UMass Lowell Scouting Report

[Hey Adrien!]

After leading last season with one of the oldest rosters in the nation – even though their best player, former freshman Martin Somverville, is now at Florida State – UMass Lowell enters this season with ZERO returning minutes.

With that being said, Pat Duquette – the program’s only head coach since they joined the D1 level prior to the 2013-14 season (fun fact: Stan van Gundy coached at UML prior to joining Wisconsin as an assistant) – has done a consistently decent job adjusting his style of play to the roster even though there is a consistent pattern of his teams running a guard-heavy, fast-paced offense that leans on athletic pieces that can get to the rim, combined with a disciplined defense that forces teams to make tough isolation shots inside the arc.

With a clean slate and a modest NIL, UMass Lowell took a “money ball” approach with their transfer haul, focusing more on balance and depth in the roster than banking few “guys”. With that being said, I can see Duquette leaning into their depth, especially after seeing the team’s balance in their first game of the season, seen below, but overall, the team seems to be higher on their guards than forwards.

Here’s a best-guess depth chart after UML went 11 deep in their first game, along with some stats and notes of the roster (take this with a grain of salt, they played a D2 team):

PG: Darrel Yepdo 6’0 180 JR Isaiah Walter 6’7 200 FR
G: Xavier Spencer 6’1 210 JR Khalil Farmer 6’3 188 JR
W: Jared Frey 6’6 196 JR Keenan Bey 6’7 200 FR
W: Shawn Simmons 6’6 215 JR/JJ Massaquoi 6’5 235 FR/Angel Montas 6’6 225 JR
F: Austin Green 6’8 210 SR Jerrell Roberson 6’9 230 JR

24 HS commits:

• Johnson (7 D1), RS last season
• Bey (Injuries have prevented him from getting a lot of PT)
• Walter (Australia), can play anywhere between the 1 and the 4.

25 HS commits:

• Massaqoui (5 D1), strong power wing. Mid-Major Madness labeled him as the “America East Preseason Freshman of the Year: Lowell has a great history with DMV guards and Massaquoi will be the next. Coming over from a great Jackson Reed program in DC, he’s a big do-it-all guard with tons of positional versatility.”
• Okojie (Ireland)

25 transfers:

• Darrel Yepdo 6’0 180 SR from Saint Michael’s (D2), 14.9 ppg, 3.6 apg, 40 3P%, 79 FT%, two-year captain, 2023-24 NE10 All-Defensive Team. Quick and athletic.
• Xavier Spencer 6’1 JR from Carleton (Canada), 14p, 4a, 29 3P%, combo guard
• Shawn Simmons 6’6 215 JR from Saint Joseph’s, career 7 mpg, all inside, former #212. One of the most athletic guys at his size in the America East. Can rebound/block shots
• Jared Frey 6’4 190 JR from Stony Brook, 8p, 2e, 34 3P%, 22 mpg, perimeter piece
• Khalil Farmer 6’4 188 JR from Hofstra, 18 mpg, 35 3P%, athletic playmaker
• Austin Green 6’8 215 SR from Texas State, 4p, 3r, 13 mpg, 2nd highest defensive rating per Evan Miya, lefty, more of a combo forward than a true big
• Jerrell Roberson 6’9 245 SR from JMUl, 5.3 mpg, can shoot and is athletic for his size.
• Angel Montas 6’6 225 JR from Mercer, 7p, 3r, 31 3P%, was originally a three-star commit at Fordham, but injuries have been an issue.

Overall, with a brand new roster, there’s a massive learning curve with this team as the offense isn’t expected to be as efficient as year’s past and Duquette is hoping the defensive intensity early on will help them win games. He’s a good coach, just I’d expect this team to be hardest to play against in February than now.

 

[imno1]

How much do we have to win by to ease the angst of those who have already given up on the season?

 

[Inyatkin]

How much do we have to win by to ease the angst of those who have already given up on the season?

if we pitch a shutout I'll feel ok, otherwise we're doomed

 

[UConnTrumbull]

How much do we have to win by to ease the angst of those who have already given up on the season?

No one’s given up. I want to see a dominating performance. The number is usually not as important as the eye test. E.G. not getting dominated inside by a former D3 player.

 

[Palatine]

If we win 105 - 40, there will be posters than do not have their expectations met because so-and-so didn't have a great game.

Hope we get the chance to see a deeper rotation this time. And start to get healthier. The latter is more important.

 

[CL82]

How much do we have to win by to ease the angst of those who have already given up on the season?

It's like you don't know us at all.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Things I want to see:

• Reibe gets better from last game. More than one rebound would be nice.
• Silas improves
• Ross and Stewy are once again aggressive as they were in the last game. I dont care if they miss shots. Keep taking them!!! Be ascertive.
• Solo starts hitting 40%+ from 3
• And we continue to improve our D w/out fouling.

 

[Hunt for 7]

The score of the game had absolutely zero impact on anything I may have posted about the game that was not positive.

I have played and watched a lot of basketball in my life. I get when a lesser opponent brings more energy to a game they obviously have no chance to win and the game is closer than expected.

My issues were:

Demary Jr not being able to stay in front of a low level division 1 guard on defense. I thought he was quicker than what he looked Monday night. He does rebound and push the ball that will be beneficial to our transition game.

Reibe getting one rebound against this team. To be fair to him he did show some fairly refined low post offense.

Ball rightfully so must have spent the summer practicing getting to the hoop. May just have impacted his shot. That is usually a short term thing but his shot did not look the same when he shot it last year you could almost tell immediately it was going in he looked like he was aiming a bit to me.

Alex , I love him and he is a forever UConn legend but when he starts that drive to the hoop from the wing we all know probably not a good outcome is coming. He has to be a third option at best and he had a double/double because he is a very good college basketball player.

Ross well not sure what to say it’s like we all want him to harness all those physical gifts into a difference maker player. That break away dunk and how he elevated to throw it down…is the type of athleticism this team needs on the floor.

Smith getting to the hoop which is a good thing able to get a shot off but missing easy reverse layups. That is probably a freak thing but it won’t be as easy against better teams. He will get in the lane but he may be to be predictable a passer if he cannot finish.

Stewart needs more time on the floor but the problem is we have AK. What I saw on Monday convinced me he is a perfect college four with his size. He rebounds like a man very strong to the ball and even though he may me lighter he is still a big strong guy who other than Reed may be our best rebounder.

It made me wonder if the guys are putting too much pressure on themselves because they know with Tarris and Mullins out they need to make an in game impression to get the playing time they want. I think Furphy would have been a nice guy to have in the floor against this team because of his high BBIQ.

It is one game of course we all understand that but I have watched some games this week and I have seen a number of teams that seem to be much further along than we looked on Monday. Look forward to Friday to see if we can reset and just have a game that is more fun to watch because it resembles some cohesiveness on offense and we are passing shooters open.

My belief is that Reed is going to to be a monster this year and Mullins if he gets 100% healthy is a difference maker and they will be the go to guys in big moments other than AK flaring out for open threes. I think AK will shoot better that 40% from three this year. So I did say they did not look like a championship team but I did not say this will not be a championship team. It was just ugly basketball and I believe that is why there has been so much negativity even for the BY.

 

[imno1]

Things I want to see:

• Reibe gets better from last game. More than one rebound would be nice.
• Silas improves
• Ross and Stewy are once again aggressive as they were in the last game. I dont care if they miss shots. Keep taking them!!! Be ascertive.
• Solo starts hitting 40%+ from 3
• And we continue to improve our D w/out fouling.

Things I want to see

• Tarris Reed Jr

 

[TheShot1990]

Things I want to see

• Tarris Reed Jr

Things I want to see
Rrezon Elezaj and Uros Paunovic launching 3s in garbage time while all the starters are on the bench giggling.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

The score of the game had absolutely zero impact on anything I may have posted about the game that was not positive.

I have played and watched a lot of basketball in my life. I get when a lesser opponent brings more energy to a game they obviously have no chance to win and the game is closer than expected.

My issues were:

Demary Jr not being able to stay in front of a low level division 1 guard on defense. I thought he was quicker than what he looked Monday night. He does rebound and push the ball that will be beneficial to our transition game.

Reibe getting one rebound against this team. To be fair to him he did show some fairly refined low post offense.

Ball rightfully so must have spent the summer practicing getting to the hoop. May just have impacted his shot. That is usually a short term thing but his shot did not look the same when he shot it last year you could almost tell immediately it was going in he looked like he was aiming a bit to me.

Alex , I love him and he is a forever UConn legend but when he starts that drive to the hoop from the wing we all know probably not a good outcome is coming. He has to be a third option at best and he had a double/double because he is a very good college basketball player.

