November 16 at Indiana (7 p.m.)
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team, who is currently 1-1 overall on the new season, is headed for its longest road trip of the year when the squad takes part in the 2016 Indiana Classic from November 16-23. The four-game, multi-location tournament kicks off for the River Hawks at No. 6/5 Indiana on Wednesday, November 16 beginning at 7 p.m.
INDIANA CLASSIC
Following the team's game against Indiana on November 16, UMass Lowell will visit Fort Wayne on November 19 for a 7 p.m. tilt before traveling to Lynchburg, Va. for games against Liberty (Nov. 21) and Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 22).
LAST TIME OUT
Sophomore
Isaac White paced four double-digit scorers with 20 points to lead the UMass Lowell men's basketball team (1-1) to an 87-76 victory against Wagner (1-1) in the squad's home opener on Monday. White set a career high in the outing, going 10-for-10 from the foul line. Also finding success at the line was junior
Matt Harris, who went a personal-best 13-for-13 on free throws en route to 18 total points. Redshirt-junior
Jahad Thomas and senior
Tyler Livingston rounded out the double-digit scorers with 17 and 12 points, respectively. As a whole, the River Hawks shot 51.1 percent (23-45) from the field, including 50 percent (9-18) from long range. Although it was an action-packed contest with speed on both sides of the ball, the River Hawks took the lead less than four minutes into play and never looked back. UMass Lowell led by as many as 16 on the night, and despite the Seahawks closing the gap to five in the middle of the second half, the home team used a strong performance at the line to seal the decision.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Through two games in 2016-17,
Matt Harris leads the squad with 17.0 points, 4.0 assists and a perfect 100.0 percent clip (19-19) from the foul line.
Jahad Thomas, who follows with 16.0 points and a team-best 7.0 rebounds, boasts an 83.3 shooting percentage (10-12) from the floor so far.
Isaac White rounds out the River Hawks' double-digit scorers with an average of 14.5 points per game. As a whole, UMass Lowell is shooting 43.3 percent (45-104) from the floor, 33.3 percent (14-42) from beyond the arc and 80.8 percent (59-73) from the foul line.
SCOUTING INDIANA
The Hoosiers opened 2016-17 with an overtime victory against No. 2/3 Kansas in Honolulu, Hawaii as part of the State Farm Armed Forces Classic on Nov. 11. In that contest, James Blackmon Jr. paced five double-digit scorers with 26 points en route to being named the National Player of the Week by NBC and Co-Big Ten Player of the Week. Thomas Bryant chipped in with 19 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, while Curtis Jones added 15 points to garner Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week. As a team, IU has won 31 straight home openers. Last season, the Hoosiers finished 27-8, making an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday's contest marks the first meeting ever between UMass Lowell and Indiana in the sport of men's basketball.
A WIN WOULD
A win against Indiana would mark the River Hawks' first ever against the Hoosiers, as Wednesday will be the first meeting between the two teams. It would also give UMass Lowell its first win against a Big Ten opponent. The squad is currently 0-4 against Big Ten teams since moving to Division I in 2013-14. The win would mark the River Hawks' second consecutive win, as well, after defeating Wagner on Nov. 14.
A THREAT ON THREES
UMass Lowell has been strong from beyond the arc in recent years under Duquette's tutelage. In this season's opener on Nov. 11 at Massachusetts,
Matt Harris logged his 100th three-point field goal. The River Hawks are shooting 33.3 percent (14-42) from long range this year, including a season-high nine makes against Wagner.
ROAD WARRIORS
The River Hawks play 17 of their 31 games in 2016-17 away from friendly confines, including five of their first six. The team has accumulated an 87-106 road record since 2003-04.
HIGH SCORING AFFAIRS
After averaging a league-best 76.6 points per game in 2015-16, it looks as though the River Hawks will continue with their high offensive output this season. Through two games, the team is averaging 81.5 points per game.
EVERYONE CONTRIBUTES
Having such a young team means everyone has to play a role. In both games this year the River Hawks have had at least three double-digit scorers.
SWEET SPOT
UMass Lowell has made the most of its opportunities at the line so far this season. The squad tallied 32 made free throws in the win against Wagner on Nov. 14, marking the most in a single game for the program since Jan. 4 1995 when the River Hawks totaled 43 against Assumption. The team is currently shooting 80.8 percent (59-73) from the charity stripe. Individually,
Matt Harris, who is 19-for-19 so far, and
Isaac White, who owns a 92.3 field goal percentage (12-13) are leading the way.
STEALING THE SHOW
Jahad Thomas currently ranks fourth among active America East career leaders with 72 steals. So far this season, he boasts a team-high six takeaways, including four against Wagner on Nov. 14.
HOARDING THE BOARDS
With more size in the lineup this year, the River Hawks are focusing on pulling down more rebounds. In the team's opener at Massachusetts on Nov. 11, they tied the Minutemen with 40 boards, a number the River Hawks' matched or beat just twice in all of last season.
STRONG FIRST IMPRESSION
Freshman
Stefan Borovac earned a starting position in his first ever collegiate game on Nov. 11 against UMass. He tallied 10 points in that outing, as one of three river Hawks scoring in double digits. Fellow rookie
Cameron Wolter tallied nine points in 22 minutes during his debut.
