| Friday, Dec. 5 |
A pair of big games are on tap for UMass hockey and basketball this weekend as the Mass Attack hosts rival UConn tonight at 7 p.m. Tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m., the men's basketball team goes up against BC at 8:30 p.m., as the Classic Era will be celebrated. The hoop game pits UMass alums coaching versus each other in Al Skinner '74 and Derek Kellogg '95. Not since 1981 have UMass alums coached against each other in a Minuteman game (Tom McLaughlin & UMass vs. Rick Pitino & BU). Check out JTAM for stories on both teams and other news on women's basketball and swimming and diving.
The Collegian has a preview of the men's basketball game against Boston College, on Saturday.
The Daily Collegian has a feature story on men's basketball focusing on freshman bigman Tyrell Lynch.
Overseas, Stephane Lasme's Serbian team Partizan beat Turkey's Efes Pilsen in the Euroleague, 83-77. Lasme had 11 points for his squad. In the Euroleague, the former Minuteman is scoring 10.0 points per game along with 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. His team faces legendary Real Madrid on Dec. 11.
The Philadelphia Inqurier has a story on some top prep girls basketball players which mentions UMass recruit Shakia Robinson. Her coach says: "She's fast, strong, naturally gifted. Each year she's been playing, she's added something to her game." Also, North Penn Life has a story on Robinson.
The Collegian looks to women's basketball's pair of games this weekend against Brown and Long Island.
Former Minuteman All-American icer Thomas Pick returned to the lineup for the New York Islanders and played in the team's 5-2 loss to Washington last night.
Liam Coen's honor of being named the Top Senior Football Player in all of New England was mentioned in the Boston Globe.
Finally, the Collegian previews the weekend of action for UMass' men's and women's swimming and diving programs.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: Get your 100 Seasons Of UMass Basketball Shirt for the holidays. Buy it before Dec. 17 if you live west of Mississippi, if you want it before Christmas.
Don't miss this: Two big home games against rivals this weekend as hockey hosts UConn tonight and men's basketball plays BC on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The hoop game will be shown nationally on CBS College Sports (formerly CSTV).
| Thursday, Dec. 4 |
Tough night for the UMass basketball teams as the men fell at Toledo on a last-second tip-in, 57-56, while the women fell to Providence College, 75-63. Keeping on the basketball theme, be sure to join us tonight at the Hangar Pub & Grille for the Bud Light UMass basketball shows, or if you can't make it, tune to 100.9 FM or listen online at umassathletics.com. Derek Kellogg's show is at 7 p.m. followed by Marnie Dacko's showing at 8 p.m. Luke Bonner and Anthony Gurley are the scheduled guests. Bonner is set to talk about his rehab and the two will also touch upon on Saturday's big game vs. Boston College. Check out JTAM for basketball recaps and news from a UMass hockey alum enjoying tremendous success under the radar in the AHL.
The following publications had stories on men's basketball's defeat: Springfield Republican (written by former local area writer, Paul D. Bowker), The Toledo Blade, and Rocket Digest (Ohio). The Digest focused on the reopening of Savage Arena, which had a "packed house of 7,252."
The Daily Collegian, Associated Press also had game stories.
The Daily Collegian has a story on the tough going for the UMass hockey team. It also files a story on the team looking to rebound.
Great news from a Mass Attack alum doing well in the American Hockey League. Former captain and fan-favorite Matt Anderson is continuing his impressive play with the Chicago Wolves. On Wednesday, he scored a goal in a wild 7-6 defeat at the hands of the Peoria Rivermen. He is now tied for second on the team with 12 points (4g, 8a) in 19 games. His +10 is also tied for second on the Wolves in plus/minus.
Another UMass hockey alum was in action on Wednesday. P.J. Fenton did not crack the scoresheet in the Worcester Sharks' 4-1 loss to the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. If you haven't heard, Fenton gets to learn the game from former NHL star Claude Lemieux who is attempting a comeback at the age of 43.
It looks like Thomas Pock may not be headed to the minors after all. In New York Newsday's article, Injuries cripple Isles' defensive line , Islanders Head Coach Scott Gordon named Pock as the "likely replacement" for Radek Martinek in their game vs. Washington tonight.
The Daily Collegian has two stories on the women's basketball loss to Providence. The game recap and a sidebar on post-play against the Friars.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: Be sure to check out the 100 years of UMass basketball central by clicking here. It includes everything you need as UMass Athletics celebrates its 100th season.
Don't miss this: Be sure to join us at the Hangar Pub & Grille for the Bud Light UMass basketball show, or if you can't make it, tune to 100.9 FM or listen online at umassathletics.com.
Wednesday, Dec. 3 |
Wednesday means its Sports Luncheon time for UMass Athletics. Today at the Campus Center, women's basketball player Cerie Mosgrove will be honored at 12 Noon in the Campus Center as the Athlete of the Week. Then you can come watch her play tonight as UMass hosts Providence at 7 p.m. The men are out in Ohio for the opening of Toledo's new Savage Arena with a 7 p.m. tip-off. JTAM has stories on both teams as well as tidbits on football, hockey and softball.
The Springfield Republican's Ron Chimelis has a preview of the men's game at Toledo. Matt Vautour in the Daily Hampshire Gazette has his look at the team's tough early season.
From Toledo, the Blade has this preview of tonight's game as the Rockets prepare to open their $30 million renovated arena.
CBS College Sports, which airs Saturday's UMass-BC game, will have a 30-minute Atlantic 10 televsion show that will air 11 times between Dec. 4-8. Check it out.
From Tuesday, Vautour had his Atlantic 10 notebook, where he writes about what he doesn't like about the new format of the A-10 Tournament, slated to start in 2010.
Former UMass All-American Gary Forbes scored 14 points for the Sioux Falls Skyforce as they beat the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, 111-98.
In his Monday Morning Quarterback - Tuesday, Sports Illustrated's Peter King has a mention of UMass alum Brandon London from his days in New York Giants training camp this past summer before the Dolphins claimed him on waivers. King writes: One vivid picture I recall from my trip to Giants' training camp last summer: a free-agent receiver named Brandon London from UMass was catching everything in sight. I asked Tom Coughlin after practice whether London had any chance to make the team given the treasure trove of talent on the roster at wideout. "He's got a chance -- a real chance,'' Coughlin said. "Just look at him out there.''
The New England Hockey Journal's Andrew Merritt has his weekly notebook on Hockey East. He mentions UMass' ups and downs with their goal scoring: 5.3 in wins and 1.2 in losses.
Looking ahead to Saturday's men's basketball game against Boston College, which will air nationally on CBS College Sports (formerly CSTV), UMass will honor the Classic Era (1899-1959). An early look at the players who have responded they will attending the Boston College game includes: Don Akerson, Frank Barous, George "Trigger" Burke, John Edgar, Dick Eid, Paul Kollios, Ned Larkin, John MacLeod, Condon McDonough, Ed McGrath, George Morin, Alex Norskey, Bill Prevey, Bill Stephens, William Walsh.
UMass assistant softball coach Jessica Merchant will take part in DB's Baseball & Softball Instructional Academy Merchant will be hosting fielding and hitting softball clinics on Dec. 7, 14 and 20 with two sessions beginning at 12:30 and 1:30 each day. The cost is $40 per visit or $100 for all three sessions. Limited to 12 players per session. Contact Dave Bettencourt at 978-687-2400 to sign up or for more information.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: Women's basketball coach Marnie Dacko has updated her blog on UMassAthletics.com. She writes about the team's experience out in Colorado where they knocked off the host Buffs.
Don't miss this: Join us for the UMass Sports Luncheon at 12 Noon in Campus Center as Cerie Mosgrive will be honored as the Athlete of the Week. Mosgrove and the women's basketball team hosts Providence tonight at the Mullins Center while the men are on the road at Toledo. Both are 7 p.m. tip-offs.
Tuesday, Dec. 2 |
Welcome to your Tuesday with a daily update from UMass Athletics. Today's "Just Take A Minute" has info on men's basketball, women's basketball and hockey. This includes an update on the former players from the Classic Era, expected to be honored on Saturday prior to the Boston College men's game.
Looking ahead to Saturday's men's basketball game against Boston College, which will air nationally on CBS College Sports (formerly CSTV), UMass will honor the Classic Era (1899-1959). An early look at the players who have responded they will attending the Boston College game includes: Don Akerson, Frank Barous, George "Trigger" Burke, John Edgar, Dick Eid, Paul Kollios, Ned Larkin, John MacLeod, Condon McDonough, Ed McGrath, George Morin, Alex Norskey, Bill Prevey, Bill Stephens, William Walsh.