Ross well not sure what to say it’s like we all want him to harness all those physical gifts into a difference maker player. That break away dunk and how he elevated to throw it down…is the type of athleticism this team needs on the floor.

Smith getting to the hoop which is a good thing able to get a shot off but missing easy reverse layups. That is probably a freak thing but it won’t be as easy against better teams. He will get in the lane but he may be to be predictable a passer if he cannot finish.

Stewart needs more time on the floor but the problem is we have AK. What I saw on Monday convinced me he is a perfect college four with his size. He rebounds like a man very strong to the ball and even though he may me lighter he is still a big strong guy who other than Reed may be our best rebounder.

It made me wonder if the guys are putting too much pressure on themselves because they know with Tarris and Mullins out they need to make an in game impression to get the playing time they want. I think Furphy would have been a nice guy to have in the floor against this team because of his high BBIQ.

It is one game of course we all understand that but I have watched some games this week and I have seen a number of teams that seem to be much further along than we looked on Monday. Look forward to Friday to see if we can reset and just have a game that is more fun to watch because it resembles some cohesiveness on offense and we are passing shooters open.

My belief is that Reed is going to to be a monster this year and Mullins if he gets 100% healthy is a difference maker and they will be the go to guys in big moments other than AK flaring out for open threes. I think AK will shoot better that 40% from three this year. So I did say they did not look like a championship team but I did not say this will not be a championship team. It was just ugly basketball and I believe that is why there has been so much negativity even for the BY.

Really nice takes. I generally agree with most of what you're saying.

Here's my thoughts off yours:

Demary: We have a pretty good sample from before UConn, and a little at UConn (MSU game) that Silas is capable of being a lock-down perimeter defender. What I saw on Monday was concerning, but I'm thinking it's more likely an Anomoly than what he'll bring all season

Reibe: We all suspecting his rebounding would be an area of focus for improvement, We'll have to be patient that it evolves for the better as the season progresses. Game reps

Ball: A lot of his 3pt misses have been quick decision 3's vs. in-flow 3's. I think he just needs to be more patient with shot selection. Also, (crossing fingers), getting Reed and Mullins on the floor with him will make defenses less able to key in on him and should give him better quality looks.

Alex: I'm hoping as the offense matures and we get players back, he only ends up doing 1 of those slow plodding forced paint drives/brick off the backboard moves a game.

Stewart/Ross: More game reps will do them a world of good. I like what I'm seeing from both.

For "It is one game of course we all understand that but I have watched some games this week and I have seen a number of teams that seem to be much further along than we looked on Monday."

It's really odd. When I watch games for other really good teams that we are scheduled to play, I often watch and come away with "oh my god, they look so much better than us. We're gonna get smoked". Then, we play them, and it ends up being a competitive game, we match up and look just as good (if not better), and we often win the game. Not sure if anyone else has this happen?

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Reibe: We all suspecting his rebounding would be an area of focus for improvement, We'll have to be patient that it evolves for the better as the season progresses. Game reps

Reibe was our leading rebounder against MSU and actually stood up pretty well to a Big 10 frontcourt. On Monday he was in a bit of an anomalous situation with a smaller 5 that spent a lot of time away from the bucket.

 

[Scrutineer]

Really nice takes. I generally agree with most of what you're saying.

Here's my thoughts off yours:

Demary: We have a pretty good sample from before UConn, and a little at UConn (MSU game) that Silas is capable of being a lock-down perimeter defender. What I saw on Monday was concerning, but I'm thinking it's more likely an Anomoly than what he'll bring all season

Reibe: We all suspecting his rebounding would be an area of focus for improvement, We'll have to be patient that it evolves for the better as the season progresses. Game reps

Ball: A lot of his 3pt misses have been quick decision 3's vs. in-flow 3's. I think he just needs to be more patient with shot selection. Also, (crossing fingers), getting Reed and Mullins on the floor with him will make defenses less able to key in on him and should give him better quality looks.

Alex: I'm hoping as the offense matures and we get players back, he only ends up doing 1 of those slow plodding forced paint drives/brick off the backboard moves a game.

Stewart/Ross: More game reps will do them a world of good. I like what I'm seeing from both.

For "It is one game of course we all understand that but I have watched some games this week and I have seen a number of teams that seem to be much further along than we looked on Monday."

It's really odd. When I watch games for other really good teams that we are scheduled to play, I often watch and come away with "oh my god, they look so much better than us. We're gonna get smoked". Then, we play them, and it ends up being a competitive game, we match up and look just as good (if not better), and we often win the game. Not sure if anyone else has this happen?

I looked in on a number of games and share your thought on how good some teams looked.
Solo shot almost as poorly as he did against Florida. Of course, McNeeley and AK were just as bad against Florida.

After one game, against a team which should have been way overmatched, it was surprising to hear Dan Hurley talking about our guys being unable to dominate New Haven because NH wasn't as talented as MSU and maybe we were too excited due to it being the opener.

I don't recall ever hearing a coach say his team didn't come close to beating the spread because the opponent was so much less talented.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Three main keys:
Want to see how we look with Tarris.
Want to see Demary start to look more comfortable in the offense.
Want to see defenders stay in front of their man and just focus on contesting shots and drives.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Reibe was our leading rebounder against MSU and actually stood up pretty well to a Big 10 frontcourt. On Monday he was in a bit of an anomalous situation with a smaller 5 that spent a lot of time away from the bucket.

Definitely related to what you mentioned. I was rewatching some of the game over lunch (amazingly, didn't lose my lunch LOL).

In Reibe's first rotation of 4min, he literally did not have a single chance for a rebound. Most of the time it was because he was outside the lane when the shot went up (and the shot went in), or he was defending the shooter (who made his shot), or he was the player taking (and making) the shot. Or, one of our guys made the shot.

Edit: I just made it through his 2nd rotation of 3min (from 10min to 6:30). He had one opportunity for an offensive rebound that we need him to get. (that he didn't). Other than that, no legitimate realistic rebound opportunities. And it wasn't because of any flaws in his game. Nor was it high-hedge induced.

Sometimes, the opportunities just aren't there. Even for our guys that are supposed to be grabbing 5+ reb/game.

 

[Excalibur]

Demary has showed that he is a good defender. Not sure if he is still hampered by the calf (even if officially healthy), but I'm mostly unconcerned (though fearful of what tends to follow strained calf muscles).

We got beat off the dribble a lot, but many of those layups were off of transition. It was startling how disorganized our transition defense was. That is fixable.

Reibe's job with a healthy Reed is to give us 12 minutes of being an offensive threat in the post and a modestly competent rim protector. His lack of strength on the rebounding end is less of an issue than when he's the primary big and his backup is a 6'8" energy guy.

 

[Palatine]

Thanks for the UML preview. Very nice. It's fun watching the team getting into game condition and developing a little chemistry.

After having watched numerous Hurley teams over the years, I suspect offensive rebounding will be a focus this time out.

 

[UCLJ0211]

We will 100% be a different team with Reed.

 

[QDOG5]

Things I want to see:

• Reibe gets better from last game. More than one rebound would be nice.
• Silas improves
• Ross and Stewy are once again aggressive as they were in the last game. I dont care if they miss shots. Keep taking them!!! Be ascertive.
• Solo starts hitting 40%+ from 3
• And we continue to improve our D w/out fouling.

I'd like to see us have a 2/1 assist to turnover margin as a team. Last year we had a positive a/to margin in every game. We blew that streak in game one. Against New Haven!!

 

[Lafayette]

I suspect if Tarris can go we win by 35. If it's Reibe all game, 18.

 

[6in25]

Things I want to see:

• Reibe gets better from last game. More than one rebound would be nice.
• Silas improves
• Ross and Stewy are once again aggressive as they were in the last game. I dont care if they miss shots. Keep taking them!!! Be ascertive.
• Solo starts hitting 40%+ from 3
• And we continue to improve our D w/out fouling.

Things I want to hear (this time next year):

"Three rings, baldy!"

 

[uconnfan68]

After leading last season with one of the oldest rosters in the nation – even though their best player, former freshman Martin Somverville, is now at Florida State – UMass Lowell enters this season with ZERO returning minutes.

With that being said, Pat Duquette – the program’s only head coach since they joined the D1 level prior to the 2013-14 season (fun fact: Stan van Gundy coached at UML prior to joining Wisconsin as an assistant) – has done a consistently decent job adjusting his style of play to the roster even though there is a consistent pattern of his teams running a guard-heavy, fast-paced offense that leans on athletic pieces that can get to the rim, combined with a disciplined defense that forces teams to make tough isolation shots inside the arc.

With a clean slate and a modest NIL, UMass Lowell took a “money ball” approach with their transfer haul, focusing more on balance and depth in the roster than banking few “guys”. With that being said, I can see Duquette leaning into their depth, especially after seeing the team’s balance in their first game of the season, seen below, but overall, the team seems to be higher on their guards than forwards.

