Dec. 10, 2004
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Top 10 Tidbits
UMass won its third game against a defending champion, when it beat UConn, 61-59.
The win over No. 7/6 UConn was UMass' first over a top-10 team since beating No. 10 Maryland in 1997.
This will be the first game between UMass and Miami.
The Minutemen last played in the state of Florida, as UMass beat Florida State, 69-60, on Dec. 18, 1999 at the Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise, Fla.
Head coach Steve Lappas has a 54-18 career record in his fourth seasons at three different programs for a 75.0 win percentage.
UMass was the last unbeaten team in the A-10.
Anthony Anderson is 29th all-time in scoring (1,061) and is tied for ninth in career assists (327).
The Mullins Center will welcome its 1,000,000th men's basketball fan against Davidson next Sunday, the a total attendance stands at 998,320 dating to 1993. (1,680 away)
UMass will average 712 miles, each way, on its road trips this season, with the longest ones to Seattle (2980) and Miami (1471) eight days apart.
UMass has just two road games prior to Jan. 12, those trips to Seattle and Miami.
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Pumped Up UMass Heads To Miami
Fresh off the biggest win in the Steve Lappas era of basketball at UMass, the Minutemen look to ride the wave of success as they head to Florida, to take on ACC newcomer Miami. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12, at the Convocation Center in Coral Gables, Fla. The game can be heard live on the UMass Radio Network and via umassathletics.com
UMass shocked defending national champion No. 7/6 UConn on thursday night with a stirring 61-59 win over the Huskies. Before a national audience on ESPN2 and the largest crowd in four years at the Mullins Center, sophomore Rashaun Freeman scored the game-winning layup with 4.3 seconds left on the clock. After Denham Brown's three-point field goal came up short the Mullins Center crowd went wild storming the court. The game was featured as the lead on SportsCenter.
The win over UConn came in the first instance that a defending national champion had visited Amherst, and the Mullins Center.
UMass is now 3-1 all-time against defending national champions, as the Minutemen posted win in back-to-back seasons in their first ever meetings with the NCAA trophy holders. UMass knocked off North Carolina, 91-86, in overtime on Nov. 24, 1993 as part of the Preseason NIT at Madison Square Garden. One year later, UMass thumped Arkansas, 104-80, on Nov. 25, 1994 in the Tip-Off Classic at the Springfield Civic Center. UMass' last game against a champ came on Nov. 22, 1999, as the Minutemen lost to UConn at Gampel Pavilion, 79-65, on Nov. 22, 1999.
The crowd of 9,037 was the largest in four seasons and the biggest since the last sellout at the Mullins Center, when 9,493 came to the UMass-Temple game on Feb. 17, 2001.
UMass picked its first win over a ranked team since March 9, 2001 when they beat No. 21 Saint Joseph's, 75-70 in the A-10 Tournament.
It was UMass' first win over a top-10 team since a 78-61 win over No. 10 Maryland on Feb. 15, 1997.
It was UMass' first win over UConn since Dec. 15, 1983, with UMass winning 67-65 in overtime at the Cage.
UMass was the first team from New England outside of the Big East to beat UConn since 1986.
UMass is in the midst of its most difficult three-game stretch of the season, having played at perennial NCAA team Gonzaga in Seattle last Saturday (losing, 68-57), beating No. 7/6 UConn (61-59) before heading on the road to ACC newcomer Miami (Fla.) on Sunday in Coral Gables. UMass's two trips this week sandwiched around the UConn game, cover more than 8,900 miles, hitting two of the furthest corners of the country. The games in Seattle and Miami are UMass' only two road games prior to Jan. 12, but happen just eight days apart and cover nearly 4,500 miles each way.
UMass started the year 2-0 for just the second time since the Final Four year of 1995-96 after beating Yale, 70-56, on Nov. 27, at the Mullins Center. The only other time in the last nine years UMass started 2-0 was 2001-02, in Steve Lappas' first year in Amherst. But the Minutemen lost to Northeastern last Wednesday night, Dec. 1, 84-68 at the Mullins Center. The Minutemen suffered their second loss of the season at the Battle In Seattle, falling to Gonzaga, 68-57. In the loss, sophomore Maurice Maxwell tied his career-high with 19 points.
Senior guard Anthony Anderson is now 29th in career scoring at UMass (1,061), he also handed out three assists vs. UConn and in now ninth in career assists with 327. He passed current Boston College coach Al Skinner (324) in the Gonzaga game. Next on the list for Anderson to pass is current Louisville coach Rick Pitino, who had 329 assists in his UMass career from 1973-74.
Miami Capsule
Miami comes into the game with a 4-2 record. They have won their last three games in a row, all against Sunshine State schools, beating Florida Atlantic (84-68 on Nov. 29), winning at Florida (72-65 on Dec. 4) and at Florida International (80-67 on Dec. 7). Miami opened the year with a 67-64 win over Wofford before losing to South Carolina State (60-50 on Nov. 23) and A-10 opponent Xavier (83-70 in OT on Nov. 27). The Hurricanes are coached by first-year head coach Frank Haith, who was an assistant at Texas. Robert Hite leads the scoring parade with 22.0 points per game. Anthony Harris (14.3) and Guillermo Diaz (14.2) are also in double-figures. Anthony King pulls down 10.0 rebounds per game and has 26 blocked shots in six games.
Series Notes
This will be the first meeting between UMass and Miami in men's basketball.
UMass has not played a game in the Sunshine State since a 69-60 win over Florida State on Dec. 18, 1999 as part of the Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise, Fla.
Against teams from the state of Florida, UMass is 4-5 all-time. The Minutemen have the following marks against the state's teams: Florida (1-1), Florida International (1-0), Florida State (2-1), Florida Tech (0-1), Jacksonville (0-1) and South Florida (0-1).
UMass To Welcome Millionth Fan
UMass will welcome its 1,000,000th fan to a men's basketball game at Mullins against Davidson on Sunday, Dec. 19 as 998.320 have come through the turnstiles following the first four games this season (1,680 more fans).
The 1,000,000th fan will receive two season tickets to the 2005-06 season and two plane tickets courtesy USAir and hotel accommodations to the 2005 Atlantic 10 Tournament in Cincinnati along with tickets to the games.
This season, UMass will play a school-record 17 home games at Mullins.
Season Outlook Capsule
Heading into the 2004-2005 season, the UMass basketball team looks to return to its place among the top teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference. With all five starters returning from last year's squad, and some talented newcomers joining the team, the Minutemen should once again have the ingredients necessary to contend in the league, and make a run at their first postseason tournament bid since 1999-2000.
Although last year's Minutemen were only able to finish fourth in the Atlantic 10 East Division, they showed some flashes of what UMass fans can expect to see in years to come. UMass led the Atlantic 10 in blocked shots with an average of 5.3 per game, while standing second in assists with an average of 15.4 per contest.
To build the 2004-2005 team, the Minutemen have 11 players returning, including all five starters and nine of the 10 scholarship lettermen off last year's squad. All told, the 11 returnees provided 93.4 percent of the scoring and 91.3 percent of the rebounding a year ago. They will be joined by a cast of three newcomers, who will look to help the Minutemen return to the postseason this spring. The returning starters for the Minutemen this year are senior Anthony Anderson, sophomores Rashaun Freeman, Art Bowers and Maurice Maxwell. Junior Jeff Viggiano started last season but is coming off the bench as sophomore Stephane Lasme has taken over as the starting power forward. Thus, UMass starts four sophomores and one senior with the top four reserves as a senior (Chris Chadwick), a junior (Viggiano) and two freshmen (Lawrence Carrier and Jeff Salovski).
UMass Among League Favorites
As the preseason basketball publications rolled in, the UMass men's basketball team continues to garner national attention. In CBS Sportsline/Basketball News Preview, the Minutemen have been picked as the favorites to win the Atlantic 10 East Division. UMass was also selected as the No. 1 team in the East by Lindy's preseason magazine.
In addition to being picked as the top team in the East, Rashaun Freeman has also been named CBS Sportsline/Basketball News Preview's Conference Player of the Year. Freeman has also been named to the publication's preseason Atlantic 10 first team, while senior guard Anthony Anderson has been named to the preseason second team.
According to this preview magazine, "Massachusetts has five starters back and hopes to return to glory ... UMass might start to wake some of the echoes of old as they make some noise in the A-10."
According to Lindy's, "UMass will win the A-10 East because it has the best returning talent. ... The Minutemen return the A-10's best low-post scorer (Freeman), two gifted young wings (Art Bowers, Maurice Maxwell) and a senior point guard (Anthony Anderson)."
Freeman has also been named the league's top rebounder, is a member of the preseason all-conference first-team and is ranked as the 17th center in the nation according to the magazine.
Anderson was also named to the preseason all-conference third team. Additionally, the magazine is quoted as saying, newcomer front-court player Lawrence Carrier will be a player to "keep an eye on."
In checking other preseason magazines, Freeman has also been named to the preseason All-Atlantic 10 first team according to Athlon Sports College Basketball as well as in Street & Smith's College Basketball Preview. In Street & Smith's, Freeman was named the A-10's best rebounder.
Anderson Leads Minutemen In Backcourt
Senior captain Anthony Anderson is once again be the leader on the court for UMass this season. Last year, Anderson averaged 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest, while hitting 38.7 percent from three-point range and posting a 1.7:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. In addition, he became the 36th career 1,000-point scorer in UMass history during the game at Richmond on March 6, 2004, finishing the year with 1,007 career points scored. Anderson also hit the 200th three-point shot of his UMass career at Fordham on January 28, becoming only the fourth player in school history to accomplish that feat.
Anderson is now 29th all-time in career scoring with 1,061 points. He passed Alex Eldridge (1,053) in the Gonzaga game with 14 and is 16 behind Shannon Crooks (1,074). He moved past four players in the Northeastern game: Dana Dingle (1,043), Charlton Clarke (1,041), David Brown (1,037) and Derick Claiborne (1,033).
He is ranked third on the school's all-time chart for three-pointers made (241), and three-point attempts (621) and fifth in three-point percentage (.390). Anderson needs to hit 91 three-point shots to break Monty Mack's school record for three-pointers made (331), which was set from 1997-2001.
In addition, Anderson totaled 102 assists in 2003-2004, becoming only the sixth player in school history to record 100 or more assists in three consecutive seasons (joining Charlton Clarke, Joe DiSarcina, Alex Eldridge, Derek Kellogg and Carl Smith). If he posts 100 or more assists again in 2004-2005, Anderson will join Smith as the only Minutemen to reach triple digits in assists four times.
Anderson is now ninth all-time in career assists at UMass with 327 as he passed current Boston College coach Al Skinner (320) in the Gonzaga game. Next on the list after Skinner is another major college coach in Louisville mentor Rick Pinto, who had 329 from 1973-74.
In career steals, Anderson is just eight away from being tied for ninth in career thefts, as he has 125. Both Tony Barbee and Anton Brown had 135 in the early 90s.
This season, Anderson is third on the team in scoring (10.8), and second in both rebounding (5.8) and assists (3.6). He hauled down a career-high 13 rebounds in the win over Yale. Anderson is also shooting a great percentage from three-point range, (.378), hitting 14-of-37 this season.
Freeman Starring The Minutemen
Center/Forward Rashaun Freeman, who established himself as one of the top young players in the nation last season, should be a top candidate for All-America and Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year honors in 2004-05. Freeman was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year last season, in addition to being selected to the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District I second team and the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team.
In 29 games played last year, Freeman averaged team bests of 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds, while hitting 54.9 percent of his shots from the floor and posting 12 double doubles. A seven-time Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week selection last season, Freeman had his top game in the victory over St. Bonaventure on February 28, when he totaled 31 points and a Mullins Center-record 18 rebounds, while hitting 14 of 19 field goal attempts.
Among Atlantic 10 players who are returning for the 2004-2005 season, Freeman ranks first in both rebounding and field goal percentage, and third in scoring.
Freeman leads UMass in scoring with 15.6 points per game and rebounds with 7.4 this season. He posted his 13th career double-double in the loss to Northeastern with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He is tops on the team in field goal percentage (.552).
Maxwell Steps It Up As a Sophomore
Sophomore swingman Maurice Maxwell has been a key to UMass' offense this season, netting 12.6 points per game, second on the team. He tied his career-high with 19 points against Gonzaga in Seattle. He also led UMass in scoring in the season opening win over Birmingham Southern, with 17.
Like Anderson, Maxwell has been sensation from three-point range, nailing a 36.0 percent, making 9-of-25 treys this season. Maxwell also tops the team in assists per game, handing out 4.0 per contest.
Last season, Maxwell just missed a spot on last year's Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team, as he averaged 8.1 points, 3.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
Dialing Long Distance
The three-point shot has become an important part of the UMass offense since Steve Lappas began his tenure as head coach, and that has continued in 2004-05. UMass is hitting 32.9 percent this season (28-of-85).
Anthony Anderson and Maurice Maxwell have combined to hits 22-of-47 for 46.8 percent.
Last season, UMass was 192 of 573 from three-point range (33.5 percent), to record the second-highest totals in school history for both three-point shots made and attempted. In addition, the Minutemen set school single-game records for both three-point field goals made (18) and attempted (40) during last year's game at Temple on March 3. During Lappas' first season at UMass in 2001-02, the Minutemen set the school records for both three-point field goals made (204) and three-point field goals attempted (587). In 2002-2003, UMass sank 164 three-pointers (fifth-most in school history), while attempting 544 shots from beyond the arc (third-most in school history). Massachusetts has made at least one three-point goal in 180 straight games, heading into the 2004-2005 season.
Block Party
The Minutemen are once again among the top teams in the Atlantic 10 at blocking shots during the 2004-05 season. Led by sophomore Stephane Lasme who has 12 blocked shots (2.5 per game, which tops the team.
Last year, UMass totaled 155 blocks in 29 games, good for an average of 5.34 blocks per contest. The Minutemen stood far ahead of every other school in the Atlantic 10, as Richmond finished the season ranked second with an average of 4.33 blocks. In the final NCAA statistics, UMass ranked 12th in the nation with its average of 5.33 blocks per game. Leading the way for the Minutemen was freshman forward Stephane Lasme, who totaled 51 blocks to rank second in the Atlantic 10 with an average of 1.8 blocks per game.
Mullins Magic
UMass is in its 13th season of play at the William D. Mullins Memorial Center, and has posted an all-time record of 103-43 in the building. The Minutemen went 8-7 at the Mullins Center last season, recording their 100th all-time victory at Mullins against St. Bonaventure on February 28.
With the addition of last year's 8-7 mark at Mullins, UMass has not had a losing record at home since moving into the new arena in 1992-1993. In fact, UMass has gone 21 straight seasons without having a losing record on its home court. The Minutemen also own a 62-27 all-time record in regular season Atlantic 10 Conference games at the Mullins Center, and a 3-1 mark in Atlantic 10 Tournament contests.
Making The Road Trips Count
UMass has just 10 road games this season and only two prior to Jan. 12. The Minutemen will travel far and wide as part of their road schedule this season with trip to opposite corners of the country. UMass was in Seattle to face Gonzaga at Key Arena on Dec. 4. That trip was the longest on the schedule at 2,980 miles.
The following weekend after the trip to Seattle, UMass heads to Coral Gables, Fla., home of the University of Miami for a game on Dec. 12. That trip is 1,471 miles. Sandwiched between those cross-country ventures is a match-up with defending national champion UConn on Dec. 9.
Overall, UMass travels 14,258 (7,129 each way) miles during the regular-season for an average trip of 713 miles each way.
