Conference 7.286::sports_91

    
    re: -1
    
    	The kids name is Gidel Padilla I believe.  I do know that his last
    name is Padilla.  He will be a senior this year for Central High here
    in Western Mass and could just be the best player in all of Mass.  I've
    seen him play since he started as a freshman and he has excellent
    hands, plays exceptional defense, and drives to the hoop really well.
    He reminds me a lot of Dennis Johnson style of play.
    
    	Anyway, I hadn't heard that he had signed, but I don't read the 
    Springfield paper every day either.  If he did sign, UMASS got a real
    sleeper in my opinion because he played in the shadow of Travis Best
    for a couple of years and I'm sure many schools have overlooked this
    kids talent.
    
    								bill..g.
    

         I believe the younger Padilla's name is Edgar, and his older 
    brother is Giddal.  Giddal Padilla played on the State Champion Central
    team with Travis Best, and was recruited by several Big East teams
    among others, but didn't hit the Prop 48 standards.  He disappeared
    from site for a couple of years, and I heard that he might have 
    returned to Puerto Rico.  I have since heard that he has enrolled at
    UMASS and may "walk-on" the hoop team this year.
    
         The signing of Edgar Padilla is good news.  I've heard several
    folks describe him as the best "senior-to-be" b-ball player in
    Massachusetts.  A question for all you UMASS fans out there .... when
    was the last time UMASS successfully recruited the best high school
    basketball player in Massachusetts?  You probably have to go back to
    the mid-'70's when Somerville's Billy Endicott headed west to State U!
    
    Russ

    The battle of Massachusetts takes place on Saturday at Fitton Field in
    Worcester as the 0-1 Minutemen visit the 0-1 Holy Cross Crusaders.  I
    will be there and promise a full report nexted week.  I have against my
    better judgment renewed my season tickets (mostly because they're such
    good seats) and will probably be doing a lot of suffering with my
    beloved Minutemen during the 1992 season.
    
    While it's too early to worry about basketball, it's safe to say that
    the last "name" player we got from within Massachusetts was indeed
    Billy Endicott.  One of the problems we've had during the seventies and
    throughout the eighties was keeping the good players at home and we
    should really be making an effort to do so, if for nothing other than
    symbolic reasons.  Then again, there usually aren't that many good
    players in any sport in Massachusetts in a given year, except for
    hockey players.
    
    John

                                Roster                                     
                                ------
    
      F    Lou Roe          6-7/220       Soph.   Atlantic City, N.J.
      F    Tom Pace         6-6/225       Sr.     Denver, Colo.
      F    Dana Dingle      6-6/210       Fr.     New York, N.Y.
      F    Donta Bright (*) 6-6/210       Fr.     Baltimore, Md.
      F    Ted Cottrell     6-9/200       Fr.     Annapolis, Md.
      F-C  Harper Williams  6-7/225       Sr.     Bridgeport, Ct.
      F-C  Kennard Robinson 6-10/225      Jr.     New York, N.Y.
      F-G  Tony Barbee      6-6/210       Sr.     Indianapolis, Ind.
      F-G  Gidal Padilla(**)6-5/190       Jr.     Springfield, Ma.
      C    Jeff Meyer       7-2/240       So.     Wausau, Wi.
      G    Mike Williams (#)6-2/170       So.     Hartford, Ct.
      G    Jerome Malloy    6-3/180       So.     Waterbury, Ct.
      G    Derek Kellogg    6-2/180       So.     Springfield, Ma.
      G    Chris Robinson   6-2/180       Jr.     New York, N.Y.
    
      (*)     Prop 48 Ineligible
      (**)    Transfer, Eligible Second Semester
      (#)     Possibly Ineligible, Grades 
                                         

    Who is Ted Cottrell.  I thought they just brought in two freshman this
    year: Bright & Dingle
    
    While at school last year, rumor had it that Mike Williams wanted out.
    If anyone noticed, he didn't play all that much in the tournament games
    as he did in the regular season and Kellogg (who is not even close to
    the same player) came in before him.  I guess it got into Coach Cal's 
    dog house.
    
    The problem is they need some quality players who are tall.  Kennard
    Robinson is a good rebounder, but that's it.  Jeff Meyer is lucky if
    he can tie his shoe laces!!!
    
    If they play up their ability this year, I predict a 20-10 season and
    about third in the A-10.
    
    Larry

         Ted Cottrell is a recruit from last season who sat out the year
    as a redshirt.  As I have described him to others, he is straight out
    of the Manute Bol school of nutrition and body-sculpting ..... 6'9" and
    listed at 200 lbs. although I don't think he breaks 180 soaking wet!
    
         My understanding of the Mike Williams situation is that he got
    into John Calipari's doghouse as a result of cutting classes, and his
    playing time suffered.  Then his grades came out for the second
    semester, and they were sufficiently low to either make him ineligible,
    or cause Calipari to boot him off the team.  Last I heard he was
    attending summer school in an attempt to get his GPA back up there.
    
         I agree UMASS could use more height, but in Lou Roe and Harper
    Williams they have two of the better 6'7" rebounders that you will find
    anywhere!  I am still holding out some hope for Jeff Meyer to develop
    into a competent (not great) Division One center.  I agree he's not 
    the quickest athlete around, but he can shoot the ball a little bit
    and you can't teach height!
    
         20 or 21 wins sounds about right, but I think a third place finish
    in the A-10 is too low.  Temple and WVU will be again the competition,
    but with a nucleus of H.Williams, Barbee and Roe (all potential 1st
    team A-10 all-stars), I think they can repeat as A-10 champs.  I'll
    admit I'd feel a whole lot more confident if both Mike Williams and
    Donta Bright were eligible though!
    
    Russ
                                                                        

    Does anyone know have the complete basketball schedule?  I want to
    get my tickets for weekends and during the January break (very easy
    to get tickets then).
    
    I believe they are mostly playing in the Cage with a few games
    in Springfield and Boston.
    
    I heard that the Mullins Arena will not open for this year.  It fell
    behind schedule when the athletic scandel hit his summer (but it does
    look real good from afar)

         I haven't seen a schedule as of yet.  My understanding is that
    Oklahoma (at Norman), Florida State and Depaul are the significant non-
    conference games.
    
         I am surprised about the delayed opening of the Mullins Center.
    When I spoke with the Athletic Department in August, they said that the
    Center was scheduled to open on February 4th for the game with West
    Virginia.  I'll agree its a classy looking building .... much better
    than most of the recent construction of the '70's and '80's.
    
    Russ

    Maybe your source is better than mine.
    
    Is there any other UMASS alumni out there?? 
        
       I am planning on going to homecoming on October 17 vs. Connecticut.
    Rumor has it that tailgating will be tolerated again which should make
    for a rather large crowd.  I am going to take off Friday and make it
    into a mini-vacation.  Should be a lot of fun.
    
    Larry
    

    Yes, I am a proud alumnus of the University of Massachusetts.  Manager
    of the football team for 4 years, student trainer for 5 and absolutely
    bleed Minuteman Red.
    
    I'm no better a source than Russ but like I said, it's too early to
    worry about basketball season.  I'm worried about football, soccer,
    field hockey and cross country.
    
    John

I graduated in '86. We have an extended UMass family history wtih My Dad, Sister
myself and younger brother graduating from there along with my wife, her father and
her older brother....being 3,000 miles away makes it kind of tough to get to
homecoming which is why I loved seeing the Minutemen on ESPN last year....

I'll be back for 2 weeks around thanksgiving, is there any hoops going on?
Either way we'll have to take a drive up to campus and see the new athletic
building...Of course my daughter will probably end up a Washington Husky :-)

Heck the way the state has been tearing apart UMass the past few years I dunno
if I'd send my kids there anyway....

Metz

    Metz,
    
    Be sure to notify us when you'll be around, great excuse, as if we need
    any, for a get together.
    
    The Crazy Met
    

    The state actually increased funding by a considerable amount
    this year.  So I don't believe the budget was axed any furthur
    or if fees were increased. 
    
    I don't know about the bball schedule yet.  As soon as it is known,
    I'll post it here.
    
    Larry

    I attended my first Minuteman game on Saturday, and proudly saw the
    Minutemen beat Holy Cross for the first time since 1985 (and the first
    time at Fitton Field since 1980), 7-3 on Saturday.
    
    Holy Cross really shot itself in the foot in this one, losing a few
    fumbles (including 1 in the end zone as they were going for a
    touchdown) and giving us our only score on an intercepted screen pass
    from deep in their own territory.
    
    While morale seems high in Amherst, the depth on the football team is
    thin at most positions.  We will need to stay healthy to finish at
    .500.  There are a couple of guys who are playing both offense and
    defense.
    
    Holy Cross is really showing the effects of dropping scholarships and
    losing Mark Duffner to the University of Maryland.
    
    John

    Congrats Ninj!
    How'd my fellow Melroseite, QB Andrew McNeely, do??
    
    MikeL
    

    Beating Holy Cross ranks just below beating Boston College and
    Connecticut.  Of the 3 Massachusetts schools we play, I'd have to say
    Holy Cross is the big rival among the alumni, though beating Boston
    University is important because it's a conference game.  Northeastern
    has been a no-win situation for us for a long time and no one cared
    since it has been a non-league game, but when they come into the Yankee
    Conference it will be important.
    
