UMass coach Derek Kellogg kept practice time short for most of the team’s practices leading up to Saturday’s 1 p.m. game against Kennesaw State at the Mullins Center.
Shoehorning practice between studying and exams, he focused mainly on keeping his players mentally fresh.
After his team struggled against a bad North Carolina A&T team on Tuesday, Kellogg hoped they’d come out stronger against the Owls Saturday.
“I think Kennesaw is probably a little better, a little further along than N.C. A&T. We have to play better,” Kellogg said. “We’re going to have to really lock in. I know we’re in finals and things are going, but you have to be able to come to the gym and be ready to really play and perform. As we’ve seen that’s a little tougher for younger guys.”
Junior Donte Clark said the older players are trying to set an example for the freshmen who are going through it for the first time.
“It’s a tough mental grind. Most people are tired from staying up late and getting up early to do work, study for exams and finish up papers,” he said.
The game will allow Kennesaw coach Al Skinner to coach in the shadow of his retired number 30. The former UMass star, who coached at Rhode Island and Boston College, is in his second year leading Kennesaw.
Kennesaw’s UMass connection don’t end there. The school’s athletic director is Vaughn Williams, a 1992 graduate of UMass’ sport management program and former Minuteman football player.
He’s was a recipient of the sport management department’s Harold J. VanderZwaag Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2013.
Skinner’s squad has been in Amherst since Thursday, following its Wednesday night 81-79 loss at Rider. The Owls missed two late shots that would have forced overtime.
That loss dropped KSU to 3-7. One of those wins came against NAIA Brewon Parker. The other two victories came against Alabama State and Florida A&M.
Kennesaw has lost to Iowa (91-74), South Florida (71-69), Michigan (82-55) and a handful of mid- and low-major teams.
Kendrick Ray, a senior transfer guard from Quinnipiac, leads KSU with 21.9 points per game. He’s one of four Owls in double figures.
Aubrey Williams has been a challenge inside for opponents. The 6-foot-7 Toledo transfer averages 12.4 points and 11.8 rebounds. Skinner uses him similar to how Craig Smith played during his All-America career at BC.
“They get out and play a little more than (Skinner’s BC teams) did, but the tight flex offense is as tight as it’s ever been,” Kellogg said. “We’re going to have to be physical and guard that paint area.”
CHASING 1000 — Clark enters the game potentially in striking distance of becoming UMass’ 50th 1,000-point scorer. He has 971 career points, leaving him 29 shy of reaching the mark in less than three years.
Clark is averaging 14.9 points per game.
“I didn’t even know that,” said Clark, who requested not to know how many points he needed so he wouldn’t think about. “It’s an accomplishment. In high school I didn’t even reach that. It’s definitely something I want to do.”
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage