Get ready for a thrilling ride as the UMass Lowell River Hawks men's basketball team embarks on a bold new journey! After three seasons of knocking on the door of glory, it's time to hit the reset button and start a fresh chapter.
The past few years have seen the River Hawks come tantalizingly close to their first conference championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament, only to be denied by the mighty Vermont Catamounts and, last season, the Maine Black Bears. But here's where it gets controversial... with a new season comes a complete overhaul, and the River Hawks are ready to prove that they can rise from the ashes.
This offseason has been a transformative period for the program, with a complete makeover from top to bottom. Head coach Pat Duquette and his team have been busy, utilizing the transfer portal and recruiting to rebuild the squad for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign. It's a bold move, and one that promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
The burden of writing this new chapter falls on a mix of returning players and an influx of new talent. Leading the charge are forward Keenan Bey and guards Isaiah Walters and Kris Johnson, who will be joined by eight transfers and two highly promising recruits. It's a diverse group, with players from various backgrounds and experiences, all ready to make their mark.
Let's meet the new faces:
The Recruits:
- Victor Okojie, a 6'8" forward from Ireland, brings an impressive pedigree. He's no stranger to success, having reached the national finals in his home country and then taking on nationally ranked teams in the US.
- JJ Massaquoi, a 6'6" guard from Maryland, is a scoring machine. As a senior in high school, he averaged an impressive 22 points per game with a 67% shooting percentage, along with eight rebounds. His skills earned him multiple All-Team honors.
The Portal Additions:
Coach Duquette has strategically added proven talent to the mix, targeting mid-major and high-major level players.
- Darrel Yepdo, a local talent from Dracut, MA, joins from Saint Michael's College. Over three seasons, he was a consistent scorer, earning All-League honors and a reputation as a defensive standout.
- Xavier Spencer, a 6'1" guard from Canada, brings elite university credentials from Carleton University. Spencer has already earned Rookie of the Year accolades and has made a name for himself on both All-Rookie Teams.
- Shawn Simmons II, a 6'6" forward from Philadelphia, is a prolific scorer with a bright future. He registered an impressive 1,000 career points in just three years at Hillcrest Prep before joining the college ranks.
- Austin Reed, a 6'8" forward from New Jersey, showed his potential with a double-double against Georgia State last year. He's a versatile player with a high ceiling.
- Jared Frey, a 6'6" guard from Ohio, brings experience from Stony Brook, where he averaged a solid 6.8 points per game. He was recognized as Rookie of the Week in December 2023.
- Angel Montas Jr., a 6'6" guard from the Dominican Republic, adds international flair after a season at Mercer.
- Jerrell Roberson II, a 6'9" forward from Maryland, joins after three seasons with James Madison.
- Khalil Farmer, a 6'3" guard from Philadelphia, brings defensive prowess from Hofstra University, where he averaged 3.2 points and contributed with assists, blocks, and steals.
But here's the catch: the River Hawks will be baptized by fire right from the start. Like many mid-major teams, they'll spend the early season on the road, playing ten of their twelve Division I non-conference games away from home. It's a challenging slate, with three games against Power-Four opponents: at Connecticut, Wake Forest, and Iowa. It's a tough road, but one that will test the mettle of this new-look team.
For the UMass Lowell River Hawks, the 2025-26 season is a fascinating experiment in team construction. Will they rise to the challenge and prove their worth? Only time will tell.
So, what do you think? Are you excited to see how this new chapter unfolds? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below! Let's discuss and debate the future of the River Hawks!