    McNeilly looked pretty decent at QB.  He's a redshirt freshman and was
    a bit of a surprise starter against Delaware.  Much better runner than
    passer.  Seems to have a good idea of what he's doing out there.  He's
    no Gary Wilkos (I wish to heck we'd had him last year and this year,
    the shootouts with Delaware QB Bill Vergantino would have been
    legendary) but he'll at least be adequate.  I look for lots of
    improvement from McNeilly over the course of his career.
    
    John

    I can't believe UMASS beat Holy Cross.  I am not sure though if it is
    a testament to how good UMASS is or how disorganized the Holy Cross
    team has been since Duffy left and they discontinued giving
    scholarships to football players.  I predict they will go 6-5 this year
    and next year will make the playoffs again.
    
    The mens soccer team is off to a fast 5-0 start.  Hard to believe it
    was about to be cancelled a year and a half ago. 
    
    I read in the alumni bulletin that UMASS basketball will be on
    different radio stations throughout the state.  Also at least 12-13
    games will be on television (be it cable or free).  Good to hear!!
    
    Larry Heier

    I can't tell whether you mean Holy Cross will make the playoffs again
    next year or if UMass will make the playoffs again next year.
    
    Holy Cross can't go to the playoffs because their league won't allow
    playoff participation.
    
    I honestly can't see our dear old alma mater making it back for a few
    years.
    
    John 

 I just read in this morning's paper that UMASS Basketball team will play
 against ---(brain cramp)--- Jan 24th at the Centrum. Maybe a get together?
 I know I'll go with it being in Wormtown USA....

 mike

    UMass will play Holy Cross in the first round of the Abdow's Holiday
    Tournament in the Springfield Civic Center on December 28.
    
    If the Minutemen are playing anyone in the Centrum on January 24, I
    will definitely go.
    
    Ninj

    If anyone has the complete basketball schedule, can they post
    it here??
    
    thanks in advance,
    
    Larry Heier

      I'll take a ticket Mike, when do you need the money?
                                         Denny 8^)

 Ok Denny you're on. I opened my yap so I'll do the chasing down on the
 tickets and get back to you all...

 mike

         Let's see, possible opponents for UMASS at the Centrum on January
    24th.  I'm pretty sure that I heard that Depaul, Florida State,
    Cincinnati and Oklahoma (in Oklahoma, however) were some of the
    nonconference opponents already on the schedule.  And I seem to
    recall John Calipari issueing an open challenge to Providence and BC
    for a game in Worcester (not a Chesnut Hill and Worcester, home and
    "home", but a single, neutral site game).  In any event, it should
    be a quality opponent.  Guess I'll have to buy a Worcester Telegram
    this evening.
    
    Russ
        

 Thanks Russ you cleared my brain cramp. It's Depaul who they're playing at
 the Centrum...

 we can rag on Little Joey Myers...everyone knows he got the job cause of his
 ole man....

 Well I called the Centrum and the tickets aren't on sale yet. I asked about
 group rates but the woman there was unable to tell me a rate would be 
 available. She thought that within the next two weeks they'd finalize the
 details....

 I'll stay on top of it and get the information posted asap....

  What I do know is the opponent is Depaul and Jan 24th the date of the game
  is a sunday. The game is also going to be on tv if I'm not mistaken.

  my best guess is that tickets will be between 15 and 20 dollars. unless
  of course we could find a student to purchase us some tickets. Anyone
  have siblings attending UMASS this year????

  mike

    The alma mater goes to 2-1 with a win in Amherst over Boston
    University, 30-28.  I was unable to attend due to a funeral I had to go
    to on Saturday.  BU has not won in Amherst since 1970.
    
    We ended up scoring 2-point conversions on our first two TDs - one
    because the kick was blocked and recovered in the end zone, and one off
    a fake.  BU tried to come back and couldn't quite make it.  They scored
    2 TDs in the 4th quarter - the last with less than 3 minutes left, but
    we were able to run out the clock.
    
    This coming Saturday is an open date.
    
    John

I kept noticing the score during the ND game.

Congrats John.....


'Saw

    UMASS Amherst is being sued to reinstate three of the women's
    sports that got axed from the budget cuts.  They are: tennis, vollyball
    and lacrosse.  The administration is considering reinstating them
    since they are being pressured under the infamous title IX.  
    
    Once UMASS installs the hockey team next year, the amount of men 
    competing in university sports will probably be at least 70% so
    I believe these sports will have to be reinstated.
    
