppg and 6.1 rpg over the last eight games, while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 90.0 percent at the free throw line.

UMass Coach Steve Lappas: A new chapter in UMass basketball history began on March 26, 2001, when athletic director Bob Marcum introduced Steve Lappas (City College of New York, 1977) as the school's 19th basketball coach. In his 14th season as a head coach, Lappas owns a 236-178 (.570) record, including a 6-6 (.500) mark in his first year on the Minuteman sideline. Just the third rookie UMass coach to start his career in Amherst 4-0, and first since Johnny Orr in 1963-64, Lappas is 1-5 all-time vs. Fordham. Lappas came to UMass after nine highly-successful years at Villanova (1993-2001), where he guided the Wildcats to a 174-110 (.613) record and seven postseason appearances (four NCAA, three NIT). He ranks as the sixth-winningest coach in Big East history (and was the third-winningest among active league coaches when he left the Main Line) with 97 league victories. At Manhattan (1988-92), Lappas improved the Jaspers' win total every year, going from seven in 1988-89, to 11 the following year, 13 in his third season and 25 in his fourth and final campaign (1991-92) en route to a 56-62 (.475) four-year mark and one postseason (NIT) appearance. Equally impressive as Lappas' on-court record is the classroom performance of his players, as all of his seniors at both Villanova and Manhattan graduated. Prior to moving to Manhattan, Lappas spent four seasons as an assistant to Rollie Massimino at Villanova, and was a member of the Wildcats' 1985 national championship staff.

Ram Coach Bob Hill: Fordham's Bob Hill (Bowling Green, 1971) owns a 28-35 (.444) mark in his third season as a collegiate head coach, all with the Rams. Hill spent 12 seasons (1985 through 1997) in professional basketball, including stints as head coach of the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs. He fashioned a 257-212 (.548) mark in seven seasons as an NBA head coach, and led his team to the playoffs five times. Hill is 0-3 vs. UMass, 0-1 here, and is coaching against Lappas for the first time.

Ohio State Review: The visiting Buckeyes, leading 19-18 with 5:37 left in the first half, closed the half on a 9-0 run to take a 28-18 halftime lead, but the pesky Minutemen refused to fold in the second stanza. Ohio State extended its advantage to 18 nine minutes into the second half, and led by 17 (59-42) with 6:15 to play, before UMass made its move. The Minutemen went on an 18-6 run over the next 5:16 to pull within 65-60 with 59 seconds left on a Micah Brand three-pointer, but could get no closer. Ohio State hit five of eight free throws in the game's final minute to hold off the Minutemen. Shannon Crooks led the UMass attack with a season-high 22 points, while Brand added 15 points and a game-high nine rebounds. OSU was led by Boban Savovic's 19 points.

The Fordham Series: Twenty-third meeting in a series that UMass leads, 16-6, after last year's 85-59 victory in Amherst. The Minutemen have won 15 of the last 17 games between the schools, including an 81-72 victory on their last visit to Rose Hill during the 1999-2000 campaign. UMass was 1-4 vs. Fordham in the first five games of the series between 1967 and 1972, but is 10-1 against the Rams in Atlantic 10 play and has won three straight in the series since a 66-60 Fordham victory in Amherst, Jan. 26, 1999. Massachusetts owns a 6-4 record against Fordham in Rose Hill Gymnasium, and has won five-straight here since an 80-65 Ram victory, Jan. 18, 1982.

Last Year vs. the Rams: After a 2-2 tie, UMass ran off 16-straight points and never looked back in handing Fordham an 85-59 setback at the Mullins Center, Feb. 3, 2001. The Minutemen, who led by as many as 20 points in the first half en route to a 42-24 halftime lead, watched the Rams close to within 15 at 57-42 with 12:03 to play, but a 6-0 run kicked the lead back to 21 at 63-42 and Fordham would get no closer than 18 the rest of the game. Monty Mack scored a game-high 22 points for UMass, while Jackie Rogers tallied 16 points and nine rebounds and Micah Brand added 10 points. Bevon Robin paced Fordham with 21 points. The Minutemen, who scored a season-high 85 points and shot a season-best 53.3 percent from three-point range, won for the eighth time in nine games on the year and moved their overall record to 10-10 after a 2-9 start.

