Men's Basketball To Face Duquesne On Wednesday

Feb. 5, 2002

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GAME DAY QUICK FACTS

The Teams: UMass (9-10/3-5) at Duquesne (6-14/1-8)

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002

Time: 7:35 p.m.

Place: A.J. Palumbo Center (6,200), Pittsburgh, Pa.

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     30  Shannon Crooks       6-2   222   Sr.
F     34  Raheim Lamb          6-5   190   So.
C     33  Kitwana Rhymer      6-10   256   Sr.
G     11  Kyle Wilson          6-2   175   Fr.
G     12  Anthony Anderson    5-11   175   So.

Probable Duquesne Starters
Pos. No.  Name                 Ht.   Wt.   Yr.
F      5  Wayne Smith          6-7   220   Sr.
F     40  Aaron Lovelace       6-5   210   Sr.
C     42  Chris Clark         6-10   230   Jr.
G     12  Jamal Hunter         6-5   185   Sr.
G     20  Kevin Forney         6-4   190   Jr.

The Game: The UMass basketball team begins the second half of its Atlantic 10 schedule with a pair of games against West Division foes, as it faces Duquesne tonight and hosts La Salle Saturday. The Minutemen, 9-10 overall and 3-5 in the A-10 after Saturday's 70-59 setback at Rhode Island, have lost two-straight, and after a 4-0 start to the season, 10 of their last 15 outings overall. Tonight's game matches not only a pair of first-year A-10 coaches and New York City natives in Steve Lappas and Nee, but it also pits the only active league coaches to have won a national tournament on the hardwood. Lappas led Villanova to the school's first-ever National Invitation Tournament crown in 1994 with a victory over then-coach Jan van Breda Kolff's Vanderbilt squad, while Nee guided Nebraska to the 1996 NIT crown by beating Phil Martelli's St. Joseph's Hawks.

About the Minutemen: UMass, which has strung together 12 consecutive winning Atlantic 10 records, has a losing record at the midway point of league play for the first time since the 1988-89 season, John Calipari's rookie year in Amherst. That year, the Minutemen were 2-7 at the turn en route to a 5-13 finish, the last time they recorded a losing record in A-10 play. Massachusetts has played the nation's 21st-toughest schedule (and the A-10's second-most challenging just behind No. 17 Temple) and owns an unofficial RPI ranking of 78th according to CollegeRPI.com. The Minutemen, who play three of their next five games outside the Mullins Center, are 3-5 on the road this year, 1-3 in A-10 play. UMass owns road wins at North Carolina State, Central Connecticut State and St. Bonaventure, while its losses have come at Boston College, Marshall, Fordham, Richmond and Rhode Island.

About the Dukes: Duquesne is 6-14 overall and 1-8 in the A-10 after ending an eight-game losing streak with Saturday's 95-66 homecourt victory over Fordham, its biggest win over a league opponent since 1989. First-year coach Danny Nee's Dukes are 5-4 at home this season, 1-3 vs. league foes.

Minute-Matters: Trends to consider as the Minutemen aim for their 17th-straight win against Duquesne in their first visit to Pittsburgh since the 1999-2000 season . . .

Since posting a 4-5 regular-season A-10 road record in 1990-91, the Minutemen have gone 57-27 (.679) away from home in conference play, including last year's 5-3 mark. UMass is 1-3 on the road in league play this year.

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.

To say the least, the 2001-02 Massachusetts basketball season has been a streaky one, as UMass owns win streaks of four, three and two games over the year's first 19 games, while it has endured losing strings of two (current), three and five games.

In its nine victories this season, UMass has shot 46.3 percent from the field, 39.7 percent from three-point range and 66.7 percent at the free throw line while averaging 67.6 ppg, but in its 10 defeats it has averaged 62.6 ppg and shot 37.1 percent from the floor, 30.3 percent from beyond the arc and 66.5 percent at the foul line.

The Minutemen have out-shot their opponent from the field in eight of their nine wins (the Temple game was the lone exception) this year and 10 times overall.

In 15 of UMass' 19 starts, the winning team has shot 44.2 percent or better from the field.

UMass is 6-0 on the year when shooting 48.0 percent or better from the field, with four of those efforts coming outside the Mullins Center.

