We wish you a great weekend and good luck to all UMass students that are getting ready for final exams. One big test before the classroom tests start will be Saturday in Kansas City as the men's basketball team takes on defending NCAA champion Kansas at 2 p.m. The game will air live on ESPN. It is the only UMass game over the next week so be sure to tune in on TV or the UMass Sports Network. Tonight the hockey teams hosts AIC in the final game for the Mass Attack before a break in the schedule. Come out and support the team in the final home event until Dec. 20.
Ron Chimelis has a feature on Chris Lowe and how his success makes the men's team better.
Local boy done good Tony Gaffney is mentioned in the Fall River Herald News near his hometown of Berkley.
From out in Kansas, here's a lengthy feature on Jayhawks bigman Cole Aldrich, who stands 6-foot-11, 245-pounds.
Gary Forbes continues his impressive play in the NBDL. Last night, he scored 28 points and added 12 boards to lead Sioux Falls to a
121-118 overtime win over Rio Grande Central.
All-time lacrosse great Sean Morris is featured in the Patriot Ledger as he prepares to start his career with the Boston Blazers of the National Lacrosse League. Their home opener at the TD BankNorth Garden is set for Jan. 17.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: There are 26 new auction items loaded on UMassAthletics.com. Start bidding away for some great items including apparel for skiing season.
Don't miss this: With final exams upon us for the students, the lone game for any UMass team takes place Saturday and its a big one. The Minutemen travel to Kansas City to play defending NCAA champion Kansas at 2 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN. Here are a few good omens which bode well for UMass. The Minutemen are 4-1 all-time against defending NCAA champs winning the last two meetings including last season's win over 2007 champ Florida in the NIT Semifinals. That game was broadcast by the same ESPN crew that will call Saturday's contest: Ron Franklin and Fran Fraschilla.
Thursday, Dec. 11
UMass fans left the Mullins Center with a smile last night as the Minutemen beat Holy Cross, 73-59 to snap a 6-game losing streak. Tonight you can come out and meet up with head coach Derek Kellogg as the Bud Light UMass Basketball Radio Show gets underway at 7 p.m. from the Hangar Pub & Grille. The men's show is followed by the women's show. If you were at Mullins last night you might have seen the new Hall of History which is pictured on the home page. JTAM also has news on Steve Baylark's signing with the Denver Broncos.
The Republican's Ron Chimelis writes about Derek Kellogg and how his still staying positive.
The Daily Collegian has a sidebar on Chris Lowe after his 12-assist and four-turnover effort.
Looking ahead to Saturday's showdown with defending NCAA champion Kansas, here is a story from the Lawrence Journal World News on freshman Travis Releford.
College Hoops.net mentions Tony Gaffney and his huge start stating: but since when did UMASS forward Tony Gaffney get good? The 5th year senior has been filling the stat sheet with averages of 13 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 2 steals per game. Gaffney made another triple-double run tonight with 17, 11, and 8 blocks in a win over Holy Cross. Will NBA scouts begin to take notice of his production?
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: There are 26 new auction items loaded on UMassAthletics.com. Start bidding away for some great items including apparel for skiing season.
Don't miss this:Listen to the Bud Light UMass Basketball Radio Show tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. Stop by the Hangar Pub & Grille for some basketball talk with Derek Kellogg followed by the women's show at 8 p.m. If you are on Route 9 in Hadley, check out the new billboard promoting the shows.
Wednesday, Dec. 10
We hope to see everyone at the Mullins Center tonight for the basketball doubleheader with the women hosting Delaware at 5 p.m. followed by the men's team vs. Holy Cross at approx. 7:15 p.m. If you get a chance check out the new Hall of History in the lower floor near the locker rooms in the Mullins Center. Wednesday brings the weekly UMass Sports Luncheon at the Campus Center Room 1009. The event will feature a guest appearance from new Chancellor Robert C. Holub, who will address the audience. Additionally, UMass will honor its fall scholar-athletes, a pair of soccer players Vanessa Patry from the women's team and Zack Simmons from the men's squad.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: Ask your questions now for Derek Kellogg and Marnie Dacko as the will have their weekly radio shows on Thursday night from the Hangar Pub & Grille.