    I'm going up to UMASS to recruit Tuesday nite.  If anyone
    wants anything that is easy to find, let me know.
    
    Larry

    Last week's SI (the one with Mandarich on the cover) ran an article on
    the woes of women's collegiate sports programs.  UMASS was singled out.

Woman's sports face lots of problems.  One is fan support - some schools may
get it - but they don't get the support that Men's hoops and football gets.

Most of the sports are fringe interest sports:  Field hockey for example.

Other sports are those that don't get great crowds (mens or womens):  soccer
for example.

And then, for me, it just comes down to competition.  Womem's hoops is so
much slower than men's hoops.  I just can't sit through it.  Even a favorite
sport like track I can't watch  woman's sports - because their best times are
average male times.

I also wonder about the future of sports in general - especially the non
revenue producing ones (both male and female)

JD

    Just because people may not pay to watch a sport, does that mean it
    shouldn't be offered and funded?
    
    College atheletics offers a great diversion from the rigors of student
    life.

    
  >> College atheletics offers a great diversion from the rigors of student
  >> life.
    
     Maybe I'm a little naive but I thought that was exactly the point of 
     college athletics.

Mac - Tommy -

Yes, athletics are a great diversion.  And I support funding them.  However,
I do think that woman's athletics will always have some sort of funding 
problems - as will other sports that don't attract lots of fans.

And unless things radically change - this will be the case for foreseeable
future.   

A college may decide to drop a major or a course of study because too few
students are opting for that major - and it costs too much to run.  The same
should be true of athletics.  After all - college is about learning and
education first.   

Suppose a school can only get a bare minimun of folks for  the gymnastics team -
does fairness justify keeping that sport as an intercollegiate sport - or does
it make more sense to drop it to club or intramural status?   

JD

    
    You can argue fan support all you want, but the fact of the matter is
    that the majority of NCAA 1-A and 1-AA football programs *lose money*,
    and spend a lot of it in doing so.  It's pretty hard to overlook that
    fact when you're talking about a public university...
    
    glenn
    
    

     JD, if the number of particpants was the delineating criteria then
    why fund men's basketball after all there are only twelve guys on the
    team ? Why fund men's lacrosse and not women's ? The purpose of college
    sports should not be to produce revenue or entertain the student body
    or even tuo enhance school spirit. The purpose of collegiate athletics
    should be enrich the all-around college experience of the participants-
    male or female.

Tommy -

Hoop is a sport where only 5 play at a time.  12 means that you can field
2.4 complete teams.  To reach those numbers in soccer, for example, you'd
need about 30 folks.  So if a soccer team, for example, can only get 15 kids
out - that's like a hoops team getting 7.

What I tried to make clear is:  If a college can drop educational programs
because of simple economics and enrollement - then it should be able to do
that for sports.  Sports is a nice diversion and all - but education is the
#1 priority.  As for school spirit - the effect on school spirit that sports
programs that don't draw any fans is rather small, I'd imagine.  

Sports programs, IMO, shouldn't be funded simply because it would be nice
to have them - or simply because "the boys have one..."

BTW - I'm also all for dropping the number of scholarships that football
programs get.

Educational facilities should be improved before sports facilities.  

JD

    
     What's being said, JD  is that it is *not* a matter of having enough
    willing participants but that certain sports like rugby, field hockey
    and volleyball, to name but three, are looked upon in a different light
    than basketball, football, etc. If push comes to shove you can bet your
    bottom dollar that women's field hockey will get dropped long before men's
    basketball no matter how many particpants each has. 

Mac - I was a student athlete - so I know the value of sports and education.
And, as a student athlete, I can assure you that not all varsity sports 
members are on scholarship or receive money from the school.  The play the 
sport cause they love doing it.  They have the same financial problems that
most of the student body has.  

I agree that intramural and club sports can become a dollar drain on the
participants.  However, a line has to be drawn somewhere.  Why not have
a bowling team?  Badminton?  etc... (NU had intramural sports in those and
many others....)

Tommy -  

I've know of a few schools that have dropped their football programs to
club status - so it does happen.  I agree - a sport like woman's field
hockey will get hit before hoops most of the time.  I guess the question
is - Is it the function of universities, colleges, etc., to provide monies,
facilities, coaches, etc., for all sports no matter what?   

JD

Okay Mac -

I was talking bout the financial strain of attending college in general (tuition,
room and board, etc..)  I see what you are saying.  Correct, a non-scholarship
varsity athlete wouldn't have to pay fees, etc.

i guess if those interested in playing a sport could prove they could keep
level of participation up - and have a slate of opponents - then they should
be able to achieve varsity sport status.  

