Twitter: @RiverHawkMBB
2017-18 Coaches Projected Finish
Tied for Sixth Place
2017-18 KenPom Projected Conference Record
7-9, tied for sixth2017-18 KenPom Projected Conference Record
2016-17 Record
5-11 (1-7 road, 4-4 home), 6th in America East
2016-17 Attendance
1,022 average, 14,320 total (14 games)
2016-17 PPG
77.1, 2nd in America East
2016-17 Opp PPG
80.7, 9th in America East
2016-17 3 Point FG %
39.3%, 4th in America East
2016-17 FT %
65.9%, 8th in America East
2016-17 FT %
65.9%, 8th in America East
2016-17 Rebound Margin
+0.0, 5th in America East
2016-17 Assists
15.8, 1st in America East
2016-17 T/O Margin
-1.44, 7th in America East
UMass Lowell returns 73.1% of their points, 74.5% of their rebounds and 75.8% of their assists from conference play during America East conference play last season. The River Hawks also return four out of five starters with Tyler Livingston (13.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 48.2 3FG%) the only starter during conference play to depart. They do lose another contributor in Logan Primerano who finished fifth on the team with 6.7 ppg, and logged 22.4 mpg in conference.
The good news for UML is they return their top two weapons on offense from a team that finished second in points per game in conference last year. Jahad Thomas and Ryan Jones combined to average 36.5 points, 8.6 assists and 13.7 rebounds per game in America East action. Jones enters the 2017-18 season leading all returning America East players in 3FG% at 46.5% in conference last year. Thomas returns as the leader in points per game and assists per game, while coming in as the second leading returning rebounder.
With the good news out of the way, let's get to the bad. The defense finished a league worst, giving up 80.7 points per game in conference last season. Their 113.5 D-efficiency rating was last, their 55.6 EFG% was last, their 53.4% given up on opponents two point field goals was last, their 39.4% given up on opponents three point field goals was second to last...you get the point.
The numbers aren't pretty, but there's some obvious reasons for them. The River Hawks roster was small last season-- their tallest starter came in at 6'6'' while their overall roster had an average height of 75.6", good for 320th in the country. With that it's easy to see why teams did so well against them inside, while the outside shooting can be attributed to perimeter players being forced to help all over the floor due to mismatches and zone defenses.
A quick look at the measurable's tells you there's no relief (size wise) in the incoming players so will anything change this season? Help should come from returning players already on the roster. Josh Gantz (6'7'', 232) returns after missing last season, as does Connor Bennett (6'10'', 235). How much the bigs are able to contribute defensively will determine how much noise UMass Lowell is able to make in conference this season.
Beyond added contributions from the bigs defensively UML may have to make a choice on whether they want to defend the three point line, or continue to have guards help inside/run different variations of zone.
UMass Lowell returns 73.1% of their points, 74.5% of their rebounds and 75.8% of their assists from conference play during America East conference play last season. The River Hawks also return four out of five starters with Tyler Livingston (13.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 48.2 3FG%) the only starter during conference play to depart. They do lose another contributor in Logan Primerano who finished fifth on the team with 6.7 ppg, and logged 22.4 mpg in conference.
The good news for UML is they return their top two weapons on offense from a team that finished second in points per game in conference last year. Jahad Thomas and Ryan Jones combined to average 36.5 points, 8.6 assists and 13.7 rebounds per game in America East action. Jones enters the 2017-18 season leading all returning America East players in 3FG% at 46.5% in conference last year. Thomas returns as the leader in points per game and assists per game, while coming in as the second leading returning rebounder.
With the good news out of the way, let's get to the bad. The defense finished a league worst, giving up 80.7 points per game in conference last season. Their 113.5 D-efficiency rating was last, their 55.6 EFG% was last, their 53.4% given up on opponents two point field goals was last, their 39.4% given up on opponents three point field goals was second to last...you get the point.
The numbers aren't pretty, but there's some obvious reasons for them. The River Hawks roster was small last season-- their tallest starter came in at 6'6'' while their overall roster had an average height of 75.6", good for 320th in the country. With that it's easy to see why teams did so well against them inside, while the outside shooting can be attributed to perimeter players being forced to help all over the floor due to mismatches and zone defenses.
A quick look at the measurable's tells you there's no relief (size wise) in the incoming players so will anything change this season? Help should come from returning players already on the roster. Josh Gantz (6'7'', 232) returns after missing last season, as does Connor Bennett (6'10'', 235). How much the bigs are able to contribute defensively will determine how much noise UMass Lowell is able to make in conference this season.
Beyond added contributions from the bigs defensively UML may have to make a choice on whether they want to defend the three point line, or continue to have guards help inside/run different variations of zone.
What Arrives
#0 Shawn Jones (Jr) 6'0'' 180 pound guard. Averaged 7.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in two seasons at Howard College (JUCO). Hometown of Bridge City, La is across the Mississippi from Tulane and New Orleans and hosts Louisiana's Gumbo Festival every year.
#11 Obadiah Noel (Fr) 6'4'' 185 pound guard. Averaged 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a senior at Tuscarora and was the Frederick County Player of the Year. Some guy Francis Scott Key is also from Frederick, which also has this cool painted bridge. Lakers fan now living in Celtics land. Hudl Highlights
#23 Christian Lutete (Jr) 6'5'' 195 pound guard. Transfer from Radford who will redshirt the 2017-18 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Averaged 3.8 points, and 1.5 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game during Big South conference play for Radford last season.
#24 Joey Naccarato (Fr) 6'4'' 215 pound guard. Averaged 20 points and 9 rebounds his senior year at Coeur d'Alene in Idaho. Spends his free time at the Seven Stars Alpaca Ranch, racing alpaca's. I like to say his name with a New York accent. Hudl Highlights
#23 Christian Lutete (Jr) 6'5'' 195 pound guard. Transfer from Radford who will redshirt the 2017-18 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Averaged 3.8 points, and 1.5 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game during Big South conference play for Radford last season.
#24 Joey Naccarato (Fr) 6'4'' 215 pound guard. Averaged 20 points and 9 rebounds his senior year at Coeur d'Alene in Idaho. Spends his free time at the Seven Stars Alpaca Ranch, racing alpaca's. I like to say his name with a New York accent. Hudl Highlights
What Returns
#1 Rinardo Perry (So) 6'4'' 190 pound guard. Averaged 5.6 points, 1.3 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game during 2016-17 America East play. Finished second on UML with 0.9 steals per game in conference.
#3 Stefan Borovac (So) 6'8'' 210 pound guard/forward. Averaged 1.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game in conference last season. Kind of looks like George McFly (Marty's dad) in Back to the Future in his UML bio pic, so he has my support.
#5 Ryan Jones (Sr) 6'3'' 185 pound guard. Averaged 16.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 37.4 minutes per game during conference play last season. Shot 46.5% from three, taking 5.4 attempts per game, while also shooting 53.9% from two point range on 6.4 attempts per game in America East action. One of the best offensive players in the conference.
#10 Jahad Thomas (R-Sr) 6'2'' 210 pound guard/forward. Leading returning scorer in the America East after averaging 20.1 points during conference play last season. Also the second leading returning rebounder (9.4 per game) and leading returning assist man (5.3 per game). The do it all star led the America East with a .586 FG% and finished third in conference play with 1.6 steals per game.
#10 Jahad Thomas (R-Sr) 6'2'' 210 pound guard/forward. Leading returning scorer in the America East after averaging 20.1 points during conference play last season. Also the second leading returning rebounder (9.4 per game) and leading returning assist man (5.3 per game). The do it all star led the America East with a .586 FG% and finished third in conference play with 1.6 steals per game.
#12 Josh Gantz (R-Jr) 6'7'' 232 pound forward. Redshirted the 2016-17 due to injury. Averaged 4.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 21.5 minutes per game during 2015-16 conference play.
#22 Matt Harris (Sr) 6'1'' 195 pound guard. Averaged 8.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 27.7 minutes per game in conference. Shot 35.4% from deep on 5.1 attempts per game and 81.8% from the free throw line on 1.4 attempts per game.
#25 Dontavius Smith (R-Jr) 6'8'' 200 pound forward. Averaged 1.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in 4.5 minutes per game in conference last season. Another Kobe Bryant/Lakers playing ball in Celtics territory.
#35 Connor Bennett (R-So) 6'10'' 235 pound forward. Appeared in three non conference games in 2016-17 totaling 14 minutes, 6 points and 3 rebounds. Has good taste in professional sports teams.
#35 Connor Bennett (R-So) 6'10'' 235 pound forward. Appeared in three non conference games in 2016-17 totaling 14 minutes, 6 points and 3 rebounds. Has good taste in professional sports teams.
#44 Cameron Wolter (So) 6'8'' 225 pound forward. Averaged 3.1 points and 0.8 rebounds in 7.7 minutes per game during 2016-17 America East action. Lists Blue Mountain State as one of his favorite tv shows, so he gets bonus points. Even more bonus points for being a Red Sox fan. Loses all of his bonus points for liking the Colts and Peyton Manning.
Coaching Staff
Pat Duquette - Head Coach, Twitter: @pduquette44
Biko Paris - Assistant Coach
Nick Leonardelli - Assistant Coach
Louis Hinnant - Assistant Coach
After making it through their transition period into D1 athletics UMass Lowell is now eligible for postseason play for the first time this season. Their 26-38 conference record over the last four seasons is beyond impressive for a team moving up to Division 1.
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