UMass Basketball: Depth chart predictions for 2022-23 season

Mar 5, 2021; Richmond, Virginia, USA; Saint Louis Billikens guard Yuri Collins (1) dribbles the ball as Massachusetts Minutemen guard Noah Fernandes (11) defends in the second half of a quarterfinal in the Atlantic 10 conference tournament at Robins Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

4 of 7

Louisville Cardinals head coach Chris Mack talks with forward Matt Cross Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

Small Forward

Predicted Depth Chart

1 – Matt Cross

2 – RJ Luis

3 – Game-flow and match-up based usage of Weeks/Martin/Dominguez

The obvious choice to start at the 3 is Junior Louisville transfer Matt Cross. Cross’ game and size (6’7” 230 lbs) could allow him to be used as a stretch 4 in certain matchups as well, but the fact that there is less of a log-jam at the 3 than at either of the interior positions leads me to believe he’ll start beside Weeks on the wing. Like Weeks, he’s mainly a shooter, but he’s a bit more physical and adept at driving and getting fouled. In two seasons in the ACC – one at Miami, one at Louisville, he averaged 6.2 points in 21.6 minutes per game.

Other candidates for playing time at the SF spot, besides Cross and guys like Weeks or even Brandon Martin, are the 6’6” Freshman wing RJ Luis and the returning Junior Dyondre Dominguez. Luis has been receiving praise from the coaching staff as far as his natural instincts and A10-ready body, so one might imagine he’ll be the first option off the bench, but Dominguez is a wildcard that could end up receiving more playing time than might be expected based off of his limited production during Matt McCall’s tenure.

Home/Atlantic 10