Glenn -

I agree about hoops/football being overfunded.  I can't believe the money
paid to coaches in those sports.  I agree with some of Title IX - I think
funding should be proportional to participation - and I don't think a team
should be created just to keep things even - especially since that means
offering scholarships.  Some of the 'athletes' that received scholarships at
NYU for some of the woman's sports were absolute jokes.  

I guess if its equal scholarships - it may not be fair, since the men's program
would, IMO, have a larger  pool of say, hooops players, to pick from than
woman's programs - therefore giving a woman athlete a better chance at an
athletic scholarship.

JD

                   1992-93 Men's Basketball Schedule
                   ---------------------------------
    
    	Nov. 22       Latvian National Team         Home (the Cage)
        Dec. 2        Florida State                 Away
        Dec. 5        Central Connecticut           Home (the Cage)
        Dec. 8        Siena                         Away
        Dec. 12       Oklahoma                      Away
        Dec. 19       Marathon                      Home (the Cage)
        Dec. 28       Holy Cross         
        Dec. 29       UAB/South Carolina
                      (Hall of Fame Classic @ Springfield Civic Center)
        Jan. 2        New Hampshire                 Away
        Jan. 5        Boston University             Home (the Cage)
        Jan. 7        Cincinnati                    Home (Springfield C.C.)
        Jan. 9        Temple                        Away
        Jan. 12       Rutgers                       Away
        Jan. 16       George Washington             Home (the Cage)
        Jan. 19       Rhode Island                  Home (the Cage)
        Jan. 21       Temple                        Home (the Cage)
        Jan. 24       Depaul                        Home (Worcester Centrum)     
        Jan. 29       Southwestern Louisiana        Home (the Cage)
        Jan. 31       St. Bonaventure               Away
        Feb. 4        West Virginia                 Home (Mullins Center)
        Feb. 6        Rutgers                       Home (Mullins Center)
        Feb. 11       St. Joseph's                  Away
        Feb. 13       George Washington             Away
        Feb. 18       Buffalo                       Away
        Feb. 20       Rhode Island                  Away
        Feb. 27       West Virginia                 Away
        Mar. 1        St. Bonaventure               Home (Mullins Center)
        Mar. 4        St. Joseph's                  Home (Mullins Center)
        Mar. 7-11     Atlantic 10 Tournament
        

>        Dec. 5        Central Connecticut           Home (the Cage)


Oh, I guess they're just looking to pad their "W" column, playing
a patsy like CCSU!


;^)

    re .46:
    
    >	Nov. 22       Latvian National Team         Home (the Cage)
    
    Allright, glad to hear that this country has put a national team
    together. Maybe in a couple Olympiads, there'll be more than one Baltic
    nation represented by a basketball team...
    
    
    py

    UMASS @ Amherst has reinstated 3 women's sports programs, tennis,
    volleyball, and lacrosse.
    
    Interestingly enough, women's tennis had been cut despite the fact that
    the team raised enough money on their own to keep it going.

They must have been getting skeert about the law suit...

Metz

         John Calipari and company have now garnered verbal commitments
    from the following high school basketball players:
    
    Edgar Padilla     6'2" Point Guard        Springfield, Ma.
    Carmelo Traveiso  6'3" 2nd Guard          Thayer Academy, (Ma.)
      (also recruited by Penn St., Richmond, Cleveland St. and Providence)
    Marcus Camby      6'10" Power Forward     Hartford, Ct.
      (also recruited by UConn, Syracuse, Villanova and Wake Forest)
    
         While UMASS is on the final list of concensus high school player
    of the year (projected) Rasheed Wallace (6'11" center) of Philadelphia,
    the word I've heard is that they will miss out with Mr. Wallace, and
    close out their '92-93 recruiting with the Jackson "Brothers", 
    6'6" Jamal Jackson from East Boston High School and 6'10" Marc Jackson
    from Philadelphia's Roman Catholic High School.  Combine these players
    with '93 eligible Donta Bright, and the future looks "bright" indeed!
    
    Russ
                          

    This weekend I noticed a front page Boston Globes sports article
    on UMASS Basketball but I didn't get a chance to read it or buy
    a copy.  Can anyone summarize it please??  
    
    What about the football team!! 6-1 and heading to the playoffs.
    Buy your tickets now.
    
    Larry

re: Globe article

Not much there, kind of an "awreness" piece.  Executive summary, as I remeber 
it:

  o Calipari et.al. have done their best to establish UMass as the college hoop
    team of New England.  Part of this effort was to get as many games on
    television as possible.  They have games on a Boston station (ch. 25?), a
    Springfield station, ESPN and CBS.

  o The last game a t Curry-Hicks Cage will be on nationally via ESPN.

  o State legislatures, who have never been to/seen UMass are starting to notice
    the school, through the "front porch of the house" that Calipari identifies
    hoop as.

  o Calipari has done a great job of recruiting in New England.  They mentioned 
    some new recruits, Donta Bright & company.

