Goodtymes

Newly hired UMass Coach: Derek Kellogg will inherit one of the Nation's/A-10's premier backcourts for the 2008-2009 campaign.

PG #14 Chris Lowe (Senior) One of the Nation's quickest point guards. UMass is 42-16 with C. Lowe at the helm. Led the A-10 in assists and tallied up a triple double vs LaSalle. I had the pleasure of watching C. Lowe and Ty Lawson (UNC) play live this past season... Lowe appeared to be a half step quicker with the ball in transition. Lowe will be the catalyst/quarterback of the new system in place "Drible Drive Motion Offense" this upcoming season. Lowe avg. 11.8 ppg and 6.3 apg as a Junior. He had a great showing at the NIT and his Senior year should be a special one in Amherst, MA. Expect Lowe to be named Pre-Season All Conference at PG.

SG #5 Ricky Harris (Junior) A-10 Most Improved Player of the Year & legitimate scoring threat dropping a career high vs St. Joes 30 points. Harris Avg. 18.2 ppg a remarkable improvement from his freshman year of just 4.5 ppg. Explosive/slashing guard will most likely be #1 option in his Junior year and be a contender for the A-10 Player of the Year. Had an exceptional NIT tournament avg 20.4 ppg, dropping 27 in the NIT Title game vs Ohio St. Ricky launched some critical threes to keep UMass's post season dreams alive. Should provide leadership his Junior year along with fellow teammate PG Chris Lowe.

SF #4 Anthony Gurley (Sophomore Transfer WF) Two Time Member Boston Herald Dream Team/Boston Globe Super Team Member & 2005-2006 Massachusetts School Sports Player of the Year will make an immediate impact for the departed Gary Forbes (A-10 Player of the Year). While at Wake Forest Gurley had a career high 24 points @ Georgia Tech. Gurley was highly regarded out of high school a 4 Star Guard Ranked #12 in the country. A potential sleeper for A-10 player of the year will most likely earn the A-10 Newcomer of the Year award. Expectations are above the roof on his potential... nicknamed "The Truth/Legend" in Boston, MA. A-10 opponents will have a tough time doubling either Harris/Gurley leading to potential open looks and easy buckets for the UMass scoring attack.

X Factor

PG David Gibbs (Freshman) At 6'3 coming into his freshman year, Gibbs hails from the same hometown as UMass Legend Marcus Camby. Gibbs is the All-Time leading scorer (Masters School). He dropped 39 points as Masters School defeated Christian Heritage 100-54 earlier this year. Gibbs will provide UMass with a versatile scoring threat PG SG SF. Drawing comparisons to Darren Collison (UCLA) Gibbs is a future NBA draft pick and can make an immediate splash in his freshman year. Plenty of upside potential great defender with a quick first step & phenomenal ability to finish. Potential Sleeper: Diaper Dandy "Sensational" Freshman Baby!

A10fan

Damn, why even suit up next year. Let's just crown Umess as next years A10 champ. Who cares if it's a new coach and new system, they have 3 POY and newcomer of the year. Nice work Goodtymes. I guess X is already looking to 2010 because there is no way they can compete next year.

MANGHAM

I agree that Lowe and Harris will form a great backcourt duo. Gurley will get minutes but I haven't seen Gibbs name on any All State teams in Ct. UMASS should be fun to watch!

__________________
Brown Indians forever

WH

'Umess' is so old, a01fan, and newbie goodytimes does get rather excited.

But I do expect UMass to be pretty good.

First time coach, but that's no guarantee of anything. Brian Gregory went 24-9 in his first year. It helps to have good vets returning and solid backcourt play. UMass has that.

Kellogg's system won't be hugely different from Ford, who incorporated some elements of DDM. Much of our offense last year revolved around penetration from Lowe and Forbes.

Gibbs is in the Rivals top 150, but I dont know if he's going to get much time with Lowe, Harris and Gurley (a terrific talent) on the roster. And that's if he doesnt request a release from his letter.

BTW, Mangham, Gibbs plays at the Masters School, which I assume is prep or private.

Goodtymes

A-10 Fan.

You always seem to stretch my post. This post was about the backcourt. The front court has plenty of holes. The depth chart in the backcourt is solid for another 2 years. There are still many unproven front court players on next year's UMass squad. It'll be interesting to see, out of the following players who emerges as the two front runners PF/C (Lo, Bonner, Gaffney, Lynch, Lang, Hill, & Wilcher).

I have UMass finishing 2nd - 5th in the A-10 with an outside shot of getting into the dance. Xavier/Dayton will compete for the Conference Title.

Coach Kellogg hasn't coached one game and he already has the roof caving in on expectations for the 2008-2009 campaign.

Keep an eye out: David Gibbs would be a fool to rescind his LOI. He will get immediate playing time. Diamond in the rough. Gym Gem baby! A-10 Rookie of the Year! Freshman Phenom! Believe the Hype, I saw him play a couple of months ago he dropped 39 points and those similarities of Darren Collison (UCLA) are 100% accurate with a bigger frame at 6'3 185.

CarlosTheJackal

I like playing teams with good backcourts, and would never discount that in our league, and look forward to an experienced team with a hot new coach.

That said, would love to get a few more smart frontliners into this conference. Not just athletic shooters (see Fordam), but more Pat Calathes-type players.

Ninerballin

Did David Gibbs play in the McDonalds All American game? Sounds like a guy that might be a one and done. He looks like a candidate to be a lottery pick next year. I fully expect him to have Chris Lowe sitting on the bench after the first month or two into the season next year. I'm heading over to NBADraft.net and seeing if he's a guy they are projecting coming out next year.

Goodtymes

Ninerballin,

Chris Lowe is a projected NBA 2nd Round Pick in 2009. Freshman Phenom David Gibbs is a dynamic guard with great versatility. He'll see immediate playing time at PG SG SF for the Minutemen. At 6'3 with lightning quick speed Gibbs size/athleticism will pose problems from many undersized guards in the A-10.

Ninerballin

Did I say anything about Lowe? Plus 2nd round projections don't mean $hit at this point. MeAngelo Alexander was a 2nd round projection going into his senior year, that didn't happen. Plus Lasme wasn't even on the draft projection board going into his senior year, but quickly made his way on it.

AdamtheFlyer

In what, water polo? iTunes accounts? Melanin?

__________________
Being a Flyer fan is a lot like riding the backwards racer at Kings Island. You can't quite see exactly where you're headed, but you have a pretty good idea.

A10fan

It was a look-alike contest. It was held in the auditorium. They would have won if BG and the oompa loompa's hadn't entered at the last minute.

AdamtheFlyer

Why do you keep taking these cheap shots? You know damn well BG was not dressed as an oompa loompa. That's embarrassing and makes you look like a child.


























He wore a bear suit and went as "Teen Wolf". Sheesh.

__________________
Being a Flyer fan is a lot like riding the backwards racer at Kings Island. You can't quite see exactly where you're headed, but you have a pretty good idea.

Goodtymes

Adamthe"Bojangler" (Flyer)

David Gibbs has drawn many comparisons to UCLA's Darren Collison by being a tenacious on the ball defender along with his lightning quick speed.