UMass Minutemen basketball

Massachusetts Minutemen basketball
2017–18 UMass Minutemen basketball team
University University of Massachusetts Amherst
Head coach Matt McCall (1st season)
Conference Atlantic 10
Location Amherst, Massachusetts
Arena William D. Mullins Memorial Center
(Capacity: 9,493)
Nickname Minutemen
Colors Maroon and White[1]
         
Uniforms
Home
Away
NCAA Tournament Final Four
1996*
NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
1995, 1996*
NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen
1992, 1995, 1996*
NCAA Tournament Round of 32
1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996*
NCAA Tournament appearances
1962, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996*, 1997, 1998, 2014
*vacated by NCAA
Conference tournament champions
1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
Conference regular season champions
1962, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2007

The UMass Minutemen basketball team represents the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts, in NCAA Division I men's college basketball. They play their home games in the William D. Mullins Memorial Center. The Minutemen currently compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

History

The men's basketball program has a history of over 100 years. The Minutemen, as they have been called since 1972, celebrated their 100th season in 2008–09.[2] Though the program's first game was played on January 10, 1900, there were several years in which no team was assembled.

The program's first coach was Harold M. Gore, who in 11 seasons compiled a record of 85–53 (.616 win percentage), highlighted by a 12–2 season in 1925–26. In 1933–34, Massachusetts was the only undefeated team in men's college basketball, going 12–0. For the 1948–49 season, Massachusetts joined the Yankee Conference to mark the first time they participated in conference play. UMass would go on to be 10-time champions of the Yankee Conference.

The 1960s and 1970s were prosperous for the program. The 1961–62 team went 15–9 and participated in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. They would go on to win 4 Yankee Conference titles in the 1960s, and played in the NIT at the end of the 1969–70 season. Though not a nationally recognized name, the program's coach with the most wins was Jack Leaman.[3] Leaman guided Massachusetts to 217 wins, and coached players including Julius Erving, Al Skinner, and Rick Pitino. The program compiled a record of 142–103 (.580) in the 1960s. The 1969–70 team featured Julius Erving. In his first game with the varsity team, a 90–85 win over Providence College, Erving scored 27 points and grabbed 28 rebounds.

In the first eight seasons of the 1970s, the Redmen/Minutemen compiled a record of 152–65 (.700). They won 5 Yankee Conference titles, and played in 5 NITs. The early 1970s teams featured players such as Erving, Al Skinner, and Rick Pitino. Jack Leaman, who coached the team for 13 seasons, hung it up after the 1978–79 season, with a record of 217–126 (.632) .Though Leaman's last season as coach of the men's team was 1978–79, he remained a key part of the UMass Athletic Department until he died in 2004.[4]

John Calipari era 1988–1996

The Minutemen fell on hard times in the late 1970s and 1980s, but would rebound under the direction of rookie coach John Calipari, who took the head coaching job in 1988, perhaps the school's most recognizable coach. In 1988, Calipari took over a program that was on a streak of 10-straight losing seasons and had not been to the NCAA Tournament since 1962. Calipari led UMass to the NIT in his second season as head coach. In his fourth season, UMass won the A-10 regular season and tournament championships. Over the next few seasons, Calipari would take the team to new heights and frequent #1 rankings in the AP weekly poll. In 1996, the Minutemen reached the Final Four for the first time. After the 1995–96 season, Calipari left UMass for the NBA as the new head coach of the New Jersey Nets. The 1990s were the defining decade for UMass basketball. Calipari helped the Minutemen become A-10 Tournament Champs five consecutive times (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996), and appeared in the NCAA Tournament nine times, including two appearances in the Elite Eight (1995, 1996) and a Final Four appearance (1996), the only appearance ever for the Minutemen. However, NCAA sanctions stripped the Minutemen of their 1996 NCAA Tournament victories. The sanctions, based on star Marcus Camby admitting he took money, clothes, jewelry from an agent during the season, removed the Final Four from the record books. Additionally, 5% of tournament revenue had to be returned to the NCAA. Camby reimbursed the school for the $151,617 in lost revenue.

After Calipari resigned in 1996, his associate Bruiser Flint coached from 1996–2001, and Steve Lappas coached from 2001–05.

