Welcome to the #A10WBBTipoff for the 2020-21 Season. This afternoon, we feature the Massachusetts Minutewomen. To revisit all of the season previews throughout the week, click here.

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Up, up, up, up.

That’s been the trajectory of UMass women’s basketball since Coach Tory Verdi arrived nearly five years ago.

Pandemic or not, Verdi promises nothing’s getting in the way of the promising trajectory. “We’re committed, we’re invested and we’re looking to make history in the Atlantic 10,” Verdi said.

Picked to finish eighth in the league’s preseason poll last season, the Minutewomen surpassed expectations by coming in fourth. The 20 games won had only been matched once in program history. 

No wonder the “why not us?” attitude greets a season when he sees the A-10 championship as up for grabs.

“We took huge steps last year,” he said. “We’re actually a little further than I thought we might be.”

Sam Breen will pose a challenge to defend; a waiver assures the Penn State transfer will be on board for the next two years. The 6-1 forward wasted little time in making an impact, earning All-Conference Second Team honors despite sitting out the fall due to NCAA rules. Despite missing those 11 games, she amassed 337 points and 183 rebounds, leading the team in both categories. She’s a welcome presence given the graduation of Hailey Leidel, the second leading scorer in program history.

“Sam is highly motivated and she’s probably came in in the best shape of her life,” Verdi said. “She’ll be our go-to.”

Breen is part of a depth in the frontcourt lacking in Verdi’s first four seasons. Sophomore Maeve Donnelly who started every game as a freshman is part of that. The 6-5 center set the program’s single season record for blocks a year ago; she swatted 10 alone against Holy Cross. A healthy Destiny Philoxy, who played in 28 games and missed time last season due to a foot injury, could have a breakout season. The 5-7 guard, second on the team with 3.5 assists, averaged 10.4 points per game, scoring in double figures 16 times last season.

Former Siena standout Maddie Sims is a versatile scorer. “She can face the basket, rip it and score from the high post,” Verdi said. “She’s an elite scorer.”

Forward Makennah White is a freshman beyond her years. Don’t be surprised if she starts. A three-sport athlete at West Middlesex High in Pennsylvania, she topped the 1,000-point scoring mark her junior year. “She’s put herself in a position to play a lot of minutes,” Verdi said. “She’s got an unbelievable ability to score around the basket. She’s tough. She does a great job of communicating.”

Expect Desiree Oliver to step in at point. The redshirt junior averaged 20 minutes at Temple before transferring; she started nine games as a freshman. Verdi wanted the Top 100 recruit straight out of high school. He’s excited she’s eligible and ready to lead.

“She can score it, and we’re really excited about her,” he said. “I’m looking forward to her really being the catalyst for our team.”

When Verdi looks at these Minutewomen, the word that comes to mind is relevant. Given the program's struggles prior to his arrival, Verdi admits some questioned why he would even take the job. Today, nobody’s doubting UMass. He’s already secured five commitments for 2021 and has raised the program’s profile locally.

“It was really hard to get players at first,” he said. “Even the kids in our own backyard, it was hard to bring them in. Now things have gotten easier because we are relevant. People have taken notice.”

Like other coaches in the league, connecting with his players during the pandemic posed a challenge. Verdi labels himself “zoomed out,” but remains wildly enthusiastic about what could turn into a season to remember in Amherst.

“We’re not going to allow this pandemic to change our goal or be an excuse,” he said. “Our goal has never wavered.”

A look at UMass: 

Coach: Tory Verdi, 134-132 in eight seasons overall, 59-64 in four seasons at UMass

Last year: 20-11, 9-4 Atlantic 10 (Lost 65-52 to Saint Louis in the quarterfinals of the A-10 Championship)

They’ll miss: Hailey Leidel (three-year captain and second-leading scorer in program history with 1,841 points. Led UMass in scoring each of her fourth seasons); Vashnie Perry (8.9 ppg); Bre Hampton-Bey (6.8 ppg, transfer); Paige McCormick (5.6 points, 20 starts, transfer)

Impact returners: Sam Breen, 6-1 senior F (team highs with 16.2 ppg and 9.2 rpg in 20 games after sitting out fall semester following transfer from Penn State. NCAA recently granted her an extra year of eligibility giving her two playing seasons left at UMass); Destiney Philoxy, 5-7 junior G (10.4 ppg); Maeve Donnelly, 6-5 sophomore C (5.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

Newbies of note: Maddie Sims, 6-2 graduate student F, transfer from Siena; Ber’Nyah Mayo, 5-6 freshman G; Makennah White, 6-2 freshman F

Reasons to be optimistic: The culture of winning Verdi promised when he took over has been developed — UMass has improved its win total in each of Verdi’s 4 seasons (9 wins, then 14, then 16, then a program record-tying 20 in 2019-20. The season included a program-record 11-game winning streak. 

Bottom line: Calling the Minutewomen a team on the rise is an understatement. After just four years at the helm, Verdi has transformed them into a contender.

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