I get it, you think change is impossible. Either UMass will make the commitment to change or it won't. It's looking like it won't, but if it really wants to, then it goes out and makes it happen. UMass as a state flagship has more upside potential than the MAC programs. Maybe Harasymiak is the guy or maybe he isn't. The bigger commitment would be a new stadium but since UMass doesn't have plans for that, I don't see them turning it around.
I believe he thinks change is impossible based on the current administration and AD. There's a difference.
UMass won’t make the commitment to change. It’s a dumpster fire and will only get worse. No one cares. They missed their opportunity when Calipari galvanized the state with their flagship sport - basketball. There was a buzz even in eastern MA and they needed to take that momentum to the state legislature and leverage it in other sports much like UConn did. They are cooked
Your last 2 sentences are right, but nobody as an established HC is taking the risk of handling arguably the worst job in America. A coordinator, sure, because they have less to lose.
The MAC would be horrible regardless. Miami is one of two undefeated teams left and they are at #90 in Kenpom. Their only hope of making the NCAA tourney is win the postseason tournament whether they win every MAC game or not. UMass is in a spot where they lost tons of season ticket holders and donors, in a worse league and no younger fans will ever care about a local MAC program with those conference opponent from East, West and Central Michigan. So why bother building a brand new stadium when "fans" wont show up in droves? And the Mullins Center is totally obsolete now too. They are completely cooked
They need their version of Dave Benedict. Someone who would hire their version of Dan Hurley and Jim Mora...
It’s worse than sailed. It sunk and they have less now than they did before. Way to read the room UMass!
Just curious, Vuce, why do you think Mullins is obsolete? Is upgrading a viable option?
It’s a 9500 seat capacity that is hosting awful MAC teams where it will always be at LEAST half empty and many times 2/3 empty. I don’t mean obsolete in terms of how it looks or anything. UMass just downgraded their basketball program in a huge way and they will never need an arena that big. It’ll take away from any home court advantage they have because of all the empty seats if they ever got decent again. I suggested going back to the Cage to play but didn’t realize they recently repurposed that place for other things. A sub 5000 seat arena still wouldn’t fill up but it would be a lot better
Yeah that’s why they have less season ticket holders by a lot and donors too. They will need to dominate the MAC like Gonzaga does the WCC and have multiple NCAA tournament appearances for people to buy in again. It won’t do the trick to beat Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green a few more times than they beat St Joe’s and VCU. I know someone in the admin there and they are giving away tickets to youth organizations this year to get people in the building so it doesn’t look as bad. It’s similar to what was going on the last two Ollie years in the AAC except the MAC is much much worse
Loved those old gyms like CHC and Keaney at URI.