Fans Returning to Mullins Center: In seven games played at the Mullins Center this season, the Minutemen have averaged 6,190 fans, an increase of 711 per game over last year's 10-game average of 5,479. A season-high crowd of 8,894 was on hand for the UConn game, Dec. 11. UMass last averaged more than 6,000 fans at the Mullins Center during the 1998-99 season, when it averaged 6,723 over its 14-game home slate. Tickets for all remaining UMass home games may be purchased either through TicketMaster outlets around the Commonwealth or by calling the Athletic Ticket Office at 1-866-UMASS-TIX or (413) 545-0810. Fans may also order tickets on line at www.ticketmaster.com.

Getting it Done with Defense: The key to UMass' early-season success has been its play at the defensive end of the floor, a longtime trademark of the Minuteman program that has continued under coach Steve Lappas. Massachusetts ranks third in the A-10 in both field goal percentage defense (.398) and three-point percentage defense (.311), fourth in scoring defense (64.8 ppg). How good has UMass' defense been this season? Consider that the Minutemen have held 10 of their 12 opponents below both their season scoring average and field goal percentage mark that they came into the game with. In each of the last 10 seasons, Massachusetts has held its opponents to season marks below 70.0 ppg and 42.0 percent shooting from the floor. Here's a look at UMass' defensive efforts this season:

Massachusetts limited an Ohio State team that had hit at least 50.0 percent from the field in eight of its first 12 games to 44.9 percent shooting, its second-lowest shooting game of the year.

The Minutemen held St. Joseph's to a season-low 63 points and snapped the Hawks' 43-game streak of scoring at least 65 points, which was the school's longest such string since the mid-1960s.

UMass handed Maine its biggest loss of the season, and limited a team that was shooting 45.7 percent from the field to 36.4 percent marksmanship.

Central Connecticut State had hit 46.7 percent from the floor and averaged 70.3 ppg in the nine games prior to being limited to 33.3 percent shooting and 49 points by the Minutemen.

Massachusetts held UConn 15.6 points below its then-season average of 84.6 ppg.

The Minutemen held North Carolina State, a team that had averaged 76.4 points in its first five home games, to 62 points and 33.9 percent field goal shooting.

UMass put the breaks on an Oregon team which had scored 90 or more points in each of its first four games, allowing the Ducks 58 points and 35.8 percent shooting from the field.

The Minutemen limited Marist to 32.7 percent field goal shooting for the game (including 21.7 percent in the first half, the lowest shooting percentage in a half by a UMass opponent since Temple's 10.3 percent second-half performance, Feb. 28, 1999) and 59 points (just 17 in the first half, the fewest allowed by UMass in a half since holding Rhode Island to 15 first-half points, Feb. 22, 2000).

In its season-opening victory over Arkansas-Little Rock, UMass held the Trojans to 36.2 percent shooting from the floor, and just six points over the game's last 9:25 as it rallied for the victory. The 60 points were the fewest allowed by the Minutemen in their season-opener since holding Chaminade to 48 points in 1996-97, and the fewest allowed by UMass against a Division I opponent in an opener since limiting Cleveland State to 60 points in the 1993-94 lid-lifter.

                        Avg. Entering UMass Game              vs. UMass
Opponent                     PPG        FG%              Points        FG%
Arkansas-Little Rock       *70.9      *.474                  66       .362
Marist                      74.7       .440                  59       .327
Oregon                      92.5       .541                  58       .358
North Carolina State        72.0       .461                  62       .339
Holy Cross                  61.6       .353                  67       .532
Boston College              86.5       .508                  80       .371
Connecticut                 84.6       .479                  69       .478
Central Connecticut State   70.3       .467                  49       .333
Maine                       64.7       .457                  60       .364
Marshall                    75.2       .463                  81       .481
St. Joseph's                78.6       .472                  63       .431
Ohio State                  75.3       .513                  70       .449
*UALR's final 2000-01 marks are listed.

The SWAT Team is Back: Led by 2001 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year Kitwana Rhymer, the Minutemen continue to rank among the league leaders in blocked shots. Rhymer ranks third in the A-10 in blocks (2.42 bpg), while UMass ranks second in the league at 4.92 bpg, and has had at least four rejections nine times with a high of eight vs. both Maine and Ohio State. Rhymer, Micah Brand (13) and Ronell Blizzard (eight) have accounted for 50 of the Minutemen's 59 blocks this season, a total that would rank the trio ahead of eight league teams. UMass led the A-10 in blocks a year ago at 5.07 bpg (a league-best 152 on the season, the ninth-best single-season mark in school history), and recorded five or more snuffs 17 times. Rhymer led the Minutemen and ranked second in the A-10 in 2000-01 with 2.10 bpg, Brand was second on the team and seventh in the A-10 (1.1 bpg) and Blizzard was third on the squad and 11th in the league (0.9 bpg). Those three players had more blocks (123) than nine other A-10 schools recorded for the entire season, and Rhymer's total by itself stood ahead of one team.

