Air ball

UMass almost nailed the Celtics/76ers preseason game.

Almost.

While the game went without a hitch, some members of the media were relocated because their seats were sold to fans. During my time covering the UMass basketball team, I saw this happen several times, but moving media folks, during a game they are covering, is – as WEEI’s Paul Flannery said – “bush league.”

…a nice gentleman from the Mullins Center event staff just informed me that I, and a few of my media colleagues had to vacate our seats on press row because UMass awesomely sold them. Now, no one likes to hear the press complain about these things, but yeesh, this is incredibly bush league. Way to go UMass.

Jeff Howe, a former Collegian colleague of mine that now works for the Boston Metro, was also relocated. In fact, after he was told to move, he sent me an instant message explaining the awesomeness of the situation.

He also touched on it via his Celtics blog.

As a UMass alum (have I told you that before?), it’s going to take a lot to rip the old stomping grounds. When seats at the media table (mine and at least seven others) were sold to the public, causing us to move midway through the second quarter, it’s time to rip away. As one scribe put it, “You get better treatment at a high school football game.” The folks at UMass had a chance to put on a show for the media and choked. I should be surprised. Should.

See, here’s the problem: Had the press been told before the game that they would have to move, there would be no issue. Telling the press to move in the middle of the second quarter is simply unacceptable. People constantly complain about the lack of press UMass gets via the Boston media. Then, when it’s the perfect time to make a good impression, they are carted off so fans can sit in their seats.

Jeff told me that some of the media members were from Philadelphia – so now the Mullins Center leaves a bad taste in the mouth of people in a different coverage area. It doesn’t matter that much, but members of the sporting press have a long memory (Example: I had to pay for press room food at the University of Miami when UMass played there during the 2004/’05 season – not cool).

I don’t want to pin this one solely on UMass media relations because I know the Celtics folks were involved in this game, too. I just wonder who decided to give the press a backseat (pun intended) during a game that was supposed to bring exposure to the best athletic facility UMass has to offer.

Then again, I also heard that the Boston Herald and the Boston Globe got to stay put.

Convenient.

Do you hear an Esho, Esho…?

Derek Kellogg picked up a forward from the 2010 class.

Max Esho, from Baltimore, has given a “commitment” to UMass, according to ESPN.

According to Scout, Esho is a three-star recruit and was getting looks from the likes of Providence and Saint Joseph’s. ESPN is also saying that the trim forward has some pretty “raw” basketball abilities.

Esho has some very clear physical potential, although his basketball skills are still very raw. He has very long arms, good size, and athleticism. He can get above the rim easily and run the court with long strides, although his heavy feet make him a slow leaper and limit his lateral quickness.

The NBE Basketball Report had a small writeup on him after a basketball tournament – seems like the kid is going to have to bulk up before he graduates next year.

Esho is a very long big man that can block shots and pick steals, as well as grab most rebounds that come anywhere near him.  He is a pretty tough force in the paint, but could use more strength to create a little more space to make it easier on the glass for him.

Scout has Esho and another skinny big man – Raphiel Putney – as the only two offers UMass has made to the 2010 class. Putney reportedly has “high interest” in UMass and visited in early September. I’m wondering why no one else is going after this kid.

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The Bud Orne Rink, in Marblehead, is going to use “a full set of hockey boards” from the Mullins Center, which were donated via an anonymous donor.

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The Atlantic 10 announced its national television schedule, and UMass is getting a lot of run time.

Welcome to Worcester

Tomorrow afternoon, UMass is going to try and break the tie.

The Minutemen and Holy Cross have an series record of 21-21-5 since the schools first met in 1897, and UMass is poised to make take a 22nd victory. However, the Crusaders are no pushover, and the two Massachusetts schools should be playing in some pretty horrible weather.

UMass has had some trouble in inclement weather – does Rhode Island ring a bell?

Holy Cross is kicking off its season while UMass has had a decent primer against Albany under the new lights at McGuirk. That team wasn’t the snap-the-ball-over-the-punters-head Albany that we saw a few years ago, and a few analysts foresee the Great Danes as a force in the NEC.

The Crusaders are receiving similar accolades and are picked to finish second in the Patriot League.

UMass can’t look ahead to next week’s game at James Madison. If the Maroon and White slip up – perhaps literally – in Worcester, there is a very real chance that it can go into the bye week with a scary 1-3 record … yes, that is worst-case scenario.

I’m going to try something new this year – guessing the score of the game. I also invite you to make your own guesses: I wonder what good old Sploogy (my most consistent poster) thinks.

If there’s rain: 10-3, UMass

If it shines: 21-13, UMass

For all those making the trip, have fun out there and try to stay dry.

