A-10 PREVIEW – 9th PLACE
MASSACHUSETTS
Last year: 24-9 (13-3), 2nd place
ARENA:
Mullins Center
Seats: 9,493
Average attendance: 5,968 (up from 4,904 two years ago)
COACH
Travis Ford, 3rd year (10th overall)
Record at Massachusetts: 37-24 (165-135 overall; 55.0% winning percentage)
ROSTER
1 Papa Lo FR F/C 6-9 215 Senegal/Winchendon School (MA)
2 Sedale Jones FR WG 6-4 190 Pittsfield,MA/Notre Dame Prep
*3 Gary Forbes SR F/G 6-7 220 Brooklyn, NY/Virginia
5 Ricky Harris SO G 6-2 175 Baltimore, MD/Winchendon School (MA)
11 Gary Correia FR G 6-1 180 Providence, RI/Mount Herman School (MA)
13 Max Groebe FR G 6-4 185 North Miami Beach, FL
*14 Chris Lowe JR G 6-0 160 Mount Vernon, NY
20 Dante Milligan SR F 6-9 215 New York, NY/Pittsburgh
21 Trey Lang FR F 6-7 215 Marrieta, GA
22 Etienne Brower SR F 6-7 215 West Hempstead, NY/Boston University
24 Tony Gaffney JR F 6-8 195 Berkley, MA/Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)/BU
31 Luke Bonner JR C 7-1 245 Concord, NH/West Virginia
33 Matt Glass FR G 6-7 190 Underhill Center, VT/Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)
50 Matt Hill FR F 6-7 210 Middletown, CT/Tilton School (NH)
*Returning starters
OVERVIEW
All-Conference forwards Stephane Lasme and Rashaun Freeman are gone, but all is not lost. The Minutemen return six veterans, an emerging star in Gary Forbes and arguably the second best point guard in the A-10. Third year coach Travis Ford also welcomes what appears to be one of the better recruiting classes in the league.
The Minutemen are due for a makeover, however. For the past two years the team relied on Freeman and Lasme for a potent inside attack. Now that they are gone, Ford plans to revert to former ways. He likes to run and press and rain treys on opponents, and now he thinks he’s got the personnel to do it.
"Because we're not a physical basketball team, we have to spread the court and make it fast," Ford says.
UMass certainly has the motor to spark Ford’s offense. Chris Lowe is a true point guard with great dribble speed, good vision and the ability to get to the basket. Forbes is an inside-out scorer who can create his own shot when the half-court offense sputters.
A few members of last year’s supporting cast, however, have to accept bigger roles. And some of the newcomers have to quickly get over their stage fright.
If all goes according to script, the Minutemen just might - might - be able to book a return trip to the postseason.
DEPARTED PLAYERS
Stephane Lasme – The first native of Gabon to play college basketball in the U.S. set a high standard for future countrymen. An unknown recruit when he arrived, Lasme developed into one of the nation’s best shotblockers. He capped off a spectacular senior season (13.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 61.1% FG) by earning the league’s top award (Player of the Year) and getting drafted by Golden State. In his final year, Lasme expanded his offense and was a force at both ends. His intimidating presence inside (168 blocks, second in the NCAA) will especially be missed.
Rashaun Freeman – The 6-9 forward bounced back from a relatively disappointing junior season and was named to the league’s First Team for the third straight time. He increased his scoring (team-leading 14.7 ppg) and field goal percentage (60.9% FG) and finished third in the A-10 in rebounding (8.3 rpg). Although he sometimes struggled against large, athletic frontlines, Freeman was a constant threat in the post whose presence helped draw defenders away from Lasme and the guards. The two bigmen did a lot of damage in propelling UMass to its first 20-win season and postseason bid in seven years.
James Life – Former juco sharpshooter hit some big baskets and also became the team’s top perimeter defender (48 steals), but his questionable shot selection and penchant for trash talk sometimes hurt the Minutemen. Though Life was productive as a senior (11.5 ppg, 39% 3PG), it was time for him to move on. UMass might miss his long-range gunnery, but not his abrasive attitude toward coaches, teammates and opponents.
Brandon Thomas – Multi-skilled 6-6 athlete (4.0 ppg, 42.9% 3PG) showed flashes of brilliance during his two-year stay in Amherst, but his performance flickered like an aging light bulb. Thomas lost confidence easily and did not gain it back quickly.
Emmanuel “Tiki” Mayben – Heralded red-shirt point guard, a former Syracuse recruit, was given a chance to run the team, but he eventually lost his job to former starter Chris Lowe. Mayben turned the ball over too much (82 turnovers), and like most freshmen, his decision making was spotty. Poor shooting (2.9 ppg, 36.7% FG) and inadequate defense didn’t help his cause. For all those difficulties, Mayben was a capable ball-handler with great court vision. He dished out 127 assists (4th in the A-10) and improved steadily, though his minutes waned near the end of the season after Ford tightened the rotation.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Gary Forbes – The 6-7 forward (13 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 32.7% 3PG) is a legitimate candidate for A-10 Player of the Year. Strong and athletic, Forbes is a versatile scorer who can post up, shoot the trey or attack the basket. A good ball-handler and passer (81 assists), he even played effectively at point when Mayben and Chris Lowe struggled early in the season. He can play some defense, too (31 steals, 16 blocks).
It wasn’t as easy as Forbes apparently thought it would be, however. Starting slowly he averaged 11 points and hit just 26% of his treys in the nonconference portion of the schedule. He took too many bad shots and briefly lost his starting position after several poor performances.
By the time A-10 play rolled around, though, the transfer from Virginia was mostly on top of his game. Forbes put up bigger numbers in conference games, averaging nearly 15 points and 6.3 boards while shooting 41% beyond the arc. He’s one of the best players in the A-10 at creating his own shot and can dominate a game when he’s feeling it. He scored as many as 31 points in a game, grabbed as many as 16 rebounds and dished out up to 8 assists.
What Forbes has to do as a senior is to make better decisions and deliver consistently. He can be a Jekyll and Hyde in the same game, or even the same half. With Lasme and Freeman gone, Forbes will be tempted to try to take over the team to burnish his draft prospects. If he plays selfishly, however, it would only hurt the team and Ford won’t stand for it.
Chris Lowe – After an off-campus altercation, Lowe was suspended for preseason scrimmages and the first game and lost his starting job to Mayben. At the end of December, he worked himself back it the starting lineup because of his steadily improving play and the shaky decision making of Mayben. By year end, Lowe elevated his game to become one of the best point guards in the league. In the Minutemen’s thrilling overtime win over Alabama in the NIT, Lowe was the best player on the floor. He scored a career high 19 points and added 6 assists and 5 steals in a signature performance.
Ford doesn’t expect Lowe (7 ppg) to score like that in every game. The junior point guard is a good creator (4.2 apg, third in the A-10) and good decision maker who makes the Minutemen’s uptempo offense go. He might be the fastest player in the A-10 in going from one end to the other with the ball. He sometimes goes too fast, but Lowe increasingly knows when to step on the gas and when to ease off. And his defense is an underrated aspect of his game. Although physical guards can give him a hard time, Lowe stays low to the ground and has quick hands (35 steals). He makes opponents work when they bring the ball upcourt.
A poor shooter in his freshman season, Lowe has worked diligently to get better. He’s developed an effective lefty runner in the lane that he can loft over almost any defender. His 3-point accuracy also improved to 35% (16-46) from 27.8% as a freshman. He doesn’t look to shoot the threeball, but he will if defenders give him time to set up.
With his talent, speed and decision making, Lowe should become the best point guard in the A-10 not named Drew Lavender. If the Minutemen are going to surprise, Lowe has to take complete command of the offense. The Minutemen cannot maintain last season’s winning ways unless he does.
Dante Milligan – The 6-8 transfer from Pittsburgh will finally get a chance to start six years after he left high school. Older than most players in the A-10 – Milligan turns 24 in February – he’s physically mature, strong and athletic. While he lacks Freeman’s scoring in the post or Lasme’s game-changing defensive ability, Milligan (3.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 49% FG) is good enough to start for lots of A-10 teams. He runs the floor well, is a decent finisher near the basket and can hit faceup jumpers out to 15 feet. He’s also an above-average rebounder and post defender (16 blocks). Milligan is not flashy and he won’t put up big numbers, but he might be good for 8 points and 5 or 6 rebounds a game.
