UMass-Lowell Preview

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

The UMass-Lowell hockey team was ranked #5 in the nation before UConn recently swept a home and home series. The UMass-Lowell basketball team is not as good as their hockey team. In terms of common opponents, UML basketball beat Sacred Heart at home by 3. They also lost by 26 at ND, although by only 2 points at BC, which appears to be really struggling in hoops.

I really think this is a big game for Sterling Gibbs. He didn't play well in the preseason, and after two good games to open the season, he really has not played well since. His overall stats don't look that bad - 11.0 ppg, .434 FG%, .340 3Pt%, 94.4% FTs, but only 2.9 assists per game against 1.7 turnovers per game. Those stats say he isn't really a starting point guard.

Interestingly, Omar Calhoun is now the leading 3 point shooter on the team, making 44%, followed by Rodney Purvis at 41%. Hamilton and Gibbs both shooting a very average/disappointing 34%. UConn is shooting 3s at 36% as a team, and allowing 30.3%.

Hamilton continues to lead in rebounding with 8.2 per game, almost 3 more than the second place Miller with 5.3 per game. This stat surprises me, as I would have thought Miller would lead the team. The 3rd place rebounder is Brimah with 5.2, up from last year's pathetic 4.0. In 4th is Facey, who is grabbing 4.1 rpg in only 13.4 mpg.

UConn is shooting a very solid 49.1% on FGs and a solid but unspectacular 73% on FTs. UConn is allowing 37% FGs.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

UMass-Lowell's trip to Connecticut started with a 4 point loss to Central CT last night. Hopefully UConn sends them back to Mass. 0-2 on their holiday trip to CT.

 

[the Blades]

Wow, this has got to be one the shortest D-1 teams I can recall, they start only 1 player over 6-3 and he's only 6-7.....will it become....beware of the 3 pt ball or of Gulliver and the Lilliputians !!!

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

UConn played a similar short team in UNH and pumped the ball inside quite successfully and mauled UNH inside. But Blades is correct- against teams like this a 3 point assault can keep them in the game, so one must be really prepared to defend the 3 point line. UConn's 3 point defense this year has been okay- the stats look good but there were a few games like against Syracuse when they could have done a better job.

UMass Lowel is shooting over 37% from 3 point land so the 3 line will need to be defended! They are tied for #78 out of 351 D-1 teams. UConn is #110 at 36.1%.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Given UML's lack of size, could this be the opportunity to get some much needed minutes for Enoch? Enoch had 11 points in the preseason game against the similarly undersized UNH. This kid really needs to be developed and that can't be done if he doesn't play in games like this.