The Minutemen of UMass (4-1) visit Syracuse (4-1) this evening. It marks their first-ever visit to the Dome, the last time they played at Syracuse was in 1974 in Manley Field House (they lost). UMass has won the past two meetings however, including a 65-47 win in the 1995 Rainbow Classic (Hawaii).
The Minutemen are hardly the national contender they were in 1995, but they may not be a complete pushover either. Last year, UMass captured a share of the Atlantic 10 Regular-Season Championship with a 24-9 record. They made it to the 2nd round of the NIT, defeating Alabama 89-87 in the first round.
Led by Gary Forbes (23.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Ricky Harris (18.2 ppg), they won four games in a five-games-in-nine-days schedule. Head coach Travis Ford (2nd year) likes to keep the pace fast and keep the three-pointers dropping. Forward Etienne Brower leads the way with 15 3-pointers (62.5%).
They'll need to hit those threes if they want to keep up with the Orange. Every starter is averaging double-figures in scoring. The question is, will the defense show up? And will the turnovers stay away? The experiment continues.
Prediction: Syracuse 91, UMass 87
(By the way, don't forget to check out Travis Ford's official website. Can you imagine if Boeheim had one of these? No...no you can't.)
The Minutemen are hardly the national contender they were in 1995, but they may not be a complete pushover either. Last year, UMass captured a share of the Atlantic 10 Regular-Season Championship with a 24-9 record. They made it to the 2nd round of the NIT, defeating Alabama 89-87 in the first round.
Led by Gary Forbes (23.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Ricky Harris (18.2 ppg), they won four games in a five-games-in-nine-days schedule. Head coach Travis Ford (2nd year) likes to keep the pace fast and keep the three-pointers dropping. Forward Etienne Brower leads the way with 15 3-pointers (62.5%).
They'll need to hit those threes if they want to keep up with the Orange. Every starter is averaging double-figures in scoring. The question is, will the defense show up? And will the turnovers stay away? The experiment continues.
Prediction: Syracuse 91, UMass 87
(By the way, don't forget to check out Travis Ford's official website. Can you imagine if Boeheim had one of these? No...no you can't.)