Travis Ford era 2005–2008

In 2005, Travis Ford replaced Lappas. Though the Minutemen struggled with a 13–15 record in Ford's first season of 2005–06, he quickly improved the team in the next two seasons. In 2006–07, the Minutemen were co-champions of the Atlantic 10 (along with Xavier), reached the second round of the NIT, and finished with a record of 24–9. In 2007–08, the Minutemen reached the NIT championship game where they lost to Ohio State 92–85 and finished with a record of 25–11. Following the 2007–08 season, his third with the Minutemen, he left to take the head coaching vacancy at Oklahoma State.

Derek Kellogg era 2009–2017

On April 23, 2008, former Minutemen player Derek Kellogg returned to Amherst and became the 21st coach of the program.[5] In 2011–12 the Minutemen appeared in the NIT after a successful season with a 22–11 record, reaching the semifinals, where they lost to Stanford. The Minutemen were again invited to the NIT in following the 2012–13.

The 2013–14 season was a massive success, as the Minutemen qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 16 years. The team started off the season 10–0 and then 16–1, while reaching as high as #13 in the AP poll, and #12 in the Coaches poll.[6] However, the Minutemen, a #6 seed, were defeated in their first game against #11 seeded Tennessee.

In the 2014–15 season, the Minutemen again struggled, falling to 17–15 on the season. Struggles continued the following season as UMass finished 14–18.

Kellogg was fired on March 9, 2017.

Matt McCall era 2017–present

Shortly after Kellogg was fired, the school announced that Winthrop head coach Pat Kelsey had been hired as the new head coach at UMass.[7] However, shortly before the press conference to announce his hiring, Kelsey announced he would not accept the position.[8] On March 31, the school announced they had hired Chatanooga head coach Matt McCall.

Rivalries

Through 2009, Massachusetts and the Rhode Island Rams have played over 130 times and at least once a year every year since 1950. The Atlantic 10 regularly pairs UMass and URI in a home-and-home series each season.

Starting in 1995, Massachusetts and Boston College played annually for the Commonwealth Cup, in the "Commonwealth Classic". Following the 2011–2012 season (in which UMass defeated the Eagles 82–46 in Chestnut Hill), Boston College abruptly terminated the series and canceled their return trip to Amherst in late 2012.

UMass and Temple had an intense rivalry in the 1990s, during which time the schools were coached by John Calipari and John Chaney. The two coaches had to be restrained from each other during a 3-overtime game in 1990.[9] After a game in 1994, Chaney charged at Calipari during a post-game press conference, and in front of reporters and television cameras, threatened to kill Calipari.[10]

From 1996–2005, Massachusetts and Connecticut played in the "Mass Mutual U-Game," a reference to the two schools' nicknames, UMass and UConn, respectively. UConn won nine of the ten games. UMass won the 2004 game, in which the Huskies were the defending national champions.

Season-by-season results

UMass Minutemen History
Season Head Coach Overall Conf. Postseason Notes
Independent
1925–26Kid Gore12–2
Yankee Conference
Lorin Ball 1946–1952
1946–47Walter Hargesheheimer (0–7)

Lorin Ball (4–5)

