The Connector - 2015 Basketball Issue

The 2015 Basketball Issue - River Hawks season previews - Olympic basketball preview - Player profiles - River Hawks basketball calendar

THE UMASS LOWELL

Serving the Student Body Since 1976

November 17, 2015

River Hawks shooting for improvement in year three of Division I play

In This Issue Women’s basketball gives back

Kyle Gaudette

â–ş Page 3

History of UMass Lowell basketball

► Page 4 Women’s basketball

preview

Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics

Connector Editor

â–ş Page 10

Final River Hawk Scores Team

Score

Overall Record

Volleyball vs Binghamton

L 0-3

Basketball at 6 Maryland

L 52-103

M. Basketball at Northwestern

L 57-79 0-1

Hockey vs Maine

W 2-1

4-25 0-1

7-1-2

Getting to know your men’s basketball freshmen Sadie Moore Connector Staff

The UMass Lowell men’s basketball team welcomes eight freshmen for the 2015-16, including five new recruits. Find out about the team’s new players below: Logan Primerano is from Peru, Ind. which is why he is most excited to play at Notre Dame this season, which is close to home. He says New England is different than where he’s from because it’s “a lot busier, there’s a lot of stuff going on.�

He chose UMass Lowell because of the quality coaching staff and the hope for a good education. “It’s been a dream of mine to play division one since I was little,� Primerano said.

He believes his best contribution to the team will be his energy and positive attitude. If his friends had to describe him in three adjectives, he said they would be: outgoing, friendly, and athletic. Primerano has enjoyed going to hockey games at UMass Lowell because “they’re so different from what I’m used to,� he said.

Isaac White of Ashland, Ohio is looking forward to this season for the “major teams we get to play against,� he said. So far, things in New England seem a lot faster to him and there’s a lot more “crazy drivers,� White said. He said chose UMass Lowell because he believed it would push him to be a student and an athlete more than any other schools he

While hockey remains king on campus, your 2015-16 men’s basketball team is poised and ready to share the spotlight.

It is another year for the River Hawks competing in the America East Conference, all of which have been coached

by Pat Duquette. Now in his third season with the team, Duquette likes the way the program is developing. “We’ve had a lot more success in terms of wins and losses in the first two years than anybody thought we would,� said Duquette. “We wanted to establish a strong foundation, an identity as a team, and good work ethic. That’s what I thought was really important in

The men’s basketball team looks to continue to compete in America East this year.

the short term, and I thought that would serve us well long term.�

The River Hawks still have this season and next to prepare for life with NCAA tournament eligibility. A roster loaded with youth will lead the transition into the next stage of UMass Lowell basketball.

Only one junior and two seniors make up a

13-man roster that is carrying eight freshman; this is a true youth movement that Duquette is excited to see develop. “It’s been a good group,� said Duquette. “I think that’s one of this year’s biggest challenges is to get [the freshman] up to speed, and get them playing together as a team. But we’ve made great progress, and we’re

â–ş See “Men’s basketball,â€? page 6

American domination of Olympic basketball Alexa Hyde Connector Staff

Basketball has been an Olympic sport since 1936, and has regularly been featured in the Olympics since. America has regularly dominated the Olympics since 1936 as well.

America has the most gold medals in basketball, boasting 21 gold medals for men and women combined. The United States has only

not medaled once in Olympic basketball, at the 1980 Olympics where the entire nation refused to compete to protest the Soviet Union.

Year after year, the United States has dominated its competition.

The Soviet Union is the only other country to have a considerable amount of medals for the event, with 12 in all, and with only 4 gold.

America even regularly sets re-

â–ş See “Freshmen,â€? page 6

Sections News.............................3 Campus Life.................. 4 A&E.............................. 8 Sports................. 6-7, 9-11

excited to finally play against another opponent.�

Donny Belcher III is one of the eight freshman ready to make an impact.

Coming to UMass Lowell from Texas, Belcher credited hitting the weight room hard this offseason as what he worked on most, and wants to make an impact this season.

Courtesy of Getty Images

LeBron James helped the United States win two gold medals and a bronze medal.

cords at the Olympics, including most points in a game, where the team scored 159 points in a humiliating defeat of Nigeria. America also holds the record for most points earned in a game by one player and the largest margin of victory, among others.

The Olympic teams that America produces are star studded ones, featuring players from the NBA and WNBA. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and even Sue Bird are household names in America, and they provide the team with great skill and drive, far out succeeding those of other nations.

Olympic basketball, unlike other Olympic team sports, is notoriously easy for the United States. Unlike hockey and soccer, where are local professional players return overseas to play for their home countries, the NBA draws mainly from American talent, giving the Olympic team a highly skilled and competitive pool to draw from.

Basketball is an American sport, â–ş See “Olympics,â€? page 9

November 17, 2015

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Page 2

OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

Question of the week:

THE UMASS LOWELL

Serving the Student Body Since 1976

UMASS LOWELL CONNECTOR

EDITORIAL BOARD MARLON PITTER Editor-In-Chief REGINA ALONGI Operations Manager KATRINA DESROSIERS Copy Editor NINA PETROPOULOS Web Manager MICHAELA HYDE ZACHARY ZUBER Social Media Managers EVANTHIA TULLY Photo Editor KELLY FREITAS JENNA FREITAS LISETTE PEĂ‘A Graphic Designers OPEN Advertising Manager JESSIE PASKIEWICZ SUSAN LAM Distribution Managers

DAVE RUDDERHAM SAM LINSTEAD-ATKINSON News Editors KYLE GAUDETTE Sports Editor SHANE FOLEY Campus Life Editor JEN DESROSIERS BRENDAN JACQUES Arts & Entertainment Editors

Which player will have the most outstanding season for the River Hawks?