Board Games: Going into the season, rebounding was expected to be a strength for the 2001-02 Minutemen, and through 12 games, they've done nothing to dispel that notion. UMass has outrebounded eight of its first 12 opponents, and holds a +3.8 margin (second-best in the A-10) over its opponents (37.6 rpg-33.8 rpg) on the glass. For the season, Kitwana Rhymer leads the team and ranks 14th in the A-10 in rebounding (6.3 rpg), while Micah Brand ranks second (5.7 rpg) and Eric Williams third (5.3 rpg). Five UMass players, including guards Shannon Crooks (3.8 rpg) and Anthony Anderson (4.1 rpg), are averaging at least 3.8 rpg.

Halftime Talk: Whatever coach Steve Lappas and his staff have said to the Minutemen at halftime this season appears to work. UMass has averaged just 27.0 ppg in the first half of its games, but after hearing the halftime pep talk, has put 36.7 ppg on the board in the second stanza. Massachusetts has been outscored by an average of 3.3 points in the first half, but has outscored its opponents by an average of 2.1 points in the second half. Against Ohio State, UMass trailed, 28-18, at intermission, but outscored its guests in the second half, 44-42.

Another Tough Slate: After playing one of the toughest schedules in school history a year ago the Minutemen are tackling another challenging slate in 2001-02. But that's really nothing new, as over the last eight seasons, only once has the Massachusetts strength of schedule been ranked lower than 56th in degree of difficulty among Division I institutions, and four times in that stretch it has had an SOS ranked among the nation's top 20. Twenty of UMass' 30 games last season were against 2001 postseason tournament entrants, and the Minutemen fashioned a 7-13 record in those games. Through games of Jan. 10, 2002, UMass was ranked 50th in the RPI calculated by CollegeRPI.com and had the nation's seventh-toughest schedule (and second-strongest in the A-10 behind Temple), as its first 12 opponents have posted an impressive 113-54 (.677) record. UMass, 0-5 this season against teams which went to postseason play a year ago, has four games left against 2001 NCAA Tournament entrants (Temple-2, St. Joseph's and Xavier) and four contests remaining against teams that participated in the 2001 NIT (Dayton, Richmond and St. Bonaventure-2).

Consistent Success: The Minutemen, who have posted 12-straight winning A-10 records (after posting no winning marks, just two .500 records and 56 victories in their first 13 seasons in the league) since a 5-13 mark in 1988-89, own a 138-58 (.704) record in regular-season league play since then and have captured 10 league titles (five regular season, five tournament) in that time frame. Last year, after a 2-9 non-conference start, Massachusetts went 11-5 in the A-10 (its eighth 11-win league mark in the last 12 seasons), good for fourth place in the standings, and advanced to the title game of the Verizon Atlantic 10 Tournament for the first time since 1995-96, but dropped a 76-65 decision to Temple. Over the last 12-plus seasons, UMass owns a 275-131 (.677) overall record (includes 2001-02 record, too), an average of 22.4 wins per season, and has posted seven 20-win seasons, 11, .500 or better campaigns, and made 10 postseason appearances (seven NCAA, three NIT). The A-10 is one of only six conferences to send at least two teams to the NCAA Tournament every year since 1991, joining the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-10 and SEC. Temple is the only league team with more NCAA appearances (11) than UMass (seven) over that 11-year stretch.

The Comeback Kids: It really shouldn't have come as much of a surprise that UMass overcame double-digit deficits to beat both Oregon and Arkansas-Little Rock earlier this year, as those type of comebacks have happened before in Amherst. Including those games, the Minutemen have now recorded 19 double-digit comebacks to win over the last eight seasons, including a pair last year. In the Oregon game, the Minutemen were down by as many as 11 points in the first half, but came back to score a 62-58 victory over the Ducks at the Springfield Civic Center. Against Arkansas-Little Rock, UMass trailed by 10 points, 37-27, with 19:31 left in the game, only to rally for a 66-60 victory. In last year's game against George Washington in Amherst, UMass overcame a 15-point deficit with 1:07 left in the first half to beat the Colonials, 76-60. That was the largest deficit the Minutemen had overcome to win since rallying from 16 down to beat Maryland, 50-47, Dec. 2, 1995.

The Greek Experience: The Massachusetts basketball team got a head start on the 2001-02 season when it traveled to Greece, Aug. 12-23, 2001. The Minutemen, who traveled overseas for just the second time ever and for the first time since December, 1994, finished 1-3 on the trip. UMass was one of two A-10 institutions (St. Bonaventure was the other) to take a foreign trip last summer with their first-year coaches at the helm. Two seniors, forward Eric Williams and guard Shannon Crooks, paced the UMass offensive attack. Williams posted team-leading marks of 10.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg, while Crooks averaged 10.3 ppg and led the team in both assists (16) and steals (13), while committing just seven turnovers.

Quick Tips: The Minutemen averaged 15.0 turnovers over their first four games, but have averaged 17.4 miscues over their last eight outings...UMass has shot better from the field on the road (.458) then it has at home (.410), and as a result has averaged 69.3 points away from home, compared to 60.9 ppg on its home floor...in 14 of its 15 wins last season, UMass out-shot its opponent (the lone exception was in the victory at Temple) from the floor, a trend that has continued in each of its six victories this season...over the last three years, Massachusetts owns a 22-6 record when scoring 70 or more points, including a 1-1 mark this season...UMass has won 19-straight games when reaching the 50.0 percent mark since an 88-83 loss to George Washington in the quarterfinals of the 1998 A-10 Tournament...UMass is 6-5 in games decided by five or fewer points the last two years (1-1 this season), after going just 1-6 in such games during the 1999-2000 season...the Minutemen have made at least one three-point goal in 105-straight games since a 1998 first-round NCAA Tournament loss to St. Louis, while their opponents have made at least one trey in 49-straight games...UMass, 5-0 this season and winners of 19-straight when leading with 5:00 to play, owns an 83-9 (.902) record since the start of the 1996-97 season when leading at that point in the game...UMass has produced at least one all-conference performer for 18-straight seasons.

Fast Breaks: Ohio State (Buckeyes, 70-62)--Ohio State broke open a close game with a 9-0 run to end the first half, then stretched the advantage to as many as 18 midway through the second half, Minutemen refused to fold, pulled to within 65-60 with 59 seconds to go, but Buckeyes hit five of eight free throws in final minute to hold on, Shannon Crooks tallied season-high 22 points, while Micah Brand had 15 points and game-high nine rebounds, St. Joseph's (Hawks, 63-38)--Minutemen went scoreless for over eight minutes to start game, fell behind 29-17 at intermission and never got closer than 11 in the second half in dropping A-10 opener to defending league champions, offensive output was lowest in a game since 1985-86 season, lowest in home contest since 1948-49 campaign, St. Joseph's handed UMass third-biggest loss in Mullins Center history, Crooks was lone Minuteman in double figures (10 points). At Marshall (Herd, 81-66)--Game was close throughout first 33 minutes, but with visiting Minutemen holding 59-58 lead, Herd went on a 12-1 run to seal their third-straight win over UMass, Crooks led UMass scoring attack with 15 points, while Brand turned in first career double-double (12 points, career-high 11 rebounds), former Temple guard Ronald Blackshear led Herd with game-high 26 points. Maine (Minutemen, 78-60)--Massachusetts ran win streak to two and ended three-game losing streak to Maine with come-from-behind victory over visiting Black Bears, Minutemen held 28-27 halftime lead, fell behind by five early in second half, but closed game on 29-13 run to record 18-point win, five UMass players scored in double figures, led by Brand's 17 points, all of which came in second half, for second-straight game, Jameel Pugh established new scoring (12) and rebounding (six) career-highs. At Central Connecticut State (Minutemen, 64-49)--Playing in first men's collegiate basketball game ever at Mohegan Sun Arena, UMass overcame early six-point deficit to post win, Minutemen went scoreless for nearly eight minutes in first half, but used late run to take 25-21 halftime lead, then opened second half with 20-3 spurt to put game away, Kitwana Rhymer had season-highs of 24 points and 15 rebounds, while Pugh netted then-career-high 11 points as UMass snapped three-game losing streak by hitting season-high 51.9 percent from the field. UConn (Huskies, 69-59)--For second-straight game, UMass found itself down by double-digits in the opening half, as the visiting Huskies owned 13-point halftime lead and went on to beat the Minutemen for the 11th-straight time, UMass cut Husky lead to four in the second half, but could get no closer, as visitors made seven of eight free throws in the final minute to hold on, Crooks led UMass attack with 14 points, while Rhymer turned in his first double-double of the season (12 points/12 rebounds) and Anthony Anderson was in double figures for the third-straight game (10 points), UMass hit 32.9 percent from the field, made just one three-point attempt (in 18 tries), outrebounded Huskies, 46-28, but UConn hit 47.8 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from the three-point line to win. At Boston College (Eagles, 80-78)--No. 13 Eagles roared to 23-point halftime lead, led by as many as 26 early in second half, before Minutemen got back in game and nearly pulled off dramatic comeback, Anderson drained three treys in game's final 15.1 seconds but BC held on for the victory to capture second consecutive Commonwealth Classic title, Anderson had career-high 19 points, while Crooks added 18, as Minutemen had five double-figure scorers for first time since Dec. 7, 2000, game against Providence, Troy Bell poured in a career-high 34 points to lead Eagles, who were outscored 67-53 from the field, but hit 27-of-38 at the line (compared to UMass' 11-of-21) to secure the win. Holy Cross (Crusaders, 67-56)--Crusaders overcome four-point halftime deficit to beat Minutemen for second-straight season, Brand led UMass scoring attack with 15 points, while Anderson added a then-career-best 13 points and a career-high seven assists in 39 minutes, Holy Cross shot 53.2 percent from the floor against UMass (including 61.9 percent in second half and 72.7 percent from beyond the arc), while Minutemen hit then-season-low 42.9 percent. At North Carolina State (Minutemen, 69-62)--In first road game of season, Minutemen respond with victory, holding hometown Wolfpack to 33.9 percent shooting from the floor, Crooks scored season-high 20 points, Brand added 14 and Willie Jenkins a career-high 12 as UMass moved to 4-0 for 16th time in school history and made Steve Lappas the first rookie UMass mentor to start career 4-0 since Johnny Orr in 1963-64, Minutemen became only third non-ACC team to win in N.C. State's three-year-old Entertainment & Sports Arena. Oregon (Minutemen, 62-58)--Ducks jumped to an 11-point lead in game's first nine minutes, only to watch Minutemen storm back for win, Brand scored four points in game's final 1:16 as UMass posted 13th win in last 14 games played at the Springfield Civic Center, Crooks in double figures for third-straight game with 13 points, Minutemen held an Oregon team, which had scored 90 or more points in each of its first four games, to 58 points and 35.8 percent shooting from the field, while hitting 50.0 percent (seven-of-14) from three-point range. Marist (Minutemen, 66-59)--Minutemen raced to a 12-2 lead in game's opening minutes, held 19-point halftime advantage, but watched visiting Red Foxes get within three in second half, first 2-0 start for UMass since 1995-96 season, Rhymer came off bench, had 16 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, while Crooks added 14 and Brand 10. Arkansas-Little Rock (Minutemen, 66-60)--UMass overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to give coach Lappas a victory in his first game on the Minuteman bench, Brand netted a career-high-tying 23 points as UMass won season opener for eighth time in the last nine years, despite the Trojans' 10, three-pointers.

Noting the 2001-02 Minutemen

#0 Brennan Martin, 6-6, 190, Fr., F, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.

True freshman has appeared in four games, averaging 0.0 ppg and 0.5 rpg.

Did not play against Ohio State.

Spent last season at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy, and originally signed a letter intent with Villanova, but was released when coach Lappas moved to Massachusetts.

Averaged 14.5 ppg and shot 53 percent from three-point range at Hargrave.

Selected as one of nation's top 25 prep school players by Hoop Scoop for 2000-01 season.

#1 Willie Jenkins, 6-6, 200, So., G/F, Memphis, Tenn.

Started first six games of the season, averaging 5.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg, came off the bench in each of his next four appearances (0.0 ppg, 0.3 rpg), then returned to the starting unit against Ohio State and had four points and two rebounds in 17 minutes of action.

Averaging 3.2 ppg and 2.5 rpg on the season.

Tallied career-highs of 12 points and three assists in victory at North Carolina State.

Minutemen are 3-0 on the year when he contributes eight or more points, as 31 of his 35 points have come in winning efforts.

