For fans looking for tickets to see UMass take on Rhode Island in the Atlantic 10 Tournament on Thursday night, here are two links to purchase tickets.
Thursday, March 13, Session Two Tickets:
1st Round: Session 2 - Brooklyn NY - $32.00-$70.00
All Session Package Through UMass Ticket Office:
Michael Whitmer of The Boston Globe has a recap of last night's UMass men's basketball win over Duquesne.
Stuart Elliott of the New York Times has a story covering the Atlantic 10 Conference's new branding campaign for basketball - WhoWantsNext - which is aimed at educating fans and the public of the league's tremendous basketball programs.
The campaign includes print media, an online video, commercials, magazine spreads and social media activities for fans.
The Atlantic 10 held its annual men's basketball media day on Thursday at the brand new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The building is only a week old and looks outstanding. They were still set-up for Jay-Z as the part owner of the Brooklyn Nets was continuing his run of concerts to open the facility.
UMass was
picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll, which was made up of all 16 coaches and a media member from each area in the A-10 membership, totaling 30 voters. Additionally, Chaz Williams was selected to the preseason first team.
Security was pretty tight so nobody was allowed inside the arena bowl but everywhere else the coaches and media went was very impressive. Here are some articles from UMass beat writers Harry Plumer and Matt Vautour, along with stories from around the league. I also posted a
Storify link that summarizes as many tweets from media, coaches and administrators at the event as I could find.
Ron Chimelis of the Springfield Republican has a story on how UMass' success in making the NIT Semifinals and posting a 25-12 record will help in future scheduling.
Looking back on last night's Atlantic 10 Championship First Round win over Duquesne, a number of UMass players performed super on Tuesday, helping them earn its second trip to Atlantic City for the quarterfinals in the last three seasons. Here are some recaps from various media outlets. Don forget, you can still get tickets to Friday's game with top-seeded Temple, which tips at Noon.
Click Here to Purchase A-10 Tournament Tickets.
Chaz Williams led four Minutemen in double figures with his outstanding 29-point, nine-assist effort in Tuesday's big win over Xavier. Next up is a tough road game at Dayton on Saturday night at 6 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network. So while the team rests up for that one, here are a few recaps and sidebars about last night's game.
Terrell Vinson's shot at the buzzer was ruled a two-pointer handing the UMass men's basketball team a 72-71 loss to La Salle on Saturday night breaking the Minutemen's 12-game home win streak.
CBS3 Highlights:
Postgame Press Conference:
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a preview this morning of tonight's men's basketball game at Rhode Island with both teams coming off big wins. UMass beat Saint Louis last Saturday at the Mullins Center, while the Rams took down Dayton on the road.
Stephen Sellner has a preview of tonight's men's basketball game at Rhode Island with the Minutemen coming off a huge win against Saint Louis on Saturday.
Jackson Alexander of the Daily Collegian has a story focusing on the impact Raphiael Putney has made on the UMass basketball team and its success this season.
Dan Duggan of the Boston Herald looks at the impact Raphiael Putney is having on the UMass basketball team's success and how his efforts in the weight room are making contributions on the court.
In Andy Katz's blog on ESPN, he again noted that UMass was a team that impressed over the weekend with its win over Saint Louis to retain the No. 1 spot in the Atlantic 10.
Massachusetts: Derek Kellogg survived a difficult stretch at his alma mater and has come through to the top of the standings. The Minutemen, behind Hofstra transfer Chaz Williams, beat Saint Louis and won at Richmond this past week. UMass is in a three-way tie for first in the A-10 with La Salle and St. Bonaventure. 
Greg M. Cooper/US PresswireChaz Williams has helped UMass tie for first place in the Atlantic 10 conference.
Jenn Menendez of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a preview of tonight's match-up between UMass and Duquesne.
Ron Chimelis of the Springfield Republican has a preview of the tonight's match-up between UMass and Duquesne as the Minutemen are currently atop the Atlantic 10 standings.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a feature on Raphiael Putney and how his development this year has helped the men's basketball team.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a preview of tonight's match-up as UMass heads to Duquesne for a meeting between the Atlantic 10's No. 1 and No. 2 scoring teams.
