University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Hits Road To Face Temple
March 01, 2004 | Men's Basketball
March 1, 2004
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Game Day Quick Facts
The Teams: Massachusetts (10-16, 4-10 A-10) vs. Temple (14-11, 8-6 A-10)
Date: March 3, 2004
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Place: Liacouras Center (10,206), Philadelphia, Pa.
CN8 Television: Lou Tilley, play-by-play; Rob Kennedy, color
UMass Radio Network: Bob Behler, play-by-play; Jack Leaman, color; WRNX 100.9 FM, Holyoke, flagship
Temple Radio Network: Harry Donahue, play-by-play; John Baum, color; WPHT 1210 AM, Philadelphia, flagship
Series Record: Temple leads, 34-17
Last Meeting: Massachusetts 66, Temple 65 (January 24, 2004, Amherst, Mass.)
PROBABLE UMASS STARTERS Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Cl. F 11 Maurice Maxwell 6-5 175 Fr. F 22 Jeff Viggiano 6-6 215 So. C 1 Rashaun Freeman 6-9 255 So. G 12 Anthony Anderson 5-11 170 Sr. G 34 Art Bowers 6-4 190 Fr.
THE SERIES WITH TEMPLE: This will be the 52nd meeting between UMass and Temple, in what has become one of the most intense rivalries in college basketball. The Owls own an all-time mark of 34-17 against the Minutemen, with the series seeing a number of long winning streaks. Temple won the first 21 meetings between the two schools from 1983-1992, before UMass rebounded to win 13 of 15 contests from 1992-1997, including two six-game win streaks. Since then the Owls have won 11 of 15 meetings, but UMass snapped Temple's three-game series win streak earlier this year. The Owls hold a 18-4 advantage for games played at the Liacouras Center (5-1), McGonigle Hall (12-3) or the Palestra (1-0). UMass coach Steve Lappas owns a 4-6 career mark against the Owls (2-3 with the Minutemen), while Temple coach John Chaney stands 34-17 all-time against UMass.
FREEMAN HAS RECORD-SETTING GAME AGAINST SAINT BONAVENTURE: Sophomore forward Rashaun Freeman (Schenectady, N.Y.) had the top performance of his young career in Saturday's victory over Saint Bonaventure. Freeman scored a career-best 31 points on 14 of 19 shooting from the field against the Bonnies, in addition to pulling down a career-high 18 rebounds. His 31 points were the most by a UMass player since Monty Mack scored 32 at Xavier on Feb. 12, 2000. Freeman also had the most points by a first-year UMass player since Marcus Camby scored 32 points against Maryland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 19, 1994. In addition, Freeman's 18 rebounds were the most by a UMass player since Ajmal Basit pulled down 19 at Rhode Island on Jan. 29, 1998. Freeman also set a Mullins Center record for most rebounds (18), while tying the Mullins Center records for field goals made (14) and defensive rebounds (14). The previous Mullins Center record for rebounds was 17 by Carlin Warley of Saint Joseph's on Feb. 1, 1995. Freeman tied Warley's record for defensive rebounds (14 on Feb. 1, 1995), while matching Camby's 14 field goals made (against Princeton on Dec. 14, 1994).
VIGGIANO PROVIDES A SPARK: Sophomore forward Jeff Viggiano (Suffield, Conn.) has been a key player for the Minutemen this year, while seeing time at both power forward and small forward. In Saturday's victory over Saint Bonaventure, Viggiano totaled 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists. In the game at Fordham, he scored 11 points, while also collecting two rebounds and two assists. Previously against Rhode Island, Viggiano totaled 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals, while in the Dayton game, he posted his third double-double of the season with 11 points and a career-best 13 rebounds. Some of Viggiano's other big games this season have come at Rider (14 points and 10 rebounds), at Rhode Island (12 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks), against Fordham (11 points, three rebounds), against Temple (nine points, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks), at Saint Joseph's (12 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals), at Duquesne (13 points, five rebounds and three blocks), at Connecticut (career-best 22 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals) and against Tennessee (eight points, five rebounds, two blocks). In 25 games played so far this year, including 22 starts, he has averaged 9.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest. Last year, Viggiano averaged 7.0 point and 2.9 rebounds per game, while starting 21 out of 29 games.
ANDERSON LEADS MINUTEMEN IN BACKCOURT: Senior guard Anthony Anderson (Lynn, Mass.) has been the leader on the court for a young UMass team this season. In the home game against Rhode Island, he led the team with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and no turnovers. Previously, at Rider, he recorded 15 points and five assists in the UMass victory. In the win at Rhode Island, Anderson totaled 12 points, five assists and five steals, while hitting all four of his free throw attempts in the final two minutes to seal the win. On Dec. 7, Anderson was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week and Dinn Brothers UMass Athlete of the Week, after a pair of outstanding performances against Boston College (20 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals) and Vermont (career-best 29 points). Some of his other big games this season have come against Fordham (14 points, five rebounds, four assists), Temple (12 points, eight rebounds, seven assists), Saint Bonaventure (26 points, eight rebounds, three steals), La Salle (20 points, three steals), Tennessee (15 points, seven assists, five rebounds), Connecticut (15 points, four rebounds), Marshall (17 points, six assists) and Saint Francis (21 points, five rebounds, six assists). Through 26 games so far this year, Anderson is averaging 13.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists, while hitting 38.6 percent from three-point range and posting a 1.67:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
ANDERSON CLIMBS CAREER CHARTS: With his strong play during the 2003-2004 season, senior guard Anthony Anderson continues his assault on the all-time school records for three-point shooting. Against Fordham on Jan. 28, Anderson hit the 200th three-point shot of his UMass career, becoming only the fourth player in school history to accomplish the feat. He currently stands fourth on the school's all-time charts for three-pointers made (218) and three-point attempts (561), while ranking fifth in three-point percentage (.389). On track to earn a fourth season of competition by graduating by the summer of 2004, Anderson will have a chance to break Monty Mack's school record for three-pointers made (331), which was set from 1997-2001. Anderson, who also needs just 26 points to become the school's 36th career 1,000-point scorer, already owns two of the top 10 places on the UMass single-season chart for three-pointers made. In addition, he needs only 10 more assists this year to become the sixth player in school history to records 100 or more assists in three consecutive seasons (joining Charlton Clarke, Joe DiSarcina, Alex Eldridge, Derek Kellogg and Carl Smith).
FREEMAN HAS IMPRESSIVE START TO CAREER: Sophomore forward Rashaun Freeman (Schenectady, N.Y.) has had some outstanding games to open his collegiate career, and has already been named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week six times this season (on Nov. 23, Nov. 30, Dec. 28, Jan. 11, Jan. 25 and Feb. 29) and Dinn Brothers UMass Athlete of the Week once (Dec. 29). In Saturday's victory over Saint Bonaventure, he totaled career-bests of 31 points and 18 rebounds, for his 10th double-double of the season. Previously, against Saint Joseph's, Freeman led the team with 21 points and six rebounds. In the Rider game, Freeman recorded team-highs of 17 points and 11 rebounds, while at Rhode Island, he totaled 13 points, four rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. Freeman also had big games against Fordham at home (18 points and 10 rebounds), against Temple (16 points), at Saint Joseph's (17 points, 12 rebounds), at Duquesne (16 points, 13 rebounds), at Saint Bonaventure (19 points, five rebounds), against George Washington (19 points, 10 rebounds), vs. Albany (22 points, 10 rebounds), against Maine (23 points, six rebounds), vs. Marshall (18 points, 10 rebounds), at Central Connecticut (15 points, 13 boards), vs. Hartford (19 points, nine rebounds), at Texas Tech (17 points) and against Saint Francis (11 points, 14 rebounds). Through 26 games this year, Freeman is averaging a team-best 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds, while hitting 54.1 percent of his shots from the floor.
BOWERS HAVING A FINE ROOKIE CAMPAIGN: Freshman guard Art Bowers (Wilmington, Del.) has turned into one of the team's top scorers in his first season with the Minutemen. In the win over Saint Bonaventure, he totaled 13 points, nine assists and six rebounds. At Xavier, Bowers scored a team-high 10 points, in addition to pulling down six rebounds. On Feb. 1, he was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week and the Dinn Brothers UMass Athlete of the Week, after a pair of strong performances against Rhode Island (18 points, four assists) and Fordham (18 points, eight assists, seven rebounds). Bowers also had a big game in the win over Temple, hitting the game-winning three-point shot with 32 seconds left. He finished the Temple game with a career-high 19 points and seven rebounds. Bowers turned in some other top performances against Saint Joseph's (10 points, four rebounds, four assists), Albany (13 points, two rebounds, two assists and three steals), Vermont (16 points on seven of 11 shooting, team-best seven rebounds) and Saint Francis (14 points on five of eight shots from the field). In the 24 games he has played this season, Bowers is averaging 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
MAXWELL MAKING PRESENCE FELT: Freshman Maurice Maxwell (Philadelphia, Pa.) has turned into a key perimeter player for the Minutemen, while seeing action at both shooting guard and small forward. In the game at Fordham, he led the team with 15 points, while also recording three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Previously against Rhode Island, Maxwell totaled 17 points and three assists, while hitting six of 11 shots from the floor. In this season's first meeting with Rhode Island, he recorded 12 points and five rebounds, while hitting the game-winning three pointer with 25.6 seconds remaining. In the first meeting at Saint Joseph's, he totaled eight points, six rebounds and three assists. Earlier in the season against Marshall, Maxwell had a career-high 19 points, five steals and three assists, and was named Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week and Dinn Brothers UMass Athlete of the Week. Maxwell had some other big games against Saint Bonaventure (10 points, six rebounds, four assists), Rider (career-high eight assists), Duquesne (eight points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals), Tennessee (12 points, four assists, three steals), Albany (10 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal), Vermont (14 points on five of seven shooting) and Boston College (10 points, four assists, three rebounds). For the season, he is now averaging 7.7 points, 2.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
MINUTEMEN RECORD 100TH MULLINS VICTORY: When UMass defeated Saint Bonaventure on Feb. 28, 2004, the Minutemen recorded their 100th victory since moving into the William D. Mullins Memorial Center. UMass just completed its 12th season of play at the Mullins Center, and has posted an all-time record of 100-42 in the building. The Minutemen went 8-7 at the Mullins Center this year, and have not had a losing record at home since moving into the new arena in 1992-1993. In fact, UMass has now gone 22 straight seasons without having a losing record on its home court. UMass also owns 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. Here is a look at some of UMass' milestone victories in the Mullins Center:
Win Score Date 1 Massachusetts 64, West Virginia 59 (OT) Feb. 4, 1993 25 Massachusetts 59, Temple 58 Jan. 21, 1995 50 Massachusetts 79, George Washington 48 Jan. 10, 1998 75 Massachusetts 59, Xavier 49 Feb. 14, 2001 100 Massachusetts 82, Saint Bonaventure 71 Feb. 28, 2004
THE ROOKIES OF THE WEEK: The Minutemen have had a firm hold on Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week honors this season, with a UMass player taking home the award in eight out of 15 weeks on the year. Forward Rashaun Freeman has led the way by earning the honor six times (Nov. 23, Nov. 30, Dec. 28, Jan. 11, Jan. 25 and Feb. 28), while guard Art Bowers (Feb. 1) and forward Maurice Maxwell (Dec. 21) have taken home the award once each. With three Rookie of the Week recipients this year, UMass has become just the fourth team in Atlantic 10 history to have three different players win the award in the same season. The previous three schools to accomplish the feat were Xavier (1995-1996), La Salle (2002-2003) and George Washington (2003-2004).
ANDERSON BECOMING AN IRON MAN: Senior guard Anthony Anderson has become a familiar sight on the hard wood, and earlier this season he had a streak of 157 straight minutes on the court (from the Hartford game on Nov. 24 to the Marshall contest on Dec. 23). He has gone the distance 10 times this season (including a 45-minute stint in the overtime game at Boston College), while playing the entire 40 minutes in six of UMass' last 10 contests. For the season, Anderson has now played 980 out of a possible 1025 minutes, good for an average of 37.7 minutes per game. This comes as nothing new to Anderson, who averaged 36.1 minutes per game last season, and 34.0 minutes per contest in 2001-2002.
