Once Upon A Time In Las Vegas – Super Bowl
The La Salle Explorers play host to the UMass Minutemen on Saturday afternoon in an A10 clash from Tom Gola Arena at Trumark Financial Center. Both teams come into this one with little to separate them in the standings, as UMass sits only a game behind the Explorers. UMass comes into this one riding a three-game losing streak, while La Salle has a three-game winning streak that they're working on. The Explorers escaped with a one-point win when these squared off last month, and this one expects to be a great matchup as well.
UMass started the season the talk of the A10, especially with Frank Martin finding success pretty quickly during the non-conference slate. Now that the A10 slate has rolled around, the Minutemen have been struggling to find consistency, as they sit in second-to-last place in the conference standings. A three-game losing streak hasn't helped matters of late, while they only have three wins in their last ten games overall. A poor road record hasn't helped matters in 2023 either. They come into this one with a 2-6 road record and while La Salle isn't the most difficult place to find a win, it still marks their third road game in their last four games, as that travel continues to build. The A10 standings have everyone close to each other, so this result could go a long way toward shifting the last few weeks of the regular season.
The mounting number of injuries hasn't helped this group over the last few we eks either. They have four injuries as of now, with three players having been ruled out already. Noah Fernandes (ankle) will definitely be missed, as it will be tough to replicate his scoring. Rahsool Diggins (ankle) is questionable as well, as the backcourt depth continues to be tested.
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?? ESPN+#Flagship ??https://t.co/xQ08Iw4gU1— UMass Men's Basketball (@UMassMBB) February 10, 2023
UMass has struggled on both ends of the court as the A10 portion of the schedule has gotten underway, while the recent run of injuries hasn't helped things. Fernandes (13.4 ppg) has been the best player for the Minutemen this season, while RJ Luis (10.7 ppg) will also be missed as another key presence in the backcourt. A strong focus is likely to fall on the frontcourt in this rematch and UMass will have an advantage when it comes to the offensive glass. They rank 44th nationally in offensive rebounding while taking on a La Salle team that has struggled on the glass themselves. Matt Cross (13. ppg, 6.5 rpg) is expected to be the x-factor in this one and if the Minutemen can generate second-chance opportunities, that will allow them to stay within striking distance.
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