Men’s Basketball @ Toledo Preview

Probable Starters:

UMBC (0-6):
C- Robbie Jackson (9.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, .509FG%)
G- Adrian Satchell (5.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, .517 FG%)
G- Chauncey Gilliam (13.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.7 spg)
G- Matt Spadafora (7.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.2 spg)
G- Chris De La Rosa (6.3 ppg, 6.5 apg, 3.2 rpg)

Key Reserves:
F- Jake Wasco (0.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.5 bpg)
G- Shawn grant (12.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, .509 FG%)
G- Nick Groce (2.3 ppg, 1.8 apg, .217 FG%)
G- Brian Neller (3.2 ppg, 1.0 rpg, .250 3-pt%)
G- Bakari Smith (1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, .250 FG%)

Men’s Basketball @ Towson Preview

Probable Starters:

UMBC (0-5):
C- Robbie Jackson (10.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
G- Adrian Satchell (4.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
G- Matt Spadafora (8.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, .357 FG%)
G- Chauncey Gilliam (14.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, .418 FG%)
G- Chris De La Rosa (5.6 ppg, 6.4 apg, 2.8 rpg)

Key Reserves:
F- Jake Wasco (0.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.6 bpg)
G- Shawn Grant (9.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, .429 FG%)
G- Nick Groce (2.4 ppg, 1.2 apg, .263 FG%)
G- Brian Neller (3.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1 three per game)
G- Bakari Smith (1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, .250 FG%)

Last Second Shots Don’t Fall As Men’s Basketball Lose to James Madison 53-51

In the final 12 seconds both Chris De La Rosa and Matt Spadafora had chances to tie the game, but neither of their shots fell as the Retrievers fell 53-51, and to an 0-5 start.

While Robbie Jackson led the team in both points and rebounds for a second straight game with 13 and seven respectively. He also blocked two James Madison shots. He only played 19 minutes due to foul trouble. If UMBC wants to be successful he absolutely has to stay in the game. It will come in time because he has only played five games in over a year, but he has to stop the early fouls, and quick.

Men’s Basketball @ James Madison Preview

Probable Starters:

UMBC (0-4):
C- Robbie Jackson (9.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, .571 FG%)
G- Adrian Satchell (3.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.3 bpg)
G- Chauncey Gilliam (15.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.3 spg)
G- Matt Spadafora (7.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.3 spg)
G- Chris De La Rosa (6.5 ppg, 7.3 apg, 3.3 rpg)

Key Reserves:
F- Jake Wasco (0.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, .500 FT%)
G- Bakari Smith (1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, .250 FG%)
G- Shawn Grant (10.5 ppg, 1.3 spg, .484 FG%)
G- Nick Groce (2.5 ppg, 1.0 apg, 0.8 rpg)
G- Brian Neller (3.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, .222 3-PT%)

Men’s Basketball vs. Coppin State Preview

Probable Starters:

UMBC (0-3):
C- Robbie Jackson (7.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, .429 FG%)
F- Adrian Satchell (3.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, .500 FG5)
G- Chauncey Gilliam (13.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.3 apg)
G- Matt Spadafora (9.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.3 spg)
G- Chris De La Rosa (4.7 ppg, 6.0 apg, 3.3 rpg)

Key Reserves:
F- Jake Wasco (0.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.7 bpg)
G- Shawn Grant (10.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, .480 FG%)
G- Brian Neller (4.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.7 apg)
G- Nick Groce (3.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, .333 FG%)
G- Bakari Smith (1.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, .333 FG%)

Coppin State (3-1):
C- Ceslovas Kucinskas (5.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, .727 FG%)
F- Brandon Doughty (10.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.8 bpg)
G- Lenny Young (14.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.0 apg)
G- Kareem Brown (11.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.0 apg)
G- Vince Goldsberry (8.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg)

Key Reserves:
C- Sam Coleman (3.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, .278 FG%)
F- Jonathan Landry (7.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, .409 FG%)
F- Eddie Hayden (4.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .500 FG%)
G- George Jackson (6.2 ppg, 2.8 apg, 1.0 spg)
G- Quinston Reggins (1.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.8 apg)

It has been 10 years since these two local rivals have met up and this year UMBC is providing another great local basketball game to fans. So far they have played Morgan State and Loyola and still have Towson on their schedule. So they have potential to get some local bragging rights, but right now that is not happening. they are 0-3 and desperate for a win. While Coppin State is 3-1, the three wins are all against none Division I schools. But that does not mean it is a shoe in win for UMBC. While they could break their losing streak with this game, Coppin has one thing that could really kill UMBC a lot of size. While Robbie Jackson is a big presence in the paint, this season his time has been limited by foul trouble and when he’s out teams are just using their size to get by the five guard set on the court for UMBC.