Massachusetts, which has made at least one trey in 112-consecutive games (its opponents have a string of 56-straight games with at least one trey) and in 488 of 495 games it has played since the arc was added to the college game (1986-87), hit a season-high 53.3 percent (eight-of-15) from three-point range against George Washington.

Over the last seven games, the Minutemen have shot better from three-point range (40.1 percent on 67-of-167 shooting) than they have from the field overall (38.5 percent on 153-of-397).

Against Dayton, UMass drained a season-high-tying and Mullins Center-record 12 three-point goals (they also had 12 in the loss at Fordham) in 28 attempts.

The Minuteman bench has provided 18.6 points per game (compared to the opponent's 12.7 ppg) and has outscored the opponent's bench in 13 of 19 outings.

In its wins, the UMass bench has averaged 17.1 ppg, compared to 20.0 ppg in its losses. In seven of its nine victories this season, the Minuteman bench has outscored the opponent's bench.

Massachusetts has averaged 15.4 assists per game in its victories, but just 12.7 apg in its losses. In six of their nine victories the Minutemen have recorded at least 15 assists, a mark they haven't hit in eight of their 10 defeats.

The Minutemen rank third in the Atlantic 10 in three-point percentage defense(.328), fourth in both scoring (66.7 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (.413).

UMass has held 13 of 19 opponents under both their season scoring average and field goal percentage mark that they brought into the game. The Minutmen are 9-4 when they've held their opponents under their scoring and shooting averages, 0-6 when allowing their foe to top their season marks.

Massachusetts is 8-1 on the year when holding its opponent to a field goal percentage mark below 38.0 percent, but is 1-9 when its foe has shot 38.0 percent or better from the floor.

The Minutemen are 8-0 this season when yielding 62 or fewer points, and have won 17-straight games when allowing 62 or fewer points since a 54-51 loss at Ohio State, Dec. 10, 2000.

Conversely, Massachusetts is 0-4 this season, and has lost 25-straight games when allowing its opponent to score 80 or more points since recording a 93-89 win at Duquesne, Jan. 20, 1996.

Steve Lappas-coached teams own an all-time record of 95-16 (.856) when scoring 80 or more points, including an 0-1 mark at UMass. His Manhattan teams were 16-3 (.842) when scoring 80-plus points, while his Villanova squads went 79-12 (.868) when reaching the 80-point plateau.

In its wins this year, UMass has limited its foes to 35.6 percent field goal shooting, including just 28.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc, and 58.4 ppg, but in its losses, foes have shot 46.7 percent from the field, including 39.4 percent from three-point range, and averaged 74.1 ppg.

Massachusetts has utilized seven different starting combinations this season, and senior guard Shannon Crooks is the only Minuteman to start all 19 games. Nine Minutemen have started at least one game this year.

The Minutemen are 3-0 this season when Shannon Crooks, Micah Brand and Kitwana Rhymer score 10 or more points in the same game with the victories coming over Marist, Maine and George Washington.

UMass ranks sixth in the Atlantic 10 in rebound margin (+0.7 rpg). In their wins, the Minutemen have outrebounded their foe by an average of +5.0 rpg, but they are a -3.1 rpg in their losses. UMass has outrebounded its foe in seven of nine victories this season and 11 times overall.

Despite hitting 66.6 percent from the foul line on the year, the Minutemen have hit 67.6 percent at the stripe at crunch time (game's final 5:00 minutes).

At Rhode Island, UMass hit a season-high 92.3 percent (12-of-13) from the free throw line, its best performance at the stripe since a 94.7 percent effort (18-of-19) at Temple, March 1, 1998.

UMass opponents have made (314) nearly as many free throws as the Minutemen have attempted (317) for the year. Minuteman foes have shot 159 more free throws on the year.

The Minutemen have overcome double-digit opponent leads in three (Arkansas-Little Rock, Oregon and at St. Bonaventure) of their nine victories, and have trailed at some point in 17 of 19 outings. The only games UMass led from start to finish were the Marist and Temple contests.

The Massachusetts offensive attack is balanced, as seven players contribute at least 5.3 ppg, led by Shannon Crooks' 14.6 scoring average. Crooks, who has recorded a team-high 16 double-figure scoring games this season and has led the Minutemen in scoring nine times, had a season-low five points at Rhode Island, and was just one-of-15 from the field against the Rams.