Ricky Harris – Undersized but explosive guard (4.5 ppg, 36% FG) received quality playing time as a freshman and Ford even trusted him in some tight late-game situations. The quick-footed Harris is a fearless penetrator who can drive or dish, but he’s just as prone to launch 3-pointers. He hit two big treys in a win at Louisville and tallied 13 points in a loss to Kentucky. Harris also has the physical tools and mindset to become a topnotch defender (12 steals). “Ricky Harris is a tremendous player,” Ford told the Springfield Republican with his typically exaggerated praise.
As a sophomore, Harris is set to start and will be relied upon heavily. He’ll need to tame some of his aggression and shoot better from outside (25% 3PG). While he seems to have good form, some of his 3-point attempts were ill-advised and more than a few clanked loudly off the rim. Ford likes his players to shoot treys, but 25% won’t cut it. UMass has other players who can shoot better than that. One thing is for certain, though. Harris will score. He forgets his last miss the moment after it leaves his hand.
Luke Bonner – The four-year junior (1.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg) will get a chance to start after sitting out a year as a transfer and riding the bench for two others – one at UMass and another at West Virginia. Ford says he has looked good in practice and is ready to step up. Only time will tell. Bonner has played far too little to know how he will perform in real games with extended minutes.
Bonner does have size and skills. He’s a 7-footer in a league where such players are about as rare as the hair on Phil Martelli’s head. He’s plenty mobile for his size and there’s no reason he can’t be a decent rebounder and shotblocker. In just 7 minutes a game, he even led the Minutemen in charges drawn with seven.
On offense, Bonner is best suited to play the high post. He’s a good outside shooter and passer, but he’s not a beast on the low blocks. Bonner is more apt to toss up a George Mikan-style running hook than bull his way to the rim. He’s simply not strong enough to impose himself on shorter but stouter defenders.
In his typical hyperbole, Ford has said Bonner possesses all the skills to be a star in the A-10, but he was unable to showcase his talent because he played behind Lasme and Freeman. Minutemen fans themselves are skeptical. They would find a modest contribution to be perfectly acceptable. It’s all they have the right to expect.
Etienne Brower – The Boston University transfer, named to the America East Third Team as a sophomore, suffered a severe ankle sprain before last season and missed the first seven games. By the time he came back, Brower (2.7 ppg, 2 rpg) was unable to crack the regular rotation, especially after his ankle problem flared up again. He never regained full health.
In limited minutes, though, the versatile Brower showed good skills and Ford expects him to play a big role in his final season. When healthy he’s a fine athlete and big leaper. He’s also one of the better 3-pointer shooters (37.5 3PG) on the team and a nifty passer too (24 assists). “He can shoot it, he can handle it. He can do a lot of things,” Ford says.
Brower might also be the Minutemen’s best frontcourt defender, though he’s ideally suited to cover small forwards. He can stay with them outside and is an alert help defender when opponents throw the ball into the post.
NEWCOMERS
Gary Correia - Travis Ford loves good shooters, and Correia is said to be one of the better ones in his class (47% on treys). The quick 6-1 combo guard is a good spot-up shooter who moves well without the ball, though he doesn't look to penetrate much. He’s also a good passer and ball-handler who will back up Lowe at point. He signed late with UMass after getting looks from some Big East schools.
Max Groebe - The confident 6-5 big guard from Miami (via Germany) is a terrific shooter who has connected on as many as 50% of his treys in a season. Groebe likes to catch and shoot and has a quick release. He is also physically strong and willing to mix it up inside, though he's not an A-plus athlete, which hurts him on defense. "Max Groebe can shoot it, which is a very valuable weapon with the way we're playing," Ford says. "He needs to catch and shoot and make shots and not hurt us as much defensively."
Trey Lang - The son of former NBA center Andrew Lang is an excellent athlete who plays above the rim. Trey Lang got lots of attention from major schools, but some question his intensity and the Georgia native needs to expand his game. He's mostly an inside player and rebounder. Since he's the most physically mature of the first-year forwards, the 6-8 Lang might be the first frosh bigman off the bench.
Matt Glass - Former Player of the Year in Vermont is most noted for his 3-point proficiency. He's a decent not great athlete who uses his shot to pull defenders out. Glass can get by them when they overcommit, but he's not a good finisher. Although his outside touch is needed at UMass, Glass might need time to develop his body and the rest of his game.
Matt Hill -- Hill caught Ford’s eye because of his versatility and potential offensive skills (shooting) at the four-spot. The undersized power forward is a good athlete with the ability to hit midrange jumpers and even some treys. He's also a solid defender who rebounds well and blocks shots. Hill injured his Achilles tendon and missed his senior year. If he doesn’t regain his full health, he could find it hard to adjust to a higher level of competition after a year off.
Papa Lo - Slender 6-9 Senegal native, who prepped in New England, is long and athletic and said to be a terrific shotblocker. Likened to a young Stephane Lasme, Lo is also very raw offensively and needs time to fill out. “If he gets stronger and stays healthy, there's a place for him with his shot-blocking,” Ford told the Republican. “Immediately? Maybe.”
Tony Gaffney – Another transfer from Boston University, the 6-8 Gaffney is an athletic tweener known for his aggressive defense. He’s reportedly a decent shooter, but there’s little evidence from his days at BU. He averaged 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds two years ago while playing 17 minutes a game.
Sedale Jones – Former prep star in Western Massachusetts walked on in hopes of earning a scholarship next season, but that’s looking doubtful unless some current players transfer. Jones was noted for his outside shot and scoring ability in high school, but few big programs came nibbling. He’s big, at 6-4, and athletic enough to play in the A-10. He’l l have to show something special, however, to break into the rotation.
SCOUTING REPORT
The starting backcourt appears to be in solid shape. Lowe might be the ideal point guard to fuel Ford’s uptempo attack. He excels on the fastbreak and can break down defenses with the dribble. Sophomore Ricky Harris, an aggressive slasher, had some impressive moments in his first year. He and Lowe might represent the quickest backcourt in the A-10. Whether by harassing ball-handlers or driving to the basket, the pair will try to cause chaos for UMass opponents.
Lowe and Harris might not scare opponents with their outside shooting, however. That might have to come from elsewhere, but the question is who. The team’s best shooter, departed senior James Life, accounted for 45% of the Minutemen’s 3-pointers. No one came close to equaling his production.
Forbes hit than 40% on treys in A-10 play and Brower connected on 38% of his attempts, but Harris struggled and none of the three are lights-out shooters. The best outside threats are freshmen Groebe and Correia. If Massachusetts is going to throw up as many as 30 treys a game – that’s Ford speaking – the Minutemen will have to shoot better than last season’s 34% clip (11th in the A-10).
In the paint, Ford no longer has a dominant low-post scorer or shotblocker and the Minutemen are not a beefy bunch. Yet the quartet of Bonner, Milligan, Forbes and Brower compose the oldest frontline in the A-10. UMass won’t lead the conference again in points in the paint, but the Minutemen should be able to stand their ground against most opponents.
It’s especially critical that the revamped frontline grab its fair share of rebounds. Lasme and Freeman accounted for 18 rebounds a game - almost half the team’s total – and UMass led the league last year (+7.7 margin). Unless the Minutemen rebound well enough on the defensive end, Ford’s plan for an uptempo attack are likely to fizzle.
PREDICTION
Massachusetts won’t match last year’s total of 24 wins, but the program has some talented players and is not lacking for firepower. There’s enough size, balance and experience to compete for a spot in the upper half of the league.
Contributions from a few freshmen and better shooting are essential, but the strength of the team is its upperclassmen. None of the veterans aside from Forbes have played starring roles, but they are mature and have had a taste of winning. If they step up their games and teach the youngsters the ropes, the team should be in decent shape.
Lowe and Forbes are givens. To compete for an A-10 title, however, Ford has to draw much better performances from the likes of returnees Bonner, Brower and Harris. "Etienne is our X Factor,” Ford says. “He and Luke Bonner must have big seasons.”
Bonner himself thinks he’s up to the task. “Last year, I was backing up Rashaun Freeman and Stephane Lasme, but this year, being more assertive is what my role calls for,” he told the Republican. “I know I'll have more of a leadership role."
Still, it’s a lot to ask. While the potential is there, the Minutemen might not have enough star power to take center stage.
Record: 16-14 (8-8), 9th Place
MASSACHUSETTS
Last year: 24-9 (13-3), 2nd place
ARENA:
Mullins Center
Seats: 9,493
Average attendance: 5,968 (up from 4,904 two years ago)
COACH
Travis Ford, 3rd year (10th overall)
Record at Massachusetts: 37-24 (165-135 overall; 55.0% winning percentage)
ROSTER
1 Papa Lo FR F/C 6-9 215 Senegal/Winchendon School (MA)
2 Sedale Jones FR WG 6-4 190 Pittsfield,MA/Notre Dame Prep
*3 Gary Forbes SR F/G 6-7 220 Brooklyn, NY/Virginia
5 Ricky Harris SO G 6-2 175 Baltimore, MD/Winchendon School (MA)
11 Gary Correia FR G 6-1 180 Providence, RI/Mount Herman School (MA)
13 Max Groebe FR G 6-4 185 North Miami Beach, FL
*14 Chris Lowe JR G 6-0 160 Mount Vernon, NY
20 Dante Milligan SR F 6-9 215 New York, NY/Pittsburgh
21 Trey Lang FR F 6-7 215 Marrieta, GA
22 Etienne Brower SR F 6-7 215 West Hempstead, NY/Boston University
24 Tony Gaffney JR F 6-8 195 Berkley, MA/Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)/BU
31 Luke Bonner JR C 7-1 245 Concord, NH/West Virginia
33 Matt Glass FR G 6-7 190 Underhill Center, VT/Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)
50 Matt Hill FR F 6-7 210 Middletown, CT/Tilton School (NH)
*Returning starters
OVERVIEW
All-Conference forwards Stephane Lasme and Rashaun Freeman are gone, but all is not lost. The Minutemen return six veterans, an emerging star in Gary Forbes and arguably the second best point guard in the A-10. Third year coach Travis Ford also welcomes what appears to be one of the better recruiting classes in the league.
The Minutemen are due for a makeover, however. For the past two years the team relied on Freeman and Lasme for a potent inside attack. Now that they are gone, Ford plans to revert to former ways. He likes to run and press and rain treys on opponents, and now he thinks he’s got the personnel to do it.
"Because we're not a physical basketball team, we have to spread the court and make it fast," Ford says.
UMass certainly has the motor to spark Ford’s offense. Chris Lowe is a true point guard with great dribble speed, good vision and the ability to get to the basket. Forbes is an inside-out scorer who can create his own shot when the half-court offense sputters.
A few members of last year’s supporting cast, however, have to accept bigger roles. And some of the newcomers have to quickly get over their stage fright.
If all goes according to script, the Minutemen just might - might - be able to book a return trip to the postseason.
DEPARTED PLAYERS
Stephane Lasme – The first native of Gabon to play college basketball in the U.S. set a high standard for future countrymen. An unknown recruit when he arrived, Lasme developed into one of the nation’s best shotblockers. He capped off a spectacular senior season (13.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 61.1% FG) by earning the league’s top award (Player of the Year) and getting drafted by Golden State. In his final year, Lasme expanded his offense and was a force at both ends. His intimidating presence inside (168 blocks, second in the NCAA) will especially be missed.
Rashaun Freeman – The 6-9 forward bounced back from a relatively disappointing junior season and was named to the league’s First Team for the third straight time. He increased his scoring (team-leading 14.7 ppg) and field goal percentage (60.9% FG) and finished third in the A-10 in rebounding (8.3 rpg). Although he sometimes struggled against large, athletic frontlines, Freeman was a constant threat in the post whose presence helped draw defenders away from Lasme and the guards. The two bigmen did a lot of damage in propelling UMass to its first 20-win season and postseason bid in seven years.
James Life – Former juco sharpshooter hit some big baskets and also became the team’s top perimeter defender (48 steals), but his questionable shot selection and penchant for trash talk sometimes hurt the Minutemen. Though Life was productive as a senior (11.5 ppg, 39% 3PG), it was time for him to move on. UMass might miss his long-range gunnery, but not his abrasive attitude toward coaches, teammates and opponents.
Brandon Thomas – Multi-skilled 6-6 athlete (4.0 ppg, 42.9% 3PG) showed flashes of brilliance during his two-year stay in Amherst, but his performance flickered like an aging light bulb. Thomas lost confidence easily and did not gain it back quickly.
