8-8, Fifth place
2014-15 Record
6-10 (2-6 road, 4-4 home), finished in 6th place
2014-15 Attendance
1,082 average, 8,659 total
2014-15 PPG
61.0, 6th in America East
2014-15 Opp PPG
66.4, 6th in America East
2014-15 3 Point FG %
35.5%, 5th in America East
2014-15 FT %
67.6%, 8th in America East
2014-15 FT %
67.6%, 8th in America East
2014-15 Rebound Margin
-7.6, 9th in America East
2014-15 Assists
11.3, tied for 6th in America East
2014-15 T/O Margin
+2.44, 1st in America East
What's Gone
The River Hawks lose 6 players from their 2014-15 roster including 57% of their point total, 53% of their rebounds and 73% of their assists from conference play. Lance Crawford transfers after a Freshman campaign that saw him average 10.1 points, 2.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 31.6 minutes.
Chad Holley graduates after averaging 9.8 points, 2.9 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 35.3 minutes during '14-'15 conference play. Brad Schaub transfers after a Freshman campaign that saw him average 5.9 points and 3.4 rebounds in conference last season.
Marco Banegas-Flores departs after a grad year in which he averaged 5.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 26.7 minutes of action. Kerry Weldon graduates after starting all 16 conference games for the UMASS-Lowell last season; averaging 3.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 17.8 minutes. Jordan Rhodes also departs after appearing in 1 conference game during the 2014-15 America East conference play.
In total UMASS-Lowell loses players who accounted for 66% of their minutes played during 2014-15 America East conference action.
Chad Holley graduates after averaging 9.8 points, 2.9 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 35.3 minutes during '14-'15 conference play. Brad Schaub transfers after a Freshman campaign that saw him average 5.9 points and 3.4 rebounds in conference last season.
Marco Banegas-Flores departs after a grad year in which he averaged 5.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 26.7 minutes of action. Kerry Weldon graduates after starting all 16 conference games for the UMASS-Lowell last season; averaging 3.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 17.8 minutes. Jordan Rhodes also departs after appearing in 1 conference game during the 2014-15 America East conference play.
In total UMASS-Lowell loses players who accounted for 66% of their minutes played during 2014-15 America East conference action.
What Arrives
#1 Keith Hayes II (Fr) 5'11'' 170 pound guard. A three-time All State selection in Arkansas who averaged 22.6 points per game as a senior. No milk will ever be our milk. Steals all of his pick up lines from Guy Code.
#2 Jordan Shea (R-Fr) 6'4'' 195 pound guard. Played one game last season before using a medical redshirt. All time leading scorer at Lodi High School with 1,654 career points; averaging 21 points per game as a senior. Has good taste when it comes to professional sports teams.
#4 Ryan Jones (Fr) 6'3'' 163 pound guard. New Mexico Gatorade POY during his senior season, rated the number 1 player out of New Mexico by D1Nation.com. Averaged 21.7 points per game during his senior year which led the state. Father played in the NFL for Atlanta and Green Bay but he roots for the Bears. Enjoys watching Keith Hayes and Donny Belcher dance.
#5 Dontavious Smith (R-Fr) 6'8'' 195 pound forward. Averaged 8 points, 10 rebounds and 5.5 blocks during his senior season at North Webster. Redshirted the 2014-15 season- thinks he's Will Smith. You know the difference between you and me? I make this look good. Avid supporter of the Gantz dance.
#11 Isaac White (Fr) 6'0'' 165 pound guard. Averaged 18.9 points and 4.9 assists during his senior season. Left Ashland High School as the all time leading scorer with 1,315 points. Can often be seen wearing golf shirts and tennis shorts while bobbing his head to Zac Brown Band and Drake. Enjoys laughing at Matt Harris' jokes while staring at his hair.
#12 Josh Gantz (R-Fr) 6'7'' 210 pound guard/forward. Redshirted the 2014-15 season. Averaged 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2.1 assists at Bishop Ready. Was his class vice president so you know he's good in powerful positions with limited responsibility. Likes the Temptations so he's cool by me. Probably says "that's what she said" way too often.
#23 Logan Primerano (Fr) 6'4'' 170 pound guard/forward. Second team All-State in Indiana following his Senior season after averaging 20 points and 6 rebounds at Peru High School. Also played tennis in high school (because who on this team didn't) where he was All-County and All-State. Roots for a NFL team that hangs participation banners. Not afraid to peg batters so he can pitch for my baseball team any day of the week.
#33 Donny Belcher III (Fr) 6'2'' 225 pound forward. Averaged 15 points 8.8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game during his senior season at MacArthur High School. From Texas so he's instantly the coolest person on the roster. Keeps his body completely clean shaven like his idol Michael Phelps. Get the feeling he's always late for the bus because he's off somewhere dancing.
#11 Isaac White (Fr) 6'0'' 165 pound guard. Averaged 18.9 points and 4.9 assists during his senior season. Left Ashland High School as the all time leading scorer with 1,315 points. Can often be seen wearing golf shirts and tennis shorts while bobbing his head to Zac Brown Band and Drake. Enjoys laughing at Matt Harris' jokes while staring at his hair.
#12 Josh Gantz (R-Fr) 6'7'' 210 pound guard/forward. Redshirted the 2014-15 season. Averaged 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2.1 assists at Bishop Ready. Was his class vice president so you know he's good in powerful positions with limited responsibility. Likes the Temptations so he's cool by me. Probably says "that's what she said" way too often.
#23 Logan Primerano (Fr) 6'4'' 170 pound guard/forward. Second team All-State in Indiana following his Senior season after averaging 20 points and 6 rebounds at Peru High School. Also played tennis in high school (because who on this team didn't) where he was All-County and All-State. Roots for a NFL team that hangs participation banners. Not afraid to peg batters so he can pitch for my baseball team any day of the week.
#33 Donny Belcher III (Fr) 6'2'' 225 pound forward. Averaged 15 points 8.8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game during his senior season at MacArthur High School. From Texas so he's instantly the coolest person on the roster. Keeps his body completely clean shaven like his idol Michael Phelps. Get the feeling he's always late for the bus because he's off somewhere dancing.
What Returns
#10 Jahad Thomas (R-So) 6'2'' 220 pound guard/forward. Started all 22 games he appeared in during the 2014-15 season as a redshirt Freshman averaging 14.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in 32.1 minutes per game. His 14.3 ppg and his 6.5 rpg average both would have been good enough for 5th in the conference had he qualified. 2014-15 season was cut short due to an ACL tear. Is from Williamsport, PA so you know he enjoys watching little kids play baseball and driving slow in the left lane on highways. Hope the rehab went well, and I look forward to seeing him put in work again during the 2015-16 season.
#21 DJ Mlachnik (Gr) 6'2'' 180 pound guard. Appeared in 12 conference games for the River Hawks during the 2014-15 season; starting 3. Averaged 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds in 9.9 minutes of action. Shot 8-17 (47.1%) from three during conference play. Enjoys singing a song that involves "taking off all your clothes" with family members.
#22 Matt Harris (So) 6'1'' 205 pound guard. Appeared in 14 conference games during the '14-'15 season averaging 12.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 24.1 minutes of action. Shot 42.2% (35-83) for the River Hawks during conference play. Finished 10th in AEHoops in scoring average and 4th in 3PFG % during conference play as a Freshman. Uses the temptations to attract females. Didn't get the memo that lines in your fade won't be back in until next year.
#24 Tyler Livingston (Jr) 6'6'' 210 pound forward. Appeared in all 16 conference games for UMASS-Lowell during the 14'-'15 season averaging 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 13 minutes of action. Needs to clean his locker. School site lists his favorite TV show as "The Big Band Theory". Going to assume this show involves a group of socially awkward physicists who are inspired by One Direction to form a boy band.
#30 Mark Cornelius (Gr) 6'3'' 195 pound guard. Appeared in 13 conference games; starting 2, averaging 10.5 minutes of action. Savvy when it comes to his professional sports teams and figures. Would rather sing Beer for my Horses than I love This Bar or As Good As I Once Was but nobody's perfect.
Coaching Staff
Pat Duquette - Head Coach, Twitter: @pduquette44
Biko Paris - Assistant Coach
Nick Leonardelli - Assistant Coach
Louis Hinnant - Assistant Coach
Tom O'Shea - Director of Basketball Operations
Umass Lowell loses their 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th leading scorers from 2014-15 conference play, however return their top 2 scorers. Key to the River Hawks offensive production in 2015-16 will be the health of their stud guard/forward Jahad Thomas.
Thomas' 2014-15 season was cut short by a second ACL injury while on the River Hawks roster, one that limited his redshirt Freshman campaign to 9 conference games. Assuming Thomas is back to form by the time conference play rolls around in January the River Hawks will be ready to take on the America East with a bonafide star leading the way.
Matt Harris returns as the River Hawks go-to deep threat having made 35 last season at a 42% clip. Based on volume and percentage, one could safely argue that Harris enters his Sophomore season as the top three point shooter in the America East.
While UML led the America East in turnover margin in 2014-15 (+2.44) and steals (7.3) their aggressive perimeter defense led to a league worst 47.8% opposition field goal percentage. Rebounding was also an issue during the '14-'15 season as they finished last in the America East in rebounding margin at -7.6.
The numbers make sense, as an aggressive defense can often lead to open shots and easy rebounds for your opponent, as defensive players end up out of position. Limiting easy opposition shots is easier said than done if UML continues their aggressive style, however finding a little more balance may go a long way to vaulting them into the top 5 in the America East.
Unofficial Player Quote
"I'm just a new kid, I can't help that I'm hot" - 50 Cent, Bad News
(But you should really listen to the Bad News Mixtape version, NSFW but way better)
Biased Outlook
Ok ok I'll admit I may be on them too soon. They had a lot of turnover from a 6-10 team last season, losing a lot of offense along the way. We're still not sure how Jahad Thomas will look in game action, and since I've spoken with exactly 0 people associated with the team I have no idea where he is in his rehab.
While the River Hawks boast 8 players classified as Freshman; 3 redshirted the 2014-15 season meaning they've had a year of experience in Pat Duquette's system. They're young, but so is the program.
Sometimes it pays to grow together.
I'm fully willing to eat crow after the 2015-16 campaign if things don't run smoothly in Lowell. For now I just have a feeling I can't explain that this team will surprise most during the 2015-16 season.
While the River Hawks boast 8 players classified as Freshman; 3 redshirted the 2014-15 season meaning they've had a year of experience in Pat Duquette's system. They're young, but so is the program.
Sometimes it pays to grow together.
I'm fully willing to eat crow after the 2015-16 campaign if things don't run smoothly in Lowell. For now I just have a feeling I can't explain that this team will surprise most during the 2015-16 season.
Next up: Binghamton
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