Busting Brackets
Fansided

UMass Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Minutemen

By Stu Luddecke

AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Matt McCall of the Chattanooga Mocs coaches from the bench in the first half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Hilton Coliseum on November 23, 2015 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Matt McCall of the Chattanooga Mocs coaches from the bench in the first half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Hilton Coliseum on November 23, 2015 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images /

Projected Starters

The only two real “locks” for starters at this point are Luwane Pipkins at the point and Carl Pierre at small forward. Everything else is subject to change, but those are two guys that you can bank on seeing out there for the opening tip. Pipkins is unquestionably the team’s leader and best player, and Pierre will only be a more poised and confident version of the player who shot 47% from deep and scored 12 points per game as a freshman.

In terms of who will be out there to join them, the other guard spot will realistically go to either of the transfers Curtis Cobb (Fairfield) or Keon Clergeot (Memphis). Cobb is a smooth shooter who can score from all three levels and is most notable for dropping 46 points on Manhattan two seasons ago. Clergeot had an up and down year at Memphis, but he’s a strong and aggressive defender who can push the pace and get to the rim on offense. He’s also used to playing high-level (AAC) basketball, so the transition to the A10 should be relatively seamless for him. All things considered, Cobb should be the starter off the bat because of what he brings to the table offensively, but it could be something that changes game to game depending on team needs.

In the post, Jonathan Laurent, a 6’6″ Rutgers transfer, should have the power forward job to start the year, mostly because of his versatility, but also because of a lack of other experienced power forwards on the roster. The epitome of a “glue guy,” Laurent doesn’t excel at any one thing, but he does a lot well. He can guard multiple positions on defense and shoot well enough to spread the floor on offense. He should be paired down low with Rashaan Holloway, a 6’10” center who missed half of last season because of academic issues. The 300+ lbs. center is a nightmare for opposing big men, but stamina issues have kept him around 20 minutes per game for his whole career. Still, I’d expect him to start because of his ceiling and experience.

Home/Atlantic 10