Falcon MBB Heading to Amherst

Tomorrow marks the first game between the BG and UMass Minutemen, who are new members of the MAC in men's basketball.

This is a pretty storied program with some high-level players, including Dr. J, Rick Pitino, Al Skinner and Tom McLaughlin. In 1996 they made the final four, but you won't see that in the record books because Marcus Camby was taking money from agents.  The coach of that team was John Calipari.

They have been to the NCAA Tournament 3 times since then.

Frank Martin was hired to coach in 22-23.  The team was on a streak of 6 straight losing seasons (not counting COVID) and went 15-16 in his first year.  They were 20-11 last year with no post-season.

Frank Martin is a seasoned coach who has been at the top levels, coaching at Kansas State and South Carolina prior to UMass.   He was highly successful at K-state, winning 68% of his games, 4 tourneys and 1 Elite Eight. South Carolina was less successful...he was 54% and made the Final Four in 10 years. 

He's an angry man.  You can find him "ripping angry parents," "epic rant," "exploding," and so on. He introduced himself to the MAC by getting into a non-physical altercation with the mild-mannered Stan Heath.

They were picked #5 in the MAC poll and #6 in Blue Ribbon. They started with a kenpom of 197 and have it up to 176. 

They are 9-5, 8-5 in non-D1 play. Their premier win is a neutral floor victory over #109 Florida State. There was also a win over #154 Boston College--it was semi-home.  They beat LeMoyne by 14 in Amherst, a team BG beat by 23 at the Stroh.

They are 0-2 in the MAC.  They lost at home to Kent and lost @EMU. They are 7-1 at home this year.  They played the #344 non-conference schedule, but that didn't seem to mean much with Miami, so I won't mention it.

They play fast....#23 pace in NCAA and share the ball...assists on 60% of their baskets.

It might be surprising to see that they are more successful on defense than offense.

For raw PPP, they score 1.06, which is about the national average.  Their shooting is average, pretty much from 3FG and 2FG. They are focused on the 2FG...and close up 2FGs.  Their average 2FG is 5.4 feet, which is #98 in the country (new stat!). They also get 34% offensive rebounds, which is #104. They are terrible on free throws, #333 and they are #250 in protecting the ball.

This would appear to be a good matchup for BG.  If we can turn them over and defend the 2FG, we have less to worry about them raining 3FGs, as Miami did.

However, on defense they are strong. On raw defense, they allow 1 point per possession, #79 in the country. They are #7 defending the 3FG but #255 defending the 2FG. That is precisely where BG wants to play, so that will be an interesting matchup. They are average at turning you over, but very good on the defensive boards.  They foul a lot, #340 in free throw rate.

Their leading scorer is Marcus Banks, 16.2 PPG, making 49% and 38%.  High volume of 3FGS and 88% at the line. He's a transfer from UMBC and rarely leaves the floor.

Leonardo Bettiol is their second leading scorer at 15.4 PPG. He's 6'9", Italian, and transferred from Abilene Christian. He makes 56% on nearly all 2FGs.  He also leads the team with 7.4 RPG, and draws 7 fouls a game.

Daniel Sankins-Hanford scores 12.4 PPG. He started at South Carolina, but moved with Martin to Amherst.  He is 6'8" and makes 53% on 2FGs and 14% on limited 3FGs.  He also averages 6.9 RPG. 

K'Jei Parker transferred from Florida A&M and has 10.8 PPG.  He's very good from 3FG at 45%, but selective.

Danny Carbucia, a true-FR, leads them with 5.4 assists in 24 minutes a game.  The assist rate is #23 in the country.

Both teams play short rotations.

This should be a good one. Kenpom gives BG a 57% chance to win and ESPN gives UMass a 57% chance to win.