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Chuck Culpepper of the Washington Post has a story on Derrick Gordon and how the season has been after his announcement last April that he was gay. Gordon says he has found more support than anything during the course of the year and that by-and-large everything has maintained the status quo.
If you missed it live, listen to the podcast of the February 23, 2015 Bud Light UMass Basketball Show from Tavern Restaurant in Westfield featuring head coach Derek Kellogg and junior center Tyler Bergantino prior to this week's home games vs. Saint Joseph's and Fordham.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a story today where he get the thoughts of men's basketball coach Derek Kellogg and football coach Mark Whipple on the departure of athletic director John McCutcheon. McCutcheon's 11-year tenure will come to an end on Feb. 20 at UMass as he takes over at UC Santa Barbara.
If you missed the show live, catch the podcast of Monday night's edition of the Bud Light UMass Basketball Show featuring head coach Derek Kellogg and junior point guard Jabarie Hinds previewing Thursday's matchup against Dayton.
Due to impending winter weather, tonight's Bud Light UMass Basketball Show - which was originally slated to take place at Nathan Bill's Bar & Restaurant in Springfield - will air live from The Hangar on University Dr. in Amherst from 7-8 p.m. on the UMass Sports Network. Head coach Derek Kellogg and hosts Josh Maurer and Tim Kenney will be joined by redshirt junior guard Jabarie Hinds.
Listen live on 105.5 FM (Springfield) and 1440 AM (Worcester). Fans can also access the broadcast at WEEI.com/UMass or on mobile devices by downloading the TuneIn Radio app. A podcast of the show will be available on UMassAthletics.com following the show.
Submit a question for Coach Kellogg by tweeting @UMassSportsNet or by clicking here. Selected questions will be used during tonight's show.
Listen Live | TuneIn Radio App | Show Schedule and Information | UMass Podcasts
Listen live on 105.5 FM (Springfield) and 1440 AM (Worcester). Fans can also access the broadcast at WEEI.com/UMass or on mobile devices by downloading the TuneIn Radio app. A podcast of the show will be available on UMassAthletics.com following the show.
Submit a question for Coach Kellogg by tweeting @UMassSportsNet or by clicking here. Selected questions will be used during tonight's show.
Listen Live | TuneIn Radio App | Show Schedule and Information | UMass Podcasts
In case you missed it, listen to the January 12, 2015 edition of the Bud Light UMass Basketball Show featuring head coach Derek Kellogg and freshman guard C.J. Anderson recapping back-to-back road wins over La Salle and George Mason and previewing a busy week at the Mullins Center with games vs. Davidson and Rhode Island.
Join head coach Derek Kellogg tonight at The Hangar on University Drive in Amherst for the Bud Light UMass Basketball Show. Host Josh Maurer and coach Kellogg preview the Minutemen's final non-conference game Tuesday night at the Mullins Center against Iona. Redshirt freshman Zach Coleman is the player guest. Tonight's show will air at a special time from 6-7 p.m. on WEEI.
If you can't make it to The Hangar, listen live on 105.5 FM (Springfield) and 1440 AM (Worcester). Fans can also listen live online at WEEI.com/UMass or on mobile devices by downloading the TuneIn Radio app. A podcast of the show will be available on UMassAthletics.com following the show.
Submit a question for Coach Kellogg by tweeting @UMassSportsNet or by clicking here. Selected questions will be used during tonight's show.
Listen Live | TuneIn Radio App | Show Schedule and Information | UMass Podcasts
If you can't make it to The Hangar, listen live on 105.5 FM (Springfield) and 1440 AM (Worcester). Fans can also listen live online at WEEI.com/UMass or on mobile devices by downloading the TuneIn Radio app. A podcast of the show will be available on UMassAthletics.com following the show.
Submit a question for Coach Kellogg by tweeting @UMassSportsNet or by clicking here. Selected questions will be used during tonight's show.
Listen Live | TuneIn Radio App | Show Schedule and Information | UMass Podcasts
Listen to the podcast of the November 17, 2014 edition of the Bud Light UMass Basketball Show featuring head coach Derek Kellogg and freshman guard Donte Clark recapping the Boston College win and previewing Tuesday morning's tilt against Manhattan.
Join head coach Derek Kellogg tonight from 7-8 p.m. at The Hangar on University Drive in Amherst for the Bud Light UMass Basketball Show. Hosts Cody Chrusciel and Tim Kenney and coach Kellogg look back at yesterday's win over Boston College at the TD Garden and preview Tuesday morning's contest against Manhattan. Freshman guard Donte Clark is the player guest.
If you can't make it to The Hangar, listen live on 105.5 FM (Springfield) and 1440 AM (Worcester). Fans can also listen live online at WEEI.com/UMass or on mobile devices by downloading the TuneIn Radio app. A podcast of the show will be available on UMassAthletics.com following the show.
