November 25 vs. San Francisco (4 p.m.)
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UNCASVILLE, Conn. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team will open the 2020-21 season against San Francisco as part of the Bubbleville Tournament at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Wednesday, November 25 at 4 p.m.
A WIN WOULD
A win against the Dons would mark the River Hawks' first season-opening win at the Division I level.     Â
LAST TIME OUT
The River Hawks completed the 2019-20 campaign with a 13-19 overall record, good for second on the program's Division I record list for single-season wins. In America East Conference play, the team went 7-9 to take sixth place and visit No. 3 Hartford in the quarterfinals of the America East Championship for the second consecutive season. Although the River Hawks' year ended with a tough, 89-75 post-season decision, the squad flourished offensively all year. UMass Lowell led the America East in scoring for the third consecutive season with an average of 74.6 points per game. The team also led the conference rankings for field goal percentage for the second straight year (45.8) and for assists per game for the third time in four years (14.44).
LEADING THE FLOCK
Obadiah Noel returns as the squad's lone senior for his final season, after turning in his best individual campaign yet in 2019-20. Last year, he became just the second River Hawk ever to garner America East First Team accolades, after averaging 18.2 points and 5.2 rebounds, and leading the team with 85 assists and 53 steals. The guard shot 48.6 percent from the field, including a personal-best 40.0 percent from long range, and joined the 1,000 Career Point Club at UAlbany on January 22. The River Hawks have two other returning starters in sophomores
Ron Mitchell and
Connor Withers. Withers averaged 9.2 points and 5.9 rebounds with a team-high 37 blocks, en route to earning America East All-Rookie Team honors.
OUT OF THE GATE
UMass Lowell has registered a 21-23 record in season openers since 1975, including a 5-7 mark since 2008. In season openers on the road, the team owns an 8-12 record.
A WHOLE NEW LOOK
UMass Lowell's roster features eight newcomers in 2020-21, with an even split between rookies and transfer student-athletes. This matches the program's 2014-15 roster for the most newcomers in a season at the DI level.
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
UMass Lowell's 14-man roster features 11 underclassmen. However, seven of those underclassmen are sophomores who are already entering this season with substantial minutes and experience.
SIZE MATTERS
The River Hawks have typically been undersized compared to the competition, but this year's squad combines to make up the team's tallest roster since elevating to Division I by a half inch (77.4 inches).
STRONG CORE
Despite being a very young team, the River Hawks are returning three of their five starters from 2019-20. Additionally, the team returns 55% of its scoring.
ROAD WARRIORS
Right now, the River Hawks are scheduled to play an even, 11-11 split of home and away games in 2020-21. At 5-10 away from home last year, the program has now accumulated a 105-151 road record since 2003-04. Â
ON A ROLL
Obadiah Noel logged 25 points at Hartford on Feb. 15, 2020 to set the program's longest 10+ point streak at the Division I level. He has now scored in double digits for 26 straight games and counting.
CONSISTENT IS HIS MIDDLE NAME
Ron Mitchell has not missed a free throw since Jan. 4, 2020 at UMBC. He closed out last season going 21-for-21 at the line in his final 15 appearances.
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