UMass Minutemen News Page 9 - College Basketball

UMass men's basketball struggles defensively in 93-78 loss to Davidson The Wildcats went 14-for-26 (53.8 percent) from the arc, while UMass went 4-for-11 (36.4%).

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • MASSLIVE.COM

Noah Fernandes - Out for foreseeable future Massachusetts coach Frank Martin said following Saturday's 93-78 loss to Davidson that Fernandes (ankle) will be out for the foreseeable future, Joey Aliberti of The Daily Collegia...

Impact Fernandes missed his seventh game in a row due to a persistent ankle injury Saturday. The 5-foot-11 senior has only appeared in 11 games this season, posting an average of 13.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists. However, it appears he may not see any additional appearances moving forward, as Massachusetts only has seven remaining regular-season games. As a result, expect Keon Thompson to continue stepping up into the starting rotation so long as Rahsool Diggins (ankle) also remains out this season.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wildens Leveque - Starting Saturday Leveque will be part of Massachusetts' starting lineup Saturday versus Davidson from the bench Saturday, Michael Bergman of A10Talk.com reports.

Impact Leveque had started each of the last five games and will continue that Saturday. The 6-10 senior has started 16-of-19 games this season, averaging 5.2 points and 4.6 rebounds over 17.4 minutes per contest.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rahsool Diggins - Not warming up Saturday Diggins (ankle) is not dressed and is out Saturday against Davidson, Michael Bergman of A10Talk.com reports.

Impact The sophomore won't be active Saturday due to an ankle injury that occurred earlier in the week. Diggins will have a chance to return Wednesday at Fordham.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Cross - Starting but limited Saturday Cross is expected to play with some limitations Saturday against Davidson due to a non-COVID illness, Michael Bergman of A10Talk.com reports.

Impact Cross has missed the last two games with this ailment, though he was previously cleared Friday and is officially set to reprise his starting role Saturday, per Bergman. Yet, it's likely he won't play his usual 27.3 minutes per game while still working his way back. The 6-foot-7 junior is averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds across 19 games with 18 starts this season.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

RJ Luis - Enters concussion protocol Luis (concussion) has a broken nose and a concussion, Kyle Grabowski of the Daily Hampshire Gazette reports.

Impact Luis entered concussion protocol after leaving Wednesday's game early with a head injury. As it turned out, Luis suffered a broken nose and a concussion, ruling him out for Saturday's game against Davidson. It is unclear how long Luis will remain out while nursing the nose and head injuries, though he will likely sit out for Wednesday's game against Fordham.

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Noah Fernandes - Remaining out Saturday Fernandes (ankle) will be inactive for Saturday's matchup with Davidson, Kyle Grabowski of the Daily Hampshire Gazette reports.

Impact Fernandes will miss his seventh-consecutive game as the result of an ankle injury. The 5-foot-11 senior will have his next opportunity to return Wednesday against Fordham.

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Cross - Cleared to play Cross (illness) is cleared to play in Saturday's game against Davidson, Kyle Grabowski of the Daily Hampshire Gazette reports.

Impact After not playing in two straight games, Cross has been cleared to play. Cross practiced during the week and will be able to play, though it is not known if he will be limited. The 6-foot-7 forward leads the team in points (12.1), rebounds (6.8) and steals (1.4) per game through 19 appearances.

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

T.J. Weeks' 18 points not enough, UMass men's basketball falls on road to Gerorge Mason The Minutemen return home for a Saturday matchup in the Mullins Center against Davidson at 12:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • MASSLIVE.COM

Noah Fernandes - Out Wednesday Fernandes (ankle) will be inactive for Wednesday's matchup with George Mason, Michael Bergman of A10Talk.com reports.

Impact Fernandes is set to miss his sixth-consecutive game with an ankle injury. The 5-foot-11 senior, who has averaged 13.4 points and 4.1 assists across 11 starts, will have his next opportunity to return against Davidson on Saturday.

FEBRUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Cross - Remains out Wednesday Cross (illness) will remain out as Massachusetts plays George Mason on Wednesday night, per UMass radio broadcaster Jay Burnham.

Impact Cross will miss his second straight game with an illness. The forward has been an impactful starter for the minutemen, putting up 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists this season. His next chance to play will come Saturday when Massachusetts hosts Davidson.

FEBRUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Noah Fernandes - To be game-time decision Fernandes (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Wednesday's game against George Mason.

Impact Fernandes has been in the same scenario for the last couple weeks due to this ankle injury. He is definitely close to a return, but it's unclear if that will come Wednesday.

FEBRUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Luis leads UMass against George Mason

UMass visits the George Mason Patriots after RJ Luis scored 31 points in the Minutemen's 87-79 victory against the Duquesne Dukes

FEBRUARY 1, 2023 • Associated Press

Luis leads UMass against George Mason after 31-point game

UMass visits the George Mason Patriots after RJ Luis scored 31 points in the Minutemen's 87-79 victory over the Duquesne Dukes

JANUARY 31, 2023 • Associated Press

RJ Luis scores 31 as UMass defeats Duquesne 87-79 AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — RJ Luis' 31 points led UMass over Duquesne 87-79 on Saturday night. Luis added five rebounds for the Minutemen (13-8,...

JANUARY 29, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Luis scores 31 as UMass defeats Duquesne 87-79 The UMass Minutemen defeated the Duquesne Dukes 87-79 led by RJ Luis' 31 points.

JANUARY 29, 2023 • SEATTLETIMES.COM

Luis scores 31 as UMass defeats Duquesne 87-79

The UMass Minutemen defeated the Duquesne Dukes 87-79 led by RJ Luis' 31 points

JANUARY 29, 2023 • Associated Press

T.J. Weeks - Healthy, starting Weeks (illness) will return to the starting five for Massachusetts' tilt with Duquesne, per Michael Bergman of A10Talk.com.

Impact Weeks missed the Minutemen's last game with an illness, but had started every game this season prior. Weeks is now set to return to the starting five, where his three-point shooting and rebounding from the wing will be welcomed. Weeks is averaging 8.3 points, 4,1 rebounds and 1.2 assists.

JANUARY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Cross - Out vs Duquesne Cross (illness) is out against Duquesne on Saturday, per Michael Bergman of A10Talk.com.

Impact Cross' illness isn't Covid, but it will keep him out of UMass' clash with Duquesne at home. Cross has been a consistent starter for the minutemen, starting every game since November 17th. With the forward out, Tafara Gapare will likely see an uptick in his minutes Saturday.

JANUARY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Noah Fernandes - Sitting out again Fernandes (ankle) remains out for Saturday's game versus Duquesne, Michael Bergman of A10Talk.com reports.

Impact Fernandes was deemed questionable ahead of Saturday's contest, so it seems the senior is at least drawing close to retaking the floor. However, he'll wait until at least Wednesday's game at George Mason to do so.

JANUARY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

T.J. Weeks - Did not practice Weeks (illness) is questionable to play in Saturday's game against Duquesne, Michael Bergman of A10Talk.com reports.

Impact After not playing in Wednesday's game against Richmond, Weeks is still on the injury report while dealing with an illness. Weeks did not practice on Friday and is questionable to play Saturday. If he cannot go Saturday, Weeks' next chance to return to the floor is Wednesday against George Mason.

JANUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Noah Fernandes - Questionable Saturday Fernandes (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game against Duquesne, Michael Bergman of A10Talk.com reports.

Impact Fernandes has missed the last four games due to an ankle injury and has progressed recently, but he's still been limited in practice. It's not yet clear whether he'll be able to suit up against Duquesne, but Keon Thompson would likely continue to see increased run if Fernandes sits out once again.

JANUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Cross - Questionable against Duquesne Cross is questionable for Saturday's game against Duquesne due to a non-COVID illness, Michael Bergman of A10Talk.com reports.

Impact Cross hasn't missed a game since Massachusetts' season opener, and he's been particularly effective recently, averaging 16.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals in 32.6 minutes per game over his last five appearances. However, he was unable to practice Friday, and Tafara Gapare and Isaac Kante could see increased roles Saturday if Cross is sidelined.

JANUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

RJ Luis - Scores 23 points Luis ended with 23 points (6-12 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 9-10 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal over 35 minutes during Wednesday's 85-76 win over Richmond.

Impact Luis benefited from the absence of junior T.J. Weeks (undisclosed). The freshman continues to excel across his first month of 2023. Luis has logged better point tallies the more games he plays, and his scoring average is 15.2 after the Minutemen's first five matchups during January.

JANUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

RJ Luis - Starting Wednesday Luis is listed in Massachusetts' starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's matchup with Richmond.

Impact Luis will make his third start of the season during Wednesday's showdown with Richmond. The 6-foot-7 freshman has appeared in 17 games this season, logging 9.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals on 20.8 minutes per game.

JANUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Luis leads UMass against George Mason

Luis leads UMass against George Mason after 31-point game

Luis scores 31 as UMass defeats Duquesne 87-79