Drexel-UMASS Preview Box
No. 5 seeded University of Massachusetts (24-11) at No. 3 Drexel (29-6)
What: NIT Quarterfinal.
When: Tuesday, 7 p.m., Daksalakis Athletic Center (2,532).
Television: ESPN.
Points Per Game/Opponents Points Per Game:
UMASS – 77.5/72.5
Drexel – 65.1/55.5.
Coaches:
UMASS – Derek Kellogg (fourth season, 63-64)
Drexel – Bruiser Flint (16th season, 285-212 overall, 199-140 in 11 seasons at Drexel).
PROBABLE LINEUPS
UMASS
G Chaz Williams 5-9 So., 16.8 ppg., 6.4 apg.
G Jesse Morgan 6-5 So., 10.1 ppg., 2.4 apg.
C Sean Carter 6-9 Sr., 8.2 ppg., 6.6 rpg.
F Raphiael Putney 6-9 So. 10.4 ppg., 6.1 rpg.
F Terrell Vinson 6-7 Jr. 9.7 ppg., 5.0 rpg.
DREXEL
G Derrick Thomas 6-3 Jr., 8.0 ppg. 2.4 rpg.
G Damion Lee 6-6 Fr. 12.2 ppg., 4.4 rpg.
G Frantz Massenat 6-4 So. 13.7 ppg., 4.7 apg.
F Samme Givens 6-5 Sr., 11.6 ppg. 7.8 rpg.
F Daryl McCoy 6-9 Jr., 4.3 ppg., 6.7 rpg.
Key off the bench:
UMASS – Javorn Farrell 6-5 Jr., 6.3 ppg., 2.5 apg.
Drexel – Chris Fouch, 6-3 Jr., 10.9 ppg., (64 three-point FG).
How they got there
UMASS – Williams scored 28 points and Carter added 20 points and 12 rebounds in an opening 101-96 double OT win over No. 4 Mississippi State. Williams had 20 points and six assists as UMASS won, 77-67 at top seeded Seton Hall.
Drexel – Massenat had 18 points and 14 assists as Drexel defeated No. 6 University of Central Florida, 81-56 in the first round. Givens scored 28 points in the Dragons, 65-63 win over No. 7 Northern Iowa.
Notable
*UMASS's Morgan is a product of Olney High.
*Drexel's Fouch in the two NIT games has shot 13 for 22 from the field and 9 for 17 from three-point range in averaging 17.5 points.
*Drexel is 18 for 34 from beyond the arc in its two NIT games.
- Marc Narducci