Following the win on Saturday over Saint Joseph's to improve to 14-4 overall and 3-1 in the Atlantic 10, Andy Katz mentioned UMass in his weekly blog on ESPN.com.
Massachusetts: Derek Kellogg has an infusion of transfers and finally some maturity on this team. The Minutemen are atop the standings in the A-10 with Dayton and Xavier after dropping Charlotte and Saint Joseph's.
• What do we make of the Atlantic 10?
Is the league really good or really average? The jury is still out. Xavier lost to La Salle, which lost to Dayton, which lost to St. Bonaventure, which lost to Duquesne, which lost to Saint Joseph's, which lost to Charlotte, which lost to Saint Louis, which lost to Temple, which lost to Richmond.
Who's on first? I don't know, third base? OK, actually it's a three-way tie atop the standings with UMass, Dayton and Xavier all at 3-1. The Musketeers, who have reeled off three in a row after their gigantic skid, seem to be finding their footing. But what to make of everyone else is the question for the league. Perennial tourney entrant Temple is all over the map. Saint Louis, which appeared to be making strides under Rick Majerus, has lost three of its last five. And UMass, winner of eight of nine, is finally turning things around under Derek Kellogg, but doesn't have much to hang a nonconference resume on.
A highlight reel fast-break dunk by Raphiael Putney garnered national attention following the UMass men's basketball team's 72-61 come-back win over Saint Joseph's on Saturday. As impressive as the dunk itself was, Chaz Williams' between-the-legs pass to Putney was equally as sensational making this a true high-flying highlight. It also warrants that the play was all started by a great blocked shot by Maxie Esho that allowed the Minutemen to get out on the fast break.
UMass erased a 17-point deficit from the first half to improve to 10-0 at home with a 71-62 win over Saint Joseph's on Saturday. Chaz Williams led the way for the Minutemen with 22 points, while Raphiael Putney made national headlines for his highlight reel dunk that landed as the No. 8 Top Play of the Day on Sports Center.
ABC40 Highlights:
UMass Highlights:
Postgame Press Conference:
UMass and Saint Joseph's meet today for the 60th installment of the series on the hardwood with some early implications in the Atlantic 10 standings. Both teams enter the game coming off Wednesday wins and stand at 2-1 in the league rankings.
Thanks to clutch free throws down the stretch, the UMass men's basketball team was able to hold off Charlotte on Wednesday night to remain a perfect 9-0 this season in home games with an 85-75 win over the 49ers. The Minutemen return to action on Saturday (4 PM) against Saint Joseph's.
ABC40 Highlights:
UMass Highlights:
Postgame Press Conference:
Andy Katz of ESPN listed 12 games to watch this weekend including UMass' game at La Salle on Sunday at Noon.
UMass at La Salle (2 ET): That's right -- UMass at La Salle. Dr. John Giannini has the 11-4 Explorers playing much better than expected; the same can be said for Derek Kellogg and his 12-3 Minutemen. La Salle has won nine of its last 10, and its victory over Xavier really gave this team credibility. Massachusetts has won six in a row and is looking for a key road win in the A-10.
A pair of double-double's by Terrell Vinson and Raphiael Putney combined with 20-points and nearly a triple-double from Chaz Williams paved the way as the UMass men's basketball team defeated Fordham last night in the Mullins Center in the Minutemen's Atlantic 10 opener.
ABC40 Highlights:
Postgame Highlights:
Postgame Press Conference:
Ron Chimelis of the Springfield Republican previews tonight's game against Fordham saying that after the Rams' win over No. 22 Harvard and Georgia Tech, this game will be challenging.
Matt Vautour looks at UMass' depth heading into the Fordham game tonight and how coach Derek Kellogg will have to manage minutes among his rotation.
Take a look back at the 78-50 defeat to Dayton in the Atlantic 10 Tournament First Round on Tuesday night.
Here are the recaps from UMass' 77-73 loss at Fordham on Saturday as the Rams snapped a 41-game conference losing streak.