Emmanuel “Tiki” Mayben – Heralded red-shirt point guard, a former Syracuse recruit, was given a chance to run the team, but he eventually lost his job to former starter Chris Lowe. Mayben turned the ball over too much (82 turnovers), and like most freshmen, his decision making was spotty. Poor shooting (2.9 ppg, 36.7% FG) and inadequate defense didn’t help his cause. For all those difficulties, Mayben was a capable ball-handler with great court vision. He dished out 127 assists (4th in the A-10) and improved steadily, though his minutes waned near the end of the season after Ford tightened the rotation.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Gary Forbes – The 6-7 forward (13 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 32.7% 3PG) is a legitimate candidate for A-10 Player of the Year. Strong and athletic, Forbes is a versatile scorer who can post up, shoot the trey or attack the basket. A good ball-handler and passer (81 assists), he even played effectively at point when Mayben and Chris Lowe struggled early in the season. He can play some defense, too (31 steals, 16 blocks).
It wasn’t as easy as Forbes apparently thought it would be, however. Starting slowly he averaged 11 points and hit just 26% of his treys in the nonconference portion of the schedule. He took too many bad shots and briefly lost his starting position after several poor performances.
By the time A-10 play rolled around, though, the transfer from Virginia was mostly on top of his game. Forbes put up bigger numbers in conference games, averaging nearly 15 points and 6.3 boards while shooting 41% beyond the arc. He’s one of the best players in the A-10 at creating his own shot and can dominate a game when he’s feeling it. He scored as many as 31 points in a game, grabbed as many as 16 rebounds and dished out up to 8 assists.
What Forbes has to do as a senior is to make better decisions and deliver consistently. He can be a Jekyll and Hyde in the same game, or even the same half. With Lasme and Freeman gone, Forbes will be tempted to try to take over the team to burnish his draft prospects. If he plays selfishly, however, it would only hurt the team and Ford won’t stand for it.
Chris Lowe – After an off-campus altercation, Lowe was suspended for preseason scrimmages and the first game and lost his starting job to Mayben. At the end of December, he worked himself back it the starting lineup because of his steadily improving play and the shaky decision making of Mayben. By year end, Lowe elevated his game to become one of the best point guards in the league. In the Minutemen’s thrilling overtime win over Alabama in the NIT, Lowe was the best player on the floor. He scored a career high 19 points and added 6 assists and 5 steals in a signature performance.
Ford doesn’t expect Lowe (7 ppg) to score like that in every game. The junior point guard is a good creator (4.2 apg, third in the A-10) and good decision maker who makes the Minutemen’s uptempo offense go. He might be the fastest player in the A-10 in going from one end to the other with the ball. He sometimes goes too fast, but Lowe increasingly knows when to step on the gas and when to ease off. And his defense is an underrated aspect of his game. Although physical guards can give him a hard time, Lowe stays low to the ground and has quick hands (35 steals). He makes opponents work when they bring the ball upcourt.
A poor shooter in his freshman season, Lowe has worked diligently to get better. He’s developed an effective lefty runner in the lane that he can loft over almost any defender. His 3-point accuracy also improved to 35% (16-46) from 27.8% as a freshman. He doesn’t look to shoot the threeball, but he will if defenders give him time to set up.
With his talent, speed and decision making, Lowe should become the best point guard in the A-10 not named Drew Lavender. If the Minutemen are going to surprise, Lowe has to take complete command of the offense. The Minutemen cannot maintain last season’s winning ways unless he does.
Dante Milligan – The 6-8 transfer from Pittsburgh will finally get a chance to start six years after he left high school. Older than most players in the A-10 – Milligan turns 24 in February – he’s physically mature, strong and athletic. While he lacks Freeman’s scoring in the post or Lasme’s game-changing defensive ability, Milligan (3.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 49% FG) is good enough to start for lots of A-10 teams. He runs the floor well, is a decent finisher near the basket and can hit faceup jumpers out to 15 feet. He’s also an above-average rebounder and post defender (16 blocks). Milligan is not flashy and he won’t put up big numbers, but he might be good for 8 points and 5 or 6 rebounds a game.
