The fact that La Salle and UMass will both arrive at tonight’s 7 o’clock game at Tom Gola Arena in Phildelphia on three-game losing streaks doesn’t increase the urgency to win, according to La Salle coach John Gianinni.
“If you asked all 14 coaches in the league, they’d all say their next game is an urgent one,” he said. “I’m not saying it’s not urgent. They all are. I don’t think the past has a lot to do with the future unless you’re really good or really bad. There are all 50-50 games. Whoever is the toughest or smartest will win.”
Gianinni thought both teams, which are playing lineups considerably different than last year, are learning how to succeed together.
“Getting through tough times with new guys is a big deal. At the end of the day, you need to play good basketball. You need to get key stops, and key rebounds and do it without fouling. You have to avoid the bad shot of the bad turnover,” he said. “It comes down to those moments when you need those positive plays. Confidence is based on results. You’ve got to turn that corner and get a big win and feel better about yourself.”
UMass coach Derek Kellogg said increasing his team’s focus and intensity would go a long way.
“The mental approach has really been our focus, to get these guys to realize how tough it is to win in this league,” Kellogg said. “It’s been a learning process. We can continue to talk and meet about it, but now you’ve got to step on the floor and do those things.”
La Salle had won five straight before its recent slide and is 11-8 (5-3 Atlantic 10).
After playing with a thin roster most of last season, the Explorers added three transfers to its roster this year.
Junior forward B.J. Johnson, a former Syracuse player, leads La Salle with 17.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Senior Jordan Price, who has been a prolific scorer in three years at La Salle, isn’t far behind at 17.2 points per game.
Ex-Memphis Tiger Pookie Powell has been a helpful addition as well, with 13.4 points and 3.6 assists per game. He’s missed the last two games with a bone bruise and is day-to-day.
South Carolina transfer Demetrius Henry, a 6-foot-9 center has been a role player off the bench, averaging 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds.
“They’ve had a good influx of talent. When they have their things going, they’re as explosive as any team in our conference,” Kellogg said. “This will be a good, tough challenge for us on the road.”