Submit a question for Coach Kellogg by tweeting @UMassSportsNet or by clicking here. Selected questions will be used during tonight's show.
Listen Live | TuneIn Radio App | Show Schedule and Information | UMass Podcasts
If you can't make it to The Hangar, listen live on 105.5 FM (Springfield) and 1440 AM (Worcester). Fans can also listen live online at WEEI.com/UMass or on mobile devices by downloading the TuneIn Radio app. A podcast of the show will be available on UMassAthletics.com following the show.
Submit a question for Coach Kellogg by tweeting @UMassSportsNet or by clicking here. Selected questions will be used during tonight's show.
Listen Live | TuneIn Radio App | Show Schedule and Information | UMass Podcasts
Longtime UMass writer Marty Dobrow was on campus earlier this week for an ESPN Boston preview of the Minutemen and spoke with head coach Derek Kellogg, along with a few student-athletes about the upcoming season.
The November 13, 2014 edition of the Bud Light UMass Basketball Show featuring head coach Derek Kellogg and senior center Cady Lalanne previewing the season opener against Siena.
Mark Chiarelli of the Daily Collegian spent some time with Derek Kellogg in his office that overlooks the Mullins Center and talked about a lot of things - How he got into coaching, what loyalty means to him and how last season played, out among other things.
Mark Chiarelli of the Daily Collegian has a feature story on the path that Derek Kellogg has taken in his six previous years at UMass.
The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitor's Bureau announced a partnership with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to promote the 2014 Hall of Fame Holiday Showcase game between UMass and Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Michael Hurwitz of the Western Massachusetts Sports Commission announced that business and restaurants in the downtown Springfield area will decorate their buildings for the event.
A special Hall of Fame Tailgate was also announced that includes free admission to the Hall of Fame Museum and appearances by the UMass band, cheerleaders and Sam the Minuteman mascot.
Fans can purchase tickets to the game and use the promo code: TAILGATE to get a FREE pass to the Hall of Fame Tailgate. This offer is valid with purchase of the $41 and $22 tickets only and is limited to the first 300 people so secure your pass today!
Dan Malone of MassLive talked with Derek Kellogg about what lengths the seventh-year UMass coach is going to during the preseason to figure out which lineups and combinations he may use to begin the season.
Kellogg mentions that playing in more 5-on-5 situations helps develop the players' conditioning into the type of defense and offensive pace he is looking for.
UMass head coach Derek Kellogg was among the 14 head men's basketball coaches from around the Atlantic 10 who participated in the annual media day at the Barclays Center on Tuesday. The day began with the Minutemen being picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll for the second-consecutive year. Here are some stories from UMass beat writers, along with some national articles and from writers in other member schools markets.
Campus Insiders Interview...
.@CoachKellogg gets his first question at A-10 media day... On how the team will be w/o Chaz Williams. pic.twitter.com/G8Qbbrtt4x
-- UMass Athletics (@UMassAthletics) October 14, 2014
.@CoachKellogg and @CDiSano44 on #A10Live at Media Day pic.twitter.com/11sDG9Dex3
-- UMass Athletics (@UMassAthletics) October 14, 2014
Jeff Goodman has 10 observations on his ESPN Insider Blog. Goodman was at practice last week to watch the Minutemen as they get ready for 2014-15. His main question - can UMass sustain the success it had last season.
Dan Malone of MassLive spoke with head coach Derek Kellogg about the similarities and differences between last year's 24-win team and the prospects of this year's team.
Dan also chatted with DK about how the level of expectations are changing after ending the program's NCAA Tournament drought last season.
UMass basketball head coach Derek Kellogg will be the featured guest at Thursday's Valley Blue Sox game when he throws out the first pitch. The Blue Sox will be hosting the Plymouth Pilgrims with a 6:30 p.m. start at Mackenzie Stadium (500 Beech Street, Holyoke, Mass.).
This will be the first-ever first pitch opportunity for the right hander from Springfield.
UMass spent Thursday with another practice at NC State, an open workout at the PNC Arena, met the media and wrapped things up with a pep rally at the Sheraton hotel in downtown Raleigh. And UMass alum Julius Erving paid a visit to the team and offered them a message about life and basketball.
It's here! 16 years in the making and the UMass Minutemen will make their ninth appearance in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament today at 2:45 p.m. against Tennessee. Here are the previews of the game.
| No. 6 Massachusetts (24-8) vs. No. 11 Tennessee (22-12) | |
| Date | Friday, March 21 at 2:45 p.m. (EST) |
| Location | Raleigh, N.C. | PNC Arena |
| Tickets |  Click here |
| TV |  CBS |
| Radio |  105.5 FM WEEI (Springfield), 1440 AM WVEI (Worcester) |
| Satellite Radio | Westwood One Broadcast | Sirius XM 91 | Listen live on TuneIn App |
| Online Video | CBS March Madness Live App |
| Live Stats |  Live Stats |
| Social Media |  Twitter.com/UMassAthletics |
| Game Notes | Massachusetts Notes | Tenn Notes | News Clips | 2013-14 Media Guide |
ABC40 was on location this morning at Barnes Airport as the Minutemen departed Western Mass for Raleigh, N.C. Derek Kellogg spoke about the excitement of finally getting on the road for the NCAA Tournament.
The Minutemen officially departed the Bay State for North Carolina this morning as UMass gets ready for Friday's NCAA match-up in Raleigh. Tons of news items covering the Minutemen this morning as we get closer to tip-off.
Michael Whitmer of the Boston Globe has a feature today on the Minutemen's Derek Gordon who reached the NCAA Tournament with Western Kentucky as a freshman before transferring to UMass. Gordon's experience in tournament play will certainly be beneficial to the squad this weekend.
Rich Thompson of the Boston Herald has a feature story on Sampson Carter who talks about his path to UMass and what it means to reach the NCAA Tournament.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican writes that UMass will focus on improving its game during the early part of this week until the Minutemen find out exactly who they will play on Friday in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa and Tennessee play on Wednesday night in Dayton with the winner making the trip to Raleigh to face UMass.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a story in today's paper about the UMass basketball team using certain negative critiques in the media as fuel and motivation for Friday's NCAA Tournament game against either Iowa or Tennessee in Raleigh, N.C.
Casey Viera of ABC40 has a look at the UMass basketball team which returned to practice on Monday to begin preparation for the NCAA Tournament. UMass will play either Iowa or Tennessee on Friday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C.
UMass head coach Derek Kellogg will appear on a pair of national shows today - one on satellite radio and another on national television - to talk UMass hoops and the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
This evening after practice, he will be a guest on CBS Sports Network's "Bracket Breakdown" show, which airs from 4-6 pm ET. Derek is scheduled to call in at 5 pm for a live interview.
UMass basketball coach Derek Kellogg was a guest on 98.5 FM The Sports Hub's Felger & Mazz show on Monday afternoon to talk about the Minutemen earning the No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Michael Whitmer of the Boston Globe had this story in Sunday's paper on the job Derek Kellogg has done in returning the UMass basketball team to national prominence.
It wasn't pretty but games with the Rams this season haven't been. Instead they have been sloppy like a pig in the mud. But Chaz and Co. found a way and Thursday that way was with defense and free throws. URI led by 9 before UMass cut the lead to three with just under eight to play. Then both teams teams went cold for four minutes until Putney made a steal and layup to with 3:55 left to cut it to one. Trey scored a pair and URI tied it with a free throw of its own. Then Chaz made a pair of free throws and followed two URI missed freebies with a huge 3-ball from the top of the key. It was all UMass the rest of the way.
While you enjoy last night a little more this morning, take a read at some of the articles and highlights below. Tonight's a different animal with GW and their 1-3-1 defense. UMass will have to be patient and be smart after playing such a tough game last night. The game is televised nationally on NBC SN. You can use the NBC Sports Channel Finder to see is its available in your area, use their NBC SportLive Extra streaming web site streaming on their mobile app.
Thursday recaps
Friday previews vs. George Washington
It's game day in Brooklyn! Tonight UMass opens play in the Atlantic 10 Championship with a first round game against Rhode Island.
| No. 6 Massachusetts (23-7) vs. No. 11 Rhode Island (14-17) | |
| Date | Thursday, March 13 at 9:00 p.m. (EST) |
| Location | Brooklyn, N.Y. | Barclays Center |
| Tickets | 866-UMASS-TIX | Buy Tickets In UMass Sections Here |
| TV | Comcast SportsNet New England | Channel Finder |
| Radio | 105.5 FM WEEI (Springfield), 1440 AM WVEI (Worcester); Listen Online | Use the TuneIn App for Mobile Devices to listen |
| Online Video | None |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| Social Media | Twitter.com/UMassAthletics |
| Game Notes | Massachusetts Notes | Rhode Island Notes | News Clips | 2013-14 Media Guide |
UMass News
Gameday Preview Articles
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a feature on Chaz Williams who will be headed to his home town of Brooklyn for the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
Kainani Stevens of ABC40 has a recap of yesterday's loss to Saint Louis, but says UMass is still focused on making a run in the Atlantic 10 Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a story looking back at some of the great memories UMass seniors Chaz Williams, Raphiael Putney and Sampson Carter have as Senior Day approaches on Sunday.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a story following the Duquesne win featuring the possibility of the Atlantic 10 having six teams make the NCAA Tournament. Coach Derek Kellogg felt the win helped UMass' cause, but he also feels the league is strong enough to have five or six teams represented in the Big Dance.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a sidebar story on Raphiael Putney and Chaz Williams who each reached career milestones earlier this week in the win at Duquesne.
Putney hit the 1,000 point mark for his career, while Williams tied Chris Lowe for the program's all-time assist record.
Michael Whitmer of The Boston Globe has a recap of last night's UMass men's basketball win over Duquesne.
Kevin Cullen of the Boston Globe has a feature today on UMass' Chaz Williams. Cullen looks at the significance of the current season the Minutemen are having and how opportunities missed last year are used as motivation for Williams.
Michael Whitmer of the Boston Globe has a feature story on Trey Davis and how he has developed in his short time at UMass.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a preview of tonight's hoops match-up against Rhode Island. He focuses on what UMass' will have to do defensively to contain an explosive Ram offense.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a preview of tonight's basketball game against Rhode Island in the Mullins Center (7 PM). The match-up between the long-time rivals especially after UMass' late come-from-behind win earlier this year at the Ryan Center.
Mark Chiarelli of the Daily Collegian has a look at tonight's match-up between UMass and Rhode Island. In particular he highlights the superb guard duo for the Rams in Xavier Munford and E.C. Matthews.
Patrick Strohecker of the Daily Collegian has a story today on how UMass' more consistent guard play has been leading to better results for the basketball team this season and will be key as the regular-season winds down.
UMass head coach Derek Kellogg recaps his team's big win over VCU and talks about the competition level in the Atlantic 10 Conference this season on Inside College Basketball - SiriusXM College Sports Nation.
Jason Schwartz of BostonMagazine.com has a Q&A today with UMass basketball coach Derek Kellogg. They discuss the season, the future of UMass basketball and Kellogg's relationship with his mentor John Calipari.
Listen to head coach Derek Kellogg today at 12:30 pm ET when he joins Chris Childers (@ChildersRadio) and Mateen Cleaves (@Mateen_Cleaves) on the Inside College Basketball from Sirius College Sports (@SiriusXMCollege). The show can be heard on Sirius XM 91 from Noon-3 pm ET.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a notebook today talking about the ups-and-downs of the season with Derek Kellogg, previewing the upcoming game against Rhode Island and looking at the AP and USA Today national polls that were released yesterday with UMass once again receiving votes.
Mark Chiarelli of the Daily Collegian has a feature on how the UMass basketball team is preparing to deal with VCU's high pressure "HAVOC" defense.
Listen to head coach Derek Kellogg this evening at 5:00 pm ET when he joins Mark Packer ( @MarkPacker) and Steve Lappas ( @stlappas) on College Sports Today from Sirius College Sports ( @SiriusXMCollege). The show can be heard on Sirius XM 91 from 3-6 pm ET.
Zach Schonbrun of the New York Times stopped by campus a couple of weeks ago and spent some time with coach Kellogg and some members of the university and basketball program. His story was published in today's paper.
AMHERST, Mass. -- Shortly after Derek Kellogg was hired at Massachusetts in the summer of 2008, he toured the surrounding countryside, popping into restaurants, coffee shops and bars across the Pioneer Valley to shake hands, and to promote and reminisce about the Minutemen.
He was a local product who had starred at UMass under Coach John Calipari during its heyday in the mid-1990s, back when Mullins Center rocked and N.B.A. scouts routinely visited. His sanguine message to the community in 2008 was that he could bring those days back.
It was, Kellogg reflected recently, "a tough sell." Fans had a right to seem skeptical. After Calipari left for the Nets in 1996, the program tumbled, cycling through three coaches in 12 years while reaching the N.C.A.A. tournament only twice. Recruiting dried up and attendance dipped, ranking 92nd in the nation in 2007, with fewer than 6,000 fans a game.
Kellogg slicked his hair back like Calipari, and he seemed to breathe the same fire on the sideline, but his early results at UMass were mediocre at best. It was difficult to shut out the negativity; already, there was grumbling that another coaching change was necessary. The administration, though, stuck with him.
Read the entire story here...
Head basketball coach Derek Kellogg will be a guest on the Tim Brando Show this morning. He is scheduled to go on around 10:15 am Eastern time. The show airs on CBS Sports Network from 9 am-Noon.
Listen to head coach Derek Kellogg today at 1:15 pm ET when he joins Jason Horowitz (@HorowitzJason) and Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) on the Inside College Basketball from Sirius College Sports (@SiriusXMCollege). The show can be heard on Sirius XM 91 from Noon-3 pm ET.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a story on how UMass' freshmen are hoping to see action in Saturday's match-up against Northern Illinois.
