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So, with 2:23 left, UMass is up 66-58, and the Minutemen called time out. As badly as they played in the first half, that's how well they've played in the second half.
This is the last blog entry, because getting around MSG for interviews won't be easy.
Minutemen took a 10 point lead with four minutes left. UMass fans to my left are going crazy
With 7:24 left in the second half, Etienne Brower's 3-ball made it 59-51. UMass fans who remember the Syracuse game shouldn't be surprised. Tonight, the Minutemen only rebounded from a 10-point deficit. But Nick Calathes has the chance for a three-point play, which would cut the lead to 59-54.
And your band winner for the first game of the NIT -- UMass. Louder, brassier and with more esoteric selections.
UMass trailing 42-35 when Billy Donovan calls time out with 16:57 left in the game. Minutemen, so far, have no answer for 6-10, 245 pound Marreese Speights. The sophomore center already has a double-double with just under four minutes gone. He's too strong for Milligan and too quick for Bonner. Ford and his staff are good at devising defenses to slow down a guy like that. We'll see what happens.
Don't forget, I'll answer questions and/or comments at hherman@berkshireeagle.com.
It's halftime with UMass trailing 36-27. Minutemen went stone cold over the last 12 minutes of the first half, making only three hoops in that time.
Minutemen went 0=14 with two turnovers during a 10 minute span of the second half.
UMass fans have to remember a week ago tonight, when the Minutemen played the worst half of the year and rallied from 22 points down to beat Syracuse. Not saying that'll happen tonight, but this one is not over.
Lee's Tim Collins, a former walk-on player under Steve Lappas is here. He's Bob Behler's color broadcaster on UMass games.
Minutemen are still in the game, despite not having made a basket since Dante Milligan scored on a put back with 12:12 left. That would have to make Travis Ford pretty happy. Not happy that his team hasn't scored, but happy that Florida is only up 28-21 with 3:58 left.
It's hard to look around Madison Square Garden and see all the Knicks banners hanging here. Numbers for Walt Frazier, Dick Barnett, Earl "The Pearl", Willis Reed and Bill Bradley,among others. It must be even harder for Knick fans who have a horrible basketball team to root for.
19-19 WITH 11:12 LEFT. There have been four ties since the last time out. Neither team seems ready to run away and hide.
By the way, there is a very good crowd here at MSG. Florida fans represented well, while UMass fans represented very well.
The first TV timeout has the Gators leading 12-10. It's been a bit more physical than one might have thought. Ford said that both teams like to push the ball, play up tempo and shoot threes.So far, each team is 0-for-2 from beyond the arc.
Here are your starters:
UMass---Forbes, Lowe, Harris, Brower, Milligan.
Florida---Dan Werner,Nick Calathes (younger brother of Saint Joe's Pat), Marreese Speights, Jai Lucas, Walter Hodge
Five minutes until tipoff. There are some UMass fans sitting just to our left. I'm in the upper press box in a lower corner of the arena. The Umass bench is at the opposite end of the Garden from me. If you've neverbeen here, the seats inthe lower bowl are a purplish, and the seats inthe upper bowl are a turquoise. Headache inducing to say the least.
By the way, please comment or send me an e-mail at hherman@berkshireeagle.com. If I can answer a question I will.
Good evening. Howard Herman live from Madison Square Garden, the World's most famous arena. Settled into my press box seat 17 minutes before the tipoff.
Saw and heard Travis Ford on WFAN this afternoon. He said that some 3,000 from UMass were coming down to watch the game. Ran into some Berkshire County folks on Eighth Ave.
By the way, it is chilly in the Garden.
Will try to blog during TV timeouts.