AMHERST — The start of college basketball practice doesn’t evoke quite the anticipation it once did when Oct. 15 meant Midnight Madness and the first time a team could work together with its coach.
Now teams have hour-long practices twice a week in the summer and throughout September.
While fanfare will be limited when full-time practice starts Friday, at UMass it’s a notable date as the seven highly anticipated new Minutemen — freshmen Luwane Pipkins, Dejon Jarreau, Chris Baldwin, Tyrn Flowers, Unique McLean and Brison Gresham, as well as junior transfer Zach Lewis — ramp up their preparation for the 2016-17 season.
After injuries limited UMass’ practice bodies for much of last season, the Minutemen will have the NCAA maximum 15 available bodies on the roster for 2016-17, all of whom are healthy and eligible to practice Friday.
“I’m really excited and eager to get going,” UMass coach Derek Kellogg said. “Having enough guys to practice is great. Everyone looks better. They’ve all improved. They all look in better shape. We’ve added some pieces that can hopefully take us from being a good team to a very good team. I envision as the season goes on that we’ll continue to get better.”
His players shared his enthusiasm.
“It’s as excited as I’ve been since I’ve been here. Our preparation and everything feels different,” junior forward Seth Berger said. “Since I’ve been here, this is the most guys we’ve had on the team. I’m real excited to see how everything goes.”
After sitting out last year, redshirt freshman Pipkins will be in full practice for the first time.
“I’m ready to get it going. I think we’re ready to go,” Pipkins said. “We’re just jelling together right now. When the games come we’re going to have each other’s back and play together. I’m healthy and ready to get it rolling.”
Sophomore Malik Hines will be back on the floor after missing the second half of last season with a broken foot. He’s healthy and expected to be a part of the Minutemen’s rotation of inside players.
“Malik looks healthy. His health hurt his confidence,” Kellogg said. “He looks athletic and is moving pretty well. His confidence was up and down last year and my confidence in him went in the same manor as his confidence. I like his attitude right now.”
Hines said he’s already put last year’s frustration behind him.
“I had a lot of injuries last year. This year I’m trying to stay healthy and show what I’m about,” said the 6-foot-10 big man. “I try not to dwell on the past. Everything is about moving forward.”
NUMBERS — Berger has changed his number from 24 to 33 for his junior season. Flowers is now wearing 24.
Zach Coleman, who has had some bad luck with injuries, ditched No. 13 for 14, a jersey formerly worn by Kellogg during his UMass playing career.
UMass’ two walk-ons changed. Rashawn Miller went from 35 to 11 and Zach Turcotte went from 55 to 34. Gresham will now wear 55.
The rest of the newcomers all chose single digits — Lewis (1), Pipkins (2), Jarreau (3), McLean (4) and Baldwin (5).
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage