Game thoughts...

Posted on: December 4, 2022 at 12:04:06 CT

1. Good win, against the toughest team on our non conference schedule besides VT of course. UMass isn’t a top 25 team (even though they got a vote in last weeks AP poll), but they are very likely a top 50 team, so this will be a good win on our tournament resume. Not a great win, but a good win. In fact, the only game on our nc schedule that qualified as such. Wins like this could be significant in getting an at large bid or securing a better seed. They are projected to win the Atlantic 10 (a 1 bid conference), and are currently projected as an 11 seed (we are currently projected as the first team out of the tournament). Last year UMass finished with a NET ranking of 46.

2. We were fortunate that Taylor didn’t play for UMass, she is a stud, averages 18 ppg, and in one 4 game stretch this year went off for 23, 25, 29, and 25 points. If she plays I doubt we win this game.

3. The game underscored how dependent we are on long range shooting. When we are on, we are very very good. But the long range shooting we had the last two games is unsustainable. We were outscored 38-14 in the paint. Not good.

4. 18 turnovers, versus just 7 for UMass. Not a winning formula, particularly in the SEC.

5. It was good to see us maintain our composure (after blowing a comfortable lead), and make the key plays and shots down the stretch in a close game. Our non conference schedule is so weak overall we won’t have many chances to play in a game like this before SEC play starts, so it was good for the team to experience that and come out on top.

6. As mentioned, UMass destroyed host ASU by 24 points on Friday. Going to be disappointing if we don’t handle them pretty easily today,