AMHERST — There aren’t many players like Chris Baldwin in college basketball anymore.
So many big men want to float to the perimeter and take 3-pointers.
Many guys who play the four are more stretch forwards than power forwards. Even many centers want to be outside shooters.
Baldwin is more of a throw back.
UMass’ 6-foot-8, 235-pound freshman from Springfield is athletic enough to guard perimeter big men when asked to and quick enough to get up and down the floor in the Minutemen’s up-tempo system.
But Baldwin doesn’t look at playing inside as a chore.
“I like to be physical. Most guys don’t like being that way. They think it’s easy work, but it’s not,” Baldwin said. “Everybody needs that guy that goes out and does the dirty work.”
UMass coach Derek Kellogg said he’s used summer and early fall workouts to tinker with how Baldwin can be most effective.
“He brings an edge and a toughness to the team. It’s been early, but I’m still figuring out ways to use him. He’s more of a power forward than a stretch four that we’ve become accustomed to using,” Kellogg said. “He’ll get extra putbacks on the offensive glass and can score in the post a little bit.”
Kellogg is specifically figuring out where to use him in the press. The Minutemen have used big men (Sean Carter, Raphiael Putney, Maxie Esho) at the front of the press in the past to take advantage of their length.
“Can I put him on the ball in the press? Is he a back line guy?” Kellogg wondered out loud. “There are a lot of things I won’t know until we start practicing regularly.”
When full-time practice begins at the end of the month, Baldwin wants to hit the ground running. He’s studied his teammates’ styles and tendencies so he can better mesh with them.
“I know how Donte (Clark) likes the ball when he shoots. I know how Luwane (Pipkins) drives and where he likes to kick to,” he said. “Being around each other, getting to know each other’s game is going to help us so much.”
Kellogg said the freshmen have yet to realize how tough college basketball is just yet.
“From going to class every day, hitting the weight room, going to study hall, making sure you eat the right way and going to practice, that becomes a grind,” Kellogg said. “I’ll be curious to see how they handle it.
“We haven’t practiced and worked to the level I’d like for a full two-and-a-half to three hours so everyone is cheery and happy and thinks I’m the greatest guy,” Kellogg continued. “But that’ll probably change as soon as we go three days in a row of two-and-a-half to three hours. Then you see who the men are. Are you a guy I can rely on and count on or will you step back when it gets tough? I’m pretty confident they’re all going to bring it everyday.”
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage