Cornel Big Red (1-0) vs Massachusetts Minutemen (0-1)
The Cornell Big Red tip off against the Minutemen at the Mullins Center in Amherst, Massachusetts on Thursday night.
The Minutemen fell to Central Florida 84-67 last Friday. UMass tied the game at 43 early in the second half, but the Knights were able build a 12-point lead and hang on for the win. UMass shot just 33 percent in the game. Ricky Harris had 15 points in the loss, while Junior Anthony Gurley added 14 and Freddie Riley had 12 points in his college debut. Harris and Gurley are back this season along with a recruiting class that is being hailed as the best in the Atlantic 10. Terrell Vinson, Freddie Riley, Raphiael Putney, Sampson Carter and Javorn Farrell—are being dubbed the “Fine Five,” — a take-off of Michigan ‘s former Fab Five. Head coach Derek Kellogg returns for his second year putting together a team that will improve as the season goes, becoming more dangerous with each game. UMass is a perfect 8-0 in season openers, which have been played at the Mullins Center.
Two-time defending Ivy League Conference champion Cornell Big Red is coming off a 71-67 victory over Alabama last week, behind two-time All-Ivy first-team Ryan Wittman who scored 23 points and was 5-for-8 from 3-point range in the win. Jeff Foote added 17 points and seven rebounds. Cornell opened the second half with nine straight points, building a 35-20 lead on back-to-back 3-pointers by Chris Wroblewski and Wittman. Cornell has five returning starters, four of which are seniors, and appears to be in great shape to win its third consecutive Ivy League title. UMass transfer Max Groebe will face his former Team in Thursday’s match up. Groebe shot close to 36 percent from three-point range in his freshman season at UMass.
The odds are not yet posted for this game.
The Minutemen will need to shut down Cornell’s perimeter attack and take advantage of turnovers while using the home crowd to their advantage.
Look for Cornell to get the win on the road, snapping UMass’ home opener streak.
Matt Martz is a sports writer for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
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