Averages 6.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg in UMass victories, 0.7 ppg and 1.2 rpg in its losses.

Has already scored more points (35) and grabbed more rebounds (28) than he did in limited playing time a year ago (14 points and seven rebounds over 18 appearances).

Jenkins has struggled shooting the ball from the field (.244, on 10-of-41 shooting), but is 12-of-12 at the free throw line with every attempt coming in the game's final 4:50.

#2 Jackie Rogers, 6-8, 230, Sr., F, Syracuse, N.Y.

Announced on Nov. 26, 2001, that he would redshirt this season so that he can graduate in the same year that his athletic eligibility ends.

Averaged 6.6 ppg and 3.9 rpg in 29 appearances (six starts) as a junior in 2000-01, while shooting a team-best 55.3 percent from the field (61.5 percent vs. A-10 foes).

#3 Ronell Blizzard, 6-8, 205, Sr., F, Waterbury, Conn.

One of four, fifth-year seniors on the 2001-02 UMass roster, Blizzard has appeared in 11 games, averaging 0.6 ppg and 1.6 rpg in 6.7 minutes of work per outing.

Made first start of season (and seventh of career) against Ohio State. Did not score against the Buckeyes, but contributed four blocked shots and a pair of rebounds in 14 minutes.

Had a season-high three points and three rebounds in eight minutes off the bench at Marshall.

A year ago at Boston U., Blizzard established career bests for rebounds (14), blocked shots (seven) and minutes played (25), while scoring a career-high-tying nine points in the UMass win.

His seven rejections against the Terriers were the most by a UMass player since Marcus Camby had seven in a second-round NCAA Tournament victory over Stanford, March 16, 1996.

#11 Kyle Wilson, 6-2, 175, Fr., G, White Rock, British Columbia

True freshman has played in all 12 games, averaging 2.1 ppg and 1.2 rpg in 13.5 minutes, while drawing three starts.

Returned to starting lineup against Ohio State, and responded with three points, a career-high-tying four assists and two rebounds in 18 minutes of work.

Tallied career-high five points in 21 minutes off the bench against St. Joseph's.

Was in the starting lineup for the season-opener against Arkansas-Little Rock, becoming first true freshman in UMass opening-day starting five since the 1996-97 season when Winston Smith debuted against Chaminade.

Ranks third on the team in three-point goals made (six, tied with Eric Williams) and attempted (25).

Has collected at least one assist in 11 of 12 appearances with a high of four three times. For the season, his 24 assists rank as UMass' third-highest total.

The Minutemen are 3-2 when he dishes out at least two assists in a game this year.

In exhibition debut against the Boston Amateur Basketball Club All-Stars, he scored 20 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out three assists and collected three steals in 31 minutes of action.

Was six-of-seven from the field against the BABC, including a five-of-six effort from three-point range.

#12 Anthony Anderson, 5-11, 175, So., G, Lynn, Mass.

Has earned a pair of Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week citations this season, while averaging 7.4 ppg and 3.8 rpg. Sat out 2000-01 season due to academics.

Tallied three points, three assists and a block in 27 minutes off the bench against Ohio State.

Over the last three games, he's hit just two-for-20 from the field, including one-of-15 from three-point range, while averaging 2.0 ppg. Shot 45.3 percent from the floor and 35.9 percent from three-point line over season's first nine games, while scoring 8.3 ppg.

Ranks fifth in the A-10 in assist/turnover ratio (2.05/1) and tied for 12th in assists (3.58 apg).

Leads the Minutemen in assists (43, tied with Shannon Crooks) and three-point attempts (54), ranks second in three-point goals made (15), steals (14) and minutes played (385), fourth in both scoring (7.4 rpg) and rebounding (3.8 rpg, tied with Crooks).

Averages 6.8 ppg and 4.7 rpg, with 23 assists and just 10 turnovers in UMass wins, 8.0 ppg and 3.0 rpg in its losses with 20 assists and 11 miscues.

Has dished out at least three assists in 11 of 12 games with a high of seven against Holy Cross.

Minutemen are 2-3 on the season when he scores in double figures.

Netted career-high 19 points in UMass' 80-78 loss at Boston College. He hit three, three-point goals in game's final 15.1 seconds as Minutemen nearly pulled off dramatic comeback win.

#14 Paco Kotaridis, 5-11, 185, So., G, Athens, Greece

Made squad as walk-on, and has appeared in three games, averaging 1.0 ppg and 0.3 rpg.

Tallied only career points on three-point goal as time expired against Central Connecticut State.

#21 Eric Williams, 6-8, 243, Sr., F, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Tri-captain has been a steady performer, averaging 6.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg in 12 appearances.

Has averaged 7.5 ppg and 6.1 rpg while hitting 57.1 percent of his field goals and 90.0 percent of his free throws over the last eight games.

Returned to starting lineup against Ohio State (he also started the Marist game), and contributed seven points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes.

At Marshall, he netted 14 points (tying his UMass career-high) and grabbed six rebounds in 21 minutes before fouling out.

Williams has provided five or more points eight times, including a pair of double-digit efforts.

Pulled down five or more rebounds in eight of his last nine outings, including five-straight and a high of eight, twice.

One of four, fifth-year seniors on this year's team, Williams is also one of four Minutemen who started their collegiate careers in the Big East Conference.

UMass' fifth-leading scorer (6.8 ppg) and third-leading rebounder (5.3 rpg), he ranks in a tie for 15th in the A-10 in defensive rebounds (3.92 drpg).

Leads team in field goal shooting (.544) and ranks second in free throw percentage (.813), third in three-point goals made (six, tied with Kyle Wilson).

#24 Jameel Pugh, 6-4, 200, So., G, Sacramento, Calif.

Has averaged 7.4 ppg and 3.2 rpg in 15.8 mpg over the last five games.

Had two points in seven minutes off the bench against Ohio State.

Recorded career-highs of 11 points and five rebounds in a career-long 18-minute stint against Central Connecticut State, then bettered those marks in his next outing with 12 points and six rebounds in 26 minutes off the pine against Maine.

His efforts over the last five games topped his scoring (20) and rebound (13) totals from his freshman season, when he played 45 minutes in 16 appearances.

Averaging 5.9 ppg and 2.6 rpg in 13.1 minutes over seven appearances off the bench this season. He is UMass' sixth-leading scorer.

Ranked 33rd on Slam magazine's all-time list of the world's top 50 dunkers. UMass alum Julius Erving ('72) is No. 3 on the list.

#30 Shannon Crooks, 6-2, 222, Sr., G, Boston, Mass.

Tri-captian leads the Minutemen in scoring (14.4 ppg), three-point goals made (17), three-point percentage (.321), assists (43, tied with Anthony Anderson), steals (17) and minutes played (419).

Tallied season-high 22 points, four rebounds and three assists against Ohio State.

Ranks among A-10 leaders in scoring (14.4 ppg, 10th), field goal percentage (.438, seventh), assists (3.58 apg, T-12th), steals (1.42, 13th) and assist/turnover ratio (1.19/1, 11th).

Averaged 15.8 ppg and shot 50.0 percent from both the field and the three-point line over UMass' first four games, but over the last eight games has averaged 13.8 ppg and shot 41.0 percent from the floor, 22.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Has shot 71.4 percent at the free throw line over the last eight games to move his season free throw mark from 50.0 percent to 63.6 percent.

Crooks' scoring average is up because of the dramatic improvement in his shooting percentages. He shot just 36.2 percent overall and 24.3 percent from three-point range as a junior when he averaged 9.0 ppg, but has hit 43.8 percent overall and 32.1 percent from beyond the arc this year after being moved from the point to his natural two-guard position by coach Lappas.

Has produced a team-high 11 double-digit scoring games this season, including a pair of 20-point efforts, and has also led the team in scoring six times.

UMass is 5-1 all-time when Crooks scores 20 or more points in a game. He tallied a career-high 29 points against Fordham in this building, Feb. 16, 2000. In that game, he hit 12-of-24 field goals, while playing a career-high 39 minutes. Crooks started that game at shooting guard in place of Monty Mack, who missed the game due to illness.

The fifth-year senior is 133 points shy of 1,000 for his collegiate career (and 176 points shy of that plateau in his UMass career).

Also needs 64 assists to crack the UMass career list (he has 237) and 12 steals (has 122) to make the school's career theft chart.

One of four former Bay State preps on this year's roster, Crooks has had at least one assist in 72 of 75 career games as a Minuteman.

Has averaged 15.0 ppg and 4.8 rpg in four games away from home this season, while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three-point range.

#33 Kitwana Rhymer, 6-10, 256, Sr., C, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Came off the bench for the second time this year, and responded with two points and a pair of rebounds in 14 minutes against Ohio State.

