UMBC Sports Blog

Chris De La Rosa made his debut at point guard

There was some very good moments, and there were very bad moments for UMBC. They went into the half with a 42-18 lead but Frostburg State outscored UMBC 41-35 in the second half. But granted, UMBC did not play the starters for long. As expected Robbie Jackson started at center, Chris De La Rosa started at the point, and Matt Spadafora started that the small forward position. The other two starters were freshmen Shawn Grant and Adrian Satchell.

The biggest bright spot was Spadafora. After failing to meet his expectations last season, which was a result of trying to hard and forcing shots, and being hesitant after getting elbowed in the eye, he played very well in the exhibition. He led the team with 17 points with four rebounds, but the importants thing was his shot looked good. He went 5-7 (71.4%) from the field, including 2-4 (50.0%) from three point range, and 5-8 (62.5%) from the foul line. His shot looked well times, clean, and it looks like he can step up and be a big scorer for UMBC in his senior season.

Jackson had a very interesting game. He scored 13 points and had nine rebounds with two blocks, which was to be expected with his size, but his shots game from a few feet out off jumpers, rather than from right under the basket. But his 7-8 performance at the line is a good sign, especially since he’s the center. The ball will get inside ot him, and he’ll get fouled quite often. With a center like that having free throw ability, it’s a big plus.

But Chris De La Rosa was the star of the game. He scored 12 points with six rebounds and had four assists. He went 3-5 from the first and a perfect 6-6 from the line, and he played good defense. While he’s an extremely different style player than Jay Greene, it’s nice to know that UMBC has a solid option at the point running the show. De La Rosa didn’t even try anything from three point range, but that was because he didn’t need to and he just passed the ball around.

When it comes to the only other two returning players. Bakari Smith and Jake Wasco, neither had a decent amount of time to evaluate them, but neither played very well either. Wasco is needed as a defensive forward and he struggled a bit, while Smith needs to use his physically matured body (he’s 26) to his advantage more. They combined for five points and eight rebounds, five of which did come from Wasco in just 12 minutes.

As far as freshman, three shined, one disappointed, and one did not play. Jamar Wertz will be out of action for the start of the season with a leg injury but Satchell and Grant played very well. Satchell scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Grant scored nine points with three rebounds. Satchell played a great all around game. he went 4-5 from the field including 1-1 from three point range. But his 0-2 performance from the line needs to be improved. Grant however did get the point but needs to pass the ball around more. He took too many bad shots and only went 3-9 from the field and 3-3 from the line. If he passes the ball more and takes better shots, he could be good. But Nick Groce looks like he may be the best of the bunch. He went 3-5 from the field and 2-4 from three point rnage for eight points while getting four assists. When he was in the game the same time as De La Rosa, he was running the point, and his defense was phenomenal. Expect good things from him this season.

The disappointment though was Brian Neller. He had early success with two jumpers, but went 2-8 from the field in the game and 0-4 from three point range, not something a guy recognized as a solid shooter can do.

But you also have to look at the situation. Only three guys played last year, and two of them didn’t even play that much. Overall, I liked what I saw from the team.

Press Release From UMBC Athletics:

The venues may be new, but Retriever fans have the same chances throughout the season to talk and gather great information about their favorite hoops team.

For the second consecutive year, “The Randy Monroe UMBC Basketball Show”, will air on Fox 1370 Sports Radio and www.fox1370.com on Thursday evenings from 6-7 p.m. This season, the program will emanate from a pair of local restaurants, Chef Paolino in Catonsville, and Gianni’s Italian Bistro in Halethorpe on most Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. Veteran broadcaster Paul Mittermeier will host the show.

Each of the 15 programs will feature in-depth interviews with Coach Monroe and all the players that comprise the 2009-10 squad. There will also be appearances by special guests, such as several other Retriever head coaches, administrators, and other members of the UMBC community.

So enjoy a late lunch at these fine establishments and talk UMBC basketball with the experts! And listen to the show and every game on the 2009-10 schedule on the flagship home of the Retrievers, Fox 1370 Sports.

Chef Paolino is located at 726 Frederick Road, while Gianni’s Italian Bistro is located at 3720 Washington Boulevard.

