Former UMass forward Raphiael Putney competed in his first-ever NBA D-League preseason game on Monday night for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Putney was a free agent addition to the Houston Rockets affiliate following the D-League Draft on Nov. 1
RGV defeated Fuerza Regia -- one of the top teams in the Ligo Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional, Mexico's top professional league -- 133-101 at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. Putney started the second half and finished with 13 points --
third-highest on the team --
on 3-for-6 shooting from the floor, 1-of-3 from outside and 6-of-7 at the FT line. He also grabbed five rebounds with two assists, two blocks and three turnovers in 22 minutes. Check out the complete box score here.
The Vipers had 16 players in training camp and need to be down to a maximum of 10 active players and 2 inactive players by Thursday. That does not include affiliates assigned by the Rockets. The Vipers have three of those - forwards Akil Mitchell and Tony Bishop Jr., and guard Gary Talton. They waived three players on Tuesday and are now at 13.
The 2014-15 regular season begins Friday, Nov. 14 when the Vipers host the Austin Spurs at home.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a story on Chaz Williams and Raphiael Putney as they continue to work out for NBA teams in hopes of being drafted or signing as free agents. The duo have each had several team workouts and say the feedback they have received has been encouraging.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a story on the transition of the UMass basketball program thanks in part to seniors Raphiael Putney, Sampson Carter and Chaz Williams. The trio talk about the increased success of the program in their four years and how exciting a packed Mullins Center is to play in.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a story with UMass seniors Chaz Williams, Raphiael Putney and Sampson Carter where they share their favorite Mullins Center memories. Malone includes several video clips in the story as well.
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 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.
The Boston Herald has a recap of last night's UMass men's basketball victory over Duquesne.
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.
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.
Mark Chiarelli of the Daily Collegian spent some time with Raphiael Putney and talked to the fifth-year senior about how his time with Athletes In Action this past summer helped refocus his energy on making his senior season his best at UMass.
Raphiael Putney is a seafood guy.
Apart of the program Athletes in Action this summer, a religious-based basketball retreat, Putney traveled to Spain for a two-week stint and participated in the program's basketball tour while also finding time to enjoy the delicacies of overseas travel.
"My favorite part of Spain, it was the food," Putney said. "I'm a seafood type of guy so I love seafood.
"And also, just being around a group of guys from different college teams, there's a lot of players around the nation and you don't get a chance to meet them."
Putney's trip overseas offered more than the typical basketball tour.
Athletes in Action is deeply rooted in faith. As its website states, "Athletes in Action has been using sports as a platform to help people answer questions of faith and to point them to Jesus." For Putney, it was the perfect fit.
Read the entire story by clicking on the link below...
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.
UMass basketball rising seniors Raphiael Putney and Chaz Williams have begun their journey to Spain with Athletes In Action. The duo flew to Spain via Houston and London over the weekend and have started practice with their nine teammates. You can follow along during their trip - which goes from May 18-June 2 - via the online blog at
AIA Blogs - Basketball - Spain or through some photo postings on the
AIA Facebook Page.
Here's an excerpt from the first entry from across the pond...
We are wrapping up our first day in Madrid while eating dinner at the Nuevo Boston Hotel. We spent most of the day in the airport getting to know each other and waiting until 15 minutes after our gate closed in London to finally board the plane. We cut it close but God prevailed. Our first practice went very well. The players chemistry grew tremendously from the airport to the court. They guys were talking, complemeting and holding each other accountable in a positive way.
UMass pulled out another close one on Wednesday, defeating La Salle, 61-60, at Tom Gola Arena to improve to 4-2 in Atlantic 10 play. The Minutemen got 17 points from Raphiael Putney and the game-winning layup by Chaz Williams with 8.1 seconds left to snap a four-game losing skid at La Salle.
Derek Kellogg has said on more than one occasion that Raphiael Putney is a key piece to UMass' success this season. Last year he averaged 10.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game. Putney is stronger than ever and still one of the most athletic players in the country.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has an article on his progress as he begins his fourth season with the program.
National college basketball writer and television announcer Jon Rothstein offered up his thoughts on UMass as it prepares for the 2012-13 season. Leading off with a note on junior PG Chaz Williams' infectious energy that envelops the entire team.
Chaz Williams is a like a magnet. The undersized point guard has an infectious personality -- and it's easily noticeable if you're in the gym with him for even just a matter of moments. The 5-9 Williams was one of the best players in the Atlantic 10 a season ago and figures to be so again thanks to the biggest weapon he has -- his heart.
