BASKETBALL SPECIAL ISSUE The final act
Building his palace
Chaz Williams has one final shot at cementing his Minuteman legacy.
Cady Lalanne’s finally healthy and ready to prove he’s evolved into the best center in the Atlantic 10. page a4
Finishing the job
page a2
Back where he belongs
UMass needs Raphiael Putney to return to form in his final season. page a3
It’s been almost two years, but Derrick Gordon’s finally returning to the hardwood. page a5
TH E M ASS AC H U SET T S
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DAILY COLLEGIAN
Thursday, November 7, 2013
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PHOTO BY MARIA UMINSKI/COLLEGIAN GRAPHIC BY GABE SCARBROUGH/COLLEGIAN
UMass poised to end 15-year tournament drought
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By Patrick Strohecker Collegian Staff
t’s finally time. In the month and a half since official practices started in late September, the buzz and energy surrounding the Massachusetts men’s basketball team has continued to grow. And with Sunday’s season opener against Boston College only three days away, UMass can finally put all the preseason hype behind it and focus on playing the games. “I just wanna say we’re anxious,” UMass senior forward Sampson Carter said. “You know, I mean, we’ve been battling. This has been a long preseason and you know everyone’s been battling hard against each other.” see
TIME TO DANCE on page a6