Ricky Harris – Undersized but explosive guard (4.5 ppg, 36% FG) received quality playing time as a freshman and Ford even trusted him in some tight late-game situations. The quick-footed Harris is a fearless penetrator who can drive or dish, but he’s just as prone to launch 3-pointers. He hit two big treys in a win at Louisville and tallied 13 points in a loss to Kentucky. Harris also has the physical tools and mindset to become a topnotch defender (12 steals). “Ricky Harris is a tremendous player,” Ford told the Springfield Republican with his typically exaggerated praise.
As a sophomore, Harris is set to start and will be relied upon heavily. He’ll need to tame some of his aggression and shoot better from outside (25% 3PG). While he seems to have good form, some of his 3-point attempts were ill-advised and more than a few clanked loudly off the rim. Ford likes his players to shoot treys, but 25% won’t cut it. UMass has other players who can shoot better than that. One thing is for certain, though. Harris will score. He forgets his last miss the moment after it leaves his hand.
Luke Bonner – The four-year junior (1.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg) will get a chance to start after sitting out a year as a transfer and riding the bench for two others – one at UMass and another at West Virginia. Ford says he has looked good in practice and is ready to step up. Only time will tell. Bonner has played far too little to know how he will perform in real games with extended minutes.
Bonner does have size and skills. He’s a 7-footer in a league where such players are about as rare as the hair on Phil Martelli’s head. He’s plenty mobile for his size and there’s no reason he can’t be a decent rebounder and shotblocker. In just 7 minutes a game, he even led the Minutemen in charges drawn with seven.
On offense, Bonner is best suited to play the high post. He’s a good outside shooter and passer, but he’s not a beast on the low blocks. Bonner is more apt to toss up a George Mikan-style running hook than bull his way to the rim. He’s simply not strong enough to impose himself on shorter but stouter defenders.
In his typical hyperbole, Ford has said Bonner possesses all the skills to be a star in the A-10, but he was unable to showcase his talent because he played behind Lasme and Freeman. Minutemen fans themselves are skeptical. They would find a modest contribution to be perfectly acceptable. It’s all they have the right to expect.
Etienne Brower – The Boston University transfer, named to the America East Third Team as a sophomore, suffered a severe ankle sprain before last season and missed the first seven games. By the time he came back, Brower (2.7 ppg, 2 rpg) was unable to crack the regular rotation, especially after his ankle problem flared up again. He never regained full health.
In limited minutes, though, the versatile Brower showed good skills and Ford expects him to play a big role in his final season. When healthy he’s a fine athlete and big leaper. He’s also one of the better 3-pointer shooters (37.5 3PG) on the team and a nifty passer too (24 assists). “He can shoot it, he can handle it. He can do a lot of things,” Ford says.
Brower might also be the Minutemen’s best frontcourt defender, though he’s ideally suited to cover small forwards. He can stay with them outside and is an alert help defender when opponents throw the ball into the post.
NEWCOMERS
Gary Correia - Travis Ford loves good shooters, and Correia is said to be one of the better ones in his class (47% on treys). The quick 6-1 combo guard is a good spot-up shooter who moves well without the ball, though he doesn't look to penetrate much. He’s also a good passer and ball-handler who will back up Lowe at point. He signed late with UMass after getting looks from some Big East schools.
Max Groebe - The confident 6-5 big guard from Miami (via Germany) is a terrific shooter who has connected on as many as 50% of his treys in a season. Groebe likes to catch and shoot and has a quick release. He is also physically strong and willing to mix it up inside, though he's not an A-plus athlete, which hurts him on defense. "Max Groebe can shoot it, which is a very valuable weapon with the way we're playing," Ford says. "He needs to catch and shoot and make shots and not hurt us as much defensively."
Trey Lang - The son of former NBA center Andrew Lang is an excellent athlete who plays above the rim. Trey Lang got lots of attention from major schools, but some question his intensity and the Georgia native needs to expand his game. He's mostly an inside player and rebounder. Since he's the most physically mature of the first-year forwards, the 6-8 Lang might be the first frosh bigman off the bench.
Matt Glass - Former Player of the Year in Vermont is most noted for his 3-point proficiency. He's a decent not great athlete who uses his shot to pull defenders out. Glass can get by them when they overcommit, but he's not a good finisher. Although his outside touch is needed at UMass, Glass might need time to develop his body and the rest of his game.
Matt Hill -- Hill caught Ford’s eye because of his versatility and potential offensive skills (shooting) at the four-spot. The undersized power forward is a good athlete with the ability to hit midrange jumpers and even some treys. He's also a solid defender who rebounds well and blocks shots. Hill injured his Achilles tendon and missed his senior year. If he doesn’t regain his full health, he could find it hard to adjust to a higher level of competition after a year off.
Papa Lo - Slender 6-9 Senegal native, who prepped in New England, is long and athletic and said to be a terrific shotblocker. Likened to a young Stephane Lasme, Lo is also very raw offensively and needs time to fill out. “If he gets stronger and stays healthy, there's a place for him with his shot-blocking,” Ford told the Republican. “Immediately? Maybe.”
Tony Gaffney – Another transfer from Boston University, the 6-8 Gaffney is an athletic tweener known for his aggressive defense. He’s reportedly a decent shooter, but there’s little evidence from his days at BU. He averaged 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds two years ago while playing 17 minutes a game.
Sedale Jones – Former prep star in Western Massachusetts walked on in hopes of earning a scholarship next season, but that’s looking doubtful unless some current players transfer. Jones was noted for his outside shot and scoring ability in high school, but few big programs came nibbling. He’s big, at 6-4, and athletic enough to play in the A-10. He’l l have to show something special, however, to break into the rotation.
SCOUTING REPORT
The starting backcourt appears to be in solid shape. Lowe might be the ideal point guard to fuel Ford’s uptempo attack. He excels on the fastbreak and can break down defenses with the dribble. Sophomore Ricky Harris, an aggressive slasher, had some impressive moments in his first year. He and Lowe might represent the quickest backcourt in the A-10. Whether by harassing ball-handlers or driving to the basket, the pair will try to cause chaos for UMass opponents.
Lowe and Harris might not scare opponents with their outside shooting, however. That might have to come from elsewhere, but the question is who. The team’s best shooter, departed senior James Life, accounted for 45% of the Minutemen’s 3-pointers. No one came close to equaling his production.
Forbes hit than 40% on treys in A-10 play and Brower connected on 38% of his attempts, but Harris struggled and none of the three are lights-out shooters. The best outside threats are freshmen Groebe and Correia. If Massachusetts is going to throw up as many as 30 treys a game – that’s Ford speaking – the Minutemen will have to shoot better than last season’s 34% clip (11th in the A-10).
In the paint, Ford no longer has a dominant low-post scorer or shotblocker and the Minutemen are not a beefy bunch. Yet the quartet of Bonner, Milligan, Forbes and Brower compose the oldest frontline in the A-10. UMass won’t lead the conference again in points in the paint, but the Minutemen should be able to stand their ground against most opponents.
It’s especially critical that the revamped frontline grab its fair share of rebounds. Lasme and Freeman accounted for 18 rebounds a game - almost half the team’s total – and UMass led the league last year (+7.7 margin). Unless the Minutemen rebound well enough on the defensive end, Ford’s plan for an uptempo attack are likely to fizzle.
PREDICTION
Massachusetts won’t match last year’s total of 24 wins, but the program has some talented players and is not lacking for firepower. There’s enough size, balance and experience to compete for a spot in the upper half of the league.
Contributions from a few freshmen and better shooting are essential, but the strength of the team is its upperclassmen. None of the veterans aside from Forbes have played starring roles, but they are mature and have had a taste of winning. If they step up their games and teach the youngsters the ropes, the team should be in decent shape.
Lowe and Forbes are givens. To compete for an A-10 title, however, Ford has to draw much better performances from the likes of returnees Bonner, Brower and Harris. "Etienne is our X Factor,” Ford says. “He and Luke Bonner must have big seasons.”
Bonner himself thinks he’s up to the task. “Last year, I was backing up Rashaun Freeman and Stephane Lasme, but this year, being more assertive is what my role calls for,” he told the Republican. “I know I'll have more of a leadership role."
Still, it’s a lot to ask. While the potential is there, the Minutemen might not have enough star power to take center stage.
Record: 16-14 (8-8), 9th Place
