UMass Football Blog

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

UMass Football News--October 10th, 2023

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This was the no-call interference play I mentioned in Sunday's blog post. Amazin' someone caught the image. This play and the lineman downfield cancellation of a UMass TD resulted in an 11-point swing in the second half.

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Chris Tucci image

The Hampshire Gazette has an interview with Taisun Phommachanh about his season as the UMass starting QB.

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On 3 has storylines from a Penn State perspective.

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Penn State's game notes for UMass here.

UMass notes not up yet.

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The York Daily Record predicts Nittany Lions 54 UMass 6.

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Doc's Sports thinks Penn State will cover the 42-point spread.

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Monday, October 09, 2023

UMass Football News--October 9th, 2023

First, congrats to the UMMB who will be marching in the 2024 Macy's New Years Day parade!

The Hampshire Gazette notes the UMMB is still rocking after 150 years.

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Penn State opens as a 43-point favorite over the Minutemen.

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Nittany Wire has players to watch for the Penn State-UMass match up.

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PlayPicks.com has the over-and-under plus odds for the Minutemen-Nittany Lions game.

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Penn State moves back into the top-5 in this week's Coaches Poll.

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The Nittany Lions have the nation's best pass defense. They lead the nation in fewest passing yards allowed and have only given up one passing TD all year.

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Sunday, October 08, 2023

UMass Football News--October 8th, 2023

Well, UMass played a spirited game against a very good Toledo team. Unlike last week's no-show against Arkansas State, the Minutemen were in the game all day.

UMass had 439 yards of offense and consistently moved the ball on perhaps the MAC's best front seven.

I don't usually bitch about the officiating, but UMass was on the wrong side of a couple of really cheezy calls. One was the no-call on the Toledo DB who had the UMass WR by the jersey in the third quarter with UMass on the Rockets 32 yard line. If the interference call on the UMass DB during the New Mexico overtime was correct, then the Toledo DB far exceeded the standard. The other was the "offensive lineman down field" that took away a Minuteman TD. The UMass lineman was engaged with his man and was no where near the play. The second half would have looked a lot different without those two calls.

Taisun Phommachanh played a good game and showed what might have been during this season on his one run of the day for a first down. His running ability would have elevated the UMass offense to a different level.

Down three starters,DB's Noah Boykin and Juan Lua had a good game against the Rockets. Dequan Finn ran all over us, but he's done that against every team he's faced..

A loss never feels good, but UMass has the chance to play some football during the rest of the season.

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UMass write-up here.

Toledo write-up here.

The Hampshire Gazette reports Toledo ran past the Minutemen in the second half.

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New Mexico State plays Wednesday against Sam Houston State.

Auburn had a bye.

Miami of Ohio rang up it's fifth straight win. The Redhawks are in the MAC championship race.

Eastern Michigan beat Ball state.

New Mexico had a bye.

Arkansas State was smothered by Troy and lost 37-3. Only 203 total yards of offense for the Red Wolves.

Penn State had a bye.

Army lost a close game to BC after a last minute Eagle TD.

Merrimack beat Stonehill 45-34.

Liberty beat Sam Houston State Thursday night.

UConn broke through with a road win over Rice.

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Saturday, October 07, 2023

Game Day--Toledo--October 7th, 2023

UMass start the "heavy' portion of our schedule this week. The Minutemen will face undefeated Liberty, undefeated Penn State and Toledo is looking for their fifth straight win. The Rockets only loss was by two points to Big Ten Illinois.

Toledo leads the MAC in scoring by a wide margin. The Rockets are good on defense too. They're leading the MAC in sacks and are third in points allowed.

QB Delquan Finn was injured during the Rockets' last game. If he can't play, it may slow Toledo down some.

The forecast for today is rain and possible thunder showers. It'll be a good day to run the rock and UMass has a pretty good rushing attack. If UMass can get a couple of turnovers, it could be a competitive game.

I'll be cheering for the Minutemen. Go UMass!

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The Action Network thinks UMass will cover the spread.

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Hustle Belt predicts Toledo 42 UMass 24.