That's about all I remeber.  For a front (sports) page story, there really 
wasn't that much to it...

=Bob=

    Just saw in the college basketball sub note file that UMASS is pre
    ranked #19 in the country in Dick Vitale's rankings.  They finally
    are getting some respect.  Not to mention that up to 15 games will
    be televised on Ch25, espn and SC.   Hopefully there will be no
    injuries this year.

         Ditto to the sentiment that hopefully there will be no significant
    injuries to key players this season, as the team is not very deep.
    The loss of either Lou Roe or Harper Williams especially, for any period 
    would be devastating.
    
         I see the keys to the upcoming season as follows:
    
    1.  Michael Williams (provided that he remains academically eligible)
        must develop into a better than average point guard.  I've recently
        watched tapes of some of last years games, and he was much less
        tentative early in this season, than he was later on.  I don't know
        if Calipari put the wraps on him or if his confidence suffered
        due to Anton Brown's fine play, but he was much more creative early
        in the season, than he was later on during A-10 play.
    
    2.  One of the backup big men, either Robinson, Meyer or Cottrell must
        provide competent minutes off of the bench.
    
    3.  As stated, Roe and Harper Williams, and to a lesser extent Barbee 
        and Mike Williams MUST remain healthy.  By the way, from watching
        last years tapes, I fully expect Lou Roe to develop into a true
        star player.  He's quick, a monster rebounder, and has a fairly
        good touch up to 15 feet.  If he can just add a little finesse to
        his repetoire, look out!
    
         I think its a bit unrealistic to look for UMASS in the top 20
    early in the season.  Playing Florida State and revenge seeking
    Oklahoma and Siena on the road, and a good Holy Cross team in the
    Holiday Tournament, seems to guarantee taking no better than a .500 
    record into the New Year.  
    
         However, with the development of a few key players over the season, 
    and good health for all, they should be battle hardened and ready for a
    good run at tournament time in March.
    
    Russ 
        

         Oh yeah, I meant to mention in the last note that there is a new
    all-sports newspaper dedicated solely to coverage of UMASS Athletics,
    available by subscription only.  Its called the "Maroon and White" and
    is available at $30. for 12 issues.
    
         I picked up a copy in Amherst a couple of weeks ago and the
    writing is pretty good.  According to my copy, you can send check or
    money order to :
    
                     The Maroon & White
                     P.O. Box 3212
                     Amherst, Ma., 01004
    
    
     Russ

         During the summer there was talk of establishing a state-wide
    (Massachusetts) network of radio stations to cover UMASS Basketball.
    
         Has anyone heard any more about this?
    
    Russ

    How about UMASS/Amherst getting pre ranked #23.  They better start
    off good since they have Florida State to begin the season and
    Oklahoma ten days later.  Five games are on ESPN with the last game
    in the cage on @ midnite on Jan 29.  It should be a great year.

         Some early impressions on the '92-93 UMASS Basketball Team:
    (Based on the Latvian exhibition witnessed in person, the ESPN
    broadcast of the FSU game, and listening to the WHMP-->WSRO (Marlboro)
    radio feed of the Siena game)
    
    - It would appear that defense, rebounding and offense from the front
      court will be the strengths of this year's team.  
    
    - Inconsistent shooting from the guards and an overall lack of depth
      are clearly the weak points.  In the backcourt, Kellogg seems 
      reluctant to shoot, Malloy only seems comfortable shooting from
      a dead stop (ie. can't create his own opportunities), and Mike 
      Williams, while potentially explosive is just too hot and cold.
    
    - Given the lack of depth, foul trouble or worse yet, injuries
      could be devastating.  Donta Bright (prop 48 ineligible) would
      have been a big help. 
    
    - Luckily the Siena game was not nationally broadcast, and hopefully
      it was not scouted by future opponents.  Siena packed it in down low
      and did some serious pounding (ie. fouling) on the inside and dared
      UMASS to shoot from outside.  For three quarters of the game Siena
      hung close with this strategy, and only a late 19-4 run which
      included a couple of treys, allowed UMASS to escape with a victory.
    
    - Harper Williams continues to lag somewhat in the rebounding
      department.  2 against Latvia, 2 against Siena, 6 (?) in the Central
      Ct. game, and 7 against FSU.  He's scoring okay, but the extra weight
      he has put on has robbed him of the quickness he used to use to his
      advantage on the glass.
    
    - With the exception of the exhibition against Latvia, and some garbage
      time against Central Ct., heralded recruit Dana Dingle hasn't made
      much of a contribution.  Likewise, red-shirt 7 footer, Jeff Meyer
      has been logging serious pine time.  So far, Calipari is only playing 
      seven players.
    
    - Although he tailed off a bit against Siena, Lou Roe has been very,
      very impressive so far, especially so in his matchup with FSU
      All-American Doug Edwards.  Coach Cal has made the outrageous
      (but possible) prediction that Roe could lead the nation in
      rebounding at 6'7"!
    
    - The next three games against Oklahoma in Norman, Holy Cross and then
      probably Alabama-Birmingham are all against good, veteran teams
      and therefore potential losses.  Oklahoma and Holy Cross will be
      in "pay back mode".  The guards have to step forward.   
    
    Russ
                           

    Re: -1

         In '86 I sent Marge a letter in care of the Cincinnati Reds,
    suggesting that if the Reds had any World Series Tickets left over
    from their allotment, a certain individual living in Massachusetts
    who shared her last name would gladly take them off the organizations
    hands.  My letter was not responded to.
    
         In light of recent disclosures regarding Marge's viewpoints on
    certain subjects, my branch of the Schott family has voted to "disown
    the Nazi".  Although I question how the owner of a privately held 
    enterprise can be formally penalized for their views, no matter how 
    repugnant, I would hope that right minded Ohioans would boycott her auto
    dealership, baseball team and other businesses.
    
    Russ
        

    Thanks Russ, just razzin ya.  I don't recall you noting in here before
    so welcome to SPORTS.

      Just a couple comments/questions...
    
      Donta Bright: After the fall semester if he has decent grades,
      does he get to play this year?
    
      I heard that UMass got a letter of intent from some supposedly
      super high school player.  Anyone know anything about this?
    
      Harper Williams.  With him hurt, what do you think if he indeed
      redshirts?  Can you imagine the talent they would have next year??
    
                                                Tony

    re: Donta Bright
    
    No, he can't play this year.  Not only that but, because he was a
    Prop48 casuality, this year counts against his eligibility and he's
    not under athletic scholarship.  Bummer.
    
    
    re: letter of intent
    
    I don't have a list (yet) of who UMass signed, but my Poop Sheet has
    the Hourmen's recruiting class #16 in the USA, which ain't too shabby.
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    Re:  Answers
    
         Donta Bright must sit out the entire year, as a Prop 42/48
    whatever, and as C.K. states, he will have three years of collegiate
    eligibility remaining.  
    
         Calipari and company have signed the following high school'ers
    for next year: (with this fan's editorial comment attached)
    
    - Marcus Camby, 6'10" center, Harford, Ct. - Very athletic big man,
      who is a bit on the thin side, but is growing.  Raw talent, having
      only played three years of organized b-ball, up until this time.
      
    - Tyrone Weeks, 6'7" 240 lb. power forward, Philadelphia, Pa. -
      A monster rebounder, averaged 18 boards a game last year, and is on
      pace to average 20 rpg this season.  Averages 20 ppg as well.
    
    - Carmelo Traveiso, 6'4" shooting guard, Dorchester, Ma. - Awesome pure
      shooter with NBA range on his three pointer.  Averaged 25 ppg as a
      junior at Thayer Academy.   
    
    - Edgar Padilla, 6'2" point guard, Springfield, Ma. - Was regarded as 
      the best "senior to be" basketball player in Massachusetts coming off
      his junior year, however he has decided to return to Puerto Rico for
      his senior year in high school.  His high school coach regards him as
      the best defensive player he has ever coached, this from a gentlemen
      who has sent players to the Big Ten and ACC.
    
    Most of the recruiting summarys that I have seen, rate all four
    recruits in the top 100 of high school seniors.  Add in Donta Bright
    and the four sophomores who are playing significant minutes this
    season, (Roe, M.Williams, Kellogg and Malloy) and the future looks
    bright indeed.  
    
         If Harper Williams can't come back until the middle of February
    at the earliest, then I vote that he blows off this year, and returns
    for his fourth year of eligibility next season.  Could be a "Sweet
    Sixteen" team once again.
    
    Russ
                                 

    
    re: -1
    
    	Only problem is, will Calipari stay?  Rumors abound around here 
    in Western Mass that a deal has been struck between Pitt and Calipari
    where he will return to Pitt at seasons end.
    
    	Don't know how true the rumors are, but he did assist at Pitt, and
    he did bring in some big talent with the likes of Charles Smith and
    Jerome Lane to name a few.
    
    re: Edgar Padilla
    
    	Yea, I was bummed when I heard that he decided to say in Puerto
    Rico!  Even when Travis Best was at Central and Padilla was just a
    freshman, you could see that he was a player of the future.  And I
    might add, that he is a tremendous defensive player!  Has the best
    hands I've seen on the defensive end.  I said a long time ago, that
    his overall game reminded me a lot of Dennis Johnson's.  Great
    defensive player that can take the ball to the hoop.  If he had stayed
    at Central, he would of surely been in the running for player of the
    state.
    
    
    bill..g.
    

    
    Sometime over the Holidays, the Minuteman did a pretty big tap dance
    all over Holy Cross in Basketball.  The Woostah radio station does
    HC games and it was sorta funny, in a David/Goliath kinda way, to hea
    the annoucer's make it sound like HC had a chance to win.
    
    NOT!
    
    I remain,
    mad that the ECAC tourney was on a premium cable channel and I'm not!
    Kev
    

    Re:  276.67
    
          That's the first I've heard of the Calipari to Pittsburg rumors.
    The latest edition of the UMASS Sports Newspaper is out this week so
    it will be interesting to see if the rumor is mentioned in there.
    Coach Cal is from western Pa. so there's that connection, but he also
    just signed a four year deal at UMASS, and with Bright and Padilla and
    others coming in next year, you'd think he'd be interested in sticking
    around.  Also, given the parity that's coming about between the Big
    East and the A-10, that incentive to leave is no longer as great.  But
    every coaching contract has an escape clause these days, so who knows?
    
         Bill, on another subject, I've been impressed so far with the play
    of Derek Kellog at point guard.  He's real steady handling the ball, is
    shooting 92% at the charity line and works real hard on the defensive
    end.  The downside with his game is that he's a bit on the slow side
    and passes up too many open shots from the top of the key area.  If he
    starts knocking down some three's, his game will be that much better.
    It seems that Travis Best was not the only good point guard out of 
    Western Mass. a couple of year's back.
    
    Russ
    
    - It's interesting to note that Kellog hit less than 50% from the free
      throw line last year.  It's amazing what some playing time and a
      little confidence will do.
           

    
    
    re: Kellog
    
    	He's not shooting from the floor cause he's just trying not to
    screw up at this point IMO.  True, he is playing good and to tell
    the truth, much better than I thought he would.  I'm sure though right
    now, he simply is trying to fit in and just deliever the ball.  I'm
    sure once he feels that he won't get yanked if he takes a few shots,
    he'll loosen up.
    
    	Secondly, Kellog was overshadowed by Best no doubt.  He was solid
    and frankly, the second best player in western Mass.  He was just
    unlucky that Best was playing across town.  You also have to remember
    that Travis made his name at the summer camps and not necessarily 
    during the season.  That's not to take away from his marvelous season
    play, but when he was in 8th grade, he was MVP at a 5 Star Camp where
    he opened a bunch of eyes.  After that first MVP, he was invited back
    next year free (he was MVP again, again, and again) and on and on it
    went.  So, Travis had made a name not only during the season, but also
    during the summer at these camps where the coaches hang out.  During
    that time, I didn't recall hearing that Kellog was attending any of
    them.  But all things being equal, Travis is better because his overall
    game is a notch above, but Kellog looks like he could develop into a
    fine player.  On the other hand, if Travis stays put for 4 years, he
    will be a first rounder IMO.
    
    re: rumor
    
    	That's what I've heard.  Pitt needs a new head coach and Calipari
    needs a better program.  Not to downplay UMASS in the least, but there
    is a difference (even though it is getting less) between the Atlantic
    10 and the Big East.  Plus, remember that he is from Western Pa., was
    an assistant there, and the area is a major market.  Penguins have
    won 2 cups, Steelers are in the playoffs, Pirates have been very 
    successful etc.  Calipari might just want part of that ticket too, 
    which is something UMASS is missing.
    
    	BTW, WWLP-TV22 here in Springfield has started a UMASS/Calipari
    basketball show.  It's on every Sunday night at 11:30PM.  The show
    covers all the latest UMASS games with comments from Calipari.
    
    
    bill..g.
    

    I'm here in Springfield, MA. for an Eastern States sales kickoff meeting,
    with CSO partners in the Civic Center.  The Center has to be cleaned out
    by 1 PM tomorrow so that ESPN can do their thing for the 7 pm tipoff of the
    UMass/UCinn game.  Unfortunately, I'll be leaving by 4 pm tomorrow and
    won't be able to make the game.
    
    Aren't both teams in the Top 20?
    
    Redmen Phil