The Massachusetts women\u2019s basketball team took care of business during\u00a0its\u00a0first exhibition game of the season.\u00a0UMass\u00a0cruised past Assumption\u00a0in a 69-37 win,\u00a0showcasing\u00a0the impressive capabilities of this team.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watching the\u00a0Minutewomen\u00a0on the court, the energy and determination of the squad was palpable. This\u00a0feeling\u00a0was infectious in the Champions Center\u00a0as\u00a0the\u00a0few spectators\u00a0in the gym\u00a0left with an impression\u00a0of the team\u2019s\u00a0focus\u00a0heading into the\u00a02025-26 season. The season\u00a0holds many surprises, but from one game, here are three takeaways for how UMass plans to execute this year.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
The role of Stephanie Kulesza will be filled by committee\u202f<\/p>\n
Kulesza was a huge loss for the\u00a0Minutewomen\u00a0this\u00a0offseason\u00a0and\u00a0left big shoes to fill. A player like Kulesza is hard to find a replacement for, but\u00a0it is clear that\u00a0UMass\u00a0has the players necessary to fill\u00a0her\u00a0role.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While it was expected that returners such as Megan Olbrys and Allie Palmieri would step up their game, it was\u00a0evident\u00a0that other players\u00a0are\u00a0up to the challenge as well.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the offseason, the\u00a0Minutewomen picked up two players through the transfer portal: Leah Bullard and Ayanna Franks. These two transfers showcased their ability to be athletic, aggressive and create scoring opportunities, all things Kulesza did with the best of them.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c[Franks] for sure impacted the game,\u201d\u00a0head coach Mike\u00a0Leflar\u00a0said. \u201cShe is really fast in transition and to see the ball go in the basket for her was nice.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
With the front court depth from Bullard and the powerful presence of Franks,\u00a0UMass\u00a0should have no problem adjusting after the loss of a star player.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Reliance on transition offense\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
While watching the\u00a0Minutewomen\u00a0put on a show\u00a0Wednesday night,\u00a0it was abundantly clear that they are a fast,\u00a0athletic\u00a0and in-shape\u00a0squad. Leflar has enforced that fact that he wants this team\u00a0to thrive in transition, and it was noticeably a big part of their game.\u202f<\/p>\n
Whether it was\u00a0Yahmani\u00a0McKayle getting\u00a0a steal\u00a0and finding Olbrys down low on the opposite end, or Chinenye\u00a0Odenigbo\u00a0getting a defensive rebound and pushing it down court, this team is ready to thrive in transition offense.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is something we are really\u00a0charting\u00a0and we have worked on a lot in the offseason,\u201d Leflar said. \u201cWe want to get easy\u00a0baskets,\u00a0and we have guards that can push the ball, so we want to get easier ones in transition.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
The contribution in a heighted transition offense is also thanks to the offseason work put in by\u00a0veterans such as Lilly\u00a0Ferguson and Palmieri. They put in the work,\u00a0becoming them to be stronger and faster, which can only\u00a0lead to a\u00a0faster\u00a0paced\u00a0offensive.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFerguson works hard\u00a0every\u00a0day\u2026 she\u2019s been in the gym this year more than ever and we are certainly seeing that on the offensive side,\u201d Leflar said.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
This team is hungry for a championship\u00a0<\/p>\n
As UMass embarks on its first season in the Mid-Atlantic Conference, Leflar and his team have one\u00a0goal in mind; win a MAC championship.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not only do the\u00a0Minutewomen\u00a0want to be playoff\u00a0contenders,\u00a0they\u00a0know they have the tools to get there. Between four out of five starters returning, a solid sixth\u00a0woman in\u00a0Ferguson and\u00a0skilled newcomers, having a championship worthy team\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0feel like a dream, but reality for\u00a0UMass.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA MAC championship is the goal,\u201d Leflar said. \u201cWe have made no bones about it\u2026 for us it is just understanding the commitment we need to make\u00a0every\u00a0day.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
As I sat watching\u00a0the\u00a0Minutewomen\u00a0play, I could see the fire behind every player\u2019s\u00a0eyes\u00a0to get to the goal set by their coach and play to their highest level.\u00a0This\u00a0UMass team might just be the right combination of talent, dedication,\u00a0experience\u00a0and drive\u00a0to reach a MAC championship.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Minutewomen\u00a0kick off their high\u2013hopes\u00a0season on Monday, Nov. 3 at 6:30\u00a0p.m.\u00a0against Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n