Game Thread: UMASS @ St. Louis (Thursday 1/10/13)

[UMass87]

I'm not surprised at all by the line. Last Sunday I posted on the UMass board that the game would go off at SLU -10 and UMass winning would be an upset. I like UMass against SLU because I think UMass matches up well against SLU in the same way that La Salle matches up well against UMass.

[buckswope]

Originally Posted by Twister

Not surprised by this line we had so many close games this year. If you like to bet then bet on Umass tonight no way they lose. Umass will push the pace all night and run over St. louis

One Does Not Simply push the pace and run over St. Louis.

That being said, UMass does have the athletes that can potentially give SLU problems.

Kwamain Mitchell had probably his worst game of last season against UMass. Tonight will be his 4th game back. His defense, passing, and overall leadership have provided a boost, but as of Saturday he was still rusty with the 3pt shooting and finishing to the basket.

If SLU executes their gameplan, avoids foul trouble, and shoots reasonable percentage from 3, they should win. However I fully expect a close game that will go down to the wire, and believe the point spread, computer algorithms, and the A10 predictions (36 out of 37 picked SLU!) are underestimating UMass.

[e-parade]

Originally Posted by buckswope

One Does Not Simply push the pace and run over St. Louis.

That being said, UMass does have the athletes that can potentially give SLU problems.

Kwamain Mitchell had probably his worst game of last season against UMass. Tonight will be his 4th game back. His defense, passing, and overall leadership have provided a boost, but as of Saturday he was still rusty with the 3pt shooting and finishing to the basket.

If SLU executes their gameplan, avoids foul trouble, and shoots reasonable percentage from 3, they should win. However I fully expect a close game that will go down to the wire, and believe the point spread, computer algorithms, and the A10 predictions (36 out of 37 picked SLU!) are underestimating UMass.

Seems like a reasonable assessment. If I were a betting man I'd take UMass...not because I think we've got the game in the bag, but because I don't think we'll lose by double digits.

[Title_BU]

Originally Posted by buckswope

One Does Not Simply push the pace and run over St. Louis.

[waldo027]

[El Shaqtus]

I haven't seen many teams push the pace on SLU.

Here, we prefer the pace of a visit to the DMV.

[UMass87]

Originally Posted by El Shaqtus

...
Here, we prefer the pace of a visit to the DMV.

It really is sad that that is an understandable metaphor for most people.

Anyway, UMass has pushed the pace with SLU quite successfully. Can they do it at Chaifetz...maybe not.

[KwamainInTheMembrane]

Originally Posted by UMass87

It really is sad that that is an understandable metaphor for most people.

Anyway, UMass has pushed the pace with SLU quite successfully. Can they do it at Chaifetz...maybe not.

There have been a fair amount of close games between SLU and UMass and I have a feeling tonight will follow that trend.

That said, to say you have pushed the pace quite successfully seems a little bold. You beat us down last year. But even in that game you only scored 72 points, below your average. And you did that shooting 50% from the field, 45% from three and 81% from the free throw line, all well above your averages.

Almost no one pushes the pace against SLU. But if your defense is like it was last year, if you hit threes like you did last year and if Chaz Williams penetrates like he did last year...we are in trouble.

[UMass87]

UMass scored 72 last year but there average was 76.9. On the other hand, SLU held opponents to an average of 57.6 last year. So which team played more to their average?

[e-parade]

So glad this game is actually on TV right now.

[e-parade]

...

1:21 into the game, 2 fouls on Morgan. This won't go well.

[UMass87]

Altready two bogus offensive fouls against UMass.

[UMass87]

more typically terrible A10 officiating.

[e-parade]

Putney just came down real hard. Taking his time now.

[TheCobra]

Hey is there a video stream for this game?