UMass struggles in opening half against Saints.
Three thoughts from courtside in Albany.
Three-point nightmare
The Saints defensive plan has been to pack it in down low and force UMass to take three-pointers. It's working.
The Minutemen started 0-for-12, and finished 2-for-15 in the first half from long range. Meanwhile, the Saints, who entered the game shooting 32 percent from three, connected on seven of 11 opportunities in the opening frame. UMass has done a good job defending Siena's talented big man O.D. Anosike, but if the Saints continue to make this many three-pointers, it won't matter.
The Carter II
Derek Kellogg said he'd be turning to Sampson Carter to back up Cady Lalanne, and that's what he's done nicely in the first half against Siena. Carter played 10 minutes to Lalanne's nine, and was a big part of the stiff defense the Minutemen played against Anosike.
No free throws
One thing Kellogg cited after the Tennessee loss in Puerto Rico was the disparity in free throw attempts between the Minutemen and their opponents. It hasn't improved yet tonight. The Minutemen have yet to get to the line, while the Saints were 5-for-6 on free throws.