Here’s a best-guess depth chart after UML went 11 deep in their first game, along with some stats and notes of the roster (take this with a grain of salt, they played a D2 team):

View attachment 112957

PG: Darrel Yepdo 6’0 180 JR Isaiah Walter 6’7 200 FR
G: Xavier Spencer 6’1 210 JR Khalil Farmer 6’3 188 JR
W: Jared Frey 6’6 196 JR Keenan Bey 6’7 200 FR
W: Shawn Simmons 6’6 215 JR/JJ Massaquoi 6’5 235 FR/Angel Montas 6’6 225 JR
F: Austin Green 6’8 210 SR Jerrell Roberson 6’9 230 JR

24 HS commits:

• Johnson (7 D1), RS last season
• Bey (Injuries have prevented him from getting a lot of PT)
• Walter (Australia), can play anywhere between the 1 and the 4.

25 HS commits:

• Massaqoui (5 D1), strong power wing. Mid-Major Madness labeled him as the “America East Preseason Freshman of the Year: Lowell has a great history with DMV guards and Massaquoi will be the next. Coming over from a great Jackson Reed program in DC, he’s a big do-it-all guard with tons of positional versatility.”
• Okojie (Ireland)

25 transfers:

• Darrel Yepdo 6’0 180 SR from Saint Michael’s (D2), 14.9 ppg, 3.6 apg, 40 3P%, 79 FT%, two-year captain, 2023-24 NE10 All-Defensive Team. Quick and athletic.
• Xavier Spencer 6’1 JR from Carleton (Canada), 14p, 4a, 29 3P%, combo guard
• Shawn Simmons 6’6 215 JR from Saint Joseph’s, career 7 mpg, all inside, former #212. One of the most athletic guys at his size in the America East. Can rebound/block shots
• Jared Frey 6’4 190 JR from Stony Brook, 8p, 2e, 34 3P%, 22 mpg, perimeter piece
• Khalil Farmer 6’4 188 JR from Hofstra, 18 mpg, 35 3P%, athletic playmaker
• Austin Green 6’8 215 SR from Texas State, 4p, 3r, 13 mpg, 2nd highest defensive rating per Evan Miya, lefty, more of a combo forward than a true big
• Jerrell Roberson 6’9 245 SR from JMUl, 5.3 mpg, can shoot and is athletic for his size.
• Angel Montas 6’6 225 JR from Mercer, 7p, 3r, 31 3P%, was originally a three-star commit at Fordham, but injuries have been an issue.

Overall, with a brand new roster, there’s a massive learning curve with this team as the offense isn’t expected to be as efficient as year’s past and Duquette is hoping the defensive intensity early on will help them win games. He’s a good coach, just I’d expect this team to be hardest to play against in February than now.

I hate reading "quick and athletic" about everyone on the other team.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I hate reading "quick and athletic" about everyone on the other team.

Me too. Would kill for UMass Lowell’s roster.

 

[Son of Robert]

Tickets on sale right now this morning for Robert Cray in Hartford February 24th, Infinity Hall.

I'll go out on a limb and say that we will definitely play better against UMass-Lowell. I rewatched the New Haven game, there is a lot to like there, plenty to work on as well. I think the team will be much more focused tonight. Be nice to see Tarris at the 5.

 

[ctchamps]

I'd like to see us have a 2/1 assist to turnover margin as a team. Last year we had a positive a/to margin in every game. We blew that streak in game one. Against New Haven!!

My impression is that the coaches are working on a different model from the primary and almost exclusive motion offense we've been running the past two seasons.

The players are being told to drive to the basket as an equal option to running the motion offense. It's more of a hybrid model. The past two seasons we almost exclusively refrained from driving to the basket until later in the shot clock. In these first three games that has not been the case. I'm guessing that if the defense is obstructing our movement in the motion offense and the zebras are not calling it we'll be able to adjust the offense to isolation plays. An option we were poor at last season.

If I'm correct this is going to reduce assists. In addition it should impact our scoring initially because players will have to adapt to two styles of play while learning to be cohesive with one another thus taking longer to integrate as a unit. Especially given that the point guards are new to the program.

I also anticipate that many of the posters will not observe or agree this is happening. They will observe the scores of other teams as being much higher than ours and exclaim the season is over.

But if my observation is correct, and if he players can adapt to this model and be cohesive with it which I believe will happen, this team will be a force to reckon with.