AMHERST — It’s becoming less and less likely that Chris Baldwin will see action again this season. The sophomore forward, who hasn’t played since Jan. 24 with a leg injury, is deciding between surgery or postponing the procedure and trying to play through the injury.
UMass coach Matt McCall didn’t want to comment until he had another conversation with Baldwin, who wasn’t at Thursday’s practice. Either way, Baldwin isn’t expected to play Saturday when the Minutemen face Saint Joseph’s, Saturday at 4 p.m. in Philadelphia.
Redshirt freshman guard Unique McLean wasn’t at Thursday’s practice either as he was sick. He was expected to make the trip to Saint Joseph’s.
At 4-7 in Atlantic 10 play, UMass (11-13) and Saint Joseph’s (9-14) are both in a four-way tie with La Salle and George Mason for ninth place, a game behind Dayton (5-6) and one ahead of George Washington (3-8) and Fordham (3-8). The bottom four teams have to play in the first round of next month’s conference tournament.
The Minutemen beat the Hawks, 72-69 on Jan. 14 at the Mullins Center, using a second-half comeback and 27 points from Luwane Pipkins and 17 from Carl Pierre to earn the victory.
The Hawks beat Dayton and Fordham after losing to UMass, but are on a five-game losing streak since. The first four of those losses was close, but St. Joe’s figures to arrive angry on Saturday after losing to Davidson, 91-62, Tuesday on the road.
The Hawks have been much tougher at home, boasting wins over VCU and St. Bonaventure at Hagan Arena.
“They’ll be better than the team we saw here,” McCall said. “They’ll be ready to go. I’m sure they’ll play inspired and hungry. They’re going to come in with an edge, no question about it.”
This will be the fourth team UMass has faced a second time. Pierre said he’s gaining valuable experience seeing a team twice. He’s learning how to prepare for what the opponent did the first time and how to adjust quickly to what changes they’ve made the second time.
“I’m getting better at reading defenses and how defenders are guarding me and having a counter for it,” he said. I’m processing all of it quicker now.”
McCall said the freshman guard’s growth was particularly apparent between the two URI games.
“At Rhode Island, he looked a little overmatched at times. When we played Rhode Island here, he look every bit as confident and physical as their guards,” McCall said. “I’ve been very pleased at his progress. He’s become a more reliable defender. He’s so coachable. He’s going to do everything you ask him to do. He’s continued to grow. He’s gotten better as a player. Every game it seems like he’s improved.”
Pierre is playing 29.6 minutes per game, behind only Pipkins (35.0) and C.J. Anderson (34.7). But so far, he’s not hitting the mythical freshman wall.
“It’s a long season and A-10 play is intense, but I’ve been getting treatment and trying to stay off my feet as much as possible,” he said. “My body feels fine.”
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage