Day 1 of the NFL Draft is in the books and UMass' Vladimir Ducasse is still waiting to hear his name. Heading into the second round, draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has Ducasse listed as his No. 1 available guard. Watch today at starting at 6 p.m., to see when Ducasse is selected. The A-10 women's lacrosse tournament gets underway with UMass taking on La Salle at 3:30 p.m. Baseball and softball are also in action today, both playing Saint Louis.
FOOTBALL
Vladimir Ducasse is waiting to see if Day 2 is his lucky day where he learning his future NFL home. He will be watching from Stamford, Conn., as the draft gets underway at 6 p.m., from Radio City Music Hall. Here is an update from the Stamford Advocate.
In the Springfield Republican, Ron Chimelis has a column on Ducasse, who is preparing from a "brave new world" in the NFL.
The Annapolis Capital in Maryland also has a story on Miles' and his hopes of being drafted. Miles started his career at Navy before transferring to UMass in 2007.
Here are some more stories on Ducasse's second day possibilities: Bleacher Report saying the Chicago Bears could still take Ducasse.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
Here is the Daily Collegian's preview of UMass' A-10 Tourney game vs. La Salle, today at 3:30 p.m.
The Daily Collegian has a complete overview of the A-10 Tournament as Temple and Richmond play the other A-10 semifinal in addition to UMass vs. La Salle.
SOFTBALL
Great feature story on Michelle Libby in the Portland Press Herald. Now, in her senior season at the University of Massachusetts, she's gaining a reputation as a powerful hitter.
Libby, now playing mostly left field and sometimes third base, is among the leading hitters for the Minutemen. After 33 games, Libby had a .317 batting average with six home runs, 20 RBI and 12 runs scored. Her slugging percentage is .598.
MEN'S LACROSSE
From ESPNU here is podcast previewing this weekend's ESPNU Warrior Classic.
BASEBALL
The baseball team continues action this afternoon at 3 p.m., as the Minutemen host Saint Louis. Read the preview in the Daily Collegian.
The Daily Collegian has a sidebar on the impressive offensive numbers UMass has been posting recently.
TRACK & FIELD
The Daily Collegian has a look at the final regular-season track meet as UMass travels to New Hampshire for the Pre-Conference Meet.
ROWING
Here is the Daily Collegian's look at the rowing team as it preps for this weekend action.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
UMass Hall of Famer Paula Wilkins, the head coach at Wisconsin, mentions in her Wisconsin Blog that she wishes all her fellow alums to have a good time at the UMass soccer reunion weekend. She writes: "I do want to give a quick shout out to my former teammates heading back to Amherst this weekend for the biggest soccer reunion since I left UMass. I truly wish I could be there, but I don't think the powers to be would be happy with me missing one of our spring matches to recall old college memories. I hope everyone going back to UMass has a great time, and I wish I was there to recall all the crazy things we did. If my players have half the great memories I had in college, they have had a great time. It was truly one of the best times in my life. I hope everyone enjoys Rafters, popovers, and Pub Fries!."
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Former UMass All-Academic selection Mike Babul is in the Attleboro Sun Chronicle as he is moving to Auburn as the Director of Basketball Operations under fellow alum Tony Barbee.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
The Vermont women's basketball head coach job is receiving high interest according to the Burlington Free Press after Sharon Dawley left the Catamounts for UMass two weeks ago.
Check This Out On UMassAthletics.com: Trying to figure out where to watch and listen UMass action? Visit the Watch & Listen Page for all the links and info on TV, radio, video, audio and live stats.
Don't Miss This: Big day for lots of teams. Baseball hosts Saint Louis at 3 p.m., women's lacrosse plays La Salle in the A-10 Tournament at 3:30 p.m., in Pittsburgh, the softball plays at Saint Louis at 6 p.m., and the tennis team also plays in the A-10's -- also in Saint Louis.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Good morning to all. Thursday is a big day as the NFL draft is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. One of the many awaiting his future team, UMass senior Vladimir Ducasse. Today's Just Take A Minute has news on Ducasse, as well as lacrosse, softball, baseball and more.
The Stamford Times also has coverage of Ducasse, who played high school football at Stamford High.
Another draft hopeful, Kyle Harrington, spoke with The Salem Newsabout potentially getting a call from an NFL team on Saturday.
MEN'S LACROSSE
UMass lacrosse coach Greg Canella breaks down what he expects when the No. 16 Minutemen take the field against No. 10 Georgetown on Saturday, April 24. The game, which will be played at 1:30 PM at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn., will be nationally televised on ESPNU.
It is a full day of UMass Athletics News as JTAM features stories on nearly all of our spring sports and updates on Football, Basketball and Hockey alums in the pro ranks. New women's basketball head coach Sharon Dawley will speak at the Sports Luncheon in the Campus Center at 12:15 pm, along with Greg Cannella and Sam Koch. The baseball team plays in the Beanpot Tournament consolation game today against Harvard at 3 PM. Recaps from all of Tuesday's action plus previews for this weekend are also here.
SOFTBALL
Pitcher Sara Plourde threw a no-hitter as the Massachusetts softball team defeated Quinnipiac 6-0 Tuesday afternoon at home. The Daily Collegian has this column on Plourde's fifth no-no of the season and sixth of her career.
Adam Miller focuses on the team's depth in his recap of the 6-0 victory over the Bobcats.
The UMass baseball team scored 12 runs on Tuesday at Earl Lorden Field, but could not hold off a potent Central Connecticut lineup, falling to the Blue Devils, 17-12. Michael Wood and Dan Gigliotti have coverage of the setback in The Daily Collegian.
TENNIS
This weekend, the UMass tennis team will head to Saint Louis, Mo., for the Atlantic 10 tournament. Head coach Judy Dixon previews the upcoming tournament in this video
FOOTBALL
The Boston Globe has a feature today on Vladimire Ducasse and his ability to play in the NFL as the draft is fast approaching: Ducasse Ready For Next Level
Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News has a look at the Top 100 Prospects in this year's NFL draft. He lists Ducasse as the No. 66 player and spotlights him saying "It may take Ducasse a year or two to figure the NFL game out, but he's worth the investment. He's 6-4, 332 pounds with 35-inch arms to steer speed rushers wide of the pocket."
BASKETBALL
Marcus Camby signed a two-year contract extension with the NBA's Portland Trailblazers on Tuesday. The Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns on Sunday in the first round of the play-offs, but lost last night, 119-90, in Phoenix to tie the best-of-seven series.
Inside Lacrosse has a second edition of its Division I Bracketology report where UMass is listed as one of the last team's out. Towson, who narrowly edged the Minutemen, is their pick to win the CAA automatic bid. That makes Saturday's game against No. 10 Georgetown even more meaningful. Be sure to check out this bus trip and ticket information for Saturday's game from the UMass Athletic Department.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
The women's lacrosse team will wrap up practice this afternoon before flying out to Pittsburgh for the Atlantic 10 Championships. Third-seeded UMass will face No. 2 seed La Salle in a rematch of last Sunday's game at McGuirk Stadium. Check out this preview for complete information on the tournament, directions and travel information to Duquesne, and video highlights from the 2010 season.
HOCKEY
Jon Quick and the L.A. Kings had Tuesday off, but will face Vancouver in Game 4 of the NHL playoffs. The two teams will face-off tonight at 7 PM in Los Angeles. Check out the Kings' website for complete coverage or tune into Versus tonight to watch.
Greg Mauldin is featured in the Stamford Advocate as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers face the Hershey Bears tonight at 7 PM in the AHL Playoffs.
GENERAL
Former University of Massachusetts Athletics Intramural Director Frank Wright passed away on April 16, 2010 after a long illness. Wright "guided and grew the intramural program, taught classes and sat on coach selection committees. At his retirement party, he received one of his favorite foods; 20 pounds of assorted chocolate, a slick digital camera and well wishes from attendees such as the late basketball coach Jack Leaman." He also served 20 years in the Air Force where "he was considered one of the most accomplished bombardier/radar navigators and instructors. He guided strategic and nuclear aircraft such as the B-29, B-36, B-52 and FB-111 during the Korean War, the 13 days of the Cuban Missile crisis and the Vietnam Conflict."
Check This Out On UMassAthletics.com: Lots of baseball and softball to be played at UMass this spring, not to mention the Atlantic 10 Track & Field Championships. Need point-by-point directions to all of our facilities? Check out the new and improved Directions Page which uses built-in Google Maps to show you were a facility is and then allows you to enter your address to get precise directions!
Don't Miss This: The Sports Luncheon brings your first opportunity to meet new women's basketball head coach Sharon Dawley in person. Come to room 1009 of the Campus Center at 12:15 pm.
The Minutemen welcomed point guard Daryl Traynham to the fold on Monday, as the recruit officially signed his national letter of intent on Monday. Traynham's signing is covered by The Examiner.
HOCKEY
Former Minuteman Jon Quick backstopped the Los Angeles Kings to a 5-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks last night. MassLive.com has coverage of Quick's 25-save effort.
SOFTBALL
UMass softball will play host to the Bobcats on Tuesday in Amherst. The game is previewed on QuinnipiacBobcats.com.
The Minutewomen split a pair of close games over the weekend, defeating Saint Joseph's on Friday before falling in a one-goal loss to La Salle on Sunday. The Daily Collegian recaps the pair of dramatic contests.
Happy Patriots' Day to everyone out there. So while you are watching the marathon or some morning baseball, check out the latest UMass news in this Monday edition of Just Take A Minute that includes baseball, basketball, lacrosse, football, and more.
Former UMass player Matt Torra was called up to the AAA Reno Aces (Diamondbacks) last week and made his debut on Saturday night, taking a tough-luck 2-0 loss to Sacramento. He allowed just two runs on eight hits over six innings of work. Reno Gazette Journal, Nevada Appeal, The Berkshire Eagle, and AZ Snake Pit all have coverage.
Baseball Prospectus has a story on former Minuteman Chad Paronto and how he balances playing in the Minor Leagues with family life. A 15-year veteran, Paronto currently pitches for the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Head Coach Derek Kellogg played in Doug Flutie's Celebrity Rock-N-Hoops event at the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield on Friday. The game was played to benefit the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. More than 300 patrons were treated to comedy basketball entertainment, followed by a rock concert by the Flutie Brothers Band. MassLive has a recap of the event.
With the NHL playoffs now in full swing, former Mass Attack goalie Jon Quick and his Los Angeles Kings won 3-2 in OT to even their series with Vancouver, 1-1. NHL.com, Washington Post, and The Province all have coverage.
The Worcester Sharks continued their Calder Cup Playoffs series against Lowell on Saturday, winning 3-2 and taking a 2-1 series lead. Former Minutemen Cory Quirk and Justin Braun both played in the game, with Braun taking five shots and finishing +1. The two clubs continue play on Tuesday night.
The women's lacrosse team won a double overtime thriller on Friday against Saint Joe's, 14-13, and lost the regular season finale to La Salle, 10-9. The Hampshire Gazette has a wrap on Sunday's game. The Minutewomen will face the Explorers again in the Atlantic 10 Championship semifinals on Friday at Duquesne.
No student-athlete birthdays on April 19.
Check This Out On UMassAthletics.com: Sign up for wireless updates on all UMass teams with Mobile Headlines & Scores Update. When the games end you will get the instant updates.
Don't Miss This: Monday will bring conference weekly honors as well as the UMass Athlete of the Week announcement. Also check back to see where the men's lacrosse team is ranked in the USILA and Inside Lacrosse polls.