 4–12
1947–48Lorin Ball2–14
1948–49Lorin Ball 6–12
1949–50Lorin Ball 8–11
1950–51Lorin Ball 6–15
1951–52Lorin Ball 4–17
Lorin Ball: 26–74 (.260)
Robert Curran 1952–1959
1952–53Robert Curran4–15
1953–54Robert Curran 13–9
1954–55Robert Curran 10–14
1955–56Robert Curran 17–6
1956–57Robert Curran 13–11
1957–58Robert Curran 13–12
1958–59Robert Curran 11–13
Robert Curran: 81–80 (.503)
Matt Zunic 1959–1963
1959–60Matt Zunic14–10
1960–61Matt Zunic 16–10
1961–62Matt Zunic 15–98–2NCAA First RoundYankee Regular Season Champions
1962–63Matt Zunic 12–126–4
Matt Zunik: 57–41 (.582)
Johnny Orr 1963–1966
1963–64Johnny Orr15–95–5
1964–65Johnny Orr 13–118–2
1965–66Johnny Orr 11–135–5
Johnny Orr: 39–33 (.542)
Jack Leaman 1966–1979
1966–6711–147–3
1967–68Jack Leaman 14–118–2Yankee Regular Season Champions
1968–69Jack Leaman 17–79–1Yankee Regular Season Champions
1969–70Jack Leaman 18–78–2NIT First RoundYankee Regular Season Champions
1970–71Jack Leaman 23–410–0NIT First RoundYankee Regular Season Champions
1971–72Jack Leaman 14–126–4
1972–73Jack Leaman20–710–2NIT Second RoundYankee Regular Season Champions
1973–74Jack Leaman 21–511–1NIT First RoundYankee Regular Season Champions
1974–75Jack Leaman 18–810–2 Yankee Regular Season Champions
1975–76Jack Leaman 21–611–1Yankee Regular Season Champions
1976–77Jack Leaman 20–113–4
Eastern Collegiate Basketball League
1977–78Jack Leaman 15–125–5
Eastern Athletic Association
1978–79Jack Leaman 5–220–10
Jack Leaman: 217–126 (.633)
Ray Wilson 1979–1981
1979–80Ray Wilson2–240–10
1980–81Ray Wilson3–240–13
Ray Wilson: 5–48 (.094)
Tom McLaughlin 1981–1982
1981–82Tom McLaughlin7–203–11
Atlantic 10 Conference
1982–83Tom McLaughlin 9–204–10
Tom McLaughlin: 16–40 (.286)
Ron Gerlufsen 1983–1988
1983–84Ron Gerlufsen12–176–12
1984–85Ron Gerlufsen 13–159–9
1985–86Ron Gerlufsen 9–196–12
1986–87Ron Gerlufsen 11–167–11
1987–88Ron Gerlufsen 10–175–13
Ron Gerlufsen: 55–84 (.396)
John Calipari 1988–1996
1988–89John Calipari10–185–13
1989–90John Calipari 17–1410–8NIT First Round
1990–91John Calipari 20–1310–8NIT Fourth Place
1991–92John Calipari 30–513–3NCAA Sweet SixteenA-10 Regular Season and Tournament Champions
1992–93John Calipari 24–711–3NCAA Second RoundA-10 Regular Season and Tournament Champions
1993–94John Calipari 28–714–2NCAA Second RoundA-10 Regular Season and Tournament Champions
1994–95John Calipari 29–513–3NCAA Elite Eight A-10 Regular Season and Tournament Champions
1995–96John Calipari 35–2
(vacated, adjusted to 31–1)		15–1NCAA Final Four
(vacated)		A-10 Regular Season and Tournament Champions
John Calipari: 193–71 (.731)
Bruiser Flint 1996–2001
1996–97Bruiser Flint19–1411–5
1997–98Bruiser Flint 21–1112–4NCAA Tournament First Round
1998–99Bruiser Flint14–169–7
1999–2000Bruiser Flint 17–169–7
2000–01Bruiser Flint 15–1511–5
Bruiser Flint: 86–72 (.544)
Steve Lappas 2001–2005
2001–02Steve Lappas 13–166–10
2002–03Steve Lappas11–186–10
2003–04Steve Lappas 10–194–12
2004–05Steve Lappas 16–129–7
Steve Lappas: 50–65 (.435)
Travis Ford 2005–2008
2005–06Travis Ford13–158–8
2006–07 Travis Ford 24–913–3NIT Second Round
2007–08 Travis Ford 25–1110–6NIT Final
Travis Ford: 62–35 (.639)
Derek Kellogg 2008–2017
2008–09 Derek Kellogg 12–187–9
2009–10 Derek Kellogg12–205–11
2010–11Derek Kellogg 15–157–9
2011–12Derek Kellogg 25–129–7NIT Semifinal
2012–13Derek Kellogg 21–129–7NIT First Round
2013–14Derek Kellogg 24–910–6NCAA First Round
2014–15Derek Kellogg 17–1510–8
2015–16Derek Kellogg 14–186–12
2016–17Derek Kellogg 15–184–14
Derek Kellogg: 155–137 (.531)
Overall Record: 906–728 (.552)

