AMHERST — The last time UMass and UMass-Lowell played basketball, the Minutemen hadn’t yet begun their 1990s appearance on the national stage and Lowell was still in Division II.
Coaching at Curry Hicks Cage were a pair of then unknowns as John Calipari and Stan Van Gundy competed in near anonymity that day in the early stages of careers that would make them both famous and successful.
The Minutemen are hoping Friday’s 4 p.m. game against the River Hawks at the Mullins Center is a launching pad for their own success, a new era of memorable seasons.
UMass will look pretty different from the squad that went 14-18 last year. Gone are stalwart guards Trey Davis and Jabarie Hinds, the team’s No. 1 and 3 scorers, respectively, as well as big men Antwan Space and Tyler Bergantino.
The game marks the first for the Minutemen’s highly regarded and much-anticipated newcomers. As many as six of them could make their collegiate debuts. While Brison Gresham won’t play as he awaits an NCAA ruling on his status, Canisius transfer Zach Lewis, a junior, and freshmen Chris Baldwin, Ty Flowers, DeJon Jarreau, Unique McLean and Luwane Pipkins will be in UMass uniforms for the first time.
“The new guys are hyped,” said junior C.J. Anderson, who could see time at every position but center. “We just have to make sure they’re focused.”
With a deeper roster, coach Derek Kellogg has promised to return to the up-tempo, run-and-press style that the Minutemen utilized in their 2013-14 NCAA Tournament run.
“This is a roster of athletes who have the ability to play a fast, fun style,” Kellogg said. “We’re much deeper. But we have a lot of inexperience in that depth. We have to be very cautious, especially early in the season, to have some experience out there with those young guys.”
Anderson said the Minutemen are enjoying the switch.
“You’ll definitely see a different style,” Anderson said. “We’re very unselfish. Everybody is going to create for each other. You’ll definitely see a different team with the way we’re playing on the court.”
The Minutemen were picked 10th in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, but Kellogg said internal expectations are much higher.
“Within our locker room and in our coaches offices, we have higher expectations for the team and the program,” Kellogg said. “By the time our league season roles around, we have a chance to be a good basketball team, one that’s explosive, plays hard and is fun to watch.”
In Pat Duquette’s three seasons at the helm, Lowell’s first three in Division I, his team has consistently outperformed low expectations and it’ll get a chance to again. The River Hawks, who were 11-18 last year, were picked ninth in the America East preseason poll.
Junior Jahad Thomas is their top returning player. He averaged 14.2 points and 7.4 rebounds last year. The River Hawks have more size than most low-major teams with five players who are 6-foot-7 or taller. Redshirt freshman Connor Bennett is 6-foot-10, 230-pounds.
Anderson was eager for the game to arrive.
“We’re ready,” he said. “It’s just about going out and being ready to play and having energy. It’s the start of a new year and a great season.”
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage