Just Take Minute: Nov. 30-Dec. 4

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   Thursday, Dec. 4

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Operation 8K is finally here! Tonight is the huge hockey game for the No. 9 Minutemen as they face the No. 15 BC Eagles. Tickets are still available, please call 1-866-UMASS-TIX during the day to purchase them. JTAM has stories on UMass losing another football opponent as Hofstra has dropped the sport just one week after Northeastern did the same. Also some stories on men's and women's basketball.

The Boston Herald's John Connolly has a great feature story on hockey star James Marcou as he leads in the NCAA in assists with 19.

In the Springfield Republican, Dick Baker has a feature on hockey player Casey Wellman, son of former major league baseball infielder Brad Wellman.

The University of Massachusetts hockey players are confident that if they get behind in a game they can come back and win. But they would like to do it a little less often. The Daily Hampshire Gazette has the preview story on tonight's BC game.

UMass football coach Kevin Morris was the keynote speaker at the annual high school football Super Bowl brunch for coaches and team captains brought together representatives from all eight participating teams at Westfield State College Thursday morning. The Springfield Republican has the story. "If the knock on today's generation is `Where's the leadership?' It is up to you to step up and be a leader," Morris told the team captains. "Don't be afraid to do the right thing, and teach those skills to the younger kids. Attitude is the generator of everything - both good and bad," the coach said."Bring it (positive attitude) with you, on the field or to math class. It's where (good things) it all starts."

Hofstra became the second CAA Football team to end its football program in two weeks. There are many stories on how it impacts UMass with comments from A.D. John McCutcheon as he says UMass football is not in any danger. Check them out in the Springfield Republican, Boston Herald, Daily Hampshire Gazette, New York Times, Daily Collegian, and Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Here are some other perspectives from around the region on the FCS football situation. The Providence Journal has a look at URI's program. Sea Coast Online touches on UNH. The Maine Campus and Bangor Daily News look at the Black Bears.

Boston College is seeking another opponent with Hofstra dropping football. The Eagles were slated to open the 2010 season against the Pride. The Boston Herald has the story.

In the Springfield Republican, Ron Chimelis has a column on the Minuteman basketball team and some of the goals for the season as it moves along.

After defeating Quinnipiac on Wednesday night, the Massachusetts basketball team will search for its fourth win of the season against in-state rival Holy Cross. The Crusaders enter the game with back-to-back wins and are similar to the Minutemen in that they have a young team with two seniors and four freshmen. The Daily Collegian has the preview.

Trying to change things up, Massachusetts basketball coach Derek Kellogg has played senior guard, Ricky Harris, at the point guard position in hopes of improving the offense. So far, Harris has struggled with turnovers, combining for 11 in a two-game stretch, but nearly reached his career high in assists (seven) with six against Quinnipiac. The Daily Collegian has a closer look.

In more opponent news, as the signs were pointing to another losing basketball season at Fordham so coach Dereck Whittenburg was fired just five games into his seventh season. ESPN.com has the story.

The Massachusetts women's basketball team travels to Providence this weekend to take part in the Brown Bear Classic. Brown enters the weekend having lost three straight games to Seton Hall, Long Island, and Boston University, who UMass defeated in their home opener. The Daily Collegian has the preview.

The Daily Collegian has an A-10 women's basketball notebook. The top two teams in the Atlantic 10 this season have been No. 9 Xavier and No. 24 Dayton. The Flyers are 6-1 this year while both the Musketeers and St. Bonaventure are undefeated with 5-0 and 6-0 records, respectively.

UMass lacrosse NLI signee Ryan Izzo is featured in a story in the Walpole Times. He just completed his football season with Walpole H.S., with 421 rushing yards in ONE game in a Thanksgiving Day victory.

Check This Out On UMassAthletics.com: Looking for a nice holiday gift? Want to relive great moments from UMass Athletics? Visit the Photo Gallery page for all the best images from UMass teams.

Don't Miss This:OPERATION 8K ... that's the place to be at 7 p.m. tonight!

   Thursday, Dec. 4

The traveling Bud Light UMass Basketball Show hits Springfield tonight at 7 p.m. Join head coach Derek Kellogg in his hometown at Theodore's for food, drinks and great basketball talk. JTAM has stories on the men's hoop squad and its 62-58 win over Quinnipiac last night. Also scoops on women's basketball and hockey.

Recaps from the men's basketball win are in the Springfield Republican, ettenet.com/2009/12/03/harris-guides-umass-much-needed-win">Daily Hampshire Gazette, Boston Globe, Daily Collegian, and Associated Press.

Also from last night, the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a sidebar on Matt Hill's contribution to the win.

In a team effort victory against the Bobcats last night, Ricky Harris continued playing point guard, but the team was outrebounded overall by Quinnipiac. Coach Derek Kellogg wants UMass to get tougher on the defensive and offensive glass. The Daily Collegian has the story.

While BC is an inexperienced team, the Eagles have a number of talented freshmen, especially on the defensive end that will look to stop a Minutemen team that has been generating goals at even strength as of late. The River Hawks have virtually the same team as last year, and hope to make it back to the Hockey East Championship game. The Daily Collegian has a preview hockey's weekend.

After making it to the championship game of the Wyndham Miami Thanksgiving Tournament, UMass fell to Northeastern Wednesday afternoon, after committing 20 turnovers in the game. UMass dominated on the boards securing 36 rebounds and got impressive efforts from Kristina Danella, Nicole Jones and freshman Dee Montgomery. The Daily Collegian has the story.

Check This Out On UMassAthletics.com: If you ever want to know when the big events are happening at UMass games, visit the Promotions Page, as it features all the special days for UMass contests.

Don't Miss This: Theodore's in Springfield is the place to be at 7 p.m. for the Bud Light UMass Basketball Show With Derek Kellogg. Come out and meet coach and enjoy some food and drinks.

   Wednesday, Dec. 2

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Both UMass basketball teams are in action today against local foes. The women's team plays a matinee at Northeastern at 12 Noon while the men host Quinnipiac at the Mullins Center at 7 p.m. The Sports Luncheon takes place at 12:15 at the Campus Center Room 1009. Toot Cahoon and Derek Kellogg will be the guest speakers. Also, A.D. John McCutcheon will be on ESPN Radio with Mike Tirico today to talk about the FCS playoff system and how it could work on the FBS level.

In previews on the UMass-Quinnipiac basketball game in the Springfield Republican and Daily Hampshire Gazette, both Ron Chimelis and Matt Vautour write about how Ricky Harris is expected to see more time at point guard tonight.

Saturday's loss to No. 9 Michigan State could have two very different effects on the Massachusetts men's basketball team, according to coach Derek Kellogg. Either the Minutemen (2-4) will be inspired by seeing what a Final Four contender does to win games, or they will look at the 106-68 score and lose the momentum from the two straight wins they had before Thanksgiving. Kellogg is hoping it's not the latter. The Daily Collegian has a preview.

The Minutemen are coming into the Quinnipiac game on Wednesday night a little bruised and tired from the games against Rutgers and Michigan State, but UMass coach Derek Kellogg is still hoping to see more defense against the Bobcats. Daily Collegian also has this story.

According to Haaretz in Israel, UMass' Tomy Gaffney has been released by Gilboa/Galil, after suffering a broken foot. Gaffney will return to the U.S.

Just three days after making 14 3-point field goals, the second-most in a game in school history, Michigan State shot just 2-of-20 from beyond the arc on Tuesday night. The Spartans lost to North Carolina, 89-82 in a rematch of the 2009 NCAA title game as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

In the Daily Hampshire Gazette, there is an emotional feature story on 13-year old Mark Toro, who is battling cancer. He has a connection to UMass as Brett Watson, captain of the UMass men's hockey team. Watson is Big Brother to Mark Toro's 7-year-old brother Carlito, and four of his teammates are Brothers, too, with a fifth in process. "It'd be a huge plus - we're kind of on a limited budget," he said. "It would be great to have more money to take the kids places. Carlito's been bugging me to take him roller skating at Interskate."

Paul Dainton was named Hockey East Goaiie of the Month. The Springfield Republican has a story.

The Daily Collegian has a preview of the women's game at Northeastern this afternoon. The paper also has a story on improved free throw shooting and how that has helped the team win some games.

As only a freshman, Julia Comas has been dominant for the Massachusetts tennis team, earning a perfect 8-0 doubles as well as a 6-0, 6-0 straight set win. The international player from Barcelona has fit in well with the Minutewomen who have a bevy of foreign players, including Comas' doubles partner, Magdalena Ploch. Check out the Daily Collegian feature story.

Check This Out On UMassAthletics.com: Looking for some UMass listening materials for your iPod? Visit the Podcasts page for the latest highlights, shows and interviews.

Don't Miss This: Come out and see the men's basketball team tonight vs. Quinnipiac at 7 p.m. Its the first-ever meeting with the Bobcats.

   Tuesday, Dec. 1

As we welcome in December, the final month of 2009, a big day is on tap for Sam The Minuteman. He will be down at ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut shooting another "This Is SportsCenter" commercial. Be sure to check back for his story and photos in the coming days here on UMassAthletics.com. Also, tonight is the final Bud Light UMass Hockey Show of 2009. Come down to the Hangar Pub & Grille at 7 p.m. to listen to Toot Cahoon and some of his Minutemen.

In the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll, UMass is hanging steady at No. 9. Quinnipiac, who beat UMass on Saturday moved to No. 6. BC, who comes to UMass this weekend is No. 14. In the USCHO.com poll, UMass is also No. 9, inching up from No. 10. QU is No. 4 while BC is 15th.

Ron Chimelis of the Springfield Republican has various tidbits on the UMass basketball team as well as its alums. Ricky Harris will play more point guard after seeing his first primary action at the spot last weekend. e.html">Chris Lowe is seeking to join former Minuteman mates Dante Milligan and Maurice Maxwell with the Springfield Armor. Also, Tony Gaffney has suffered a broken foot while playing pro bal in Israel.

Wednesday's basketball opponent Quinnipiac suffered a crushing 65-62 last second-loss at Navy on Monday night. The Bobcats are now 3-2 coming to the Mullins Center. Chris Harris' half-court heave off glass fell at the buzzer as Navy defeated the Bobcats. Harris' game-winner was the only Navy field goal in the final 10:30 minutes of play as Navy erased a 17-point deficit. Watch The Video.

In the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Matt Vautour has his weekly Atlantic 10 basketball notebook leading with Barack Obama taking in the Oregon State at George Washington game on Saturday.

The Press Of Atlantic City has an editorial on the excitement the Legends Classic added to a busy weekend in A.C.

Tonight on ESPN, Michigan State, now ranked No. 9, travels to defending NCAA Champion North Caroiina for a rematch of the 2009 NCAA title game. Here's a quick preview of the Lansing State Journal.

The Bleacher Report has nice interview with Dick MacPherson, who is being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. In the years between 1971-1977, he was head coach at UMass, where he posted a 45-27 overall record, won four Yankee Conference Championships, and took the team to the Boardwalk Bowl (in Atlantic City).

Check This Out On UMassAthletics.com: Two UMass Auctions end tonight be sure to check out the latest items which may be the perfect holiday gift for someone special.

Don't Miss This: Join us tonight at 7 p.m. for the Bud Light UMass Hockey Show at the Hangar Pub & Grille as Toot Cahoon and John Hennessey talk hockey with special player guests. Its the final show before the new year as the Minutemen prep for Boston College on Friday night at the Mullins Center.

   Monday, Nov. 30

Welcome back to Just Take A Minute. Hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving weekend. The UMass teams had it tough around turkey time. JTAM has recaps of all the games over the weekend. Also, check out UMass alum Keron Williams who won the CFL's Grey Cup on Sunday in a miraculous comeback. There is also an update on alums in the NFL.

Check out recaps from Saturday's men's basketball loss to No. 2 Michigan State: Daily Hampshire Gazette, Daily Hampshire Gazette notebook, Springfield Republican, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Eagle-Tribune, Daily Collegian, Detroit Free-Press, Detroit News, MLive.com, Atlantic City Weekly, Asbury Park Press, The Examiner, The Sports Network, and Bleacher Report.

UMass was mentioned in several stories about the Obamas attending George Washington's basketball loss to Oregon State -- coached by Barack Obama's brother-in-law Craig Robinson -- on Saturday. The last time a President attended a GW game was when Bill Clinton watched the No. 1-ranked Minutemen play the Colonials in 1995. ABC News, DC Sports Box have stories.

The Springfield Armor of the D-League opened play this weekend with a pair of losses at the MassMutual Center. Two former Minutemen have been productive in the first two games. Maurice Maxwell scored 21 in Saturday's loss and Dante Milligan had 10 rebounds. The Springfield Republican has a story on Maxwell's impressive play.

Hockey's thrilling 5-4 overtime comeback loss is covered in the 5-4_t.html">Springfield Republican, Daily Hampshire Gazette, Daily Collegian, Masslive.com, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, New Haven Register, ABC40, The Examiner and USCHO.com.

The women's basketball team's loss to Miami in the tournament finals is covered in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Daily Collegian, rong_inside_swords_and_outside_picco_in_win_over_smu/">Boston Globe, The Examiner.

Keron Williams celebrates winning the 97th Grey Cup with Montreal.

UMass alum Keron Williams played in the CFL's Grey Cup on Sunday night, as his Montreal Alouettes rallied for a late 28-27 win over the Saskatchewan Rough Riders. Williams had two tackles in the game. The CFL website has a 1-on-1 video feature with Williams prior to the big game.

UMass senior offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse continues to draw attention as a potential top NFL Draft pick. Pro Football Weekly says Ducasse might go in the first round! Here's what Nolan Nawrocki writes: A long-armed left tackle who stands out against lesser competition, Ducasse has a big, thick, well-distributed body and plays the game with a good football temperament and demeanor. Some evaluators still project him inside, and he might be best suited to play right tackle in the pros. But Ducasse has enough length and agility to be tried on the left side. He is still relatively raw with inconsistent technique and footwork, but most of his flaws are correctable; he is very tough and can continue to be molded. Old-school offensive line coaches could fall in love with him, as he shows the intensity and passion desired in the trenches, and he potentially could fit into the first round.

On Thanksgiving, Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette released the tabulations of his All-Decade UMass Football Team. Check it out, very interesting information.

In NFL action on Sunday, UMass alum and Amherst native James Ihedigbo saw a lot of playing time in the New York Jets' 17-6 win over the Carolina Panthers. He had a tackle and pass defended.

Jeremy Cain's Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 20-3. Cain snapped the ball seven times on punts and field goal attempts.

Matt Lawrence was inactive with the Baltimore Ravens in their Sunday night 20-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. His season is over after suffering a knee injury as he has been placed on injured reserve. Lawrence was an important special-teams contributor, registering 16 tackles and a forced fumble.

Check This Out On UMassAthletics.com: Looking for the perfect gift for the holidays with a UMass logo? Check out the Online store for all the best items.

Don't Miss This: Look for the announcement of the UMass Athlete of the Week midday. Also, if you want to catch a replay of the CFL Grey Cup, it will be shown on Comcast SportsNet New England at 11 p.m., Monday night.

Look Back To The Week Of: Nov. 23-24 | Nov. 16-20 | Nov. 9-13 | Nov. 2-6 | Oct. 26-30 | Oct. 19-23 | Oct. 12-16 | Oct. 5-9 | Sept. 28-Oct. 2 | Sept. 21-25 | Sept. 14-18 | Sept. 7-11 | Aug. 31-Sept. 4 | Aug. 24-28 | Aug. 17-21 | Aug. 10-14 | Aug. 3-8 | July 27-31 | July 20-24 | July 13-17 | July 6-10 | June 29-July 3 | June 22-26 | June 15-19 | June 8-12 | June 1-5 | May 25-29 | May 18-22 | May 11-15 | May 4-8 | April 27-May 1 | April 20-24 | April 13-17 | April 6-10 | March 30-Apr. 3 | March 23-27 | March 16-20 | March 9-13 | Mar. 2-6 | Feb. 23-27 | Feb. 16-20 | Feb. 9-13 | Feb. 2-6 | Jan. 26-30 | Jan. 19-23 | Jan. 12-16 | Jan. 5-9 | Dec. 29, 2008-Jan. 2, 2009 | Dec. 22-26 | Dec. 15-19 | Dec. 8-12 | Dec. 1-5 | Nov. 24-28 | Nov. 17-21 | Nov. 10-14 | Nov. 3-7 | Oct. 27-31 | Oct. 20-24, 2008 | Oct. 13-17, 2008 | Oct. 6-10, 2008 | Sept. 29-Oct. 3, 2008 | Sept. 22-26, 2008 | Sept. 15-19, 2008 | Sept. 8-12, 2008 | Sept. 1-5, 2008 | Aug. 25-29, 2008 | Aug. 18-22, 2008

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