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The Hampshire Gazette says high-powered Toledo is coming to town.

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Friday, October 06, 2023

UMass Football News--October 6th, 2023

Saturday will UMass Band Day. All ways a great show!

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The Midnight Ride's latest podcast is here.

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UMass-Toledo betting trends, ATS and more here.

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Tony's picks covers the Rockets-Minutemen game.

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Rocket WR Jaden Dottin is from Cambridge, MA.

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I watched Liberty pull out a close game against Sam Houston State last evening.

Flames QB Kaidon Salter was coming off back-to-back CUSA offensive player-of-the-week awards.

Sam Houston State is coached by old friend K.C. Keeler (who no longer wears his trademark dark glasses at night games). Keeper is in the top-10 in active coaches career victories and has made the FCS Championship game nine times.

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Thursday, October 05, 2023

UMass Football News--October 5th, 2023

The UMass-UConn game on 11/25/23 is looking like a really important game for both sides..

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Doc's Sports thinks UMass will cover the 20-point spread.

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Nittanylionswire.com has kickoff times and TV info for UMass-Penn State.

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The Daily Collegian says UMass plans to take it one game at a time as they prepare for Toledo.

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The NCAA makes changes to the transfer portal rule. This will probably cut down mid-season losses like UConn has suffered.

The NCAA has also made changes to FBS membership requirements. Note the $5 million fee for moving from FCS to FBS. There has been talk of Delaware moving to FBS. On Hens fan sites there has speculation UMass and Delaware would try a package deal on a conference affiliation.

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Wednesday, October 04, 2023

UMass Football News--October 4th, 2023

UMass game notes for Toledo here.

Toledo game notes for UMass here.

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UMass-Penn State will be televised on the Big Ten network.

Yahoo Sports has the Nittany Lions as #3 in the Big Ten power rankings.

Undefeated Penn State has outscored opponents 203-48. I'm wondering if the combined Toledo-Penn State points scored in the next two games will be + or - 120..

Toledo is ranked #11 in scoring offense and Penn State is ranked #12,both averaging over 40 points/game.

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MSM.com has Liberty at the top of the C-USA power rankings.

Liberty has a shot at going 12-0 for 2023. That would put the Flames in a New Year's Day bowl.

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Tuesday, October 03, 2023

UMass Football News--October 3rd, 2023

Don Brown's Monday press conference.

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UMass welcomes Toledo Saturday at Noon.

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The Hampshire Gazette says slow starts continue to plague UMass.

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MassLive reports UMass' defense gives up 52 points to Arkansas State.

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Penn State is ranked #6 in the nation and has a bye week before their game with UMass.

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The Richmond Times-Dispatch says undefeated Liberty's offense needs to step it up if they are going to continue to win.

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Monday, October 02, 2023

UMass Football News--October 2nd, 2923

UMass opens as a 19.5 point underdog to Toledo.

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College Sports Wire has players to watch in the Toledo-UMass game.

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Kay'Ron Adams-Lynch is #9 in the nation in rushing yards.

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Arkansas State QB Jaylon Raynor tied a Red Wolves program with six passing TD's against UMass.

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SB Nation looks at UConn's remaining 2023 opponents. The Huskies play 1-4 Scared Heart as their FCS game and should win. Looks like UMass-UConn will meet in the "Bottom Bowl" again this year.

Five takeaways from the Huskies close loss to Utah State.

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Indiana fired offensive coordinator Walt Bell.

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Sunday, October 01, 2023

UMass Football News--October 1st, 2023

I got nothing. Except stay together and keep working..

UMass write-up here.

Arkansas State write-up here.

Hampshire Gazette said it was more of the same.

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New Mexico State plays Wednesday.

Auburn fell to #1 Georgia 27-30.

Miami of Ohio moved to 4-1 with a win over Kent State.

Eastern Michigan lost a close game to CMU.

New Mexico lost to Wyoming 26-35.

Toledo climbed to 4-1 with a win over Northern Illinois.

Penn State stayed undefeated with a win over Northwestern.

Army had a bye.

Merrimack had a big fourth quarter to defeat Sacred Heart.

Liberty had a bye.

UConn lost a heartbreaker to Utah State 33-34.

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Saturday, September 30, 2023

Game Day --Arkansas State-- September 30th, 2023

Well Boys and Girls, we really need a victory today. Penn State is 4-0. Liberty is 4-0. Army is 2-2, but has out scored opponents 123-75. Toledo is 3-1 and is outscoring opponents 169-81. A loss today is going to make another tough season for UMass and Minutemen fans.

The Minutemen need to avoid another slow start. We led all the way against New Mexico State. Arkansas State is 78-154 in points scored. This is not a good team.

I think the UMass offense will do well. On defense, we need to stop giving up all those passing yards. Keep the ball in front of us today.

I'll be there cheering for the Minutemen. Go UMass!

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The Hampshire Gazette reports the UMass QB situation is unknown.

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The Arkansas Democrat says the Red Wolves start a two-game road trip.

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CBS News has game information and how to watch today's UMass-Arkansas State tilt.

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Data Skrive predicts UMass 35 Arkansas State 27.

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Sports Chat Place predicts Utah State over UConn.

UConn is dealing with some mid-season departures.

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Army is close to joining the AAC. That would leave only UMass, UConn and Notre Dame as Independents.

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1-3 Merrimack meets 1-3 Sacred Heart today in Fairfield.

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Friday, September 29, 2023

UMass Football News--September 29th, 2023

Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams is having a great season.

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Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" recaps the UMass-New Mexico game.

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Western Mass News has UMass-Arkansas State betting trends, ATS and Home/Road splits.

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BCSNN has UMass faces off with Arknasas State Saturday afternoon.

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The Midnight Ride collective has a special edition of their podcast here.

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Hustle Belt previews Saturday's game between the MAC West-leading Toledo Rockets and the Northern Illinois Huskies.

Toledo may be starting backup QB Tucker Gleason.

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Penn State is a 27-point favorite over Northwestern Saturday.

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Thursday, September 28, 2023

UMass Football News--September 28th, 2023

Kay'Ron Adams-Lynch is #9 in the nation in rushing yards with 463 yards.

UMass is #72 in total offense and #82 in scoring offense, both big improvements from 2022.

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The Daily Collegian reports UMass looks to end a one-game losing streak to Arkansas State.

No update to the conditions of Taisun Phommachnanh or Carlos Davis..

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Athlon Sports predicts UMass 33 Arkansas State 31.

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A K8 TV writer goes deep into Red Wolves freshman QB Jaylen Raynor's performance against Southern Miss.

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Arkansas State kicker Dominic Zavda named Lou Grouza Player-of-the-Week.

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Arkansas State HC Butch Jones is on the hot seat.

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UConn has a winnable game against 1-3 Utah State Saturday.

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Toledo is a 13.5 point favorite over Northern Illinois Saturday.

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Wednesday, September 27, 2023

UMass Football News--September 27th, 2023

UMass coach Don Brown's Monday press conference.

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UMass's game notes for Arkansas State are up.

Arkansas State's game notes for UMass here.

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The Daily Collegian has five under-the-radar UMass players for the rest of the season.

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KAIT TV reports on Aknasas State's Tuesday press conference and preparations for the trip to UMass.

K8 TV also has the odds, spread and over-and-under for the Minutemen-Red Wolves game.

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A North East Arkansas mayor is arrested at a Red Wolves game for unauthorized pooping.

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Toledo QB Dequan Finn was hurt in last Saturday's game against Western Michigan.

If the Rockets are without Finn, UMass could have a chance against the Rockets. Maybe.

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Penn State has gone 26 consecutive quarters without turning the ball over.

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Tuesday, September 26, 2023

UMass Football Blog News--September 26th, 2023

According to Google Stats, the UMass Football Blog went over 4,000,000 hits yesterday.

As of 7:00 am, 4,004,319 and counting..

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UMass Football News--September 26th, 2023

UMass faces Arkansas State at McGuirk Saturday (game notes not included as of 7:00 am).

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Arkansas State QB Jaylen Raynor earns multiple honors from his first start against Southern Mississippi.

Red Wolves kicker Dominic Zvada was named Sun Belt conference Special Teams Player-of-the-Week.

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Midnight Ride collective's episode #2 podcast.

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The Toledo game has been moved to Noon time kickoff and will be televised on ESPNU.

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The Hampshire Gazette says UMass has to cut down on the slow starts to improve on the football field.

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Doc's Sports Service says take Arkansas State and the point (s).

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Monday, September 25, 2023

UMass Football News--September 25th, 2023


Dave Lippman image

This is a great image by Dave lippman. If I was Gino, I'd have it blown up to wall size and have in my den..

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UMass opens as a 1-point favorite over Arkansas State.

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MassLive says UMass' frenzied comeback against New Mexico fails.

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The Daily Collegian reports Ahmad Haston's first action as a UMass QB.

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The Albuquerque Journal has three takeaways for the Lobos win over UMass.

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Arkansas State unveils a freshman phenom quarterback.

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The Hattiesburg American said Red Wolves QB Jaylen Raynor caused problems for the Southern Mississippi defense.

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The nation's #1 basketball recruit and the Husky marching band were no-shows for UConn's game Saturday.

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Sunday, September 24, 2023

UMass Football News--September 24th, 2023

Well, that was about a thrilling a comeback as I've seen since that win over UConn a long time ago. However, these slow starts a killing us. Slowly, but surely, we are working our way to anther double-digit loss season.

On the good side:

UMass almost hit 500 yards of offense (last year 285 yards/game). We scored 31 points (last year 12.5 points/game). In addition Ahmad Haston went 7-7 and showed he is UMass' QB of the future. Gino Campiotti caught the 2-point conversion to send the game into overtime. Great to see Gino doing well!

New Mexico had about 285 yards of offense at the end of the first half. The UMass defense held the Lobos to 0 points and about 25 yards of offense in the second half.

The bad:

The Minutemen pass coverage in the first half was abysmal. The Lobos threw the ball at will. In the end, we lost to a not very good team.

The Minutemen need to pick it up. Toledo, Army, Penn State and Liberty are looking out of reach. It's feels like there are only about three winnable games left in 2023.

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UMass write-up here.

New Mexico write-up here.

The Hampshire Gazette said overtime sunk the Minutemen.

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New Mexico State lost a close game to Hawaii.

Auburn only generated 200 yards of offense in a loss to Texas A&M.

Eastern Michigan was another opponent who produced no offense in a loss to Jacksonville.

Miami of Ohio blew out Delaware State.

Arkansas State outlasted Southern Mississippi 44-37.

Toledo's offensive juggernaut rolled on against Western Michigan.

Penn State dominated Iowa 31-0.

Syracuse generated a big second half to beat Army.

Liberty rang up 500 yards of offense to thrash FIU 38-6.

Merrimack lost to Wagner.

UConn was run over by #18 Duke to fall to 0-4 for the season.

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Saturday, September 23, 2023

Game Day New Mexico--September 23rd 2023

New Mexico is a team we have to find a way to beat. The Lobos are ranked in the bottom of the Group-of-Five. Lindy's has them ranked 12th in the Mountain West and they have not shown anything to dispute that.

The Minutemen have to play with intensity and smarts. One defensive mistake cost them the game last week at Eastern Michigan.

The weather is predicted to have showers. The offense needs to squeeze the ball and not have any turnovers. The Lobos probably do not have much experience in wet conditions and the Minutemen defense should be able generate some takeaways.

I'll be cheering for the Minutemen. Go UMass!

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The Hampshire Gazette reports UMass is a slight favorite against the Lobos.

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Game Day podcast by the Midnight Ride Collective.

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Mountain West Wire predicts New Mexico will blow out UMass 42-28.

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UMass is a 3-point favorite and it's been a long time that the Minutemen have been favored over a team not named UConn.

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The Sante Fe New Mexican says the Lobos are facing a similar opponent.

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