Crooks enters today's game with 971 points in his collegiate career, including 43 during his freshman season at St. John's, and needs 29 to reach the 1,000-point mark. He needs 72 points to become the 35th 1,000-point scorer in UMass history.

Senior Kitwana Rhymer is fourth in the A-10 in blocks with 1.63 bpg. He has blocked at least two shots eight times, including a career-high-tying six snuffs vs. Holy Cross, but has recorded just two rejections over the last eight games.

Rhymer has averaged 12.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg in UMass wins, while shooting 61.6 percent from the floor, but has averaged 4.7 ppg and 5.1 rpg in its losses, and shot 34.0 percent from the field.

Sophomore Anthony Anderson was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for the third time this season after averaging 18.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2.0 apg in UMass' losses last week to Dayton and Rhode Island. He played 67 minutes for the week without a turnover, and hit 55.0 percent (11-of-20) from three-point range, 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from the field overall.

Anderson has hit 50.9 percent (28-of-55) from beyond the arc over the last seven games, while averaging 13.4 ppg. He has six double-figure scoring games over that strech, including a career-high 20-point performance at Dayton.

Junior Micah Brand sprained his left ankle in the first half against Dayton, did not play at Rhode Island, and is doubtful for tonight's game. He played a season-low 11 minutes and did not score against the Flyers.

Brand has tallied nine double-digit scoring games on the year, and ranks as UMass' second-leading scorer (10.2 ppg) and top rebounder (5.9 rpg).

Freshman Kyle Wilson has averaged 7.4 ppg and 1.2 rpg over the last five games, while hitting 47.6 percent (10-of-21) of his three-pointers in that stretch.

UMass owns a 5-2 record with Wilson as a starter.

Senior Eric Williams turned in his third double-figure scoring game of the year, a 11-point, nine-rebound effort in 28 minutes off the bench at Rhode Island.

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 239-182 (.568) record, including a 9-10 (.474) mark in his first year on the Minuteman bench. Just the third rookie UMass coach to start his career in Amherst 4-0, and first since Johnny Orr in 1963-64, Lappas is 1-0 all-time against both the Dukes and coach Danny Nee. Lappas came to Amherst 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.

Duquesne Coach Danny Nee: The Dukes' Nee (St. Mary of the Plains, 1971) is 374-293 (.561) in his 22nd season as a head coach, 6-14 (.300) in his rookie campaign at Duquesne. Before taking over the Dukes' program, Nee spent one year at Robert Morris, 14 at Nebraska and six at Ohio U. He fashioned a 7-22 (.241) mark in one season at Robert Morris, was 254-190 (.572) in 14 years at Nebraska and 107-67 (.615) in six years at Ohio U. Nee has taken 14 teams to postseason play (seven NCAA, seven NIT), and his 254 victories at Nebraska rank him as the winningest coach in Husker history. Nee is coaching against the Minutemen for the first time, but is 0-1 vs. Lappas, as his 1998-99 Husker squad dropped a 75-60 decision to Lappas' Wildcats in the Top of the World Classic at Fairbanks, Alaska.

The Duquesne Series: This is the 47th meeting in a series between two of the A-10's original members that UMass leads, 28-18, and that has seen the Minutemen win 16 straight and 18 of the last 19 games. A year ago, Massachusetts handed the Duquesne an 80-69 setback at the Springfield (Mass.) Civic Center, and two years ago, it scored an 84-75 victory here and a 77-52 decision in the opening round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament at Philadelphia. Duquesne holds an 11-9 series lead in games played between the teams in Pittsburgh, but UMass owns a 6-3 record in the Palumbo Center. The Dukes won the first three meetings between the teams in the Palumbo Center (by an average of 11.0 ppg), but the Minutemen have won the last six games played here by an average of 17.8 ppg. Duquesne's last win over UMass in the series came on Feb. 9, 1991, when it scored a 68-67 victory in this building.

UMass-Duquesne in 2001: Playing at the Springfield Civic Center for the first time in six years, UMass led Duquesne by as many as 10 points in the first half, and held a 34-28 advantage at intermission. The visiting Dukes, though, used a 9-2 run to take a 37-36 lead on a conventional three-point play by Brad Midgley, but the Minutemen regained the lead for good at 38-37 with 17:10 left on a Monty Mack basket. UMass led by as many as 17 in the second half en route to its 16th straight win over Duquesne, 80-69. Mack led the Minutemen with 25 points, while Micah Brand had 16 points and Kitwana Rhymer added 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. UMass shot a season-high 55.2 percent from the field, its second-straight 50.0 percent or better shooting game, and also recorded season-bests for points (80), blocks (13) and steals. Courtney Wallace paced the Dukes, who played without Wayne Smith, with 17 points.