On Masslive.com, Erik Gallant has a look at the UMass basketball team and the Minutemen's early struggles.
The Daily Collegian features a piece on the men's basketball team and the Minutemen's tough time in the second half.
From the Memphis Commerical Appeal, Derek Kellogg and the Minutemen are mentioned as Memphis takes on Marist tonight. John Calipari faces another former assistant in Chuck Martin, who is assisted by former Minuteman star Tyrone Weeks.
UMass legend Marcus Camby continues to be hobbled. He sat out practice on Monday as he injured his ankle late in Saturday's win over Miami, but was able to return for the final few minutes. He participated in some of Sunday's practice but took Monday off to "rest up."
After a pair of losses last week, the hockey team has fallen out of the USCHO/CBS College Sports Poll. The Minutemen are third in others receiving votes.
The Daily Collegian has a story on the women's basketball team and its infusion of young talent making an impact this season.
UMass Hall of Famer Ron Villone may be seeking a new team in Major League Baseball as he was not offered arbitration by the St. Louis Cardinals.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: If you are looking for info on where to watch or listen to UMass events on the internet, television or radio, check out the Watch & Listen webpage.
Don't miss this: The UMass basketball teams continue their action on Wednesday with the Minutemen at Toledo and the Minutewomen at home against Providence.
Monday, Dec. 1 |
We're back and Happy December! Hope everyone had an enjoyable and safe holiday weekend. Unfortunately, the hockey and men's basketball teams both struggled in their games, but the women's basketball squad did pick up a key nonconference win in the Coors Classic on Friday. Get ready for a big week ahead highlighted by men's basketball's Saturday matchup vs. intra state rival Boston College at the Mullins Center. This edition of Just Take A Minute includes a ton of stories on basketball, hockey, and more!
The women's basketball team's impressive weekend was chronicled in a number of media outlets. Friday's 70-62 win over Colorado: Daily Camera (Colo.) along with Saturday's 86-67 loss to Minnesota: Boston Globe, Big Ten Network, Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Pioneer Press (Minn.).
The Minutemen's tough 84-67 loss to Wisconsin-Green Bay was covered my several media outlets as well: Springfield Republican, Boston Globe, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, CBS 2, Green Bay Press Gazette, and Appleton Post Crescent
UMass men's basketball is mentioned in Andy Katz's college basketball Blemishes that might not go away It reads "The Minutemen dropped to 1-4 after losing to UW-Green Bay on the road. UMass was supposed to be a A-10 challenger to Xavier. Losing Luke Bonner to a knee injury is clearly having an effect."
Former UMass All-American Gary Forbes made his pro D-League debut over the weekend, playing two games. He scored 19 points for the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Sunday after scoring 19 more points in the season opener last Friday.
Men's soccer senior Chris Brown was mentioned in "short stuff" of his hometown newspaper, Arizona Daily Star. Here's a snippet: "Chris Brown, a Salpointe grad, closed a terrific college soccer career in the NCAA tournament last week. He was one of two UMass players to start all 21 games for the defending College Soccer Cup finalists..."
Rewinding to late last week, the Stamford Advocate mentions football's Vladimir Ducasse, who was a first-team all-CAA selection.
The Mass Attack's 4-3 loss to St. Lawrence on Friday night was covered by the Boston Globe, USCHO, and Springfield Republican
In great news from the AHL, UMass alum Mike Kostka scored his first professional goal last Wednesday against his old teammate (and classmate) P.J. Fenton and his Worcester Sharks. Kostka not only scored once, but twice, in a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Fenton's Sharks.
Kostka then faced former teammate and All-American goaltender Jon Quick and his Manchester Monarchs on Friday. Quick was stellar, stopping 41 of 42 shots sent his way to earn the game's first star in a 3-1 win.
Then on Sunday, Fenton picked up assist on the game-winning goal early in the third period of the Sharks' 2-1 victory over the Lowell Devils.
In tough news on the NHL front, Thomas Pock has been placed on waivers "for the purpose of sending him to AHL Bridgeport."
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: Check out the premier of the UMass Hoops Insider with men's basketball head man Derek Kellogg.
Don't miss this: Check back to umassathletics.com for any weekly awards, including the announcement of the UMass/Dinn Bros. Athlete of the Week.