- Jahad Thomas

- Tyler Livingston - Asia Mitchell-Owens - Lindsey Doucette - Other

Vote now at umlconnector.com!

GRYPHON LAYNE Comics Editor NICHOLLES KLEVISHA Multimedia Director JONATHAN SILVERMAN Advisor

HANNAH MANNING SADIE MOORE TYLER O’KEEFE MICHAEL PAIGE EMILY TOOMEY HENRY ST. PIERRE BENJAMIN ST. PIERRE

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November 17, 2015

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Page 3

NEWS

UMass Lowell women’s basketball volunteer at Girls, Inc. Taylor Carito Connector Staff

For many years, Girls, Inc. of Greater Lowell has played a huge role in mentoring and inspiring young girls to be “strong, smart and bold.”

When one enters the facility, they are often greeted by the smiling face of a girl who is eager to help.

All of the programs offered at Girls, Inc. are centered toward a girl’s individual creativity and independence, eliminating gender stereotypes which, in turn, allows girls to truly express themselves. Despite the crazy Division I season, members of the UMass Lowell women’s basketball team have been volunteering every other Friday in a clinic, teaching young girls the fundamentals to play basketball.

These sessions not only help expose the girls to a sport in a fun, engaging way, but also allow young girls to establish

great role models and mentors. “It’s funny. The minute they [the basketball team] walk in the door it’s like celebrities.” Said Program Coordinator Kate Adams. “They’re [the girls] in awe.”

This is the second year the program has taken place and it appears to be quite a success. In addition to the growing number of girls that participate in the program, the number of members of the women’s basketball team who participate has risen as well. Originally, the program consisted of activities that were based off of warmups that the UMass Lowell women’s basketball team would do. As the program evolves, it now consists of little stations or “choices” which teach more fundamentals in addition to workouts. With a wide age group, ranging from five to 12 years old, the program accommodates everyone’s abilities, which attributes to its success and admiration

Courtesy of Kate Adams

Women’s basketball team members huddle with aspiring players.

among the girls.

As of right now, Girls, Inc. of Greater Lowell does not offer any basketball in the curriculum, so the girls, especially those who play basketball, have had a great response to the program and the “celebri-

want to be playing basketball in their future, or that’s their dream and passion, and it’s kind of cool because I can see in their faces when the girls come in they look up to these basketball players, they really do, and each week they’re getting excited.”

Members of UMass Lowell women’s basketball team, including Asia Mitchell-Owens, Brianna Rudolph and Lindsey Doucette, have taken the time to volunteer at Girls, Inc. of Greater Lowell, inspiring many young girls through their volunteer work. They have introduced basketball to many as well as enriched the dreams of those who desire to continue their passion for the sport into their future.

ty” volunteers. Program “The girls have responded wonderfully,” said specialist Joan Bejaniance. “Obviously it’s kind of cool because there are some girls here at Girls, Inc. that do play basketball and, you know, they do

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November 17, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Faceoff: Hockey vs. basketball Ben St. Pierre Connector Staff

Nobody would argue with the claim that men’s hockey is more popular than men’s basketball at UMass Lowell. Nobody would also argue with the claim that men’s hockey is the most popular sport on campus.

According to official NCAA statistics from the 2014-2015 school year, UMass Lowell’s men’s basketball compiled an overall attendance figure of 10,264 fans, with

an average of 933 fans per game.

For hockey, in the same school year, the team compiled 102,390 total fans, with an average attendance of 5,120 per game, according to USCHO.com To put it simply, it seems that men’s hockey’s popularity far exceeds that of basketball, not only in terms of word-of-mouth and fan interest on campus, but also in actual attendance, and even in the media, as UMass Lowell hockey can sometimes be found televised

Regina Alongi/Connector

The Tsongas will not only host hockey, but some basketball games as well.

on NESN. Not to criticize our hockey team at all, but it is apparent that perhaps the sustained success of the hockey team has taken away from attention paid to our other teams.

When a university jumps from Division II to Division I, there will be struggles, and attendance may be lower than what it could be in time.

But just because our hockey team has been Division I since 1983, and playing every home game at the Tsongas Center since its opening in 1998, does not mean that the basketball team is any less important to the sporting success and identity of our school.

The same can be, and should be, said for every sport on campus. Every sport here is Division I, and even if attendance figures vary for each one, every team is equally important in status. The men’s hockey team may be our pride and heart and soul, but do not forget about the rest of the

History of UMass Lowell basketball Tyler O’Keefe Connector Staff

In 1988, believe it or not, the UMass Lowell River Hawks were coached by Stan Van Gundy. It was actually the year before Van Gundy started coaching the River Hawks that was most impressive.

Don Doucette was the coach of the team in the year of 1987 to 1988 when they won a Division II National Championship. Members of the 1988 squad have a great accomplishment that they can cherish for the rest of their lives.

They are one of two teams from the New England area to win a Division II title. That season, they defeated Alaska Anchorage in the title game by a score of 75 to 72. This tremendous year drew looks all over the country to Doucette landing him a coaching job in Division I with University of North Carolina Asheville. A six-foot-six-inch junior center by the name of Leo Parent was the teams go to scorer. He led the team in scoring with 18.8 ppg as well as rebounding with 11.1 rpg. The best part about Parent: he was a hometown kid from Lowell.

In 2013, the River Hawks made the jump from Division II basketball to Division I. This leap treated them like

it treats most teams who leap from Division II to I with a losing record. They went 10 and 18 in 2013, but had a .500 record in their conference. Teams like Cincinnati and Michigan were on their schedule, so they knew this was not Division II anymore.

The team this year will get a taste of that type of competition when they go on the road for games against powerhouses Notre Dame and Connecticut. Last season was not any better for the team. The River Hawks went 12 and 17 with a 6 and 10 record inside the conference. The River Hawks fail to upset very good competition when they play them.

The fans need something to excite them. This year has games that would shock the world, but will the execution take place is the real question.

History says they will not, but every year is different sort of like in 2011 when the hawks went 19 and 11, but this of course was in Division II. The team’s head coach this season Pat Duquette has his players hungry. Coming off a disappointing year, it would be great to see the team have success early and often. The schedule starts off on the road in a tone setting game at Northwestern University. It will set the

tone because unlike previous seasons if the River Hawks can win this upset they will gain great confidence going forward. With a win they can enjoy coming home to play a very winnable game against Sacred Heart then be undefeated heading into the Notre Dame game. Regardless their record going into that game it will not be easy, but with wins in two straight games players can have confidence and maybe just maybe get the win over Notre Dame. The school has gone from having very good success in Division II play for years to getting their feet wet for the past few seasons in Division I. We are not in 1988 anymore, but it sure would be nice to win a championship this season like the men’s basketball team did that year.

body: the rest of our school and all the teams that work so hard to represent UMass Lowell. So while most of you will at least pay attention to, and likely attend, the hockey games, be sure to care about the rest of the teams at our Division I, rising, soaring school. Men’s basketball, in dedication of this issue, do not worry – we know you are here, and soon, perhaps low attendance will be only a remnant of the past, as crowded bleachers block any memory of them being anything other than packed in prior times.

All River Hawks soar.

Courtesy of UMass Lowell

Costello Athletic Center, home for basketball.

Signs for basketball fans Michaela Hyde Connector Editor

Aries: Just because you’re at a sporting event, doesn’t mean you need to start fighting. This isn’t hockey bruh, calm down.

Taurus: There’s definitely not enough overpriced beer at this game.

Gemini: Live tweets the game and makes sure to highlight every single missed shot, by both teams.

Cancer: Actually tears up whenever the score gets close.

Leo: We get it; you look dope in a basketball jersey. Are you even watching the game or just taking selfies? #swag Virgo: Started planning for March Madness before the home opener even began. It’ll pay off at the end of the season to start preparing now! Really!

Libra: You know, you always said you’d look great with someone taller, right? Basketball players are the new #relationshipgoals Scorpio: Please stop yelling rude comments during free throws; you’re a bad sports fan.

Sagittarius: Unfortunately, the morph suit isn’t appropriate for basketball games. And we get that you’re enthusiastic but please tone down the Wave attempts.

Capricorn: Someone’s definitely doing some shady betting on how high scoring this game is going to be #hustler Aquarius: Complains about how basketball doesn’t have the same aggressive thrill as hockey and football but still manages to attend every game.

Pisces: Please stop cheering during free throws; you’re distracting the players with your support.

November 17, 2015

ng happeni What’s us on camp th?! this mon SUNDAY

15

BASKETBALL CALENDAR

NOVEMBER MONDAY

16

TUESDAY

17 Women’s Basketball at CCSU 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

18

THURSDAY

19

Men’s Basketball vs. Sacred Heart Tsongas Center 7 p.m.

Boston Celtics vs. Mavericks 7:30 p.m.

22

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UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

23

24 Men’s Basketball vs Wheelock Costello Ath. Ctr. 4 p.m.

25 Boston Celtics vs. 76ers 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

20

21

Women’s Basketball vs. Columbia Costello Ath. Ctr. 7 p.m.

Men’s Basketball at Notre Dame on ESPN3 2 p.m.

Boston Celtics vs. Nets 7:30 p.m.

26

27 Boston Celtics vs. Wizards 7:30 p.m.

28 Women’s Basketball at Rhode Island 2 p.m.

Women’s Basketball vs Bryant Costello Ath. Ctr. 6 p.m.

Calendar listings are FREE when space is available. To better ensure your listing’s placement, get your information in two weeks in advance by e-mailing Marlon_Pitter@student.uml.edu

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November 17, 2015

SPORTS

The freshman squad of your 2015-16 River Hawks ► Continued from front page

looked at. White thinks his best contribution to the team will be his smart decision making in games and ability to take care of the ball.

His friends would describe him as: caring, goofy, and kind. His favorite sport to attend at UMass Lowell is also hockey because it isn’t in ohio and it has a “cool atmosphere,” he says.

Jordan Shea is in his second year at UMass Lowell but this will be his first year playing due to an injury last season that caused him to Red Shirt. He is from Lodi, Wisconsin and his favorite part of last year was traveling with the team and “hanging out

with the guys,” he says.

This season, he is mostly looking forward to being able to play. The biggest difference from home for him is being so close to the ocean, and having to deal with traffic. He chose UMass Lowell because he wanted to come out to the east coast and he liked the coaches. All in all he explains that UMass Lowell “seemed like a good fit.” He started out playing basketball at the gym with his dad and fell in love with the sport. He is a team player and if his friends had to describe him they would say he was easy going, friendly, and goofy. Shea likes to go to soccer games here at

Sadie Moore/Connector

Isaac White, freshman, 6’0 guard.

UMass Lowell because he has friends on the team and he has always wished he was good at soccer.

Ryan Jones thinks that New England is much colder and that people talk differently here compared to where he is from in Riorancho, New Mexico. He says he is most excited for “traveling the country and playing” with his teammates. He chose UMass Lowell because the coaching staff made him feel at home and he thought it would be the best place for him to play basketball. Jones started playing in the fifth grade, he explains that he “fell in love with it” and then quit all of the other sports he had previously played. He believes that he has leadership qualities, even as a freshman, and that he will be able to score when the team needs it.

He would be described as: shy, goofy, and motivated. He enjoys going to hockey and volleyball games at UMass Lowell to support his school and meet new people.

Josh Gantz of Colombus, Ohio Red Shirted last year but still enjoyed “traveling to different big schools,” he says. He is looking forward to seeing how

the team comes together and “finally playing,” he explains. New England is a lot colder than Ohio and the snow is a big change for Gantz.

He chose UMass Lowell because it wasn’t too far and he thought the coaching staff would make for a good second family. He started playing basketball because he was tall but then, like many other players, fell in love with the game.

He believes his high basketball IQ will benefit the team this season.

He is funny, caring, and dedicated. He enjoys the hockey games at UMass Lowell because they bring in a big crowd.

Keith Hayes is from Little Rock, Arkansas.

He says this season he is “excited to play the tougher competition and see how my team and I match up.” New England is a different culture for him, the food and clothing varies from his home and there are a lot more people here he explains. He chose UMass Lowell to experience somewhere besides the south. He enjoyed the coaching staff and it made him feel more comfortable that many other players live far away as well. “Basketball is my sport because I don’t think about any-

thing else when I’m on the court,” Hayes says.

He believes it is the best sport in the world and when he plays it’s like a second nature to him.

He brings versatility to the team by being able to score and play defense. Three adjectives his friends may use to describe him would be: funny, laid back, and trusting. He enjoys volleyball because it’s interesting and exciting to watch.

Dontavious Smith, another sophomore who redshirted last season is from Cullen, Louisi-

to “being out there on the court and playing,” he says. One hard part of transitioning to New England for him has been the lack of fried food and good tea here he explains. He chose UMass Lowell because he wanted to “be a part of what’s building here,” he says. Smith explains that basketball has been what he likes to do from an early age. He brings height and smarts to the team along with being a good teammate. He is charismatic, funny, and motivated. Smith also enjoys attending hock-

Sadie Moore/Connector

Dontavious Smith, freshman, 6’8 forward.

ana. His favorite part of last year was getting to know everyone around campus but this season he is looking forward

ey and volleyball games because they don’t have them where he’s from.

State of the WNBA: Why is it still successful?

Alexa Hyde Connector Staff

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) saw the success of its nineteenth season this year. The season concluded on Oct. 14, 2015 with the Minnesota Lynx being crowned champions. However, the WNBA is not known for its popularity, and players often play overseas and get paid more overseas. So how has the WNBA stayed afloat for so many years, and how has it been successful?

Women’s college basketball is popular in the United States. The WNBA drafts from successful college basketball programs, including from UConn, which is home to players considered to be the future of women’s basketball.

Media attention and college sport followers can then turn to the WNBA to see their fa-

vorite players continue their careers.

The WNBA is also one of

Courtesy of WNBA

the most successful women’s professional sports leagues, with many women’s soccer leagues failing after a few years, and women’s hockey only just developing a paid league. Notably, the WNBA is able to pay its players.

The players can earn up to $107 thousand, a significantly higher amount than the National Women’s Hockey League, which pays about $15 thousand per player, or the National Women’s Soccer League, which has players earning near minimum wage.

Profit is starting to come into the WNBA. Like most developing sports leagues, the WNBA required a lot of money to get started and for it to continue. Major costs include staff, players, media exposure and broadcasting and

stadium costs. Recent years have seen half of the WNBA’s teams, of which there are 12, have been taking in profit.

With growing viewership, the WNBA is starting to receive a payoff.

The WNBA is not a major sport like the NHL, MLB, NFL, or even its male counterpart, the NBA, but it is a permanent fixture in American sports. It is still a growing league, but it is an established one. It is on par with Major League Soccer, another growing sport in America. The league is becoming healthier, drawing in more profit and growing its loyal fan base.

While it will take a while to grow the league, as it will take a while to grow women’s sports as a whole, the WNBA is not going anywhere and

November 17, 2015

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SPORTS

Top 10 underrated NBA players Henry St. Pierre Connector Staff

The National Basketball Association has never been more popular than it is now.