Rhode Island Review: Neither team led by more than three points in the game's first 13 minutes, but Rhode Island, trailing 14-12 at the 7:20 mark, took control of the game with an 8-0 run that gave the home team a 20-14 lead with 5:29 left in the first half. The Rams held a 31-24 halftime lead, but the visiting Minutemen refused to fold, opening the second half on a 15-8 run, capped by a Raheim Lamb tip-in, to tie the game at 39-all with 12:56 left. Rhode Island answered with a 7-0 run to take a 46-39 lead with 9:37 to go, and the closest UMass would get the rest of the game would be five at 46-41 with 9:18 to play on a pair of Eric Williams free throws. Anthony Anderson led the Minutemen with a game-high 17 points, while Williams came off the bench to score 11 points and grab nine rebounds. UMass' top scorer, Shannon Crooks, was held to a season-low five points and hit just one-of-15 from the field. Troy Wiley and Dustin Hellenga led the Rhody attack with 15 points each, and Dinno Daniels chipped in with 11. Rhode Island hit 46.9 percent from the field for the game, held a 35-34 rebounding advantage, and limited UMass to 32.8 percent shooting from the field for the game, including 25.9 percent in the first half. The Minutemen, who shot a season-high 92.3 percent from the free throw line, had their four-game series win streak end with the loss.

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 27.2 ppg in the first half of its games, but after hearing the halftime pep talk, has put 37.7 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 1.5 points in the second half. In their nine victories, the Minutemen have averaged 29.6 points in the first half and 38.0 in the second stanza, while yielding 26.5 in the first half and 31.9 points in the last half, but in their defeats they've put 25.1 up in the first half and 37.5 in the second, while allowing 34.1 in the first 20 minutes and 40.0 in the final half.

Fans Return to Mullins Center: In nine games played at the Mullins Center this season, the Minutemen have averaged 5,856 fans, an increase of 377 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. Six of UMass' 10 Mullins Center games this season have been played with the student body on break. In the four games played with classes in session, Massachusetts has averaged 6,736 fans, compared to an average of 5,269 fans with the students away on break. 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' 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 three-point percentage defense (.328), fourth in scoring (66.7 ppg) and field goal percentage (.413) defense. The Minutemen are 8-0 this season when allowing 62 or fewer points. How good has UMass' defense been this season? Consider that the Minutemen have held 13 of their 19 opponents below both their season scoring average and field goal percentage mark that they came into the game with. Six of Massachusetts' 10 losses this season have occured when its opponent tops both its season scoring and field goal shooting marks. 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:

The Minutemen held St. Bonaventure, a team that owned an 85.1 ppg (92.0 ppg in seven home appearances) scoring average to a season-low 65 points, including 29 in the second half.

UMass held Temple to a season-low 53 points, the Owls lowest point total in 35 games.

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 (just 21.7 percent in the first half, the lowest mark 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 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
Fordham                     69.5       .429                  95       .514
Richmond                    61.7       .379                  63       .388
Temple                      68.3       .406                  53       .339
George Washington           73.8       .420                  60       .364
St. Bonaventure             85.1       .449                  65       .418
Dayton                      70.4       .440                  83       .585
Rhode Island                60.4       .368                  70       .469
*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 fourth in the A-10 in blocks (1.63 bpg), while UMass ranks third in the league at 4.21 bpg, and has had at least four rejections 11 times with a high of eight vs. both Maine and Ohio State. Rhymer, Micah Brand (21) and Ronell Blizzard (12) have accounted for 64 of the Minutemen's 80 blocks this season, a total that would rank the trio ahead of five league teams.

Board Games: Going into the season, rebounding was expected to be a strength for the 2001-02 Minutemen, and through 19 games, they've done nothing to dispel that notion. UMass has outrebounded 11 of its 19 opponents, and holds a +0.7 margin (sixthbest in the A-10) over its opponents (36.2 rpg-35.5 rpg) on the glass. After outrebounding its 11 non-conference opponents by an average of 5.4 rpg, Massachusetts is 10th in the league in rebound margin for A-10 games only at -5.4 rpg. For the season, Micah Brand leads the team and ranks 19th in the A-10 in rebounding (5.9 rpg), while Kitwana Rhymer ranks second on the squad (5.7 rpg) and Eric Williams is third (5.1 rpg). Six UMass players, including guards Shannon Crooks (3.4 rpg) and Anthony Anderson (3.7 rpg), are averaging at least 3.4 rpg.

Another Tough Slate: After playing one of the toughest schedules in school history a year ago (20 of their 30 games were against 2001 postseason tournament teams) 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 among Division I institutions, and four times in that stretch it has had an SOS among the nation's top 20. Through games of Feb. 4, 2002, UMass was ranked 78th in the RPI calculated by CollegeRPI.com and had the nation's 21st-toughest schedule (and second-strongest among A-10 schools, just behind of No. 17 Temple), as its opponents have posted an impressive 238-152 (.610) record. UMass, 2-7 this season against teams which went to postseason play a year ago, is 2-2 vs. teams ranked from 1-50 in the RPI, 3-4 vs. teams ranked 51-100, 2-0 vs. squads that are 101-150, and 2-4 vs. teams 151 or higher.

Consistent Success: The Minutemen, who have posted 12-straight winning A-10 records (after posting no winning marks, just two .500 records and 53 victories in their first 13 seasons in the league) since a 5-13 mark in 1988-89, own a 141-62 (.695) 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, UMass was 11-5 in the A-10 (its eighth 11-win league mark in the last 12 seasons), good for fourth place, and advanced to the title game of the Verizon Atlantic 10 Tournament for the first time since 1995-96, but lost to Temple, 76-65. Over the last 12-plus seasons, Massachusetts owns a 278-135 (.673) 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 come as much of a surprise that UMass has overcame double-digit deficits to beat St. Bonaventure, Oregon and Arkansas-Little Rock this year, as those type of comebacks have happened before in Amherst. Including those games, the Minutemen have now recorded 20 double-digit comebacks to win over the last eight seasons. At St. Bonaventure, Massachusetts trailed by 10 midway through the first half, but rallied for a 67-65 victory. 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 win 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, but came back to score 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.

Quick Tips: UMass had a season-low five turnovers against Dayton, a mark which equalled its lowest total ever in the Mullins Center, and has had just 19 miscues in its last two games after recording 20 turnovers at St. Bonaventure...Massachusetts has shot better from the field on the road (.422) than it has at home (.404), and as a result has averaged 67.9 points away from home, compared to 62.8 ppg on its home floor...over the last three years, Massachusetts owns a 23-7 record when scoring 70 or more points, including a 2-2 mark this season...UMass has won 19-straight games when shooting 50.0 percent or better from the field since an 88-83 loss to George Washington in the quarterfinals of the 1998 A-10 Tournament...UMass is 7-5 in games decided by five or fewer points the last two years (2-1 this season), after going just 1-6 in such games during the 1999-2000 season...the Minutemen, 7-0 this season and winners of 21-straight when leading with 5:00 to play, own an 85-9 (.904) record since the start of the 1996-97 season when leading after 35 minutes of action...UMass has produced at least one all-conference performer for 18-straight seasons.

