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| Send a question to coach now! |
UMass fans, we are closing in on the start of the 2009-10 basketball season. We will be holding "Super Sunday" this coming Sunday, Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. at the Mullins Center. Join head coach Derek Kellogg for a live online chat this Friday morning at 11 a.m. If you have questions about the players on the team and the upcoming season, please send them in. Coach Kellogg is excited to hear from you on Friday and is looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.
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Coach Kellogg: Hello fans ... We are gearing up for Super Sunday... Send those questions now!! |
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| Paul (Springfield): Coach Kellogg, what would be your "dream Final Four"? Obviously, UMass would be in there. Kentucky? Memphis? |
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Coach Kellogg: Hello Paul ... That's actually an easy question, With UMass winning the title over Kentucky and the otherteam teams being Memphis and UTEP! How you like that Final Four. |
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| david (salem,ma): overseas trip is allowed once every four years. i believe it's been four years or more since a trip to greece. is a trip planned ? with five freshmen this year, i think that 2010 would be a good time for another european excursion. what do you think ? |
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Coach Kellogg: Hi David. There is legislation at the NCAA right now to determine what is going to be allowed as far as foreign tours. Next year would be a great time for us to take a trip. Greece sounds as good as place as any. Heard they have beautiful beaches. |
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| The Tuba Section (UMass): Derek, the tuba section in the hoop band is obviously a big fan of the team. Can we count on you to conduct the band in the playing of "Fight Mass" after one of the UMass victories this season? |
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Coach Kellogg: Hey Tuba Person ... I have always been a huge fan of the band. It would be agreat touch and addition if you would allow me to lead the section after one of our big victories this season. |
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| Waterbury, CT: Who of the "Fine 5" will play the biggest role this season? Also, which of the "Fine 5" have the brightest future? |
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Coach Kellogg: Waterbury ... what no name ... Although I like the name "Fine 5", I'm hoping they live up to all the advance billing. All of the incoming freshmen have done a fantastic job to this point. Its still a work in progress. |
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| Paul (Chicopee): Coach, what type of defensive tends to give the AASAA offense the most trouble? |
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Coach Kellogg: Pauly ... What gives the offense the most trouble is when the other team is able to control the tempo of the game. Last year, zone defense gave us the most trouble and thus I have been working with my guys on attacking zone. |
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| Gary (Hopkinton): Coach - With the departure of Gaffney, Bonner, and Lynch, do you think we have enough defenders this year who can handle physical inside post players? |
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Coach Kellogg: G-Man ... That's a great question. One of the many questions that won't be answered until we compete against another opponent. Its always difficult when you lose the Defensive Player of the Year and the last cut the NBA Champion Lakers. |
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| Gary (Hopkinton): Coach - having played against you on the courts of Southwest in the spring of '92, I can attest to your toughness on the court. Is this team going to be tough or pretty or both? |
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Coach Kellogg: More from you ... Well ok ... You horseshoe legend. ... I know one thing, I have been tougher and pushed this group as hard as I can to this point. They have battled through adversity and seemed to be taking on the toughness that all good teams much have. |
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| DREW, Boston, MA: Coach, despite preseason rankings, what do you think of the competition in the A-10 and do you expect to be able to exploit slower teams?? |
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Coach Kellogg: Drew in Beantown ... Were are one of the teams in the A-10 that is tough to get a gread on because of all the new faces. I'm confident that we will play tough, together and fast this season. I'm hoping that we are going to be able to exploit slower and less athletic teams. |
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| Jim (Belchertown): Coach: I see most of your players are twittering. Have you had to give them any guidelines? |
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Coach Kellogg: Jim ... Are you a follower ... Since I just started to TWEET, I now know that we need to inform our guys about being appropriate in their comments on twitter. Jason Yellin our Media Relations guy is working with them and will meet with them. |
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| Adam (Amherst): Can you shed any light on what you expect to be the starting lineup to be when we start the season? |
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Coach Kellogg: Hello Adam, Come out to SUPER SUNDAY at 3 p.m. at the Mullins Center and you will get the first glimpse of who might be the starting lineup this season. |
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| Joe (westfield): Do expect to sign any players during the november signing period? |
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Coach Kellogg: Joe, Although we are not allowed to comment specifically on recruits, there is a good chance that we will sign someone in the early signing period. |
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| Roadtrip, Hudson, FL: Hey DK, great to have you at UMass. How does Farrell look at PG? Will Putney get some time at SF? Thanks, see you in Orlando on the 13th. |
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Coach Kellogg: I can't wait to see you Roadtrip ... I am in the process of trying to schedeule games in Florida for all our friends and alums that reside in the Sunshine State. Farrell has done some very good things thus far, but is still a freshman who turns it over way to much. On Putney, one of the best young men to come through UMass. He has been a pleasant suprise thus far. |
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| Rich (Sunderland): Did you use a trick ball when you won the long ball contest in the Court Club golf tourney at the Ranch?
How important is strength vs. agility when playing your offensive system? |
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Coach Kellogg: Hey Rich ... Obviously you have never seen me play LOL ... I took the short cut to the left of the tree in the middle of the fairway. I would say that I look for players who are strong and athletic, they don't have to be bulky, but wirey strong is a must. Kind of like me on the golf course. |
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| Kevin, Cali: Coach, you are able to bring in a very nice freshman class this year, how are the next couple of classes looking? |
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Coach Kellogg: Kevin ... We won't know specifics until the signing day on Nov. 11. Recruiting is very difficult and we are working 24-7 to bring in the type of student-athletes to the UMass campus that fit what I;m looking for. |
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| Paul (Springfield): Coach Kellogg, how would you describe your coaching style? What type ofd role do you put your assistants in, both in practice and games? |
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Coach Kellogg: Paul ... Hometown boy. My goal is that when people think of the UMass basketball team they have a vision in their head of what that means. It WILL be clear of what I;m talking about when you see this year's team. |
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| Paul (Chicopee): Hey Coach DK,I know some teams set goals prior to the season (NCAA tourny, 1st round A-10 bye, above .500 record, etc.). Have you or the team as a whole set a goal for this season? |
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Coach Kellogg: Paul in Chicopee ... The goal for this year's team again ... Is that when you think of UMass Basketball you know exactly what I'm talking about. A team that competes on every possession and every play and competes to the final buzzer! |
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| Paul (Chicopee): Hey coach, which freshmen has been the most pleasant surprise so far this season? |
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Coach Kellogg: You again, I guess I'll answer ... When you have freshmen, everyday is an adventure. I have tried to have as much patience as I have with my son Max as I have with them at any practice. As a group, I love working with these guys everyday and feel that as they get some experience, they will be great. |
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| Rich, Deer Lodge, Tenn: Are you currently recruiting for another athletic center? |
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Coach Kellogg: Rich all the way from Tennessee ... An athletic center is perfect for our style both offensively and defensively if you know anyone who would fit, please contact the office. |
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Coach Kellogg: Fans, Again, please show your support this Sunday by coming to SUPER SUNDAY at 3 p.m. here at the Mullins Center. A few other plugs to get in, check out my interview with WRNX's Steve Cantara from this morning. It will be posted as a podcast on the UMassAthletics.com site.
AND Follow me on twitter, I'm all over it now. twitter.com/coachKellogg
Keep up to date with me at all times. |
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Coach Kellogg: Oh yeah, one more look for a special annoucement about my Radio Shows for the season coming early next week. We will be painting the Valley with UMass Maroon and White!
See you all Sunday, at SUPER SUNDAY here at the Mullins Center.
Thanks for the questions. |
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