BLOCK PARTY: Throughout the 2003-2004 season, the Minutemen have been the top team in the Atlantic 10 Conference, and among the best in the nation, at blocking shots. UMass currently has 149 blocks though 26 games, good for an average of 5.73 blocks per contest. The Minutemen stand far ahead of every other school in the Atlantic 10, as Richmond currently ranks second with an average of 4.46 blocks. In the latest NCAA statistics, through games of February 23, UMass stood 11th in the nation with 5.8 blocks per game. Leading the way for the Minutemen is freshman forward Stephane Lasme (Libreville, Gabon), who has totaled 49 blocks to rank third in the Atlantic 10 with an average of 1.9 blocks per game. Junior center Gabe Lee (Camilla, Ga.) was also enjoying a fine season with 45 blocked shots for an average of 3.2 blocks per game. He ranked first in the league and ninth in the nation, before suffering a season-ending injury at Saint Bonaventure on Jan. 14.
FREEMAN SELECTED ALL-DISTRICT: On Feb. 18, it was announced that sophomore forward Rashaun Freeman has been named to the 2003-2004 National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District I second team. Freeman was one of 13 players from the Atlantic 10 Conference to be honored on the teams, which were selected for 15 districts around the nation. The last UMass player to earn NABC All-District honors was Monty Mack, who was selected first team All-District in 1998-1999, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001.
HEAD COACH Steve Lappas: Now in his third season as the head coach of the Minutemen, Steve Lappas has an overall record of 34-50 while at UMass. He owns a career mark of 264-222 in 16 seasons as a head coach, including nine years at Villanova (174-110) and four seasons at Manhattan (56-62). A 1977 graduate of the City College of New York, Lappas has led his teams to four NCAA Tournament appearances (with Villanova in 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1996-1997 and 1998-1999) and four trips to the National Invitation Tournament (Manhattan in 1991-1992 and Villanova in 1993-1994, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001). In addition, his 1993-1994 Villanova team claimed the NIT championship. Lappas currently ranks 11th all-time in career coaching victories at UMass, needing only six more wins to move into eighth place.
ABOUT THE OWLS: Temple enters the game with an overall record of 14-11 on the season, including an 8-6 mark against Atlantic 10 Conference foes. The Owls have won eight out of 10 games since falling to UMass on Jan. 24, with both losses during that time coming against Saint Joseph's. Senior guard David Hawkins leads the team with an average of 23.7 points per game, in addition to averaging 5.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 steals per contest. Sophomore guard Mardy Collins ranks second on the team with an average of 15.1 points per game, while sophomore forward Michael Blackshear has averaged a team-best 6.5 rebounds per contest.
TEMPLE HEAD COACH JOHN CHANEY: Now in his 32nd season as a collegiate head coach, John Chaney owns a career record of 707-280. Chaney is in his 22nd season at Temple, where his record stands at 482-221 with 17 NCAA Tournament appearances. Prior to his time with the Owls, Chaney posted a 225-59 record in 10 years as the head coach at Cheyney State College. A 1955 graduate of Bethune-Cookman College, Chaney went on to receive his master's degree from Antioch College.
MINUTEMATTERS: Junior center Gabe Lee, who averaged 9.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.2 blocks over the first 14 games of the season, is expected to miss the rest of the year due to injury ... Senior guard Marcus Cox (Bridgeport, Conn.) and sophomore forward Alassane Kouyate (Bamako, Mali) are also expected to miss the entire 2003-2004 season due to injury. Kouyate is eligible to redshirt and will have three years of collegiate eligibility remaining, while Cox's college career is now over ... Former UMass stars Marcus Camby and Lou Roe were both selected to ESPN's Silver Anniversary All-Atlantic 10 Conference team ... During the UMass-Rhode Island game on Feb. 18, three-time first team All-Yankee Conference selection Al Skinner (No. 30, 1971-1974) became the fourth player in school history to have his number retired. The other three players to be honored are George "Trigger" Burke (No. 32, 1954-1956), Julius Erving (No. 32, 1969-1971) and Lou Roe (No. 15, 1991-1995) ... UMass has won 29 of its last 31 games when shooting 50.0 percent or better from the field, including this year's 5-0 mark and an 11-2 record in Steve Lappas' tenure in Amherst ... Former UMass head coach Jack Leaman, who currently provides color commentary for the UMass Radio Network, was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame last September.