Fast Breaks: At Rhode Island (Rams, 70-59)--Rhode Island broke 39-all second-half tie with 7-0 run, and the closest UMass would get after that would be five points (46-41), as Rams beat Minutemen for first time in five games, Anthony Anderson had a game-high 17 points, while Eric Williams added 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds, Minutemen shot season-high 92.3 percent at the free throw line. Dayton (Flyers, 83-68)--Dayton opend the game on a 13-0 run, then after allowing the Minutemen to get within eight at 19-11 with 8:51 left in the first half, used a 17-0 run to put the home team away for good and end its three-game win streak, Shannon Crooks had a game-high 21 points, while Anderson tallied a career-best 20 points, Five Flyers scored in double figures, as Dayton recorded the highest field goal percentage mark against UMass since 1996-97 season. At St. Bonaventure (Minutemen, 67-65)--UMass overcame 10-point first half deficit to end Bonnies' 10-game homecourt win string, record first win at Reilly Center in five years with third-straight A-10 victory after an 0-3 start, Micah Brand slammed home a Crooks miss with 9.2 seconds left to break a 65-all tie, as visitors ended game on 12-3 run, Kitwana Rhymer had team-high 23 points and seven rebounds, while Crooks added 17, Anderson 11 and Brennan Martin a career-high nine, J.R. Bremer led the Bonnies with a game-high 27 points, UMass held St. Bonaventure, a team that had averaged 85.1 ppg, to a season-low 65 points. George Washington (Minutemen, 73-60)--Minutemen overcame early seven-point Colonials' lead to beat visiting George Washington for fourth-straight time, UMass used a 9-0 run late in first half to take control of the game, Massachusetts hit season-best 53.3 percent from three-point range, shot 48.9 percent for the game overall, including 73.7 percent in the second half, Brand turned in second career double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds), while Rhymer (14), Crooks (14) and Raheim Lamb (10) all scored in double figures. Temple (Minutemen, 63-53)--Massachusetts led from start to finish in ending Owls' two-game Mullins Center win streak, Minutemen hit 11-of-25 three-pointers, Kyle Wilson had career-high 17 points, while Crooks added 17 and Anderson 10, Minutemen had 20-10 lead eight minutes into game, held 29-21 halftime advantage, but watched Owls get within 38-35 with 13:54 left before a 9-0 run put the game away. At Richmond (Spiders, 63-54)--Spiders shot 45.0 percent (nine-of-20) from three-point range to hand Minutemen fifth-straight loss, UMass held 24-23 lead early in second half, but Richmond used an 8-0 run to take a 31-24 lead and the visitors would get no closer than three the rest of the way, Anderson led the UMass attack with 15 points, while Lamb netted 10 off the bench. At Fordham (Rams, 95-86)--UMass scored a season-high 86 points, but gave up an opponent-high 95 points and lost fourth-straight game, Crooks had season-best 24 points, while Jameel Pugh added career-high 22 points, Minutemen held 37-33 lead late in the first half, but Rams held 40-39 lead at halftime, then used a 9-0 second-half run to push the lead from 47-46 to 56-46 and the closest UMass would get the rest of the way would be five points. 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, Crooks tallied then-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, Saint Joseph's handed UMass third-worst 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 had game-high 26 points for Herd. 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 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 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, Wilson first "true" freshman to start for Massachusetts since 1996-97 season (Winston Smith).

Noting the 2001-02 Minutemen

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

Did not score in 13 minutes off the bench at Rhode Island. Missed all four field goal attempts.

Tallied six points, two rebounds, an assist and one steal in 21 minutes vs. Dayton.

Went scoreless over his first seven collegiate appearances, but came off the bench at St. Bonaventure to score a career-high nine points and collect two assists in a career-high 22 minutes.

Has hit 41.7 percent (five-of-12) from three-point range over the last three games, while averaging 5.0 ppg.

Averaging 1.5 ppg and 0.5 rpg in 10 appearances on year, Martin has slipped into coach Lappas' rotation over the last five games (64 of his 74 minutes have come in that stretch).

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.

Has appeared in 15 games on the year, drawing nine starts, while averaging 2.9 ppg and 2.7 rpg.

Snagged a rebound in one minute of work off the bench at Rhode Island. Has appeared in five of eight A-10 games for a total of 39 minutes (7.8 mpg).

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 43 points have been scored in UMass victories.

Has grabbed five or more rebounds four times, while contributing five or more points four times.

Averages 6.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg in UMass victories, 1.2 ppg and 1.8 rpg in its losses.

Jenkins has already more than tripled his points (43) and rebounds (38) from what he had in limited playing time a year ago (14 points and seven rebounds over 18 appearances).

Has struggled shooting the ball from the field (.260, on 13-of-50 shooting), but is 14-of-14 (a team-best 1.000) at the free throw line with 12 attempts in the game's final 4:50.

#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 16 games, averaging 1.1 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 8.3 minutes of work per outing.

Tallied a season-high five points, three rebounds and a pair of blocks in 24 minutes off the bench at Rhode Island.

Ranks 12th in the Atlantic 10 in blocks per game for league games only (0.83 bpg).

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.

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 19 games, averaging 3.7 ppg and 1.2 rpg in 15.8 minutes.

Has been hobbled by a sprained ankle the last two games. Had three points and a pair of assists in 18 minutes at Rhode Island.

Tallied career-high 17 points against Temple, and has contributed five or more points five times.

