Shaun1985
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Like many others, I haven't followed UMass all that close but have seen a few of their games. I also have a few UMass friends in that area that I've talked too. There is a reason we are favored to win this game and it's because we are no doubt the better team.
1.) Suffocating Chaz Williams.
This dude is everything to UMass. He scores nearly 16 a game and averages 7 Assist. He also turns the ball over around 3 times a game and over 4 times a game when UMass lost this season. I use the term suffocate because containing is pointless. UMass is better when he's running the show, distributing the ball and making others better. We have to sufficate him and force him to give the ball up. Let him get his points but if Tennessee is all over him, he's either going to turn the ball over (like he has) or give it up to someone else to make plays. This team turns the ball over anyways but keeping it out of Chaz hands in a half court game really helps. It's a proven fact, limit Chaz and the rest of the offense follows.
2.) Half Court Game
UMass, IMO = a poor man's Iowa. An uptempo team that relies on transition baskets but doesn't have the shooters Iowa has. Turn this into a half court game and Tennessee wins this 9/10 times.
3.) Expose Cady Lalanne
The ultimate X factor in this game. He plays smaller than he is and struggles with physical guys. So far, it seems the tournament is being called much different than the first part of the season and they are allowing physical play so Stokes and Maymon have to keep this up. He's 6'10 and 250 but box scores and opponents show he has struggled with physical defenses and big guys. Also, when teams slow it down and force them in a half court, he's limited.
4.) Bench Play
This is the case for any game in the tournament but really important here because both teams depend on their starters for a majority of their scoring. I'd defiantly give the edge to UMass but as long as Moore and Thompson can contribute some, we shouldn't have problems.
5.) Start Fast!!!!!
UMass is notorious for starting slow and seem to crumble and almost play desperate when they get behind. Plus, playing catchup is not what we want to do because that would likely require speeding the game up and plays completely plays into their favor. Even though both teams don't have that much tournament experience, UMass hasn't danced since 98. Factor in a North Carolina game site, a sold out arena and experience and it favors Tennessee. Start fast and I think we cruise the rest of the way.
GBO!!!!! I hope the fan support today is MASSIVE!
1.) Suffocating Chaz Williams.
This dude is everything to UMass. He scores nearly 16 a game and averages 7 Assist. He also turns the ball over around 3 times a game and over 4 times a game when UMass lost this season. I use the term suffocate because containing is pointless. UMass is better when he's running the show, distributing the ball and making others better. We have to sufficate him and force him to give the ball up. Let him get his points but if Tennessee is all over him, he's either going to turn the ball over (like he has) or give it up to someone else to make plays. This team turns the ball over anyways but keeping it out of Chaz hands in a half court game really helps. It's a proven fact, limit Chaz and the rest of the offense follows.
2.) Half Court Game
UMass, IMO = a poor man's Iowa. An uptempo team that relies on transition baskets but doesn't have the shooters Iowa has. Turn this into a half court game and Tennessee wins this 9/10 times.
3.) Expose Cady Lalanne
The ultimate X factor in this game. He plays smaller than he is and struggles with physical guys. So far, it seems the tournament is being called much different than the first part of the season and they are allowing physical play so Stokes and Maymon have to keep this up. He's 6'10 and 250 but box scores and opponents show he has struggled with physical defenses and big guys. Also, when teams slow it down and force them in a half court, he's limited.
4.) Bench Play
This is the case for any game in the tournament but really important here because both teams depend on their starters for a majority of their scoring. I'd defiantly give the edge to UMass but as long as Moore and Thompson can contribute some, we shouldn't have problems.
5.) Start Fast!!!!!
UMass is notorious for starting slow and seem to crumble and almost play desperate when they get behind. Plus, playing catchup is not what we want to do because that would likely require speeding the game up and plays completely plays into their favor. Even though both teams don't have that much tournament experience, UMass hasn't danced since 98. Factor in a North Carolina game site, a sold out arena and experience and it favors Tennessee. Start fast and I think we cruise the rest of the way.
GBO!!!!! I hope the fan support today is MASSIVE!
