UMass Lowell 2022-2023: Valley Steamroller Edition

[bottomdweller]

Good weekend for Lowell overall. Would have been better with 6 points, but I'll take the 5 (especially against the last place team).

Also this afternoon, the basketball team won their 17th game of the year (a new DI record) crushing preseason #2 Bryant, and now leads the AE standings at 5-2. They've already beaten preseason #1 UVM (both at home). Lowell was up 26 at the half in this one. Women's basketball won their first AE game of the year today as well.

The game against Bryant was also a sellout, which was the first as a D1 school. Lowell is getting a lot of talk in the mid-major universe, especially as a team many of the 1-4 seeds in March Madness would not want to play. That might be a bit much, but it's good to see the program progressing year over year.

 

[bottomdweller]

I mentioned that to his wife as well, that the tribute was very well done. It made my night to see the standing ovation for him.

The tribute was perfectly done. My mom was very happy with how it all turned out. She never got to see the side of Tony at hockey games; the standing ovation really touched her. I can't thank the university or the hockey program enough for showing support from his funeral to the tribute.

However, as I said on FB, we'll never forget the Northeastern game when he bailed and Lowell came storming back and won in OT.

 

[hawkeytown]

Totally agree on the recruiting. I think coaching deserves some blame too. The offense has been an issue for years now. Players come in as Freshman and sometimes surprise us, then later regress. Matt Crasa had 21 pts last season. He has only 6 now. Reid Stefanson is another that comes to mind. He has 20 pts as a Freshman, then never developed to score more than 15.

The transfer forwards are both disappointments, 25+ points last season and both project to score 12 or less on this team.

Is it really all talent or is there a system issue too?

I am not going to name names. But, I did speak to someone whose son played for Bazin, and transferred to another school. This person said he loved playing here, loved his teammates, but the system didn’t play to his strengths and transferred. This person kept alluding to playing back, vs playing forward.

take this however you think, but I found this to be interesting.

 

[boblav1]

I am not going to name names. But, I did speak to someone whose son played for Bazin, and transferred to another school. This person said he loved playing here, loved his teammates, but the system didn’t play to his strengths and transferred. This person kept alluding to playing back, vs playing forward.

take this however you think, but I found this to be interesting.

That makes sense. The system may not be attractive to some (offensive minded) recruits.

 

[boblav1]

The game against Bryant was also a sellout, which was the first as a D1 school. Lowell is getting a lot of talk in the mid-major universe, especially as a team many of the 1-4 seeds in March Madness would not want to play. That might be a bit much, but it's good to see the program progressing year over year.

Something special is happening with UMass Lowell men’s basketball (msn.com)

 

[Patman]

That makes sense. The system may not be attractive to some (offensive minded) recruits.

Yeah but its not like we're as defensively tight. You still need the offensive players to carry the counterattack. Its probably hard to convince players that the defense drives the offense. On the other hand we don't counter attack the way we used to? Is that manpower?

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basketball

IIRC, I'd have to look at the roster, but its senior laden so carryover would be difficult. However any time you can the fresh new thing I think it will help out down the longer haul. Proximity to boston probably helps. Small major basketball is what it always is, could have a great regular season but you gotta win your tournament. If its a well-disciplined team then, yes, could give some teams fits and we'll be the "sexy" pick regardless. First of all I like being sexy. Second of all I like being sexy. I don't know enough basketball to say anything terribly intelligent. They've dropped a couple of questionable games but so does everybody.

Like anything else, up to the magical ball of chance. I don't know what their new ranking system has them at but Lowell seems to be in the 160-170 range with computers. Looking like a 14-15 seed right now. It would be nice to come in higher than the joke seed who has to win a playin game. That won't happen this year unless they bottom out right now.

edit: the **** is for the saxophone word. Oh baby.

edit: AE being "midmajor" is a joke. Usually the worst conference that isn't an HBCU conference. Sorry.

edit: last edit, apparently not that bad, some things have changed. usually its the HBCUs at the bottom and the NEC AE trade off between each other.

 

[Patman]

Look at this and Lowell's NET is higher than the computers it seems.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/bracketology/

Now drill down. What's going to happen is we sit right now on the 15/16 line but right now most of these plug in the top team in the conference. Some buzzards will lose and push us up, if we make it in, a bit higher. Just a matter of how many buzzards. Enough buzzards and we slip up to 14. Here's an idea of general conference strength. It doesn't reflect the top team but usually an average of some type.

https://masseyratings.com/cb/ncaa-d1/ratings?c=1

Just giving the landscape for those who don't venture in these waters. I'm not going to claim aptitude. just an overactive sports fans like the rest of you guys.

 

[hawkeytown]

That makes sense. The system may not be attractive to some (offensive minded) recruits.

What frustrated the player, and parents, was Lowell knew the player they were getting, knew his style of play, his abilities on ice, etc. To not use the players strengths, to the player and parent’s opinion, caused frustration and willingness to leave.

From my standpoint, I think losing Juliano Pagliero to Penn State hurt our recruiting, in some ways. IIRC, he got some talent to Lowell.

 

[UMLFan]

That makes sense. The system may not be attractive to some (offensive minded) recruits.

And let's be honest, you can't blame them. The Truman brothers probably fit into that "offensive minded" grouping, and have played a combined 22 games (all Scout). They wanted to play together and committed here partly for that reason. Would you be surprised if they were looking to transfer out in three or so months? We played three freshmen the other night, which also won't help recruits as they look at potential playing time. And without knowing, I'd wonder if that's Matt Brown that is being talked about?

 

[hawkeytown]

. And without knowing, I'd wonder if that's Matt Brown that is being talked about?

I don’t feel comfortable saying who it was, as his dad was so open to speaking about it. Literally spoke to me for a solid 15 min before puck drop. But, use your imagination and I am sure you will get it (smile)

he mentioned that Bazin was the toughest coach he had ever had

 

[Patman]

I don’t feel comfortable saying who it was, as his dad was so open to speaking about it. Literally spoke to me for a solid 15 min before puck drop. But, use your imagination and I am sure you will get it (smile)

he mentioned that Bazin was the toughest coach he had ever had

sounds like if he was at the game he was still supportive despite things? I don't wish to probe this deeper. This is a discussion better had at the bar or the arena. Please don't reveal confidences.

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I think Bazin will have to change things soon. I'm going to imagine Marty Meehan's not going to love what's going on and that will filter through the chain at some level. We've seen what happens within the system when all the talent plays the part but if you can't get talent that will play the part its just going to get a slow roll down hill, especially if that becomes your reputation. every kid is going to think they're just as good as the offensive minded guy not thriving so it isn't just the higher level guys you miss out on.

I don't want to upset the applecart, I'm just not happy we're not moving upwards after the success of the 2012-2017 phase. I don't want to lose this guy but the status quo isn't good.

 

[hawkeytown]

sounds like if he was at the game he was still supportive despite things?

He said there was no negative feelings to Lowell or Bazin. He loved his first year and it went down from there. The parents urged him to stay committed to the program, but their son wanted to transfer. The parent did enjoy his time at the games and made other comments that would make it way too obvious of whom the player is…

Actually, one thing I forgot about the conversation that really stood out. The parent mentioned that when his son got to campus, he did not know one kid on the team. He knew kids on every team he had played on, even kids rostered on other college hockey programs. Obviously he grew friendships quickly on the team and still stays in contact with some.

I felt that comment about not knowing others on the team before the season was a bit interesting.

 

[Patman]

He said there was no negative feelings to Lowell or Bazin. He loved his first year and it went down from there. The parents urged him to stay committed to the program, but their son wanted to transfer. The parent did enjoy his time at the games and made other comments that would make it way too obvious of whom the player is…

Actually, one thing I forgot about the conversation that really stood out. The parent mentioned that when his son got to campus, he did not know one kid on the team. He knew kids on every team he had played on, even kids rostered on other college hockey programs. Obviously he grew friendships quickly on the team and still stays in contact with some.

I felt that comment about not knowing others on the team before the season was a bit interesting.

there may be various contact rules until you step foot on campus.

 

[hawkeytown]

there may be various contact rules until you step foot on campus.

My point is, regardless contact rules, he didn’t know or had heard of one player on the team. His dad was pretty clear that, no matter the team he played on, throughout his career, he would know someone on the team. When the player set foot on campus, he had not heard of one kid. The dad found that to be shocking as his son had former teammates all over college hockey programs.

anyway, I found his shock to be interesting.

 

[boblav1]

UMass Lowell hockey notebook: Isac Jonsson providing offense from defense (lowellsun.com)

This Week in Hockey East: UMass Lowell in 2023 groove after 'low point' to end 2022 calendar year - College Hockey | USCHO.com

UMass hockey ‘not that far off’ ahead of matchup with UMass Lowell at Tsongas Center (gazettenet.com)

 

[UMLFan]

Does this bad streak against Amherst finally end tomorrow?

 

[UMLFan]

My point is, regardless contact rules, he didn’t know or had heard of one player on the team. His dad was pretty clear that, no matter the team he played on, throughout his career, he would know someone on the team. When the player set foot on campus, he had not heard of one kid. The dad found that to be shocking as his son had former teammates all over college hockey programs.

anyway, I found his shock to be interesting.

It is interesting. I'm not sure how that's ever possible considering whatever league he played in, generally we have multiple players from that league coming in (unless he came from a smaller league like the CCHL or MJHL).

 

[ScottK]

It's gone unnoticed, but last Saturday's win against UNH was Norm's 250th behind the Lowell bench.

 

[boblav1]

It sounds like it will be a full house tonight. Hopefully the Hawks will be ready to go. The game is also on NESN Plus.

 

[ScottK]

It sounds like it will be a full house tonight. Hopefully the Hawks will be ready to go. The game is also on NESN Plus.

There have been 42 sellouts since Tsongas opened 25 years ago, 38 of them in the last 11+ years under Norm. Lowell 24-11-7 in those games, and unbeaten in the last 11 (9-0-2). Lowell is 4-0-1 against UMass when Tsongas is sold out.