The University of Massachusetts men’s basketball team is gearing up for a pivotal matchup against Coastal Carolina on Saturday, February 7, at 1:00 p.m. The game will take place at the HTC Center in Conway, South Carolina, as part of the MAC-SBC Challenge. Fans can follow the action on Twitter @UMassMBB and Instagram @umassbasketball.
Historically, the Minutemen and the Chanticleers have faced off once before, with Massachusetts winning that encounter 90-73 during the Florida Today Classic on December 30, 1988.
In their most recent outing, the Minutemen clinched a thrilling 95-89 victory over Central Michigan on Tuesday night, lifting their record to 15-9 overall and 6-6 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). standout performances came from Marcus Banks Jr. and Danny Carbuccia, who each set program records. Banks Jr. scored a remarkable 37 points on 12-of-17 shooting and made 10 three-pointers, breaking the UMass single-game record for three-pointers made. Carbuccia recorded 17 assists, setting a new program benchmark while also matching the second most assists in a Division I men’s game this season. Leonardo Bettiol and Daniel Hankins-Sanford also contributed significantly, scoring 22 and 19 points, respectively.
On the other side of the court, Coastal Carolina is entering the matchup with a record of 14-11 overall and 7-6 in the Sun Belt Conference after a recent home loss to Arkansas State (70-66). The Chanticleers are led in scoring by Joshua Beadle, who averages 16.3 points per game, closely followed by AJ Dancler (15.2) and Rasheed Jones (14.7). Rebounding efforts are spearheaded by Reggie Hill and Dancler, who average 5.7 and 5.6 boards per game, respectively.
Head coach Frank Martin is in his fourth year with UMass and boasts a solid track record, holding a career record of 349-257. His leadership has brought forth a more competitive atmosphere, as evidenced by the Minutemen’s impressive offensive and defensive statistics this season. UMass ranks second in the MAC for rebounding margin and assists per game, with four players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Bettiol at 17.6 points.
The Minutemen’s upcoming schedule continues with a game against Akron on Friday, February 13, which will be aired on CBS Sports Network. Fans are encouraged to stay updated with live updates through UMass Athletics’ official platforms.
As the Minutemen prepare for this exciting contest against Coastal Carolina, they remain focused on building momentum as the season progresses, showcasing a blend of talent, strategy, and the potential for further success.