Wednesday--March 20, 2013

Canadian Press image

Brandon London signed a three year deal with the Alouettes.

London has high goals for 2013.

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If you want to know why college football is driving realignment, this article from Football Scoop shows the reason money is in football.

From the article:

"College football was the No. 1 or 2 highest-rated television programs for 14 consecutive Saturday nights this fall, taking the top spot on seven occasions."

FBS college football is the place to be.

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NIU Football wants to be even stronger in 2013.

Toledo's goal remains the same, win the MAC in 2013.

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MetroDailyWest has a feature about Boston College's Spring football.

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OT:

Kentucky was one-and-done in the NIT.

The Courier-Journal says Coach Calipari may be one player away from the greatest recruiting class in the history of college basketball.

Could the Siena Saints be joining the A10?

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Recruiting 2015-- Brad Mayes II

I've blogged about Brad Meyes, a 6-1 180 pound QB from Berkeley Prep before.

Mayes gets a mention in this article on a Nike Training Camp in Orlando.

Sophomore highlights here.

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Tuesday--March 19, 2013

Virginia coach Mike London appears to take a shot at Jimmie Reid in this story by Football Scoop. More on the Cavs new defensive coordinator from the Daily Progress.

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Bill Connelly continues his series on the MAC with a preview of Central Michigan. UMass had offensive line problems in 2012.

Connelly's article notes that a number of MAC teams will be rebuilding their OL in 2013.


Ball State is replacing four multi-year starters, including two all-conference picks. Kent State is replacing three three-year (at least) starters, including two all-conference picks. Miami is replacing three multi-year starters, including a four-year guy.

And now you've got CMU, looking at replacing four guys who combined for 124 career starts. 

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Bowling Green is ready to make the next step in the MAC race according to USA Today.

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The Raiders website has a story about the top offensive tackles in the 2013 NFL draft. Mentions Stephane Milhim and CMU's Eric Fisher.

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Another what-if-college-football-had-a-64-team-playoff article this time by SB Nation.

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The Giants co-owner says Victor Cruz is worth more than Wes Welker.

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OT, but there is a printable NIT bracket here.

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There's some UMass Football recruiting news, but I'm on a short leash today to the storm and a couple of medical appointments.

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Recruiting 2014--Anthony Khalife

247Sports image

Recruiting services say UMass is showing interest in Anthony Khalife, a 6-4 235 pound DE from Wilkes-Barre PA.

Rivals page here.

247Sports page here.

Visited UConn recently.

Khalife does not have any offers at this time.

Monday--March 18, 2013

I've set up a Picasa web album with 29 images from UMass' Night of Champions. It's here.

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SB Nation's Bill Connelly continues his Spring preview of MAC teams, this time with Ball State.

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A Bleacher Report writer looks at a 64-team college football playoff.

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The Giants co-owner says Victor Cruz is going to cost the Giants big money.

ESPN says the Giants want to keep Cruz.

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James Ihedigbo has been re-signed by the Ravens for one year.

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Josh Samuda and some other Dolphins' players help under privileged kids.

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OT, but UMass will host Stony Brook 24-7 Wednesday at Home. Ticket info here.

Stony Brook swept America East awards. MassLive has game time and more.

UPDATE:  The Washington Post says UMass will host Iowa if both advance.

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Sunday--March 17, 2013

The Monsignor Farrell football program is going to retire the #45 jersey worn by former UMass DE John D'Amato (1976, 1977, 1978).

D'Amato was First Team All-Yankee Conference in 1977 and 1978.

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The BCS committee asked 31 Bowl Committees to submit applications to bid on hosting one of the three access bowls for 2013.

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The Big East's lawyers have registered the domain name America12.org as well as variations of America12.com.

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Maryland, ----- but not Rutgers will receive a big travel subsidy from the Big Ten.

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UMass hoops played a valiant game yesterday against VCU. The Minutemen out-rebounded VCU (always a sign of good effort) and played strong defense. One symptom of  fatigue in basketball is poor shooting and UMass missed lots of shots. I still think UMass is one of the top 68 teams in the nation, but probably will have a first round NIT game at home.