Against A-10 opponents, he's shooting 41.9 percent from three-point range (10th in the A-10 for league games only) and averaging 6.4 ppg.

Averaging 7.4 ppg and shooting 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from three-point range over the last five games.

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

Minutemen are 5-2 on the year with Wilson in the starting five.

Ranks second on the team in three-point percentage (.360), is third in three-pointers made (18) and attempted (50), and assists (40), fifth in steals (12).

Has collected at least one assist in 17 of 19 appearances, including 10 multiple-assist outings, and a high of five at Richmond.

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

Earned third Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honor after averaging 18.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2.0 apg in UMass' two games last week. Hit 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from the field and 55.0 percent (11-of-20) from three-point range over the two games. Had no turnovers in 67 minutes of action.

For the season is UMass' third-leading scorer overall (9.6 ppg), second-best in A-10 games (11.8 ppg).

Had a team-high 17 points and no turnovers in 39 minutes at Rhode Island. UMass is 0-3 on the year when Anderson has paced the team's scoring attack, 4-3 when he leads the team in assists.

Poured in a career-high 20 points to go with four assists and two rebounds in 28 minutes of work against Dayton. Was six-of-seven from three-point range against the Flyers.

Produced 11 double-digit scoring games on the year, including six in his last seven starts. 4Over the last seven games, he's averaged 13.4 ppg and hit 28-of-55 (50.9 percent) three-pointers.

Eighty-seven of his last 97 points have come via the three-pointer.

Sixth in the A-10 in assist/turnover ratio (1.61/1) and three-point percentage (.394), ninth in three-point goals made per game (2.26 mpg), 13th in assists (3.47 apg).

In A-10 games only statistics, he's first in three-point goals made per game (3.50), fourth in three-point percentage (.491).

Anderson leads the Minutemen in three-point goals made (43), attempted (109) and percentage (.394), is second in assists (66), minutes played (632) and steals (19), third in scoring (9.6 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (3.7 rpg).

Averages 7.9 ppg and 4.8 rpg, with 35 assists and just 22 turnovers in UMass wins, 11.2 ppg and 2.7 rpg in its losses with 31 assists and 19 miscues.

Has dished out at least three assists in 15 of 19 games with a high of seven against Holy Cross.

Minutemen are 4-7 on the season when he scores in double figures.

Six of Anderson's 11 double-digit scoring games have come in Amherst.

Netted then-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 five games, averaging 0.6 ppg and 0.2 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 5.6 ppg (sixth on team) and 5.1 rpg (third-best on club) in 19 appearances with two starts to his credit (Marist and Ohio State).

Tallied 11 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench at Rhode Island.

Has provided five or more points 11 times, including three double-digit efforts, one of which was a season-best and UMass career-high-tying 14 points at Marshall.

Grabbed five or more rebounds 11 times on the year with a high of nine at Rhode Island.

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.

Ranks second on the team in free throw percentage (.808), fourth in field goal percentage (.448) and three-point goals made (seven, tied with Jameel Pugh), fifth in three-point attempts (24).

Stands tied for 14th in free throw percentage (.833) for league games only statistics.

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

Grabbed a rebound in six minutes off the bench at Rhode Island.

Hasn't scored in his last four appearances since a career-high 22-point effort at Fordham.

Recorded then-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.

Averaging 5.3 ppg and 2.1 rpg in 11.4 minutes over 12 appearances off the bench this season.

Ranks third on the team in free throw percentage (.750), fourth in three-point goals made (seven, tied with Eric Williams) and attempted (29), seventh in scoring (5.3 ppg).

Has hit 85.7 percent at the free throw line against A-10 foes, which ranks 11th (tie) in the league.

Stands 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 chart.

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

Tri-captian leads the Minutemen in scoring (14.6 ppg), steals (26), assists (72) and minutes played (664), while ranking second in three-point goals made (31) and attempted (93), third in three-point percentage (.333) and sixth in rebounding (3.4 rpg) and field goal percentage (.405).

Tallied season-low five points and season-high-tying six assists at Rhode Island. Was one-for-15 from the field, including one-for-seven from three-point range vs. the Rams.

Had a game-high 21 points and five assists with no turnovers in 36 minutes against Dayton.

Among A-10 leaders in scoring (14.6 ppg, 11th), field goal percentage (.405, 10th), assists (3.79 apg, 12th), steals (1.37 spg, 13th) and assist/turnover ratio (1.44/1, seventh).

The only Minuteman to start all 19 games, he tallied a season-high 24 points at Fordham.

Crooks has produced a team-high 16 double-digit scoring games this season, including four, 20-point efforts, and has led the team in scoring nine times.

UMass is 5-3 all-time when Crooks scores 20 or more points in a game, 1-3 this season.

The fifth-year senior is 29 points shy of 1,000 for his collegiate career (and 72 points shy of that plateau in his UMass career).

He ranks 10th on the school's career three-point attempts list (263), and needs 35 assists (has 266) and three steals (has 131) to secure places on those all-time charts.

One of three former Bay State preps on this year's roster, Crooks has had at least one assist in 79 of 82 career games as a Minuteman.

Crooks has averaged 14.1 ppg and shot 44.0 percent from the field and 43.9 percent from three-point range in UMass victories, but averages 14.7 ppg and has hit 38.0 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from behind the arc in its losses.

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

Had nine points, four rebounds and a block in 15 minutes at Rhode Island.

Game has come alive over the last four games, as he's averaged 10.4 ppg and 4.0 rpg, while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 74.1 percent at the free throw line.

Keyed UMass win at St. Bonaventure with 23 points and seven rebounds.

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 the second time in his career.

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 fourth in the A-10 and leads the Minutemen in blocks (1.63 bpg), and has had at least two blocks in eight outings. He blocked a career-high-tying six shots against Holy Cross.

Averages 12.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in UMass' wins, but just 4.7 ppg and 5.1 rpg in its losses.

Is fifth on the school's all-time block chart (168), 22 behind No. 4 Edwin Green's (1980-84).

Needs 212 points (he enters today's game with 788) to reach the 1,000-point plateau, and 134 rebounds (has 627 in career) to crack the UMass top 10 in that category.

Has recorded six twin-digit scoring games, and has grabbed five or more rebounds 10 times. UMass is 5-1 this year when he scores in double figures, 3-0 in his career when he scores 20 or more.

He ranks second on the team in rebounding (5.7 rpg). Among the league leaders in offensive rebounds (2.33 orpg, 12th).

Leads the team in field goal percentage (.504) and is fourth in scoring (8.5 ppg).

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

Has averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 19.5 minutes of work over 19 appearances as a rookie.

Had nine points and a career-high eight rebounds in 21 minutes at Rhode Island.

Came off the bench the first six games of the year (6.5 ppg and 3.7 rpg), started the next five contests (5.0 ppg and 2.6 rpg), came off the bench six games (5.5 ppg and 3.7 rpg), but has started the last two (6.0 ppg and 5.5 rpg).

Ranks second on the team in field goal percentage (.474) and fourth in free throw percentage (.720), blocks (eight) and steals (13), fifth in minutes (370) and scoring (5.7 ppg).

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

Lamb has scored six or more points 10 times on the year, including four double-digit efforts (UMass is 1-3 in those games), and has grabbed five or more rebounds seven 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 (10.2 ppg) and top rebounder (5.9 rpg).

Sprained his left ankle in first half of the Dayton game, did not play at Rhode Island and isn't expected to play against the Dukes.

Had just four points at St. Bonaventure, but his follow dunk with 9.2 seconds left gave UMass its winning points. Also had seven rebounds and a block against the Bonnies.

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

The Minutemen are 5-4 this season when he scores in double-digits after recording a 4-8 mark in his double-figure scoring games a year ago. Also has a pair of double-doubles to his credit.

Ranks second on the team in field goal percentage (.461) and blocks (21), third in steals (16) and minutes played (529).

Is 10th in the A-10 in blocks (1.17 bpg), tied for ninth in defensive rebounds (4.39 drpg), 19th in rebounding (5.9 rpg).

Has pulled down five or more rebounds 10 times, including three double-digit efforts.

Averaging 11.3 ppg and 5.6 rpg in UMass wins, while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 76.2 percent at the line, but in losses has averaged 9.1 ppg and 6.2 rpg, while hitting 42.2 percent from the field and 52.6 percent at the free throw line.

Shooting 44.4 percent (four-of-nine) from three-point range this season.

After playing 30 or more minutes just four times in 59 games over his first two seasons in a UMass uniform, Brand has 12, 30-plus minute playing stints to his credit this season.

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