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University of Massachusets Athletics
Photo by: Chris Tucci - UMass Athletics
Verdi Lauded ESPN Women's Hoops Coach of the Week
November 30, 2021 | Women's Basketball
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts women's basketball head coach, Tory Verdi, tabbed ESPN Women's Hoops Coach of the Week, announced Monday, by the source. Verdi received the honor following the efforts put forth by not only him, but his 7-1 team and staff, in the three-day Gulf Coast Showcase last weekend in Estero, Fla.
Last weekend, UMass went 2-1, defeating both South Dakota State, 81-63, on Friday, and Kent State, 72-64, on Saturday, before falling 76-71 to No. 13 Iowa State on Sunday night. Graduate student Sam Breen and senior Destiney Philoxy were also named to the All-Tournament Team, as well.
With the win over South Dakota State, the Maroon and White improved to 6-0 on the year, tying for the best start since the 1978-79 season. It also marked the fourth time in program history the Minutewomen have collected six consecutive wins in a single season – the 1978-79 season (Nov. 29-Dec. 11, 1978), 2002-03 season (Dec. 1-Dec. 14, 2002) and the 2015-16 season (Feb. 13-March 2, 2016) being the other three.
After picking up the second victory over Kent State, the 7-0 record gave UMass its second-best start to a season in program history behind the inaugural 1968-69 season when Massachusetts posted a 9-0 mark to begin the year. In addition, the win pushed the Minutewomen to seven straight wins in one season for the first time since the 1994-95 season (Jan. 17-Feb. 6, 1995).
The two triumphs over the weekend extended the Maroon and White's winning streak to nine games, which dated back to last season – March 20, 2021 through Nov. 27, 2021). The nine consecutive triumphs were the fourth time in the program the feat was achieved, with the 1968-69 season, 1976-77 season and 1997-98 season all included.
Verdi took over as head coach for the Minutewomen in 2016, after spending four seasons with Eastern Michigan at the helm. Since his time at UMass, the New England native has led Massachusetts to an 84-73 mark, which includes the 7-1 record this season. He has also made five Atlantic 10 Tournament appearances, reaching the Quarterfinals in both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, and competed in the A-10 Championship title game in last year. Last season, Verdi and UMass made a trip to the WNIT, defeating Ohio in the Consolation Final and garnering multiple postseason wins.
Last weekend, UMass went 2-1, defeating both South Dakota State, 81-63, on Friday, and Kent State, 72-64, on Saturday, before falling 76-71 to No. 13 Iowa State on Sunday night. Graduate student Sam Breen and senior Destiney Philoxy were also named to the All-Tournament Team, as well.
With the win over South Dakota State, the Maroon and White improved to 6-0 on the year, tying for the best start since the 1978-79 season. It also marked the fourth time in program history the Minutewomen have collected six consecutive wins in a single season – the 1978-79 season (Nov. 29-Dec. 11, 1978), 2002-03 season (Dec. 1-Dec. 14, 2002) and the 2015-16 season (Feb. 13-March 2, 2016) being the other three.
After picking up the second victory over Kent State, the 7-0 record gave UMass its second-best start to a season in program history behind the inaugural 1968-69 season when Massachusetts posted a 9-0 mark to begin the year. In addition, the win pushed the Minutewomen to seven straight wins in one season for the first time since the 1994-95 season (Jan. 17-Feb. 6, 1995).
The two triumphs over the weekend extended the Maroon and White's winning streak to nine games, which dated back to last season – March 20, 2021 through Nov. 27, 2021). The nine consecutive triumphs were the fourth time in the program the feat was achieved, with the 1968-69 season, 1976-77 season and 1997-98 season all included.
Verdi took over as head coach for the Minutewomen in 2016, after spending four seasons with Eastern Michigan at the helm. Since his time at UMass, the New England native has led Massachusetts to an 84-73 mark, which includes the 7-1 record this season. He has also made five Atlantic 10 Tournament appearances, reaching the Quarterfinals in both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, and competed in the A-10 Championship title game in last year. Last season, Verdi and UMass made a trip to the WNIT, defeating Ohio in the Consolation Final and garnering multiple postseason wins.
Players Mentioned
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