Don't miss this: Three big events on Wednesday: two games at the Mullins Center and the UMass Sports Luncheon. Plan you day this way: Sports luncheon at 12 Noon followed by the women's game vs. Delaware at 5 p.m. and the men's game vs. Holy Cross right after that.
The Daily Collegian has a feature on Tony Gaffney and his amazing start. He is now third in the NCAA rebounding (13.1) and second on blocks (5.0).
Check out the notebook from College Chalk Talk which names Tony Gaffney as the A-10 player of the week and picks UMass' 85-81 loss to BC in overtime as the Game of the Week.
Former UMass football player and assistant coach Neal Brown is featured in the Dothan Eagle. At 28 years old, he is the youngest offensive coordinator in FBS with Troy University.
Former UMass soccer star Oral Bullen is featured in a story about his great season with the New Jersey Ironmen in the Xtreme Soccer League. He spoke at his high school Martin Luther King H.S. in Brooklyn.
Fans can still vote for UMass' Zack Simmons and Ben Arikian as the Soccer News Net Player of the Year. Voting closes Dec. 15.
Don't miss this: Look for an annoucement about a UMass men's basketball game on television this season. Also, check back to umassathletics.com for any weekly awards, including the announcement of the UMass/Dinn Bros. Athlete of the Week. The luncheon this Wednesday feature guest speaker Chancellor Robert C. Holub.
Monday, Dec. 8
Brrrrrrrr ... It sure is cold here in New England. Welcome back to "Just Take A Minute" for a Monday. Today look for an annoucement about a UMass men's basketball game on television this season. Over the weekend, UMass women's basketball team was the big winner claiming the title of the Brown Bear Classic with two wins. The UMass Athlete of the Week and A-10 honors will be annouced on Monday and women's hoopster Stefanie Gerardot is a top candidate to collect some awards. The hockey team romped over UConn 5-1 on Friday while the men's basketball team suffered another heartbreaker, 85-81 in OT to BC on Saturday.
Matt Vautour of the Gazette has this sidebar on the men's team struggling late in games.
Chimelis also has a very interesting piece on Wray Gunn, the first-ever African-American to play basketball at UMass in 1950. Gunn was on hand for the Classic Era Celebration.
The Daily Collegian has a feature on Tony Gaffney's mammouth effort against BC.
Looking ahead to Wednesday's men's hoop opponent, Holy Cross, the Crusaders have struggled to a 3-6 start, losing their last six in a row (just like UMass). Here is a story from the Worcester T&G on their tough going.
Check out the weekly A-10 men's basketball notebook. It features a note on Ricky Harris' 35-point game. It marked the highest single-game performance by a UMass player since Marcus Camby poured in 38 points versus Dayton on Jan. 4, 1996.
UMass is mentioned by ESPN's Andy Katz in his Weekly Watch.
The Daily Collegian reviews the women's basketball team's win at Brown with this recap. The Daily Hampshire Gazette also has this recap from Brown.
In hockey news, former Minuteman All-American Jon Quick is mentioned in the recap of the Springfield Falcons 3-0 win over Manchester Monarchs on Saturday. Quick didn't face the Falcons. He has a 5-5-1 record and 2.63 goals-against average.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: Trying to plan your winter break and want to take in a UMass game, check out the composite schedule which shows all UMass games in a calendar format.
Don't miss this: Look for an annoucement about a UMass men's basketball game on television this season. Also, check back to umassathletics.com for any weekly awards, including the announcement of the UMass/Dinn Bros. Athlete of the Week. The luncheon this Wednesday feature guest speaker Chancellor Robert C. Holub.