Scott Coen of the Springfield Republican spent some time with Derek Kellogg this week and found out the coach's thoughts on his feelings towards Springfield basketball, the play of Chaz Williams and the fact that the season is only 25 percent complete, with a lot of work left to do before the calendar turns to March.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette examines the P.A.I.N. concept of the 2013-14 men's basketball team. Read the article and then let us know your favorite part of P.A.I.N.? Tweet us @UMassAthletics and let us know which part and why.
In case you missed Monday's UMass Basketball Radio Show, the podcast is now available as Josh Maurer, Coach Kellogg and Trey Davis break down the BYU win in Springfield and look ahead to Saturday's game against Northern Illinois.
A panel of USA Today sports writers picked which teams they thought were the most surprising ones after the first month of the 2013-14 college basketball season.
The group picked four teams which included Villanova, Wisconsin, North Carolina and UMass.
Paul Gotham, Pickin Splinters.com: At 8-0 the UMass Minutemen are the most surprising team in college basketball this season simply because most fans will be surprised by their record. The Minutemen have won 20 or more games in each of the last two seasons, but the strength-of-schedule card was played as the reason why UMass didn't get a spot in the NCAA tournament. Derek Kellogg and his staff have put together an ambitious schedule with what will be six games, before conference games begin, against schools from "power" conferences. Not to mention the Minutemen have also beaten New Mexico and BYU. It won't be long before the country gets its introduction to Chaz Williams. The 5-9 point guard is like Barry Sanders on hardwood bobbing and weaving, switching directions and finding daylight where others would swear there is nothing but darkness. Add in Cady Lalanne averaging a double-double, Sampson Carter getting it done around the basket, and the Minutemen will dance their way into living rooms across America in March.
Meet University of Massachusetts basketball junior center Cady Lalanne and find out why he's been so successful over the first month of the season from head coach Derek Kellogg.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a story on freshman Seth Berger who is hoping to get extra work on the court during the winter session break to help prepare for the second half of the season.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a story on how Derek Kellogg and the men's basketball team are balancing game prep and exams this week as the Minutemen prepare for Northern Illinois on Saturday.
Join us tonight at The Rumbleseat Bar & Grille in Chicopee tonight at 7 PM for the Bud Light UMass Basketball Radio Show with Derek Kellogg. Voice of the Minutemen Josh Maurer will be joined by Coach Kellogg, sophomore guard Trey Davis and Danny Ainge of the Boston Celtics.
Fans can submit questions for coach Kellogg to answer on air via the Ask The Coach Page or through Twitter by going to @UMassSportsNet.
You can listen to the show live on 105.5 FM WEEI in Springfield, online at http://www.weei.com/umass, or on your mobile device using the TuneIn App.
In this week's edition of the UMass Sports Insider, w e profile men's basketball center Cady Lalanne and head coach Derek Kellogg breaks down the junior's dominant first month of the season. Plus, take a look back at basketball's success in Springfield over the years and a big win in early December at Eastern Michigan. We'll also look back at men's basketball putting on a clinic at the Basketball Hall of Fame over the summer and find out what UMass student-athletes think is the worst part about being a freshman.
Check out the fast paced highlights from No. 21 UMass' 105-96 win over BYU on Saturday at the sold out Mass Mutual Center in Springfield.
Mark Chiarelli of the Daily Collegian has a story today on Chaz Williams' signature performance in Saturday's win over BYU to keep UMass unbeaten this year at 8-0.
Patrick Strohecker of the Daily Collegian has a recap of UMass' 105-96 win over BYU on Saturday at the Mass Mutual Center.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a story today on how Chaz Williams' mix-up with BYU's 6-foot-10 center Eric Mika in defense of one of his teammates motivated the Minutemen in Saturday's win over the Cougars.
Wow, what a great day Saturday was for basketball in Springfield. From the sellout crowd of 7,331 to Chaz Williams' record-setting day and a national TV audience, just about everything went right for the Minutemen as they improved to 8-0 for the first time since 1995-96. Enjoy your Sunday and have a read at some of the stories below and don't forget about next Saturday's game with Northern Illinois. It's a 3 p.m. tip in the Mullins Center. Get your tickets here.
Also, the Bud Light UMass Basketball Show will be live from The Rumbleseat Bar & Grille (482 Springfield Street) in Chicopee Monday night from 7-8 p.m. You can submit your question for coach Kellogg via the Ask the Coach feature at UMassAthletics.com or via twitter to @UMassSportsNet.
Recaps from BYU media
Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald authored an article in Friday's edition about the return of the Minutemen basketball program to the national landscape. He talks about how Chaz Williams met a fan at a mini golf course and Derrick Gordon's new nickname.
Longtime UMass journalist Marty Dobrow stopped by practice last weekend and spend some time with Derek Kellogg and a few of the student-athletes to discuss the state of UMass basketball.
Here's an excerpt from the piece:
It is heady stuff for a program that has been in hoop hibernation for a decade and a half. As senior Sampson Carter ambled out of the locker room onto the court on Sunday, he admitted that the feeling was sweet, indeed.
"This is definitely where I wanted to be," he said. "I actually dreamed this and imagined this spot for a long time. To finally be here is a great feeling."
UMass hasn't exactly come from nowhere. Sixth-year head coach Derek Kellogg has built the program back to respectability in recent years (25 wins in 2011-12, 21 last year, both ending in the NIT). This year, though, the Minutemen felt primed for another level and have let it be known that nothing short of a return to the NCAA tournament would be acceptable. After preseason workouts, reputed to be especially intense this year, star senior point guard Chaz Williams said the team was ready to pounce. "It was like, 'Let us out of the cage, let us out of the cage!'" he said.
Read the entire article by clicking the link below...
Longtime Springfield Republican writer and UMass follower Ron Chimelis (@ronchimelis) published a column on Derek Kellogg and how his program has turned the corner. He mentions that the patience has paid off for MinuteFan Nation and how fans need to remember that a quick fix isn't always an overnight process.
Read the entire article by clicking the link below...
UMass won its first road game of the season, 69-57, over a tough Eastern Michigan group on Tuesday night. The Minutemen played strong defense and got a balanced scoring night from across the roster. Once again, five players hit for double figures in scoring, while Cady Lalanne had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Raphiael Putney finished with a game-high 15 points and nine rebounds.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a story today on the Minutemen coming back after more than a week between games and some time off for Thanksgiving.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican talks to Derek Kellogg about how the team deals with success and national prominence as the Minutemen prepare for Eastern Michigan.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette writes that UMass' leadership this year on the hardwood is a major reason in early season success.
As the team makes its way to Ypsilanti, Mich. for Tuesday's game at Eastern Michigan, we've got a few of the stories that have been written over the last four days on the men's basketball team, including some more on the expectations that will come with being ranked in the Top 25. And when the polls come out, we'll be sure to update where the Minutemen stand this week.
Vin Parise (@VinParise) from CollegeBasketballTalk caught up with UMass head coach Derek Kellogg, who sits at 6-0 this season with a win in the Charleston Classic.
CBT: If I would have looked into a crystal ball in October and told you that UMass would be Top 25 before Thanksgiving; would you have believed it?
Kellogg: I knew we had some strong pieces in place and we would be better but I am a little surprised, in a very good way, that we are playing this well so early. I knew Chaz Williams would be our leader, but our other guys have been just as great.
CBT: When did it hit home that you guys could be a really good basketball team?
Kellogg: When we beat #19 New Mexico, I started to look at this group a little different. The way we had our press going and the way we played offensively - I felt we had the ability to play a high level of basketball. I'd love to be able to bottle that up now for the rest of the season.
Read the entire Q&A by clicking the link below...
Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) of CBS Sports.com spoke with Derek Kellogg on Monday about his time in Amherst as the head coach of the Minutemen and what's his six years have been like thus far.
Here's an excerpt from the article...
Which brings me to UMass.
Good luck telling UMass that rankings don't matter.
"It's been great," UMass coach Derek Kellogg told me late Monday, a few hours after the Minutemen officially entered the Associated Press poll for the first time in 15 years. "My phone -- text messages, emails, calls -- has been going all day. It's just been crazy."
So, yeah, the rankings matter.
But I'm not here to hammer that point again, at least not now, because I'd rather spend the rest of this column writing about UMass and Kellogg and how, sometimes, patience pays off.
That's the lesson here, right?
UMass hired Kellogg in 2008 to replace Travis Ford, and, honestly, it was a no-brainer move. Kellogg was a former UMass player who graduated from the school in 1995, and a hotshot assistant who had been working under his former coach, John Calipari, at Memphis. I'm not sure if anybody else was even considered, but, if so, it was a waste of time. Kellogg seemed like the right guy for a variety of reasons. He deserved the job and he got the job.
Then the process of rebuilding UMass began.
It hasn't been simple.
Click the link below to read the entire article...
As you might expect, lots of coverage yesterday and this morning on the Minutemen being ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1998.
Andy Katz and Seth Greenberg spoke with UMass basketball head coach Derek Kellogg today on their ESPNU College Basketball Podcast.
UMass claimed the Charleston Classic title last night with a 62-56 win over Clemson. Cady Lalanne was a beast all week and earned Most Valuable Player honors after he posted two double-doubles and averaged 15.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. The Minutemen are off for a week until traveling to Eastern Michigan next Tuesday, Dec. 3.
UMass used a couple of big runs, including a game-ending 20-4 stretch over the final 7:54 to upset No. 19/20 New Mexico in the semifinals of the Charleston Classic. The Minutemen wore down the tired legs of the Lobos after they had played a very physical double-overtime game with UAB just 24 hours earlier. It was P.A.I.N. at its finest.
UMass is now 5-0 and will face 5-0 Clemson in the championship game on Sunday night at 9 p.m. on ESPN2.
UMass outlasted a late rally from Nebraska to advance to the winner's side of the Charleston Classic. Gordon ended the game with 22 points and five rebounds as he showed the fans what his game is all about. He was just three shy of his career-high of 25 from his Western Kentucky days. The Minutemen also got solid scoring from the other four starters and Maxie Esho joined the group of six in double figures. Before we get to any of the previews for the game with New Mexico, here are some recaps and thoughts on yesterday's action.
And here's a story from ESPN about the craziness that happened in Charleston, Puerto Rico and NYC as the first day of the holiday tournaments opened with some fireworks.
Every weekday, Andy Katz and a group of college hoops experts from ESPN discuss the comings and goings of the hoops world. Wednesday's installment contains some thoughts on the Charleston Classic from Katz, Dana O'Neil and Myron Medcalf and how they think things could shake out for the Minutemen.
3. Which team -- New Mexico, UMass, Nebraska, Georgia, Clemson, Davidson, Temple or UAB -- has the most to gain in the Charleston Classic beginning Thursday?
Andy Katz: UMass. The Minutemen are off to a terrific start and wins over Nebraska and New Mexico to get to a final where they should be favored will land the Minutemen in the Top 25 and on their way toward building an NCAA tournament résumé.
Dana O'Neil: This is big for UMass. This is the year it's supposed to come together for Derek Kellogg's team, but the Minutemen need some good quality wins out of conference to prove their worth. Playing against this field allows it. Chaz Williams could turn some heads in Charleston.
Myron Medcalf: I think it's UMass because the Minutemen began the year with three wins, including a victory over SEC sleeper LSU. In the second round of the Charleston Classic, UMass might get a shot at New Mexico. A win over the Lobos would boost UMass' NCAA tourney résumé and push the program into the Top 25, assuming they win the tournament's championship too.
Read the entire piece here... Daily Word - ESPN
In case you missed last night's UMass Basketball Radio Show, the podcast is now available as Josh Maurer, Coach Kellogg and Raphiael Putney break down the great start to the season.
Chaz Williams and Cady Lalanne both posted double-doubles as a quartet of UMass players reached double figures in scoring. UMass fought through a tight first half to take an eight-point lead at the break. The Minutemen extended the margin to as many as 18 at one point before cling with a 16-point win.
UMass is now 3-0 for the third time in the last four seasons and has scored at least 85 points in all three games. The last time a UMass team opened a season with three games of 80 or more was the 1991-92 season. It is also just the fourth time that has happened in school history.
Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) posted his latest Triple Threat article and lists UMass among three teams that have impressed him early.
Here is the chunk on the Minutemen...
Derek Kellogg told me over the summer that this is the year he believes he can lead his alma mater back to the NCAA Tournament and he's certainly got them headed in that direction. The Minutemen had a tremendous second-half comeback against Boston College on Sunday and then beat a very talented LSU team Tuesday in Amherst. Chaz Williams looks like the best guard in the Atlantic 10 and big man Cady Lalanne has also emerged. Noticeably more svelte than he was a year ago, Lalanne is averaging 21 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks through UMass' first two games.
Read the entire article by clicking here...
UMass put on a nice show in its second game of the season, defeating LSU 92-90 in front of more than 5,000 fans on Tuesday morning. The crowd was rockin' and so were the Minutemen, who debuted new gray jerseys for their second-consecutive ESPN Tip Off Marathon game.
Stories from the LSU media outlets
The Massachusetts men's basketball team gave fans their first look at the 2013-14 edition in Tuesday night's exhitibion. As with most exhibitions, there were some bright spots and some not so bright spots. Sampson Carter's 20 points in 20 minutes was solid. Derrick Gordon showed off some of his fast break moves to the basket that fans have been waiting for since her transferred from Western Kentucky. Cady Lalanne and Maxie Esho combined for 24 points, 16 rebounds and three dunks.
In regards to the tighter hand-checking and block/charge calls with the rules changes, there were 37 fouls and 49 free throws taken, so we didn't have one of the games that have been popping up around the country with 80 fouls and a matching number of freebies, so that was nice. I think most fans will agree that it was a good first game and the coaching staff has some things to work on before, and after, the season-opener with Boston College on Sunday. It is early and the team will improve as the season progresses.
The UMass basketball team will welcome Springfield-based American International to the Mullins Center for an exhibition game tonight, beginning at 7:00 p.m. This will mark the first chance for the Minutemen faithful to get a look at the 2013-14 squad before Sunday's official opener against Boston College in the Coaches vs. Cancer Boston Tip Off at the TD Garden.
The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. tonight. Please remember to make sure you include the bar code on the bottom portion of your season ticket. Mullins Militia members can get in at 5:45 p.m. via the South entrance when they show their current membership card.
There has been a decent amount of talk lately about the rules changes coming this season on the men's basketball front. UMass men's basketball beat writer from MassLive Dan Malone (@Daniel_Malone) spent some time discussing the rules with head coach Derek Kellogg. The most obvious changes fans and players will see are in the form of hand-checking and the always controversial block/charge calls. In an attempt to increase scoring and freedom of movement (that's a term the officials are using now), defending players will not be allowed to put hands or arm-bars on an offensive player. Additionally, once an offensive player has started his upward move to pass or shoot, a defensive player cannot draw a charge unless already set.
Below is a chunk of what he wrote...
AMHERST - College basketball fans who like high-scoring games look like they could be in for a treat this season.
New for 2013-14 is a set of defensive hand-checking rules put into effect by NCAA to do just that -- limit physical play, especially on the perimeter, and help generate more offense.
Specified tactics under the new rules that will draw automatic fouls from officials include putting two hands on an opponent, keeping one hand or forearm in extended contact with an opponent, jabbing at an opponent with an extended hand or forearm and using an arm bar to block an opponent from moving.
The rule changes, not surprisingly, have coaches across American divided, some supportive and others skeptical. While higher point totals would likely lead to increased interest and better, more exciting games, many coaches are concerned about the potential for trigger-happy referees sending their star players to the bench earlier in games with foul trouble.
"The best way to increase scoring and make the game better is to create situations to get more shots," Kansas coach Bill Self told ESPN. "More free throws doesn't make the game better."
Still, others are cautiously optimistic about the new rules.
"I think it's good for the game," Kentucky coach John Calipari told reporters in early October. "But we're all wondering whether they will make the same calls in January, February and March that they make in November and December. I think they are convinced they are."
University of Massachusetts men's basketball coach Derek Kellogg was somewhere in between.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a story on the upcoming basketball season and how head coach Derek Kellogg is getting closer to setting the Minutemen's starting rotation.
Dan Malone spoke with Derek Kellogg about the ability to leave wins and losses in the rear-view mirror while focusing on the next game or task in front of you.
"Every season, whether it's a success or whatever it is, we quickly turn the page," Kellogg said. "For me it's always what's next. We look back to make sure any pitfalls don't happen again and any good stuff we try to replicate and duplicate. But, really, as soon as the game ends, guys are home for a while and we started working again for this season."
In case you missed it, on Friday CBS' collection of college basketball writers released another of their summertime updates, or Conference Catchups. Matt Norlander penned the Atlantic 10 edition and came up with the following nuggets on UMass.
EARLY GUESS AT THE TOP FIVE IN THE LEAGUE
In his team commentary in 140 characters or less...
Massachusetts: I think the Minutemen are set for a very big year. Derek Kellogg has made the team progressively better in the past five seasons. Now comes a league title.
UMass
VCU
Saint Louis
Richmond
La Salle
EARLY GUESS AT THE ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
G: Chaz Williams (UMass)
G: Dwayne Evans (Saint Louis)
G: Xavier Munford (Rhode Island)
F: Juvonte Reddic (VCU)
F: Isaiah Armwood (George Washington)
You can read the entire article here.
Harry Plumer of the Springfield Republican sat down with men's basketball coach Derek Kellogg for his weekly podcast and here's what they chatted about.
UMass basketball coach Derek Kellogg joins Harry to preview the upcoming season, reminisce about his playing days and talk about playing point guard Chaz Williams one-on-one.
Or, if you want to grab the pod in iTunes, click here. Happy listening! Head coach Derek Kellogg offered up some thoughts on UMass' performance in their recent scrimmage in the following article by Daily Hampshire Gazette veteran writer Matt Vautour.
Paul Gotham of the basketball site Pickin Splinters wrote a piece on the path the program has taken in four years under coach Derek Kellogg. He also touches on the progress junior guard Chaz Williams has made in two seasons, while making note that the 5-9 Brooklyn dynamo's potential is still climbing.
Friday night the UMass basketball team officially opened full practice for the 2012-13 season. A number of reporters were on hand for the 2-hour workout at the Curry Hicks Cage.
Daily Hampshire Gazette: Cady Lalanne excited to be back, UMass starts hoops season
Daily Hampshire Gazette: UMass men's basketball healthy as practice begins
Springfield Republican: UMass starts basketball practice without 'Midnight Madness'
Daily Collegian: UMass men's basketball has first practice open to public