Did not score against St. Joseph's, but had a team-high six rebounds and a pair of blocks in 22 minutes of work.

Averaged 18.0 ppg and 13.5 rpg in UMass' games against UConn and Central Connecticut State, and was rewarded with Atlantic 10 Player of the Week honors for his efforts, but has averaged 0.7 ppg and 4.0 rpg in three games since then.

Against Central Connecticut State, Rhymer turned in his second double-double of the season (and 16th of his career), a 24-point, 15-rebound performance. Both marks were season highs.

Ranks third in the A-10 and 22nd nationally in blocks (2.42 bpg), and has had at least two blocks in eight of 12 outings. He blocked a career-high-tying six shots against Holy Cross.

Averages 12.7 points and 7.2 rebounds in UMass' wins, but just 4.2 ppg and 5.3 rpg in its losses.

Ranks fifth on the school's all-time block chart with 166 rejections, 24 behind No. 4 Edwin Green's (1980-84) total of 190. While first-place Marcus Camby's 336 career blocks are well out of Rhymer's reach, he needs just 57 rejections to climb into second place on the UMass career list.

Needs 273 points (he enters today's game with 727) to reach the 1,000-point plateau, and 167 rebounds (has 594 in career) to crack the UMass top 10 in that category, too.

Has four double-figure scoring games to his credit this season, and has grabbed five or more rebounds in eight of 12 outings.

He ranks 14th (tie) in the league and leads UMass in rebounding (6.2 rpg). Also ranks among the conference leaders in offensive rebounds (T-ninth, 2.50).

Stands third on the team in both field goal percentage (.506) and scoring (8.4 ppg).

Was a second team 2001-2002 preseason All-Atlantic 10 pick by the league's coaches and media, the only Minuteman named to the early-season honor squad, and was one of five players selected to Dick Vitale's All-Velcro (nation's top defensive players) unit.

He was also named to the A-10's preseason all-defensive team, after garnering the league's Defensive Player of the Year award a year ago. Rhymer's selection to the 2001 A-10 all-defensive team marked the fifth-straight season a Minuteman had been named to that squad.

#34 Raheim Lamb, 6-5, 190, So., F, Boston, Mass.

After sitting out the 2000-01 season due to academics, the athletic Lamb has gotten his rookie season off to a strong start, averaging 5.7 ppg and 3.1 rpg in 19.3 minutes of work.

He came off the bench in each of the season's first six games (6.5 ppg and 3.7 rpg), started the next five contests (5.0 ppg and 2.6 rpg), then came off the bench against Ohio State.

Scored two points, grabbed two rebounds and collected a pair of steals in 16 minutes before fouling out against Ohio State.

Tallied career highs of 12 points and seven rebounds at Boston College.

Has scored six or more points six times on the year, including a pair of double-digit efforts, and has grabbed five or more rebounds three times.

#40 Micah Brand, 6-11, 243, Jr., F, Middletown, N.Y.

After sharing the A-10's 2001 Chris Daniels Most Improved Player honor with teammate Kitwana Rhymer, Brand ranks as UMass' second-leading scorer (11.8 ppg) and rebounder (5.7 rpg).

Bounced back from a season-low scoring outing against St. Joseph's to score 15 points, grab nine rebounds and block three shots in 34 minutes off the bench against Ohio State.

Has scored in double figures eight times this season, including a career-high-tying 23-point effort against Arkansas-Little Rock in the season-opener.

Minutemen are 4-4 this season when he scores in double-digits, after recording a 4-8 mark when he reached double figures a year ago.

Against Marshall, he recorded his first career double-double, a 12-point, career-high 11-rebound effort.

Also ranks second on the squad in field goal percentage (.508) and blocks (13) and is third in steals (13) and minutes played (370).

Is second in the A-10 in field goal percentage, 11th in both defensive rebounds and blocks.

Has pulled down five or more rebounds six times on the year.

After playing 30 or more minutes just four times in 59 games over his first two seasons in a UMass uniform and averaging 17.5 minutes per game, Brand already has eight, 30-plus minute playing stints to his credit this season while averaging 30.8 minutes of work.

From Here: UMass plays at first-year A-10 member Richmond on Wednesday, Jan. 16 (7:30 p.m.), then returns home to host Temple a week from today at 12:05 p.m. in a game that will be televised on ESPN. Fordham plays at St. Joseph's on Wednesday.

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