UMass will host Dayton on Tuesday at the Mullins Center at 9 p.m., here are stories on the Flyers, who lost at George Washington Saturday.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette, has calculated the scenarios for the A-10 Tournament involving UMass. The Minutemen can still finish anywhere from 7th to 11th place. The Minutemen can secure the No. 7 seed and a home game with a win on Saturday, thus they control their own fate. Here are the breakdowns from GazetteNet.com:
IF THE ATLANTIC 10 TOURNAMENT STARTED TODAY
If the Atlantic 10 Tournament started today, here's how it would look:
* UMass beat St. Bonaventure and Dayton giving the Minutemen the No. 7 seed.
* Dayton beat St. Bonaventure giving the Flyers the No. 8.
* La Salle beat Saint Louis giving the Explorers the No. 10.
* George Washington beat URI giving the Colonials the No. 5
First-Round Byes
1. Xavier 14-1 faces Dayton/SBU
2. Temple 13-2 faces UMass/LaSalle
3. Richmond 12-3 faces Rhode Island/SLU
4. Duquesne 10-5 faces SJU/GW
First-round games at home sites:
No. 12 Saint Joseph's (3-12) at No. 5. George Washington (9-6)
No. 11 Saint Louis (6-9) at No. 6. Rhode Island (9-6)
No. 10 La Salle (6-9) at No. 7 UMass (7-8)
No. 9 St. Bonaventure (7-8) at No. 8 Dayton (7-8)
Remaining games
*1. Xavier 14-1 - at SLU -- Has clinched first
*2. Temple 13-2 - vs. La Salle -- Has clinched second
*3. Richmond 12-3 - vs. Duquesne - Has clinched third
+ 4. Duquesne 10-5 - at Richmond - Could finish 4-5 -
+5. George Washington 9-6 - vs. Dayton - Could finish 5-6
+6. Rhode Island 9-6 - at SBU - Could finish 4-6
+7. UMass 7-8 - at Fordham - Could finish 7-11
+8. Dayton 7-8 - vs. GW - could finish 7-10
+9. St. Bonaventure 7-8 - vs. URI - Could finish 7-11
+10. La Salle 6-9 - at Temple - could finish 8-11
+11. Saint Louis 6-9 - vs. Xavier could - could finish 8-11
12. Saint Joseph's 3-12 - at Charlotte - could finish 12-13
13. Charlotte 2-13 - vs. St. Joe's - could finish 12-13
^14. Fordham 0-14 - vs. UMass
* Clinched a first round bye
+ Clinched Tournament berth
^ Incapable of earning a tournament berth
Three-team tie-breakers
If they finish in a three-way tie the order would be:
Involving UMass:
1. UMass (2-0), Dayton (1-1), St. Bonaventure (0-2)
3. UMass (2-1), Dayton (1-1), La Salle (1-2)
4. UMass (2-1), St. Bonaventure (1-1), La Salle (1-2)
5. La Salle (2-1), Saint Louis (1-1), UMass (1-2)
6. Saint Louis (2-1), UMass (1-1), Dayton (1-2)
7. Saint Louis (1-1), UMass (1-1), St. Bonaventure (1-1), - SLU get higher seed because it would have had to beat Xavier to be tied.
FOUR TEAM TIE BREAKERS
1. UMass (2-1), Saint Louis (2-2), Dayton (2-2), St. Bonaventure (1-2)
2. UMass (3-1), Dayton (2-1), St. Bonaventure (1-2), La Salle (1-3)
3. St. Bonaventure (2-1), La Salle (2-2), UMass (2-2), Saint Louis (1-2)
4. Saint Louis (2-2), UMass (2-2), Dayton (2-2) La Salle (2-2), - SLU get higher seed because it would have had to beat Xavier to be tied.
FIVE TEAM TIE-BREAKER
1. UMass (3-2), Dayton (3-2), St. Bonaventure (2-2), La Salle (2-3), Saint Louis (2-3)
UMass basketball battled the three-time defending A-10 Champions, but lost 73-67 in overtime on Wednesday. Still, the Minutemen hold fate in their own hands when it comes to hosting a first-round A-10 Tournament game. A win on Saturday at Fordham OR several other scenarios would result in a home game to start the postseason. Read about the Temple game and the postseason situation here:
• Daily Hampshire Gazette:
Atlantic 10 home game within reach for Minutemen
The thirteenth installment of the A-10 Quick 10 - a video feature where we sit down with the men's basketball coaches of the Atlantic 10 and ask the questions you always wanted to know, were afraid to ask or never thought of. A glimpse into the life of an A-10 coach...
Get to know Massachusetts head coach Derek Kellogg:
On the UMass Basketball Radio Show, head coach Derek Kellogg gave an update on the injury statuses of Sean Carter and Freddie Riley. Carter is nursing a hyper-extended elbow and Riley is hurting with a right foot/ankle swelling.
Both players are "questionable to out" according to coach.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette has this update while the Springfield Republican has this report.
You can also listen to Kellogg on the weekly Atlantic 10 teleconference for some more info on Riley.
Listen back to Coach Derek Kellogg's weekly Atlantic 10 conference. You can also listen to the other coaches of the A-10 to hear their thoughts on their teams.
Listen to the comments of UMass head coach Derek Kellogg as well as this week's opponents' coach Mark Schmidt of St. Bonaventure and Jim Baron of Rhode Island.
Listen to what UMass head coach Derek Kellogg and all of the Atlantic 10 coaches had to say about their teams on the weekly
Atlantic 10 Conference Call. Charlotte's Alan Major also talks about the upcoming game with the Minutemen.
Here are stories on the UMass basketball team as the Minutemen prepare to face Sacred Heart tonight at the Mullins Center. The Daily Collegian ran its 2010-11 season preview with tons of coverage on the Maroon & White.
2010-11 Atlantic 10 Preseason Accolades
First Team
Lavoy Allen, Temple
Kevin Anderson, Richmond
Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
Damian Saunders, Duquesne
Chris Wright, Dayton
Second Team
Juan Fernandez, Temple
Chris Gaston, Fordham
Tu Holloway, Xavier
Delroy James, Rhode Island
Shamari Spears, Charlotte
Third Team
Chris Braswell, Charlotte
Cody Ellis, Saint Louis
Chris Johnson, Dayton
Lasan Kromah, George Washington
Aaric Murray, La Salle
All-Defensive Team
Lavoy Allen, Temple
Kevin Anderson, Richmond
Dante Jackson, Xavier
Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
Damian Saunders, Duquesne
All-Rookie Team
C.J. Aiken, Saint Joseph's
Langston Galloway, Saint Joseph's
Jordan Latham, Xavier
Rob Loe, Saint Louis
Juwan Staten, Dayton
Preseason Poll (# first place votes), Total Points
1 - Temple (19), 350
2 - Xavier (3), 325
3 - Richmond (3), 311
4 - Dayton (1), 310
5 - Rhode Island, 233
6 - Saint Louis, 223
7 - Charlotte, 218
8 - Duquesne, 172
9 - La Salle, 133
10 - George Washington, 130
11 - Massachusetts, 126
12 - Saint Joseph's, 91
13 - St. Bonaventure, 80
14 - Fordham, 28
Here are some articles about the release of the UMass men's basketball slate:
Interesting summer reading on
ESPN.com with a look at the Atlantic 10 and "Best Case/Worst Case" scenarios. Check out the info on UMass.
Best case: The heights of Minutemen past are still a ways off, but if UMass can make up for the loss of senior guard Ricky Harris with a pair of lanky sophomores (Terrell Vinson, Freddie Riley) and a couple of talented incoming recruits (guard Jesse Morgan, forward Maxie Esho), they should improve over last year's ugly 12-20 record.
Worst case: Harris was unquestionably the team's go-to player -- he ranked eighth in the nation in percentage of possessions used and 11th in percentage of his team's shots -- and unless fellow high-usage guard Anthony Gurley becomes much more efficient, the Minutemen are more likely to suffer another sub-standard season.
The
Bleacher Report has a summer look at the Atlantic 10. The report mentions: UMass will be improved and should win more than five conference games but may not be able to jump into the top half of the league.
The
Bleacher Report has a look at A-10 Hoops during the summer. This site, pegs UMass at No. 10 in a pre-preseason poll.
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