Show Dates-2009 Location

Nov. 12, 2009 Chef Paolino

Nov. 19, 2009 Gianni’s Italian Bistro

Dec. 3, 2009 Chef Paolino

Dec. 10, 2009 Gianni’s Italian Bistro

Dec. 17, 2009 Chef Paolino

Coaches Polls:
1. Boston U (8)
2. Vermont (1)
3. Albany
4. Stony Brook
5. New Hampshire
6t. Hartford
6t. UMBC
8. Maine
9. Binghamton

(# of first place votes)

I these rankings are definitely what I expected. I disagreed with them but it’ was expected from the coaches. The only ranking that was a bit shocking was UMBC was tied with Hartford, but hey it’s the preseason and doesn’t matter right now.

First Team All-Conference Team

Marqus Blakely*
Corey Lowe*
John Holland*
Tim Ambrose
Muhammad El-Amin
Joe Zeglinski

* unanimous pick

This is very interesting. Obviously there was a tie and instead of re-voting like last year they just put six players on. In my opinion the tie was Zeglinski and El-Amin. While I agree with the top four on the list I was not completely shocked by El-Amin and Zeglinski on the list. I understand why Will Harris is out and that really speaks to the talent of El-Amin, who held together a very young team last year, and while Zeglinski was hurt last year he is extremely talented and is going to get his points in.

The television schedule for UMBC men’s basketball team has been announced.

Nov. 17- vs. Loyola (MASN)
Nov. 24- vs. Coppin State (MASN)
Dec. 8- @ Penn State (Big Ten Network)
Jan 18- @ Stony Brook (MASN)
Feb. 11- @ Hartford (MASN)

Non-UMBC Games:
Nov. 9- Albany @ Syracuse (ESPNU)
Nov. 17- Binghamton @ Pittsburgh (ESPN 2)
Nov. 17- George Washington @ Boston U (NESN)

Dec. 2- Boston U @ Connecticut (SNY/WCTX)
Dec. 11- Sacred Hear @ Hartford (CTSN)
Dec. 22- Maine @ Connecticut (SNY/WCTX)
Dec. 29- Hartford @ Kentucky (ESPN 2)
Dec. 30- Albany @ North Carolina (AETV: ESPNU)

Jan. 2- Stony Brook @ Boston U- AETV: MSG/NESN
Jan. 3- Yale @ Albany (TW3)
Jan. 10- Hartford @ Binghamton (AETC: NESN/TW)
Jan. 17- Boston U @ Vermont (AETV: ESPN U)
Jan. 24- Albany @ Stony Brook (AETV: MSG)
Jan. 27- Vermont @ New Hampshire (AETV: NESN)

Feb. 4- New Hampshire @ Boston U (AETV: NESN)
Feb. 6- Boston U @ Albany (TW3)
Feb. 9- New Hampshire @ Albany (TW3)
Feb. 9- Vermont @ Boston U (AETV: CSN)
Feb. 17- Maine @ New Hampshire (AETV CSN)
Feb. 24- Vermont @ Stony Brook (AETV: MSG/NESN)
Feb. 27- Maine @ Boston U (AETV: CSN)

Mar. 7- AE Championship Semifinals (AETV)
Mar. 13- AE Championship Finals (ESPN 2)

Women’s Schedule:

Note: UMBC women’s basketball does not have any televised games

Nov. 14- Quinnipiac @ Hartford (NESN)
Nov. 17- Louisville @ Hartford (CTSN)
Nov. 18- Rhode Island @ Boston U (NESN)
Nov. 28- Temple @ Hartford (CSTN)

Dec. 3- Vermont @ Connecticut (CPTV)
Dec. 10- Hartford @ Connecticut (CPTV)
Dec. 13- Noertheastern @ Hartford (CTSN)
Dec. 19- Hartford @ Marist (TW6)

Jan. 16- Hartford @ Binghamton (AETV: NESN/TW)
Jan. 24- Albany @ Hartford (CTSN)
Jan. 26- Hartford @ Vermont (AETV: NESN)

Feb. 6- Vermont @ Albany (TW3)
Feb. 18- Binghamton @ Hartford (AETV: CTSN/TW)
Feb. 27- Vermont @ Hartford (CTSN)

Mar. 7- AE Championship Semifinals (AETV)
Mar. 13- AE Championship Finals (AETV: CSN)

If you weren’t at midnight madness then shame on you but here are the highlights anyway:

Dance Routine by Major Definition- a UMBC based Hip-Hop dance crew

The UMBC cheer team performance- One again they failed to give up their lame cheers. UM-BC, UM-BC,…five minutes long. Also, there are three guys on the team now.

The Band- as always- they rock.

Dance Team- as always, they were really good.

Featured Twirler Stasi Kowalewski- Yea she’s not a world champion for nothing.

Washington Wizards Dunk Team- If you’ve ever seen the dunk show at halftime that’s what it was

Women’s Basketball Team Introduction

Phil Stern Spoke after the introduction (Sorry I planned on recording it but it was WAY to loud and I couldn’t make out anything he said on the recorder but basically he was saying how the goal is no to win a men’s and women’s championship in the same year and how the crowd is a big part of success and how fans should go to games. (Which you all should. The women’s team is very good. Carlee Cassidy is arguable the most dynamic player in the conference and there is a lot of young talent with her. My goal is to get 1,000 people to their first game against Virginia)

Men’s Basketball Team Introduction

Monroe spoke after and again I don’t have the exact quotes but he was pretty much saying that the crowd is the sixth man and he then really praised Matt Spadafora.

Surprise performance- turned out to be a women’s team dance-off

Women’s Basketball 3-point contest

Players: Carlee Cassidy, Erin Brown, Chelsea Barker, Meghan Colabella

Round 1- Colabella vs. Brown- Brown
Round 1- Cassidy vs. Barker (double over time)- Cassidy
Finals- Cassidy vs. Brown- Brown
Winner- Erin Brown

Men’s basketball slam dunk contest

Players: Robbie Jackson, Jake Wasco Chauncey Gilliam, Bakari Smith

Round 1: Only person to make dunk was Gilliam-
Final: Gilliam vs. Jackson- Gilliam Wins second straight dunk contest

A few weeks ago the Binghamton athletic program and basketball took drastic actions to right the ship that was flipped by Tiki Mayben. Six players were let go and athletic Director Joel Thirer resigned. Last week Head Coach Kevin Broadus added more bad press to an already bad situation by violating the NCAA recruiting rules by visiting a student at a campus after the deadline to do so. He has now been place on paid leave from the basketball team while assistant coach Mark Macon will take over the duty until a further ruling on Broadus’ future is made.

UMBC Athletics Press Release:

On Sept. 30, UMBC senior forward Justin Fry underwent successful surgery to repair the medial patellofemoral ligament in his right knee in order to prevent the reoccurrence of dislocation.  He suffered the injury during a workout with teammates a month ago.  With a successful rehabilitation, Fry could return to active duty in January of 2010.

Fry averaged 8.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while starting 26 of 7 games last season.  He missed five games in February after suffering a dislocation of the right kneecap in the final moments of a Feb. 7 overtime win at Maine.  The 6’9” post scored a career-high 19 points and collected his third double-double in six outings with 10 rebounds in America East quarterfinal win over Boston University on March 7.

Fry has competed in 89 games in three seasons, starting 59.

Ok on the bright side he has a chance to be back for conference play, but this is obviously a big hit to the men’s basketball team and it is never certain a player can come back at full strength from any injury.

Chase Plummer verbally committed to UMBC on Oct. 3, 2009.

The men’s basketball team picked up their first verbal commitment on Oct. 3, 2009 when 6′6″ 230 lbs prospect Chase Plummer out of St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey notified head coach Randy Monroe of his intent to play at UMBC in 2010.

Plummer reportedly picked UMBC over America East rival Boston U and Quinnipiac.

“Well I came down to where I felt most at home,” Plummer said.  “And Coach Monroe and the whole UMBC family made me feel like I was back in New Jersey.

“I also felt as if they would help me for life after basketball whenever that is.”

Scout.com has listed Plummer’s strengths as a tough plain player with a consistent short jumper.

Meanwhile, ESPN.com has said he is good at using his upper body to create space in the paint and that he has a high basketball IQ, as well as having a good mid-range jump shot.

Sat, Jan 2- @ Vermont (four days before the non-conference finale against Penn)
Tue, Jan 12- @ Boston
Thu, Han 14- Hartford
Sat, Jan 16- @ Albany
Mon, Jan 18- @ Stony Brook
Thu, Jan 21- New Hampshire
Sun, Jan 24- Boston U
Wed, Jan 27- Binghamton
Sat, Jan 20- @ Maine
Sat, Feb 6- Vermont
Mon, Feb 8- Maine
Thu, Feb 11- @ Hartford
Sat, Feb 13- Albany
Tue, Feb 16- Stony Brook
Sun, Feb 21- @ Binghamton
Wed, Feb 24- @ New Hampshire

It’s nice to see there is no brutal road stretch like last years road trip to Vermont, Boston, and Albany, but ending the season with two away games i rough. But it doesn’t matter, UMBC has known since they entered the America East that they would have to play a home and away with all these team.