Connector Staff

While hockey remains king on campus, your 2015-16 men’s basketball team is poised and ready to share the spotlight.

It is another year for the River Hawks competing in the America East Conference, all of which have been coached by Pat Duquette. Now in his third season with the team, Duquette likes the way the program is developing.

“We’ve had a lot more success in terms of wins and losses in the first two years than anybody thought we would,” said Duquette. “We wanted to establish a strong foundation, an identity as a team, and good work ethic. That’s what I thought was really important in the short term, and I thought that would serve us well long term.” 

The River Hawks still have this season and next to prepare for life with NCAA tournament eligibility. A roster loaded with youth will lead the transition into the next stage of UMass Lowell basketball.

Only one junior and two seniors make up a 13-man roster that is carrying eight freshman; this is a true youth movement that Duquette is excited to see develop.

“It’s been a good group,” said Duquette. “I think that’s one of this year’s biggest challenges is to get [the freshman] up to speed, and get them playing together as a team. But we’ve made great progress, and we’re excited to finally play against another opponent.”

Donny Belcher III is one of the eight freshman ready to make an impact. Coming to UMass Lowell from Texas, Belcher credited hitting the weight room hard this offseason as what he worked on most, and wants to make an impact this season.

“I want to contribute any way I can,” said Belcher. “Whether that’s being a good teammate, playing defense, making plays, any way I can contribute. I just want to play my role on this team.”

So how will the River Hawks play this year? The answer is simply as a team.

There is no superstar on this roster the team will look to for the bulk of their scoring. Jahed Thomas led the team last year with 14.3 points per game, and is back for his sophomore season.

The River Hawks are, according to Duquette, larger in the interior than in previous years, but still smaller in comparison to the majority of their opponents.

So, when you attend a basketball game this year, look for the River Hawks to be operating as a cohesive unit on the court, while playing to the strengths the squad has.

“Our skill level and basketball IQ are very good,” said Duquette. “So we have to utilize those areas, and be efficient in those areas. We have to space the floor and share the ball to make up for our lack of size.”

What is certain is that the River Hawks will be well-tested heading into conference play. The team has constructed a non-conference schedule against challenging opponents such as UConn, Northwestern and Boston College.

UMass Lowell will also face Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. on Nov. 21. The Fighting Irish nearly knocked off an, at the time, undefeated Kentucky team in the elite eighth round of the NCAA Division I tournament last year.

The stout competition will be tough for the River Hawks, but the team can go into those games with confidence knowing they will be the clear underdog. In basketball, playing against quality opponents is how you improve as a team, even if you lose those games.

Senior DJ Mlachnik is excited for the non-conference schedule. The Wisconsin native is looking forward to heading back out west.

“Notre Dame and Northwestern,” said Mlachnik when asked what games he is most excited for. “Seeing as I’m from Wisconsin those are like going-home games, so I’m definitely looking forward to those.”

The River Hawks are improving each year in Division I play. The fresh young faces will give the team a new look this year and establish a Lowell brand of basketball that the University will take into the many NCAA eligibility years.

“Hopefully we’re better at the end of the year than we are at the start,” said Duquette. “I think that’s how it’s going to play out because we have so many young players. I believe strongly that we have more talent and depth in the program than we had in past years. How soon we develop and how soon we become a good team is going to be up to how quickly these freshman can develop and contribute to the team.”