University of Massachusets Athletics
Men's Basketball: Postcards From Seattle
December 03, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 3, 2004
SEATTLE - The UMass men's basketball team spent their first full day in Seattle on Friday as they prepare for the Battle In Seattle. The Minutemen face Gonzaga on Saturday at 1 p.m. (local time, 4 p.m. ET) in a game that will be televised nationally on CSTV.
The Minutemen landed at SeaTac airport on Thursday night at around 9 p.m. Pacific Time and headed to their hotel. The team was greeted by huge banners publicizing the Battle In Seattle. The team ate dinner in the team hotel before heading off to bed for a good night sleep.
In Friday, the team gathered for breakfast and a scouting report on the Zags. The Minutemen headed to Seattle University for practice around Noon. They were greeted by several members of the media at practice and handled several interviews. Former North Carolina and Notre Dame Matt Doherty was there to watch practice in preparation of calling the game for CSTV. The Minutemen went through a two-hour practice at Seattle University.
After practice they returned to the hotel where souvenir stands were set up promoting the game. The team had some free time and some of the players went downtown to the Market. While down there, the highlight of day came as freshman Jeff Salovski "The Big Deli" caught a fish at the world famous market much to his teammates delight. Several players walked around town before heading back to the hotel for rest.
A special banquet was held in the evening to celebrate the event where head coach Steve Lappas spoke to the supporters and sponsors in attendance.
Here are some of the players thoughts heading into the game, which we like to call "Postcards From Seattle"
We are really looking forward to this game. We marked this game on our schedule as one of the games that was going to be a big challenge for us. We are trying to make a name for ourselves. We watched tape on them and see how well they rebound the ball.
As far as playing in KeyArena, it will be very exciting. There are going to be a lot of people showing up. I am really looking forward to playing in that environment and coming out with a win. From what I have seen and heard, there will be about 12,000 people at the Arena, hopefully they fill the place up, it is fun to play in front of a crowd like that and hopefully we will be able to execute our gameplan.
This is my first time here in Seattle. I hope to get out and see the city.
--Sophomore Art Bowers
I know Gonzaga is a physical team. I like playing some of the best teams in the country and they have been in the Top 25 for the last few years. Whenever you play a team like this, you really want to bring your A-Game. Sometimes there is little something inside you that makes you play harder when you play a team that is a big-time team.
The travel was not that bad. When I was in AAU, we would travel all day and then play at night so it was not that bad. I have nothing to complain about, I'm used to that.
I have never in my life played at a pro arena. We did scrimmage Seton Hall at the Nets' arena, but I am looking forward to it, but we will bring our game no matter what arena it's in.
--Sophomore Maurice Maxwell
Gonzaga is a big physical team. We have to be prepared and battle with them on the boards. That's what it all about with this game, the rebound battle. Whoever wins that battle will probably win the game. As far as Ronny Turiaf, I'm sure we will all be helping to double-team him. It will be a team responsibility.
Playing against Turiaf is an exciting opportunity for us. It is a challenge for myself and my teammates. We are looking forward to get going.
A big game against Gonzaga would be huge for the program. They are a top 25 team, it would be huge for our confidence and our University.
--Junior Jeff Viggiano
 Jeff Salovski with his fish and market manager.  |
|
To play my first road game against a team like Gonzaga is a great experience. There are going to be 10-12,000 people at the game and to play your first road game in front of that many fans and that type of environment will be something special.
Whenever you play a team that has a homecourt advantage - even though we are not at their home - with all the fan support they have here will make it tougher, but we are ready.
From what I hear about Ronny Turiaf is that he is going to be one of the top five picks in the NBA Draft. To play a guy like that is going to be a great experience for me and all the guys on the team.
This is my first time in Seattle, but I have been to the West Coast before, I went to San Diego. This evening, I caught a fish for the first time in my life down at the Market. It was scaly. The market man told me it was bout 12 pounds, but it was an easy catch.
Freshman Jeff Salovski
I am coming into this game trying to play as well as I can play. Bringing the team to Seattle is great. It seems like the arena is going to be loud. I have to start off playing good defense since they have a very powerful postman. I have to fight my way though and try to hold my own.
Ronny Turiaf is probably the most powerful big man I am going to go up against in my college career - besides Emeka Okafor - so I have to start off early and let him know I am not going to take him lightly. He's going to be powerful and try to take the game over, but I am going to try to do that early as well. I am going to have to hold my own on offense and defense. I will have to start strong on defense.
It is a true test for me and my teammates and I am just trying to do my best.
--Sophomore Rashaun Freeman