Source[11]

Postseason Results

NCAA tournament results

The Minutemen have appeared in the NCAA Tournament nine times. Their combined record is 11–9. Their 1996 victories have been vacated by the NCAA thus their official tournament record is 7–9.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1962 First Round NYU L 50–70
1992 #3 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen 		#14 Fordham
#6 Syracuse
#2 Kentucky 		W 85–58
W 77–71
L 77–87
1993 #3 First Round
Second Round 		#14 Penn
#6 Virginia 		W 54–50
L 56–71
1994 #2 First Round
Second Round 		#15 Southwest Texas State
#10 Maryland 		W 78–60
L 87–95
1995 #2 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight 		#15 Saint Peter's
#10 Stanford
#6 Tulsa
#4 Oklahoma State 		W 68–51
W 75–53
W 76–51
L 54–68
1996* #1 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four 		#16 UCF
#9 Stanford
#12 Arkansas
#2 Georgetown
#1 Kentucky 		W 92–70
W 79–74
W 79–63
W 86–62
L 74–81
1997 #11 First Round #6 Louisville L 57–65
1998 #7 First Round #10 Saint Louis L 46–51
2014 #6 Second Round #11 Tennessee L 67–86

* vacated by NCAA

NIT results

The Minutemen have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 13 times. Their combined record is 13–14.

Year Round Opponent Result
1970 First Round Marquette L 55–62
1971 First Round North Carolina L 49–90
1973 First Round
Quarterfinals 		Missouri
North Carolina 		W 78–71
L 63–73
1974 First Round Jacksonville L 69–73OT
1975 First Round Manhattan L 51–68
1977 First Round
Quarterfinals 		Seton Hall
Villanova 		W 86–85
L 71–81
1990 First Round Maryland L 81–91
1991 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game 		La Salle
Fordham
Siena
Stanford
Colorado 		W 93–90
W 78–74
W 82–80
L 71–78
L 91–98
2000 First Round Siena L 65–66
2007 First Round
Second Round 		Alabama
West Virginia 		W 89–87
L 77–90
2008 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals 		Stephen F. Austin
Akron
Syracuse
Florida
Ohio State 		W 80–60
W 68–63
W 81–77
W 78–66
L 85–92
2012 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals 		Mississippi State
Seton Hall
Drexel
Stanford 		W 101–962OT
W 77–67
W 72–70
L 74–84
2013 First Round Stony Brook L 58–71

Prominent alumni

NBA players

Several Massachusetts alumni have gone on to play in the NBA:

Honored Members of UMass Basketball History

Five former players and one coach have had their names hung on banners in the rafters of the Mullins Center.[12]

UMass Minutemen Honored Members
No. Player Pos. Career
15 Lou Roe PF 1991–95
21 Marcus Camby [13][14] C 1993–96
30 Al Skinner F 1971–1974
32 George Burke
Julius Erving F 1968–1971
John Calipari Coach 1988–1996

UMass Athletic Hall of Fame

Many former members of the basketball program have been elected into the school's Hall of Fame.[15] Class years listed in parentheses.

  • David Bartley (1956)
  • George "Trigger" Burke (1956)
  • Lou Bush (1934)
  • John Calipari (coach)
  • Marcus Camby (1996)
  • Joe DiSarcina (1969)
  • Ray Ellerbrook (1970)
  • Frederick "Fritz" Ellert (1930)
  • Julius Erving (1972)
  • Jack Foley (1957)
  • Harold "Kid" Gore (coach)
  • Emory Grayson (1917)
  • Doug Grutchfield (1961)
  • Ned Larkin (1959)
  • Jack Leaman (coach)
  • Joseph Lojko (1934)
  • Jim McCoy (1992)
  • Edward McGrath (1949)
  • Bill Prevey (1952)
  • Lou Roe (1995)
  • Al Skinner (1974)
  • John Stewart (1936)
  • Billy Tindall (1968)
  • Rodger Twitchell (1964)
  • Harper Williams (1993)

The Hall is officially named "The George "Trigger" Burke UMass Athletic Hall of Fame" in recognition of Burke's generous support of UMass Athletics and student scholarships.

References

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