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September 21st,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Massachusetts Minutemen
Overall Rank:
#51
Conference
Rank: #3 A-10
2005-06:
13-15, 8-8, 7th (t)
2005-06
postseason: none
 Coach Travis
Ford finally has enough players to run an uptempo, high pressure
system at Massachusetts. The Minutemen have a remarkable amount
of depth everywhere on the floor and the battles for playing
time have been, and will continue to be, fierce.
Who’s Out:
Forward Jeff Viggiano averaged 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0
assists as a senior. His versatility will be missed, but that
can be replaced by some of the newcomers. Maurice Maxwell
started the first ten games for Umass at the point before
running into academic issues. Maxwell won’t be returning this
season.
Who’s In:
A nice group
of transfers will battle for starting gigs and provide
experience and depth all over the floor. On the wing Gary
Forbes has the talent to be a starter. As a sophomore in
2004-2005, Forbes averaged 9.4 points and 4.1 rebounds at
Virginia. The Brooklyn, New York native is a solid outside
shooter and, at 6-7 and 200 pounds, isn’t afraid to mix it up on
the glass. Etienne Brower started all 28 games as a sophomore
for Boston University before heading to Amherst. The 6-7
forward averaged 8.3 points and 5.4 boards for the Terriers two
years ago and his versatility will prove valuable for Umass.
Luke Bonner, the last of the transfers, is less proven than the
other two. The 7-1 center saw very limited minutes as a
freshman at West Virginia. Bonner is the type of player you
would expect at West Virginia, a big guy who can shoot the
outside shot. Tiki Mayben, who redshirted as a freshman to deal
with academic issues, will make his debut for the Minutemen
during the 2006-2007 campaign. The 6-2, Troy, New York native
is a solid floor leader and will contribute right away. Ricky
Harris is the lone incoming freshman. The 6-2 combo guard is a
solid defender and will spend this season providing a spark off
the bench.
Who to Watch:
The
star of the team is 6-9 center Rashaun Freeman. As a junior
last year the big man led the squad with 13.6 points and 9.3
rebounds. Stephane Lasme will join Freeman up front. Lasme
added on 10.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.9 blocks. While
Freeman and Lasme are the obvious main guys up front, both Dante
Milligan and Lawrence Carrier are experienced backups.
Final
Projection:
Chris Lowe
stepped right into the starting point guard job after the loss
of Maxwell. Lowe averaged 5.5 points and 4.9 assists, which
isn’t bad at all for a freshman. With a year of experience
under his belt, Lowe is expected to run the offense more
efficiently. On the wings James Life and Brandon Thomas will
hold down the fort. Life is a great long range shooter and
averaged 11.3 points last year. Thomas will battle with some of
the transfers for a starting gig and, at the least, will add to
the seemingly endless depth on the wings. If you’re looking for
a second team in the A-10 to make the NCAAs, this one is as good
as any. If the conference can muster three bids, Umass should
be dancing for the first time since 1998, but three bids is
highly unlikely.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected
Starting Five:
Chris Lowe,
Sophomore, Guard, 5.5 points per game
James Life,
Senior, Guard, 11.3 points per game
Gary Forbes,
Junior, Forward, DNP last season
Stephane Lasme,
Senior, Forward, 10.5 points per game
Rashaun Freeman,
Senior, Center, 13.6 points per game
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