The 2008/2009 UMass Team

ghsgolf1....."wait until April"???  Are you excited about the NIT????......if you are that's great, but for me the season, for all intents and purposes, ended on Sunday when UMass wasn't selected b/c of their monumental colapse against Charlotte in the A-10 tourney (still makes me cringe thinking about it).....Don't get me wrong, I'll watch the NIT games and I'll even try to make a road trip to Amherst (maybe this saturday) to cheer on my alma mater.  I even hope they win the NIT (obviously)....It will be a nice little feather in their cap and I'll watch to see if/where Gary Forbes gets picked in the NBA Draft...it's all good...But to be honest with you, I won't be staisfied until I see my team back in the Big Dance.....they're on the right path now....and very close, but not quite there yet.......that is why I posted this poll my friend.....I have my eyes on a bigger prize than the 2008 NIT tournament and since the Minutemen are not in the 2008 NCAA's I'm looking ahead to next season.   Cutting down the nets....that's what college basketball is all about!

Coach Cal "Refused to Lose"

I "Refuse to lower my standards as a fan"

As always,

Go UMASS!!!!

It'll be interesting to see next years team on the floor.

Travis Ford needs some desperate help in recruiting.  His staff seems to be on the wrong side of the tracks when it comes to bringing in 4-5 Star Recruits.  There is no excuse if Xavier can bring in Top 50 recruits from around the country so can UMass.  His bird watcher in NY Mike Sullivan seems to have his eyes glued to 2 star recruits... lol I could probably land him a 5 star prep right out of Raleigh in 1 month while Mike Sullivan still looks for the next 2 star guard to sign.

Next year's lineup will consist of former Boston Herald Dream Teamer Anthony Gurley he should fill the void left behind by Mr. Atlantic 10 (Gary Forbes A-10 Player of the Year). 

David Gibbs & Gary Correia should suppliment Chris Lowe running the point.  Chris Lowe has proven that he is the Quarterback of this UMass run and gun offense.

Ricky Harris has really stepped it up this year.  Solid core player for UMass next year.  I'm seeing him averaging 20 ppg next year, I wouldn't be surprised if he's in contention w/ Gurley for A-10 Player of the Year.

Matt Glass is a sharp shooter however, he needs to work on his foot skills & quickness... his defensive skills are sub par.  I can see him coming in for big shot situations but not as a full time starter. 

Max Groebe came in with high pre season expectations and Travis Ford hasn't given him the opportunity ... not really sure what he brings to the table especially with Gibbs coming on board next year.

Matt Bonner... needs a lot of help... he might have to spend the next year training with his brother if he's going to make any contributions.  Defense is horrific and has no offensive presence down low.  I see him coming off of the bench and getting some minutes.  Something really drastic is going to have to happen for him to be the true inside presence Coach Ford needs next year.

Papa Lo...... needs a lot of of work of foot skills as well.  He has a keen eye for the ball on defense but haven't seen much from the offensive side.

Projected Lineup:

PG Chris Lowe SG Ricky Harris SF Anthony Gurley PF Tony Gaffney C Papa Lo

Tyrell Lynch, Trey Lang, Matt Hill potential sleepers.... to fill the void left behind by Dante Milligan

David Gibbs 6'3 see him coming in as a very versatile player... PG SG SF

For those of you who think 5 Star Recruit John Riek doesn't fit Fords style of play.  He would be a tremendous asset to this ball club.  He runs the court well and can finish down low.  Tenacious defender can creat scoring opportunitys for UMass if brought on board.

John Riek & Papa Lo ... UMass would have the Nations top shot blocking duo.

I'm shocked Coach Ford hasn't contacted this kid.  Many of his current players all attended the Winchendon School in MA.

ghsgolf1, Do you read any of my posts....at all?   Don't lie.......because if you did, you would know that I really like Travis Ford and what he has done for the program.  You would also know that I went to school at UMass in the mid 90's when Coach Cal was there and shortly after he left (some Bruiser Ball years)...AKA when UMass and the A-10 were at their peak.  Yes this was a time when coach Cal could come back to the Mullins as coach of the NJ Nets for an exhibition game and still pack the Mullins Center...you know the good old days.  You would also know that I am a die hard fan and have been for a couple decades.....you would also know that I am STILL very disapointed that this team choked away chances to be in the BIG DANCE in back-to-back seasons.......when you see your team down for so long (it's been a decade now since their last NCAA appearance)......and they get so close and choke, yeah it disapoints you.....that's what fandom is about my friend (You live in Millbury, MA and assuming you were a Red Sox fan prior to 2004, you should know how that feels).  Again read my posts and my comments before you jump to any ill informed conclusions.

Also to your point ...."In my opinion you do not sound like a true UMass fan to me, ingrateful of how well Travis Ford is rebuilding this program in just his third year".

BTW: A big part of last year's team were Steve Lappas players.........Before you lose your head and post something stupid, please read my other posts.  I love Travis Ford...I just don't hate Lappas for what he did for the program, unfortunately, he just wasn't good at motivating his teams in Amherst.

Not to offend you, but if you want to talk about fanhood, I am going to question yours, you sound like a young Johnny-Come-Lately fan and it is pretty weak that you have to qoute and article to tell me UMass' and T-Ford's recent accomplishments, which I am (as a true fan) well aware of.

BTW:  I am happy about the way UMass is playing in the NIT, but as any NCAA D1 BB fan would, I would much rather see them in the NCAA's......even if it would have been one and done......The program is heading in the right direction.  Very similar to coach Cal's early years at UMass.