Ron Chimelis of the
Springfield Republican was in attendance at the Big E on Saturday (along with
more than 80,000 others) and stopped by the Massachusetts building where the UMass men's basketball team was hosting a free clinic for youths 12 & under. Check out his article on
the excitement surrounding the anticipation for the upcoming season.
Don't forget, you can reserve your season tickets right now by calling the UMass Ticket Office at 1-866-UMASS-TIX.
Also...
** 5 Game Packs go on sale beginning Monday, Oct. 1.
** Single-game tickets will go on sale Monday, Oct. 15.
** Group tickets of 15 or more may be purchased through the UMass Group Sales Office for as low as $8/ticket by contacting Jason Blanchette at 413-577-0340 or jlblanch@admin.umass.edu Jon Rothstein, who covers the Atlantic 10 for CBS Sports Network, put out a good summertime piece on what to be excited about in the A-10 this season. His first item listed is on UMass junior PG Chaz Williams and the potential his play, along with the rest of the team, can bring the Minutemen.
1. CHAZ, CHAZ, AND MORE CHAZ
Chaz Williams took the conference by storm in his first season in the Atlantic-10 and only figures to be more of a menace in 2012-13. Potentially the Preseason Conference Player of the Year, Williams should give UMass coach Derek Kellogg one of the league's best back courts with he and talented wing Jesse Morgan, a 6-foot-5 wing who seemed to get better every team he took on the floor. If big man Cady Lalanne can stay healthy and form a potent baseline with Terrell Vinson and Raphiael Putney, the Minutemen should be in position to compete for a conference title and a berth to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a quite a while.
Read Jon's complete article here.
The regular season is over so that means its time to reset the records and open March Madness. UMass opens Atlantic 10 Tournament action tonight against Duquesne. Tip-off at the Mullins Center is 7 p.m. The game is not televised so grab some friends and cheer on the team as they go for their 15th home win of the year. In the meantime, here are some previews to wet your appetite.
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.
With students back on campus today, the Daily Collegian is back in full swing with lots of coverage of the UMass basketball team.
Ron Chimelis of the Springfield Republican has a story on Raphiael Putney and the energy his play has brought to the UMass basketball team.
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.
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:
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:
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 looks at the non-conference start to the season and the five-game win streak for the UMass basketball team heading into the New Year.
An 18-0 run to start the second half gave UMass a 72-67 win over Quinnipiac despite the Bobcats chipping away late in the game to make it a three-point game with a minute to go.
Terrell Vinson, Raphiael Putney and Chaz Williams all scored in double figures to lead UMass which has won three straight and remains undefeated at home (5-0).
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a story on Derek Kellogg indicating at UMass media day on Friday that the starting five for the Minutemen's season opener this Friday against Elon at the Curry Hicks Cage could be Chaz Williams, Freddie Riley, Javorn Farrell, Raphiael Putney, and Sean Carter. The Minutemen played their second and final closed scrimmage of the season on Saturday at Seton Hall.
Vautour also points out some jersey number changes for the Minutemen this season. Check out the online roster.
UMass men's basketball coach Derek Kellogg names starting five - Hampshire Gazette Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette takes an in-depth look today at the UMass men's basketball lineup and who could potentially take over more of a scoring role for the Minutemen in 2011-12. Vautour goes through each player, saying why he's a candidate to increase his scoring, and what could possibly prevent that. An interesting read for UMass fans.
UMass men's basketball looking for scoring threat - Hampshire Gazette CBS Sports College Basketball Insider Jeff Goodman has picked UMass to finish fifth in his conference countdown for the Atlantic 10. Goodman has the Minutemen, who were picked 12th in the A-10 preseason poll, finishing behind Xavier, Temple, Saint Louis, and St. Bonaventure. He also picks redshirt sophomore forward Raphiael Putney has his A-10 Breakthrough Player of the Year.
"The pressure is on Derek Kellogg in Year 4. He lost Anthony Gurley, but might finally have a true point guard with Hofstra transfer Chaz Williams. The young group from a couple of years ago -- juniors Freddie Riley, Sampson Carter, Javorn Farrell, Terrell Vinson and redshirt sophomore Raphiael Putney -- needs to go out there and prove itself."
Big game on tap at the Mullins Center on Wednesday as Saint Joseph's comes to Amherst for a 7 p.m., matchup. Here are all the previews.
