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2023 Bracketology: UMass, Virginia among teams looking to build on momentum

By Jason Burgess

Nov 24, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; St. Mary's Gaels head coach Randy Bennett watches game action against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Anaheim Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; St. Mary's Gaels head coach Randy Bennett watches game action against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Anaheim Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Myrtle Beach Invitational
Noah Fernandes #11 of the Massachusetts Minutemen (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

UMass Minutemen 4-1

Another team that gained some serious momentum by taking home a tournament title last week was the UMass Minutemen. Frank Martin’s team entered the Myrtle Beach Invitational 1-1 after falling to Towson. The title was almost not to be as they needed to withstand a late flurry by Colorado in order to advance. In the semifinals, it didn’t get any easier as the Minutemen needed a buzzer-beating three from Noah Fernandes in order to knock off Murray State and reach the final. In the title game, they had an easier time of it holding Charlotte to just 54 points.

Much like Maryland’s game against Louisville, the week for Frank Martin’s 4-1 Minutemen is not derailing the good play that brought them the title in Myrtle Beach. They begin the week by traveling to 2-5 South Florida to take on a Bulls team that has struggled offensively averaging 66 points per game, ranking 287th in three-point percentage and 321st in free-throw percentage. So, UMass must stay focused so as to not get tripped up in Florida.

Then on Friday, they stay in-state, traveling to take on the Harvard Crimson. Tommy Amaker’s team enters the week 5-1 after beating Loyola-Chicago 61-55 on Black Friday. In my opinion, UMass has a favorable schedule leading up to league play, and making sure they keep things rolling after their trip down south will be important.

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