Hall of Famers

There are all sorts of hall of famers out there today.

UMass named five to its Hall of Fame: Jack Canniff (ice hockey), Thomas Coburn (men’s soccer), Jack Foley (men’s basketball), Edward McGrath (soccer, basketball, baseball) and Ron Wayne (cross country, track and field).

Here’s the run down via UMassAthletics.

Shana Mitchell,  a former track athlete at UMass, made the “OA Hall of Fame,” as well.

Mitchell was also an All-Hockomock selection in basketball before following in her father’s footsteps by attending the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) – where Jim captained the football team. His daughter made her own mark, in the throws where she made two Atlantic-10 All-Conference teams. She still holds the record in the 20-pound weight throw (53-feet, 2-inches), the hammer throw (169′3″), and has the second on the school’s all-time discus throw performance at 147′11″.

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Jeff Howe, a former Collegian editor, had a writeup on Chris Davis – a senior forward for the UMass hockey team – for Inside College Hockey.

Via Toot:

“I don’t want to put a lot of pressure on him numbers-wise. The other things he does — skating hard, finishing checks, playing tough — are the things we need him to do for us to be successful. I know he can score, and he’ll score big goals for us throughout the year.”

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Marcel Shipp, a former standout running back for UMass, was released by the Cardinals.

The Arizona Republic had a little more:

“He’s a great team guy,” Whisenhunt said. “To me, the one thing that I see really about Marcel is that he’s interested in team success and he’ll do whatever it takes for that, to make sure it’s guaranteed.

“He’s a good leader. He works hard. The guys like him and he’s a good teammate. To me, when you talk about good pros, good teammates, he’s at the top of the list on both of those.”

One more from the East Valley Tribune.

“It’s one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do,” Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

Preseason hype

UMass football is getting a lot of love.

The Minutemen are the preseason favorites to win the CAA, and Liam Coen was selected as the Preseason Offensive Players of the Year, via a CAA press release.

UMass’ defense looks to be nimble in the backfield as Sean Smalls and Courtney Robinson, cornerbacks, and Jeromy Miles, safety, were named to the Preseason All-Defensive Team. Sean Calicchio joins Coen on the CAA’s Preseason All-Offensive Team.

It’s good to see the Maroon and White get this much respect, but I always get scared when a UMass team is highlighted this much before the first snap of the season. It leaves room for error. However, I am way too superstitious when it comes to sports – so don’t pay me no mind.

While the Minutemen are poised to be a contender in the 12-team CAA, some are saying the league should get two automatic bids in the future … when the league grows to a belt-busting 14 teams.

From DNRonline:

“You have a six-team league that gets one automatic and we have 14 teams and get one automatic,” (James Madison coach Mickey Matthews) said. “Tell me what’s fair about that.

That’s part of the reason CAA coaches think an automatic playoff bid should be awarded to the champions of both the league’s North and South divisions.

Northeastern’s Rocky Hager said that, despite the league’s strong case, he’s doubtful the NCAA would agree.

“We’re deserving, absolutely,” Hager said. “Whether the NCAA would listen to what we have to say? Probably not. I’m not optimistic about it at all. I would say that there’s a chance, but not a very good one.”

The article mentions the possibility of cutting some teams – namely Northeastern – due to subpar facilities relative to other teams in the conference. It also sort of mentions other teams moving on.

Could that be UMass, perhaps not moving on, but moving up?

While this is still a pipedream for me and other UMass fans, it seems more and more obvious that this would be a good way to go for the program. UMass has had heaps of success at this level, and I believe it could compete on a yearly basis at the I-A level in a conference like the MAC, which has schools with similar and sometimes equal facilities.

For now we have to look at the present, however, and hope that UMass can continue to beef up its already impressive resume.

Oh, and I think a few Northeastern fans might be a bit upset with Coach Brown after this comment in relation to their program – where he used to coach:

“I’m very familiar with those facilities,” said Brown, Northeastern’s coach from 2000-03. “At some point, I just think you have to decide whether you’re committed or not committed. Let’s just put it this way, I think there should be a minimum standard that’s put in place for the conference.”

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By the speed of the Internet, this is already old news, but UMass has hired Josh Maurer to be its radio voice.

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Apparently Coach Kellogg is in Nevada at the Reebok Summer Championships.

Consequently, practically every college coach imaginable popped in at one time or another — including Mike Brey (Notre Dame), Paul Hewitt (Georgia Tech), Sean Miller (Xavier), Derek Kellogg (UMass)…

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This was my 300th post… woop woop.

Preseason hype

UMass football is getting a lot of love.

The Minutemen are the preseason favorites to win the CAA, and Liam Coen was selected as the Preseason Offensive Players of the Year, via a CAA press release.

UMass’ defense looks to be nimble in the backfield as Sean Smalls and Courtney Robinson, cornerbacks, and Jeromy Miles, safety, were named to the Preseason All-Defensive Team. Sean Calicchio joins Coen on the CAA’s Preseason All-Offensive Team.

It’s good to see the Maroon and White get this much respect, but I always get scared when a UMass team is highlighted this much before the first snap of the season. It leaves room for error. However, I am way too superstitious when it comes to sports – so don’t pay me no mind.

While the Minutemen are poised to be a contender in the 12-team CAA, some are saying the league should get two automatic bids in the future … when the league grows to a belt-busting 14 teams.

From DNRonline:

“You have a six-team league that gets one automatic and we have 14 teams and get one automatic,” (James Madison coach Mickey Matthews) said. “Tell me what’s fair about that.

That’s part of the reason CAA coaches think an automatic playoff bid should be awarded to the champions of both the league’s North and South divisions.

Northeastern’s Rocky Hager said that, despite the league’s strong case, he’s doubtful the NCAA would agree.

“We’re deserving, absolutely,” Hager said. “Whether the NCAA would listen to what we have to say? Probably not. I’m not optimistic about it at all. I would say that there’s a chance, but not a very good one.”

The article mentions the possibility of cutting some teams – namely Northeastern – due to subpar facilities relative to other teams in the conference. It also sort of mentions other teams moving on.

Could that be UMass, perhaps not moving on, but moving up?

While this is still a pipedream for me and other UMass fans, it seems more and more obvious that this would be a good way to go for the program. UMass has had heaps of success at this level, and I believe it could compete on a yearly basis at the I-A level in a conference like the MAC, which has schools with similar and sometimes equal facilities.

For now we have to look at the present, however, and hope that UMass can continue to beef up its already impressive resume.

Oh, and I think a few Northeastern fans might be a bit upset with Coach Brown after this comment in relation to their program – where he used to coach:

“I’m very familiar with those facilities,” said Brown, Northeastern’s coach from 2000-03. “At some point, I just think you have to decide whether you’re committed or not committed. Let’s just put it this way, I think there should be a minimum standard that’s put in place for the conference.”

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By the speed of the Internet, this is already old news, but UMass has hired Josh Maurer to be its radio voice.

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Apparently Coach Kellogg is in Nevada at the Reebok Summer Championships.

Consequently, practically every college coach imaginable popped in at one time or another — including Mike Brey (Notre Dame), Paul Hewitt (Georgia Tech), Sean Miller (Xavier), Derek Kellogg (UMass)…

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This was my 300th post… woop woop.

‘I don’t want to…’

As most of you have heard by now, UMass will play Memphis and former coach John Calipari this season.

The game will be held on Nov. 17 at the FedEx Forum.

However, while reading about it in this article from Memphis’ Commercial Appeal, it appears that Coach Cal isn’t too excited about coming to Boston for a return game next year:

This all started with the idea of playing UMass, where Calipari coached for eight seasons. With Kellogg taking over this season after coaching at Memphis for the past eight years, it was apparently a juicy enough matchup for ESPN to pick it up and set a Nov. 17 date at FedExForum. The Tigers will play UMass next season in Boston.

“I don’t want to, but I know how good it would be for Derek,” Calipari said.

The article doesn’t really get into this quote much – it just sort of floats on the coat tails of that paragraph. Does this mean that Cal doesn’t want to have the return game, and he’s simply doing it to help a former colleague?

It’s good that Cal takes care of his own, but my very next question would be: “Why?” Why don’t you want to? Is it because of strength of schedule, travel costs, the concern of losing to UMass on the road … why?

Perhaps I’m reading into the quote a little too much, but then again it’s hard to give a firm analysis when a statement is buried like that. Of course a Memphis paper doesn’t have to appeal to UMass readership, but that doesn’t stop me from wondering … why?

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The Idaho Pres-Tribune had an excellent article defending the hire of Bob Behler.

After it was announced that he was going to be the voice of Boise State, a portion of the Broncos’ faithful were a little upset and confused with the hire. This column essentially tells them to relax:

It’s pretty clear that Behler is more than qualified to take over for Paul J. And although he’s been calling games for a FCS (formerly I-AA) team, that team just also happens to be in a pretty good basketball conference, the Atlantic 10.

If you think Behler is going to be intimidated heading north to the Palouse to call a game in the Kibbie Dome, think again. After all, he’s called games in Madison Square Garden.

Again, Boise State just acquired a great talent – I’m sure they’ll realize it sooner than later.

Getting big (City)

The UMass basketball team scored another big man.

(Bob pumps his fists whilst doing an Irish jig).

I know it’s a little it late, but this did not come across my radar until today. UMass picked up Memphis big man Hashim “Big City” Bailey. Bailey is 6′10 and 270 pounds – very Big Deliesque if you ask me. Hopefully Bailey has a little more athleticism.

His old Scout page had Bailey listed as a three-star recruit.

Bailey will join Sean Carter in the post and will provide some much-needed size for the guard-laden Minutemen.

He saw very little playing time for the Tigers last year – appearing in only nine games. However, his player page says that he lost 35 pounds in an attempt to get more athletic. Hopefully during his year off on Amherst he can lose some more weight and put on some extra muscle.

The Commercial Appeal, out of Memphis, said Bailey’s career “never got off the ground.”

Hopefully things will change for the better at UMass.

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The Salem News had a glowing article about Toot.

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One last thing on Bob Behler. Matt Vautour had an excellent posting on Behler’s departure.

I’ll let Matt tell the story, but I particularly like this part:

I’ll miss Bob as a friend, especially on road trips. We’ve talked about politics, religion, life, death, love, relationships and a whole lot of sports and we’ve never run out of conversation. I’m an all-conference cailber talker. Bob is at Olympic level.

Behler to Boise

Bob Behler, the voice of the Minutemen, is taking his vocal talents West.

He’s heading to Boise.

Behler was offered a two-year contract to call Broncos football and basketball games.

From the Idaho Statesman:

Behler and KIDO will make their Boise State broadcasting debut during the Broncos’ season-opening football game against Idaho State on Aug. 30. KIDO (Peak Broadcasting) secured the Broncos’ radio contract with BSU during the offseason — after a 35-plus-year relationship between BSU and KBOI (Citadel Broadcasting).

This was also covered on KTVB.com.

Behler has called almost every sport at UMass since 1999, and is one of the all-around good people in the business. During my time at UMass he was always willing to give advice and share his unbelievable amount of knowledge with any aspiring journalist that would listen.

While I worked primarily in print, some of my colleagues were able to work with him on the radio. They went on road trips and covered games together, and at an age where it was so easy to make fun of your elders – no one had anything but respect for Bob.

Anyone who listened to Behler knew that he would eventually take the next step – and there is no doubt the WAC and Boise State is just that. I wish him the best of luck in the future, and maybe I will be able to hear some of his calls while I’m out here in the Rocky Mountains.

It was a pleasure listening to you, Bob. The microphone you leave behind will be a heavy one to carry.

Shine a light on me

Let there be light … and new stands.

UMassAthletics.com gave an update about the new lights for McGuirk, and the new stands and press box for Garber Field. The school anticipates that construction will be finished by August 1.

The permanent lights will shine down for the first time on August 30 when the Maroon and White take on Albany. I remember seeing UMass beat down Albany under the temporary lights as an undergrad, and it was a fantastic experience.

Perhaps ol’ Albany has a decent longsnapper this year.

As far as Garber, I can’t speak for the stands, but the press box was long overdue. During my senior year, myself and Jeff Howe were charged with covering the men’s lacrosse team. Even though we were the local reporters, we were given second-fiddle treatment whenever the “important” reporters from Syracuse came to town.

It was one of the many times Jeff and I griped about UMass’ media relations folks. We covered the team every … single … day, yet we had to stand in the back of the rickety red box when out-of-towners came by.

Hopefully the new press box has more room.

Hopefully there are seats available for student journalists that spend their free time writing articles for zero pay … simply for the love of the profession.

Digressing kicks ass.

NOTE: In fairness to the current UMass media relations folks, they did take the time to put some construction photos up.

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Frank Smith’s UMass Football Blog was referenced on In the Bleachers as a go-to blog.

I couldn’t agree more.

From In the Bleachers:

One of my favorites is Frank Smith’s UMass Football Blog. Frank is about as immersed in the football program at the University of Massachusetts as a fan can get, and provides daily updates on the happenings of FCS teams from around the country. He’s extremely knowledgeable when it comes to teams from the Colonial Athletic Conference, and has keen eye for what it takes for FCS teams to upset FBS teams.

Keep up the good work Frank.

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Aforementioned Jeff Howe, a former Collegian editor and a good friend of mine, had the opportunity to cover the NBA Finals for the Boston Metro newspaper.

Check out his article and his solid blog on the Metro’s Web site.

I know I said this before, but how awesome is that mug shot of Jeff?