Right now UMBC has to find a groove. Aside from their last game they have played well aside from key parts of the game, which cost them wins. They have a good trio of scorers in Matt Spadafora, Chauncey Gilliam, and Shawn Grant, but they all have to step up and soon if they want to go anywhere.

Spadafora is a fifth year senior and has looked good in stretches, but he has struggled at times. While 9.0 ppg is not horrible by any means, he has to give the Retrievers more offense than that. Again, he’s a fifth year senior and is starting his third year.

Gilliam has played very well for UMBC but has had very bad dry spells. As I’ve been saying for the last year, he has star in the making written all over him but he has yet to take over a game and lead UMBC to a win aside from his 21 point performance last year against Nebraska. But one game does not get rid of the in the making status. He can be great but needs to step up and be more consistent.

Grant however is playing very well for a freshman. His issues are expected to happen with being a freshman, but he does have to cut down on rushed shots. When those three and Chris De La Rosa, who has been playing great, get things together with Jackson staying out of foul trouble, the team can be very dangerous. But until then they will make you pull your hair out.

This is a perfect opportunity to get things together and build, and Randy Monroe will have them ready, they just have to execute.

Men’s Basketball @ George Washington Preview

Probable Starters:

UMBC (0-2):
C- Robbie Jackson (7.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
F- Adrian Satchell (5.5 pp, 6.5 rpg, .556 FG%)
G- Chauncey Gilliam (16.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .476 FG%)
G- Matt Spadafora (11.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, .450 FG%)
G- Chris De La Rosa (6.0 ppg, 6.5 apg, 4.5 rpg)

Key Reserves:
F- Jake Wasco (0.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
G- Shawn Grant (8.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, .462 FG%)
G- Brian Neller (3.5 ppg, 0.5 rpg, .200 FG%)
G- Nick Groce (2.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, .400 FG%)
G- Bakari Smith (1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.000 FT%)

George Washington (2-0)
C- Joseph Katuka (0.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 13.5 mpg)
F- Damian Hollis (9.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.5 apg)
G- Tony Taylor (10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.5 apg)
G- Lasan Kromah (12.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, .444 FG%)
G- Tim Johnson (8.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.5 apg)

Key Reserves:
F- Aaron Ware (13.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, .500 FG%)
F- Herman Opoku (2.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, .333 FG%)
F- David Pellom (6.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.000 FG%)
F- Jabari Edwards (2.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, .400 FG%)
G- Travis King (1.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, .250 FG%)
G- Bryan Bynes (5.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.0 apg)

For the third time in as many games UMBC is going to get a good look at where they stand as George Washington has recently beated Boston U. UMBC is a better team than their 0-2 start. They have played good teams and this will be a test for them. Their team is young and they are getting ready for their first road game of the season. If they keep the fire under them the entire game they could come out on top.

Men’s Basketball vs. Loyola (MD) Preview

Probable Starters:

UMBC (0-1):
C- Robbie Jackson (7.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .333 FG%)
F/G- Adrian Satchell (9.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, .571 FG%)
G/F- Chauncey Gilliam (11.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .400 FG%)
G- Matt Spadafora (12.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .417 FG%)
G- Chris De La Rosa (6.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.0 apg)

Key Reserves:
F- Jake Wasco (0.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
G/F- Brian Neller (4.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.0 apg)
G- Shawn Grant (6.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, .500 3-pt%)
G- Bakari Smith (2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.000 FT%)
PG- Nick Groce (0.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.0 apg)

Loyola (1-1):
F- Shane Walker (11.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, .500 FG%)
F- Anthony Winbush (11.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, .643 FG%)
F- Julius Brooks (4.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .571 FG%)
G- Brett Harvey (16.0 ppg, 2.5 apg, .455 FG%)
G- Robert Olson (1.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg)

Key Reserves:
F- Julius Brooks (4.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .571 FG%)
F- Jawaan Wright (6.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .750 FG%)
G- Tony Lewis (3.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, .667 FG%)
G- Jamal Barney (9.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg)
G- Brian Rudolph (4.5 ppg, 7.0 apg, 1.5 spg)
G- J’Hared Hall (2.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, .667 FG%)

It’s very rare that a team gets to see where they can stand in the conference after two non-conference games. But Morgan State already played Albany and Loyola has already played Vermont. Loyola beat Vermont by 13 points, so this is a game UMBC is really going to want to get, also because it is a locally televised game on MASN.

The last game was basically a collapse by UMBC. they gave up an 18 point lead to lose by 15 points. But once they find a go-to-scorer, which is out of Chauncey Gilliam and Matt Spadafora, they should be good. One thing about Morgan State is they are very physical inside and very experienced inside. That pushed everything outside, where they just could not get things going. Loyola however is an outside team and because of that UMBC should be in much better position to win as it will be a lot easier to get it going inside with Robbie Jackson and Adrian Satchell.

Men’s Basketball Gives Up Big Lead and Falls to Morgan State, 72-57

With 17:15 to play in the first half UMBC looked to ready for a rout of Morgan State with an 18 points lead, but over the next five minutes Morgan State made a 19 point ru to get a one point lead.

While UMBC got the lead back with just over nine minutes left in the game, Morgan State outscored the Retrievers 25-8 after that to get the 72-57 win.

Though the team collapsed, they were not expected to win. Morgan State is expected to run away with the MEAC championship while UMBC is supposed to struggle in the America East.

But to come out that strong, assuming they won’t drop a lead like that very often, UMBC should be a decent team in the conference this year.

In the game it was the lone available senior Matt Spadafora who stepped up and led the team in scoring with 12 points.

The next highest man was Chauncey Gilliam, who was declared eligible less than 48 hours prior to the game. He scored 11 points in 23 minutes of action with four rebound while shooting 4-10 from the field.

Freshman Adrian Satchell showed a lot of promise as in his debut he came up just a point away from a double-double with nine, and ten rebounds.

Transfer Robbie Jackson recorded seven points and a block while fellow transfer Chris De La Rosa scored six points with five assists.

Off the bench freshman Shawn Grant scored six points off two threes, with five rebounds. Brian Neller scored a four points while Bakari Smith added two.

Next for UMBC is Loyola (MD) on Wednesday at 7:30 in the RAC. The game will be televised on MASN.

Men’s Basketball vs. Morgan State Preview (Season Opener)

Probable Starters:

UMBC (0-0):
C- Robbie Jackson (Transfer from Marshall)
PF- Adrian Satchell (Freshman)
SF- Chauncey Gilliam (10.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, .514 FG%)
SG- Matt Spadafora (8.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.4 apg)
PG- Chris De La Rosa (Transfer from Siena)

Key Reserves:
PF- Jake Wasco (1.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, great interior defense)
SF- Brian Neller (Freshman)
SG- Bakari Smith (0.9 ppg, 0.6 rpg, .250 FG%)
SG- Shawn Grant (Freshman)
PG- Nick Groce (Freshman)

Morgan State (1-0)
C- Rodney Stokes (0.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
PF- DeWayne Jackson (9.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, .571 FG%)
SF- John Long (4.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
SG- Reggie Holmes (23.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 spg)
PG- Danny Smith (8.0 ppg, 9.0 apg, 4.0 rpg)

Key Reserves:
SF- Kevin Thompson (15.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 3.0 bpg)
SF- Ameer Ali (2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
SG- Troy Smith (4.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
PG- Sean Thomas (2.0 ppg, .250 FG%, good defense)

One week ago I was not so high on this game, but one thing is for sure, having Chauncey Gilliam back is going to be huge for UMBC. It is going to energize the fans, the team, and provide a solid scoring threat for the Retrievers. But even with him back UMBC is not supposed to win this game. Morgan State was in the NCAA tournament last year and are supposed to make it back this year, meanwhile UMBC is expected to struggle in the conference. The Bears just beat Albany, who is picked to do very well in the conference this year, 69-65.

BBut one thing about UMBC’s ranking is that people don’t know much about them. When the majority of your players are transfers and freshman you’re not going ot be picked to do well, but it all depends on if they come out wanting to prove that that freshman or “misfit” (transfers) title doesn’t mean anything at UMBC and they can make an impact. UMBC is also going to need Gilliam and Matt Spadafora to stepp up. I’ve been talking a lot about Gilliam’s potential, but to keep things in perspective, he’s never been the go-to-guy and he was very inconsistent last season. If he does get ride of that in the making label (star in the making) it should be a good year for UMBC, but he can’t do it by himself. Spadafora is coming off a career year and needs to step up even more. He has to improve his scoring total at least four points per game if UMBC wants to see any success.

As for the transfers, they can’t live in the previous players shadows. Robbie Jackson is a big guy and has to play his game and not try and do what Cavell Johnson did. Chris De La Rosa is a completely different type of player from Jay Greene and cannot try to do what he did. That is when your team does not well. They are not Darryl Proctor, Jay Greene, Cavell Johnson, etc., so they can’t try to be them.

With that said, the freshman need to live up to expectations this year, which are high. They have the talent but again, they haven’t done anything yet. It’s certainly a great test to start the season, taking on an NCAA team when you are trying to figure out what kind of team you are.

Men’s Basketball Beats Frostburgh State in Exhibition, 77-59

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.