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Recruiting 2014--Thomas Holley III

I've blogged about Thomas Holley, a 6-4 290 pound DT from Abraham Lincoln HS a couple of times before.

Holley just added offers from Alabama and Notre Dame.

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Saturday--March 16, 2013

The Maroon helmet was the favorite of 64% of the responders in the blog poll in the side bar. I voted for the white helmet, but after seeing the maroon helmet in person, I like that one too.

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Athlon Sports has a Spring preview of  UMass' 2013 BCS OOC opponent Vanderbilt.

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Sports Illustrated looks at burning questions for the non BCS leagues in the Spring of 2013.

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All's quiet with the Victor Cruz negotiations, but the Giants are hoping Cruz's agent change will help.

Victor is mingling with the movers and shakers again.

Rant Sports says San Diego should give the Giants a first round pick for Cruz.

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UConn is adding temporary seating to it's 40,000 seat stadium for Michigan's visit.

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After watching UMass beat NCAA-bound Temple last night, can anyone deny UMass is one of the top 64 teams in the nation? The Minutemen should be in the tourney.

UPDATE: MassLive has the TV coverage channels for today's UMass-VCU game.

BTW, Temple has a basketball/football blog.

Recruiting 2014--Adonis Jennings

Matt Boyle image

Several recruiting services say UMass has offered to Adonis Jennings, a 6-2 185 pound WR from Erial, NJ.

Jennings ESPN page here.

247Sports page here.

Jennings team won the South Jersey Championship.

This 247Sports article features Jennings.

Jennings holds offers from Pitt, Rutgers, Temple and UCF.

Friday-- Ides of March 2013

The UMass All-access video port has some highlights from the UMass "Night of Champions" event.

Some more images of the event from me. Click on the image and Blogger displays a full-rez version.

First team to 100 reps at 305 wins

Robert Kitching sets up for a 600 pound squat

Anthony Dima did 32 reps at 225!!!

Randall Jette goes above the rim

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The Vandy Blog "Anchor of Gold" has a post about favorite uniforms and helmets and features an image from the UMass game.

ESPN football says Vanderbilt (who will visit Gillette next year) is looking more like a SEC team.

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ESPN looks at more names for the new Big East football league.

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OT, but Chaz Williams left a freakin' vapor trail in his coast-to-coast drive and layup in the last minute of UMass' win over George Washington last night.

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OT, but there is limited TV coverage of tonight's UMass-Temple game. Some papers say the game will be on CBS sports Network, but it's not listed on my Dish Network programming guide.

UPDATE: The A10 has an expanded list of cable stations carrying the UMass-Temple game. It's available on Fox Sports Midwest channel 418 on Dish network. I'm watching St. Joe's VCU now.

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More on the new UMass helmets

At the football event last night the team displayed mannequins with the new uniforms and helmets. If my math is right three different colors for helmets, jerseys and pants gives 84 distinct combinations.

Click on the images below and Blogger displays a full-rez version.

One one day left to vote in the poll on helmet colors!

Note the metal-flake finish on the white helmet

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Thursday --March 14, 2013

Hey, yesterday's UMass Night of Champions was a hoot! Next year you've got to go. Tons of energy from the team. I had a great time.

I'll try to have an Picassa album up in a couple of days. The Gazette has a story here about the event (paywall, you can get five views/month by registering).

Click on the images below and Blogger displays a full-rez version. It sure got me amped up for the coming season!

Khary Baily-Smith can sky!

Brandon Potvin goes for reps

QB Mike Wegzyn squats 400+

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In MAC conference news: Ohio led the league in football and basketball attendance.

SB Nation's Bill Connelly continues his MAC teams review, this time with Kent State.

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How should the Big East divy up $100 million in exit fees?

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ESPN says Wes Welker's deal not good for Victor Cruz.

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UPDATE:

OT but there will be TV coverage for tonight's A10 first-round game between UMass and GW. MassLive has the channels for Comcast, Direct TV and Dish Network.

Recruiting 2014--James Hendren

Mass Prep Stars image

Several sources state UMass has offered to James Hendren, a 6-7 305 pound OT from Brookline, MA.

This article from NJ.com features Hendren.

Hendren's Rivals page here.

Sophomore highlights above.

Hendren holds an offer from Ohio and a number of Ivy League teams.

Wednesday-- March 13, 2013

Hope to see a lot of UMass football fans at tonight's Evening of Champions. It's a chance to be a little involved with Minutemen football during the off season.

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Former UMass player E.J. Barthel gets a mention in this video. Barthel's Wikipedia page. His UMass bio.

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Stephane Milhim's NFL Draft Scout's page with his stats from UMass' Pro Day.

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WEEI says the Pats are unlikely to make a run at Victor Cruz.

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In conference news, Bowling Green wants to take it to the next level in 2013.

Toledo held their Pro Day recently.

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College football playoffs won't have a title sponsor.

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OT: The Big East votes to let Notre Dame leave for the ACC in 2013-14 school year.

With Maryland leaving the ACC for the Big Ten, IMHO the ACC could be the next league to cherry picked (in football) by other leagues. That could end up providing UMass with an opportunity in the future.

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Recruiting 2014--- Tyrone Washington II

Vin Canchietta image

I've blogged about Tyrone Washington before. Washington is a 6-2 185 pound athlete/WR/DB from Paramus Catholic in NJ.

NJ.com has a feature article on Washington.

Washington helped win the state title for Paramus in December.

Washington attended the UMass Junior Day a couple of weeks ago.

Washington holds offers from UMass and Rutgers.

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Tuesday--March 12, 2013

Get away from the March blahs and attend tomorrow's UMass football Evening of Champions. I'll be there and I hope to see some more of the Minutemen football die-hards.

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The UMass All-Access page also has a new update on the facilities upgrade at McGuirk. The new training center and new press box should make a big impact on recruiting. In addition, it will allow UMass to move some games back to campus.

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Bill Connelly of SB Nation continues his series on prospects for 2013 MAC teams, this time with Miami (Ohio).

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The Orlando Sentinel has five MAC games to watch in 2013.

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The Giants have given Victor Cruz first-round tender and he's changed agents.

CBS Sports says the Giants are hoping to keep Cruz for years.

More Cruz trade rumors from the Giants Blog "Big Blue".

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Will Fox Sports give ESPN a challenge in college sports? It would nice if the MAC could improve its TV package.

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Recruiting 2014--Juwann Winfree

Winnfree family image

Several recruiting services say UMass has offered to Juwann Winfree, a 6-2 180 pound athlete from Englewood, NJ.

ESPN page here.

247Sports page here.

This article from November 2012 features Winfree.

NJ.com also has an article on Winfree.

Winfree has multiple FBS offers including Boston College, Cincinnati, Georgia, Maryland and more.

Monday--March 11, 2013

A Bleacher Report writer picks Victor Cruz as one of the top NFL Free Agents.

The Giants Blog "Big Blue" says Victor could really cash in.

The Examiner.com says Cruz is receiving a "ton of interest".

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The Catholic Seven depart the Big East June 30th.

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Why Notre Dame won't miss Gunner Kiel.

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OT, but Temple won their last regular season A10 basketball game. A10 hoops is not going to be the same without the Owls.

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UConn releases their 2013 football schedule. Four wins maybe?

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Recruiting 2014--Andrew Ford

Chris Knight image

Several recruiting services have indicated UMass has offered to Andrew Ford, a 6-2 181 pound pro-style QB from Cedar Cliff HS in PA.

ESPN page here.

247Sports page here.

This article from September features Ford.

Threw for seven TD's in one game in 2012.

Ford also holds an offer from Temple.

Sunday--March 10, 2013

Rant Sports says several MAC schools would be a good fit for Gunner Kiel.

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The Big East completes the Basketball-Football divorce.

The Big East wants $2.5 million from Notre Dame for the Irish's exit.

Philly.com says the Big East and the A10's tourneys will never be the same.

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What college coaches really look for in recruits.

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The Boston Herald says Victor Cruz and Wes Welker are among the premier WR free agents.

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