February 15 vs. Vermont (7 p.m.)
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Radio:
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TV:
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Talent: DJ Sixsmith (Play-by-Play), Jim Borodawka (Analyst)

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LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team,who is currently 11-17 overall and 5-8 in America East action in 2016-17, will play its second to last home game this year when the squad hosts Vermont on You Can Play Day this Wednesday at Tsongas. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

YOU CAN PLAY
UMass Lowell and Vermont will recognize the You Can Play project, a SAAC initiative which is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. The America East was the first NCAA conference to partner with the You Can Play project, and support its mission to guarantee that athletes are given a fair opportunity to compete and contribute to their team's success. For more information you can visit www.YouCanPlayProject.org.

LAST TIME OUT
Although UMass Lowell erased a 25-point, second-half deficit, the squad's valiant efforts to complete the comeback were thwarted, as Hartford earned an 87-84 decision in overtime on Sunday. After trailing for 31 minutes of play, the River Hawks came from behind to knot the score at 57-57 with 5:29 left in regulation. Three big threes from sophomore Ryan Jones down the stretch put the visitors on top, but Hartford's J.R. Lynch pulled up at the buzzer to send the teams into overtime tied at 70-70. The Hawks scored first in the extra period, and despite UMass Lowell being within one with 52 seconds to go, Lynch hit three pivotal free throws to help secure the outcome. Redshirt-junior Jahad Thomas picked up his 11th double-double of the year with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the contest.

LEADING THE FLOCK
Through 28 games in 2016-17, Jahad Thomas leads the squad with 17.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, 132 assists and 44 steals. Thomas is one of four River Hawks scoring in double figures this season, as senior Tyler Livingston follows with 13.2 points per game, and Ryan Jones and junior Matt Harris chip in with 12.8 and 11.0, respectively. Livingston is first on the team with 74 three-pointers and 12 blocks in 2016-17, while Harris boasts a 91.9 percent clip (68-74) from the line. As a whole, UMass Lowell is shooting 47.8 percent (788-1650) from the floor, 39.1 percent (236-603) from beyond the arc and 74.0 percent (382-516) from the foul line.

SCOUTING VERMONT
The Catamounts own a 23-5 overall record this season, including an undefeated, 13-0 mark in America East games. The squad is in the midst of a 15-game win streak after picking up an 82-74 decision against New Hampshire on Feb. 9 and a 77-74 victory at UMBC on Feb. 12. Trae Bell-Haynes is first on the team with 11.5 points per game, while Anthony Lamb chips in with 11.2 points and Payton Henson adds 11.1. Henson also boasts a team-best mark with 5.5 rebounds and Bell-Haynes totals 108 assists. Lamb is leading the squad with 31 blocks so far this year. The Catamounts are shooting 49.2 percent (753-1531) from the floor and 36.1 percent (176-487) from three-point range.

SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday's contest marks the eighth meeting between UMass Lowell and Vermont in the sport of men's basketball. The Catamounts own a 5-2 advantage in the all-time series after earning an 81-67 victory when the squads met earlier this year on Jan. 19.

A WIN WOULD
A win against the Catamounts would split the season series between the squads for the year. A vicotry would also match the River Hawks' most wins in a season at the Division I level (12). 

THREE FOR ALL
Ryan Jones had a day from beyond the arc at Hartford on Feb. 12, as all eight of his field goals were three-pointers. The performance marked a career high for Jones on threes, as well as a Division I single-game record for the River Hawks.

DOUBLING UP & TRIPLING DOWN
Jahad Thomas not only totals a personal-best 11 double-doubles this year, but he is also tied for first in the nation with two triple-doubles in 2016-17. He first set a new career high with 10 assists on Jan. 14 en route to his first ever triple-double (19 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists). That performance goes down as the first triple-double of the modern era for UMass Lowell, and the first on record in program history since Hank Brown did so for Lowell Tech in 1967. He then added his second of the year with 12 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists against Maine on Fen. 9.

PILING ON THE POINTS
The River Hawks' 100-68 win against Maine on Feb. 9 not only marked their largest margin of victory this season, but it was also their largest margin of victory against a Division I opponent since beginning the transition in 2013-14.  

HELPING HANDS
One key to the River Hawks' balanced scoring is their ability to share the basketball. This year, the squad is averaging 16.0 assists per game to lead the America East. Jahad Thomas is fourth among active career leaders in the America East with 266 helpers.

UNDER CONTROL
The River Hawks have improved from averaging 17.6 turnovers per game during non-conference play to 13.7 turnovers in league action.

PLAYING AT TSONGAS
UMass Lowell, who will play its last two home games of the year at the Tsongas Center, owns a 4-10 all-time record in the arena after downing BU on Dec. 18. This season, the River Hawks are 1-2 at Tsongas, including a 77-75 win against BU on Dec. 21. In 2015-16, the team earned their first ever Division I victory in the building on Nov. 18 with a 87-84 victory against Sacred Heart. Previously, the program has earned victories against Division II NE-10 rival Merrimack in 2010 (71-70) and 2011 (68-66).

HOME SWEET HOME
With 14 home games in 2016-17, the River Hawks will play their most games in front of a friendly crowd since moving to Division I. Including an 8-4 record so far this year, UMass Lowell has accumulated a 113-62 mark in front of River Hawk Nation since 2003-04.

ON TARGET
The River Hawks have consistently taken the right shots, having gone at least 50.0 percent from the floor already 11 times this season. The team is second in the conference right now, shooting 47.8 percent overall. Jahad Thomas, who is first overall in the league, owns a 58.2 percent clip (191-328) from the field. UMass Lowell has outshot its opponent in 16 of its 28 games thus far.

A DISH BEST SERVED BY THOMAS
Jahad Thomas dished out his 100th assist of the season at New Hampshire on Jan. 25. With 132 on the year, he has already set a new personal best and has logged the most helpers in a single season since 1999-2000 (Eyal Leib, 148).

HIGH SCORING AFFAIRS
The River Hawks, who posted a season-high 100 points against Maine, have become accustomed to high-scoring games. After averaging a league-best 76.6 points per game in 2015-16,  the team is averaging 78.4 points per game to sit second in the conference.

SENIOR STANDOUT
Tyler Livingston is leaving his mark in his final campaign with the best season of his career so far. After averaging no more than 7.4 points per game in a season previously, he is currently second on the squad with 13.2 points per game in 2016-17.

EVERYONE CONTRIBUTES
Having such a young team means everyone has to play a role. In 18 of the team's games so far, at least four players have scored in double figures, with five River Hawks boasting over 10 points in six games, including back-to-back outings against Loyola and Cornell.

A THREAT ON THREES
UMass Lowell, who has been strong from beyond the arc under Duquette's tutelage, tied a DI program record with 16 threes at Hartford on Feb. 12. The River Hawks shot a season-best 59.1 percent from long range against Maine on Feb. 9 and are second in the America East right now, shooting 39.1 percent (236-603) from long range this year. Tyler Livingston, who is currently first on the team with 74 triples, logged a career-high seven threes on Nov. 26 against LIU Brooklyn.