UMass Basketball: Preview of the upcoming battle with Temple

UMass Baketball is coming off of its best win of the season and will have a chance to catch fire when they visit the Liacouras Center on Wednesday.

TV Schedule: ESPN3, 7:00 pm ET. 

Arena: Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA

Last Friday, UMass Basketball stormed back from a 20-point deficit to defeat the Providence Friars in their first true road game. It wasn’t the only good win of the season for the Minutemen, but it was easily the most important in terms of the team’s momentum and growth. They were coming off of a bad loss and lazy effort against Holy Cross, so it was pivotal for their chemistry that they at least put in a strong effort against the Friars at a raucous Dunkin Donuts Center.

Through twenty minutes, it seemed as though the Minutemen were in for a long game and possibly even a long season. The score was 50-32 Providence, and all signs were pointing towards a Friar rout. Adding a blowout loss to a resume that already included three questionable home losses (undermanned Harvard, Howard, and Holy Cross), however, was not something that Matt McCall and the Minutemen were about to let happen.

They came out of the locker room with the most intensity that they’ve shown all season and began firing on all cylinders. Carl Pierre got scorching hot and hit three straight from deep to make it a 6-point game, and from that point it was clear that UMass would have the energy and momentum needed to steal a win. Luwane Pipkins hit the game winner with 8 seconds left, and a fired up Minutemen squad showed their emotion at center court once the buzzer sounded.

Heading into this road game against Temple, instead of having no momentum and being likely to play the same lackadaisical style of basketball (particularly on the defensive end) that they have for most of the season, UMass should be ready to roll and motivated towards grabbing consecutive road wins. The Owls are 7-2 with wins over Georgia and St. Joe’s, so it will be no easy task, but if the Minutemen can play from the opening tip with nearly the same ferocity that they played with on Friday, they should put themselves in good position to come out on top.

As far as players to watch go, UMass’ will be it’s dangerous backcourt duo of Pipkins (as always) and Pierre. Pierre continuing to shoot the ball well will be key for the Minutemen, as it was apparent on Friday what it does for them in terms of spreading the offense and allowing them to move the ball more efficiently. The backcourt is also where most of the talent resides for Temple, and the UMass guards will have their hands full trying to contain likely all-AAC players Shizz Alston and Quinton Rose. The latter two are combining for over 33 points per game thus far, and that number will likely increase as Rose starts to find his three-point stroke (17.9% for the year).

Whatever happens on offense, it’s clear that UMass will need to play passionate defense if they want to have any chance at the W. This team has been Jekyll and Hyde all season, and it’s their focus and energy on defense that has determined which one. If they had played Holy Cross, Harvard, and Howard more aggressively on that side of the ball, it’s possible that they’d be entering this game with a 9-1 record. It’s still very early in the season, however, and the 6-4 Minutemen will have a chance to right the ship and set a new standard for their play with a hard-fought win at the Liacouras Center.

I believe the Minutemen will come out swinging in this one and will set themselves up to be red hot for their final two non-con games against Fairleigh Dickinson and Georgia.

Prediction: UMass 81 Temple 74