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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) /
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Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images /

Expectations for the Minutemen in 2018-2019

Because of their high ceiling and low floor, the Minutemen are a true wildcard in the Atlantic 10. It’s very reasonable to see them finishing anywhere between 3rd and 10th in the conference; on one hand, they will have a talented, thirteen-player deep roster, but on the other, they’re coming off of a 13th place finish and will have a lot of chemistry building to do with so many new players.

Personally, I see more pros than I do cons with this team, and I have faith that they will crack the top 5 of the standings. While they probably won’t be as good as they will be in two seasons (Holloway and Baptiste are set to be the only departures after this year), I still believe in their ability to compete with the league’s elite. George Mason, St. Louis, and Davidson are near locks to be top 5 teams, but after that, it’s justifiable to pick any two out of Duquesne, VCU, UMass, St. Joe’s, Dayton, and Rhode Island to round that group out.

All of those teams have question marks, but with two of the league’s best shooters in Pipkins (perhaps the best player as well) and Pierre, exciting groups of freshmen and transfers, and the return of Rashaan Holloway, UMass has perhaps the most likable ceiling out of all of them.

Next. Preseason A-10 Rankings for 2018-19. dark

In terms of post-season play, don’t be disappointed if the Minutemen don’t make the NCAA Tournament this season. Even if they do crack the top 5, it’s most likely that only 1-3 teams from the A10 will get bids to the Big Dance. Expect them to be an NIT team this season and, as postulated above, a league favorite and NCAA Tournament-hopeful a season from now.

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