This is because basketball is a fast-paced, team-driven, relatively safe and exciting sport to watch. However, in terms of pure talent and skill, there are some NBA players who deserve more recognition from the general public 10. Ruby Gobert, C, Utah Jazz Gobert is essentially the Eiffel Tower who came over to the United States to scare professional basketball players. He has awesome nicknames, which include the “Stifle Tower,” the “French Rejection,” and my very own nickname I am just now donning upon: “Mr. Gobert: the High Note,” both a reflection of his height, and a musical note, as he plays for the Jazz.

He stands at seven feet two inches tall, which enables him to block out the sun whenever he goes outside. Imagine a skyscraper and a pterodactyl

having a baby. That’s Rudy Gobert.

9. Al Horford, PF, Atlanta Hawks Horford is a player every team would love to have because he has been consistent for so long. His career averages of 14 points and nine rebounds per game may not blow you away, but he has been doing it for nearly a decade, and his consistent play is a central reason why Atlanta has been a playoff team and a true contender the past couple seasons.

8. Isaiah Thomas, PG, Boston Celtics Boston, stand up! But if you do, make sure you do not stand in front of Boston’s electric, short point guard.

Thomas has been stellar since arriving to the Celtics last season, and this season he is averaging about 21 points and six assists per game to go along with a nifty Player Efficiency Rating of about 20. In a league full of great guards, he deserves more praise.

7. Mike Conley, PG, Mem-

phis Grizzlies Conley is the reason Marc Gasol decided to stay in Memphis when he hit free agency. Conley possesses all the necessary attributes of an NBA point guard. His stats will never blow you away, but his pure talent enables a Grizzlies team notorious for poor perimeter shooting to routinely win 50 games a season. He also broke his face last season, and some of the symptoms might be affecting his play today.

6. Jimmy Butler, SG, Chicago Bulls Derrick Rose was once Chicago’s post-Jordan hero when he dominated basketball from 2009 to 2012. Butler burst on to the scene last season, scoring 20 points per game to go along with lockdown defense.

Going forward, he will be commanding the Bulls.

5. Kyle Lowry, PG, Toronto Raptors Lowry is the centerpiece of Drake’s NBA team. DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas are Lowry’s fellow car-

nivorous Raptors, but Lowry is the alpha. He can score, he can pass, he can lead his team to the playoffs, but winning in the playoffs is another story.

4. Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trail Blazers After losing LaMarcus Aldridge to free agency, Portland is now relying on their young, extremely talented point guard to guide them through the future. His amazing playmaking and shooting abilities – he once held the record for most three-pointers in a season – gives Portland a strong backbone to work with.

3. John Wall, PG, Washington Wizards Wall’s athleticism is matched in the NBA by few players. His speed is remarkable, his passing and court vision are spectacular, and his shot selection is a nifty collection of floaters and quick jumpers. He and Bradley Beal are very exciting to watch, and are also one reason why some view Washington as a free agency destination for

Kevin Durant.

2. Andre Drummond, C, Detroit Pistons Drummond is the reincarnation of Orlando’s Dwight Howard. Stan Van Gundy has turned the 22-year-old into a glass-cleaning machine, as Drummond is averaging just about 20 rebounds per game to go along with 20 points per game. That is some 20/20 vision I would love to see in Celtics’ green.

1. Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Antonio Spurs The Spurs are boring.

24-year-old Leonard is almost a perfect player. He scores, he rebounds, and he shuts down any human being he chooses to guard, including LeBron James, which is why he won Defensive Player of the Year.

Most importantly of all, he is a proven winner. For some reason, he does not get much coverage. Everybody talks about LeBron, Curry, Durant and Westbrook. Why not Leonard?

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

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November 17, 2015

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The best basketball hype-up songs Henry St. Pierre Connector Staff

The term “hype” nowadays refers to a feeling of rising adrenaline when a song’s beat, rhythm and lyrics fuse within a mere mortal’s soul and create a heart-racing sensation, making said mortal want to run around, shout, or sprint down the court and finish with a slam dunk.

Sports arenas across the world seem to possess a canon of arena music.

These songs are commonplace classic rock tunes or ultra-popular dance/ hip-hop cross-overs. The songs are played to increase the energy levels of every human in attendance. However, arena music can be different from the best basketball hype-up songs of today. Classic rock appeals to the fan demographic, perhaps; however, for the player, how many young players can truly get hyped from your dad’s favorite rock song?

This list is purely arbitrary with no statistical or factual basis to back anything up. However, each song in the list does its part to get its listener’s blood flowing, whether it is minutes before tip-off for an NBA player, or a couple of hours before some teenager plays “NBA 2K16” online in the dark against a stranger. Basketball is an energetic game. Its players must be energized.

5. “Till I Collapse” feat. Nate Dogg,

by Eminem Close your eyes. The opening seconds of one of Eminem’s most popular songs begins to boil your blood.

About 30 seconds in, it is that Marine’s chant in the background. This is WAR! It is time to take down the op-

ponent. Eminem is playing the role of your coach in this song. He is quite inspirational, really. Until you collapse, you are not spilling your raps, but you are getting your buckets! Nate Dogg, may he rest in peace, delivers one of the most talk-along-to-the-chorus choruses ever. The beat’s kick-kick-clap

from any artist ever. All Lil Jon says in this song is a combination of “yeah,” “okay,” “hey” and “let’s go,” and it is amazing. He does the best ad-libs.

And he, Usher and Ludacris do a tremendous job of hyping up the listener.

3. “Remember the Name” by Fort

Courtesy of the Boston Celtics

“H.A.M” by Kanye West and Jay Z earns the number one spot on the list.

pattern is so basic and widespread throughout music that it is cliché, but this song makes you want to wrestle a crocodile so it does not even matter. Any good hype-up song should give you the confidence and strength necessary to wrestle a crocodile. And win. Go win that game, soldier.

4. “Yeah!” feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris, by Usher The synthesizer makes your limbs spaz out and do random motions.

You are not in the club, you are getting hyped for your game. You are waiting for it… then it comes. YEAH! Yeah? YEAH! Not only does this song have the best song title of any song ever sung, it also has the best feature

Minor If you were to say you have never gotten hyped to this song before in your life, you are lying. The chorus is as close to perfection as anything could ever be. The average human being wishes they could be one percent as perfect as the chorus. 10% luck, 20% skill, yes, yes, yes, give me more statistics. A necessary shout out is now given to Mike Shinoda for making one of the most toxic and inspirational earworms of all-time, one with which basketball-playing seventh graders stay hyped.

2. A TIE! “Jumpman” by Drake and Future / “Forever” feat. Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Eminem, by Drake

“Jumpman” is an extremely recent song but what Drake, Future and Metro Boomin crafted with sonic sizzle.

The trap beat is so simple and pleasuring, and Drake and Future’s smooth deliveries elevate the song to the same level as the basketball gods. The song is composed so that essentially any dance of 2015 can go along to it. That is either an example of complete simplicity in a watered-down culture of artistic parity, or it is pure genius. The latter is the winner in this case.

“Forever” is one of Drizzy Drake’s first big hits. Somehow, the then 23-year-old Canadian was able to get three hip-hop goliaths on his song, and this song was made especially for LeBron James. It pays to have a silky voice like Drake’s. Drake’s opening lines in the track are now deeply immersed in pop culture. “Last name ever, first name greatest. Like a sprained ankle, boy, I ain’t nothing to play with.” Absolute fire. It is no wonder why he is a superstar now.

1. “H.A.M” by Kanye West and Jay Z Honestly, the chorus says it all.

“H.A.M” is, by far, the best acronym of all-time. Think about all of your favorite acronyms. “H.A.M” is better than all of those. The godly-sounding instrumentals only enhance the super-egos of both Kanye and Young Hov. If you have never listened to this song, please do, right now. However, when the chorus arrives, do not think you are suddenly a good-enough baller to play in the NBA.

Basketball movies: The good, the bad and the horrible Owen Johnson Connector Contibutor

For the good, we have the 2005 film “Coach Carter,” starring Samuel L. Jackson in the lead role.

“Coach Carter” is about a controversial real life high school basketball coach named Ken Carter who believed that academics, not just basketball, were also important to his player’s success in life. The film depicts Carter’s role in the Richmond High School basketball season of 1999 where he locked the gym and refused to let the team play until they all honored an academic and behavioral contract that they had signed at the beginning of the season.

While “Coach Carter” is similar to a number of other sports movies in its story, the movie does everything it needs to do correctly. There are some great scenes in the movie, courtesy of Jackson’s performance, the cinematography and directing is good, and the end basketball game does have some tension to it.

For the bad, we have “BASEketball,” directed and written by David Zucker, who also wrote and directed comedy classics like “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” The movie stars “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone in the lead roles Joe Cooper and Doug Remar, two childhood friends who end up creating a sport that is a cross between basketball and base-

ball, which ends up becoming a professional sport.

However, a greedy sports manager tycoon (Robert Vaughn), wants to change the rules—such as not allowing players to be traded—that have been put in place to prevent baseketball from ending up like other sports in order to make more money off the game.

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

“Coach Carter,” starring Samuel L. Jackson, was re leased in 2005.

With a director/writer and starring two actors who all have fairly decent track records with comedy movies, “BASEketball” is pretty disappointing.

There is come chuckle-worthy material early on and there are a few scenes that are so ridiculous that they’re funny, but those are small oases in a desert

of unfunny jokes and comedy sketches.

For the horrible, we have “Space Jam.” Released in 1996, “Space Jam” is a movie about a group of aliens coming to the world of the Looney Toons in order to enslave them and bring them to an amusement park as an attraction. To combat the aliens, the Looney Toons challenge the aliens to a game of basketball, and the aliens steal the talent from several basketball players to give them the upper hand. The Looney Toons in turn enlist the help of Michael Jordan, who has recently left basketball to play professional baseball, which he isn’t as good at.

“Space Jam” serves as an eighty-eight minute long ego trip for Michael Jordan, with characters constantly telling him he’s the best basketball player and no matter what he does, everyone seems to love him, even when he’s failing on the baseball field. Starring alongside Michael Jordan and the Looney Toons are Wayne Knight as Jordan’s wacky and bumbling publicist, and Bill Murray, for some reason. The biggest problem, however, is with the Looney Toons themselves. They aren’t wacky and eccentric like they were before, they’re annoying and obnoxious, like a high school student who still thinks it’s funny to put your arm over your mouth and blow raspberries so it sounds like farting.

November 17, 2015

Page 9

SPORTS

Olympic basketball is growing in popularity throughout the U.S. ► Continued from front page

and America shows that. But is it necessary?

Olympic hockey is always one of the most exciting events at the winter Olympics as Americans root for their teams, both men and women, to overtake hockey powerhouses like Canada and Russia. Olympic soccer sees Americans supporting the successful women’s team, which always battles hardily for its place in the finals, are calling for the men’s team to overtake big soccer nations like England, Germany, and Brazil. But in basketball, America is nearly always guaranteed a spot in the finals.

No one challenges America in Olympic basketball. America, essentially, is able to walk into the finals. America needs to be challenged. Basketball is

growing worldwide, and countries like China, Spain, and Russia are starting to be able to give America serious competition. This is what America needs.

Otherwise, there’s no point in winning if the other team isn’t really a competition.

Courtesy of blacksportsonline.com

Kevin Durant has been an integral part of the United States’ success in Olympic play.

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UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

Page 10

November 17, 2015

SPORTS Shane Foley

On paper, it may seem like a rough year for the 2015-2016 Women’s River Hawk Basketball team. They lost two seniors last year: Jasmine McRoy and Shannon Samuels.

Freshman Labert stustained an injury that will bench her for the beginning of the season. The team is left with only two notable seniors and many young players.

None of the issues will deter the team from being competitive this year, however. Second-year Head Coach Janerie Harris is optomistic about the young team.

“We have a lot of our shooters returning, pretty much all of our shooters returning,” said Coach Harris. “We have a couple good post players that we’ve added to the roster, and Nazarae (Butler, guard) brings that same type of speed that our seniors had, so I really like the development of some of our returners too, so I think that they’re going to surprise some people.”

While the absence of

McRoy and Samuels will leave a void to be filled, the River Hawks do have several experienced players that can lead the team. Lindsay Doucet, Center, has been dubbed the team’s “speaking captain.” Beyond being a leader in games, who averaged 9.3 points per game last year, she also leads the team in terms of being there for her teammates.

“She has been a phenomenal player for us on and off the court, in that she’s been just someone that people can go to and talk to and everything else,” said Coach Harris.

Another returner who is well valued by the team is guard Melissa Frase. She is the only other senior on the team other than Doucet, and and has transformed into an outside threat, scoring from behind the arc three times in five games last season.

“Mel, our other senior, she has been a leader in her own right,” said Coach Harris. “She is a little more quiet and she is a little more laid back, but she is one of our hardest workers

Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics

While missing two top-scorers, this team still has a familiar feeling as last year.

and she cares about this team. She wants to win, and she has been a valuable asset as well.”

Aside from the two seniors, this River Hawk team boasts the luxury of having skilled young sophmores and freshmen who are taking on leadership roles as well. A sophomore forward, Nicole Riddick, was named the second captain. “She is only a sophomore, but she has such a huge voice and she is so mature; she is way beyond her years,” said Coach Harris.

Brianna Rudolf, a guard and also a sophomore, will play a big role this year on the team as well. “I think she is probably one of

the strongest competitors on the team,” said Coach Harris.

Coach Harris also spoke about other players that will be seeing more minutes and stepping up. “Nicole Hayner has been great, and we’ve needed her to step up and be a leader for us and be a solid threat for us. And Lauren Harris, she’s even probably put in the most work out of anybody in the summertime, and I think she is going to be able to give us some valuable minutes when she is on the court with her rebounding and her defense,” said Harris.

As far as filling the void left by Samules and McRoy, no other

player may go farther in that endeavor than Asia Mitchell-Owens, an junior who will be the starting point guard to open the season.

Mitchell-Owens looks forward to working on an iron-clad defensive game. “I’m looking just to be aggressive and always working hard defensively,” said Mitchell-Owens, “making sure that we’re always on the same page, and overall just being more aggressive.”

The River Hawks will also feature three new freshmen this year: the before mentioned Nazarae Butler, forward Oda Shackelford, and forward Katherine Smith, whom we were

lucky to steal from Indiana. “We have Katherine Smith who is from Indiana and she is a post player for us as well, she has a really nice release on her shot, and she comes from a program where they’ve won state championships,” said Coach Harris.

You will be able to see all these players in action at the Costello Gym Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. against Columbia.

“I would say our biggest strength is our fight,” said Mitchell-Owens. “We all have a lot of fight in us, and we want to do well, we want to get better, and I don’t think there is anything better than a team that is willing to learn, willing to progress on the things that they are learning.”

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – ­ The UMass Lowell (0-1) women’s basketball team fell in its season opener, 10253, to the No. 6 Maryland Terrapins (1-0) on Saturday afternoon.

“I think Maryland is a wonderful team, they’re the favorite in the Big Ten for a reason,” said Head Coach Jenerrie Harris. They’re going to be a

very talented team this year, but I’m really excited with the women and really proud of how they came out and fought. We wanted to play like we didn’t have anything to lose and I’m really proud of them.”

The River Hawks took their first lead of the season at 3-2, after Nicole Hayner (Bedford, N.H.) connected on a three-pointer early in the first quarter. UMass Lowell’s offense was sti-

Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics

Nazarae Butler soars for a layup over a Maryland Terrapin defender.

Page 11

fled for most of the quarter, but Asia Mitchell-Owens (Roxbury, Mass.) dropped in a layup seconds before the buzzer to bring some momentum into the second quarter.

Nazarae Butler (Columbus, Ohio) and Katherine Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind.) made their collegiate debuts in the first half, with Smith scoring her first career basket and dishing out an assist. Lindsey Doucette (Hopkinton, Mass.) snagged four rebounds and added five points in the first half. The River Hawks trailed 58-16 at the intermission.

Doucette and Mitchell-Owens added three-pointers in the third quarter to account for six of the 12 River Hawk points in the third quarter.

UMass Lowell’s long range shooting came alive in the fourth quarter, as the team racked up 21 points. Hayner hit two, along with Melissa Frase (Hamworh, N.H.) and Doucette hitting one each.

Hayner led the River Hawks with 15 points behind four threes. Gibbs and Doucette both ended two rebounds short of a double-double, tallying 12 points and 10 points, respectively.

Frase helped facilitate the offense,

Men’s hoops ready to lace up ► Continued from front page

“I want to contribute any way I can,” said Belcher.

“Whether that’s being a good teammate, playing defense, making plays, any way I can contribute. I just want to play my role on this team.”

So how will the River Hawks play this year? The answer is simply as a team.

There is no superstar on this roster the team will look to for the bulk of their scoring. Jahed Thomas led the team last year with 14.3 points per game, and is back for his sophomore season.

The River Hawks are, according to Duquette, larger in the interior than in previous years, but still smaller in comparison to the majority of their opponents.

So, when you attend a basketball game this year, look for the River Hawks to be operating as a cohesive unit on the court, while playing to the strengths the squad has.

“Our skill level and basketball IQ are very good,” said Duquette. “So we have to utilize those areas, and be efficient in those areas. We have to space the floor and share the ball to make up for our lack of size.”

UP CO MI N G

River Hawk Games Tuesday, Nov. 17

7 pm WBB at Central Conn. St

Wednesday, Nov. 18 7 pm

MBB vs. Sacred Heart

Friday, Nov. 20

7 pm Hockey vs. Notre Dame

Friday, Nov. 20

7 pm

WBB vs. Columbia

Saturday, Nov. 21

2 pm

MBB at Notre Dame

Saturday, Nov. 21

7 pm

Hockey vs. Notre Dame

For more sports information and full game schedules visit goriverhawks.com Bradel

Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics

Coach Duquette gets his team on the same page against Northwestern.

What is certain is that the River Hawks will be well-tested heading into conference play. The team has constructed a non-conference schedule against challenging opponents such as UConn, Northwestern and Boston College.

UMass Lowell will also face Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. on Nov. 21. The Fighting Irish nearly knocked off an, at the time, undefeated Kentucky team in the elite eighth round of the NCAA Division I tournament last year.

The stout competition will be tough for the River Hawks,

but the team can go into those games with confidence knowing they will be the clear underdog. In basketball, playing against quality opponents is how you improve as a team, even if you lose those games.

Senior DJ Mlachnik is excited for the non-conference schedule. The Wisconsin native is looking forward to heading back out west.

“Notre Dame and Northwestern,” said Mlachnik when asked what games he is most excited for. “Seeing as I’m from Wisconsin those are like going-home games,

so I’m definitely looking forward to

those.”

The River Hawks are improving each year in Division I play. The fresh young faces will give the team a new look this year and establish a Lowell brand of basketball that the University will take into the many NCAA eligibility years.

“Hopefully we’re better at the end of the year than we are at the start,” said Duquette.

“I think that’s how it’s going to play out because we have so many young players. I believe strongly that we have

more talent and depth in the program than we had in past years. How soon we develop and how soon we become a good team is going to be up to how quickly these freshman can develop and contribute to the team.”

River Hawks fall, 79-57, in season opener at Northwestern

River Hawks drop season opener, 102-53, at No. 6 Maryland UMass Lowell Athletics

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

SPORTS

Women’s River Hawks to still be competitive despite youth Connector Editor

November 17, 2015

Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics

UMass Lowell Athletics

EVANSTON, Ill. – Freshman Isaac White (Ashland, Ohio) logged a teamhigh 15 points to lead the UMass Lowell (0-1) men’s basketball team in a season-opening, 79-57 loss at Northwestern (1-0) on Friday evening.

“We liked the first half a lot better than the second half,” said Head Coach Pat Duquette. “Our guys

played really hard tonight. Physically, we were outmatched in every position, they were strong and we got hurt on the boards, but we really battled. In the first half, we played good offensive basketball. We shared the ball, a lot of guys got involved. We’ve got eight freshmen, and it was really good to see some of the new guys feel comfortable and contribute right away. That was a real positive for us tonight.”

Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics

The team regroups during a timeout.

dishing out five assists.

Smith and Butler ended their debuts with five and two points, respectively.

Butler grabbed four boards, and Smith snagged two.

The Terps were led by Brene Mosely’s 24 points and 22 from Shatori Walker-Kimbrough. Brionna Jones recorded 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds, along with two blocks on the defensive end.

The River Hawks continue on the road with a matchup against Central Connecticut State on Tuesday, November 17 at 7 p.m.

Jahad Thomas attempts an awkward layup over a Northwestern defender.

White went 3-for-5 from three-point territory on the night. Redshirt sophomore Jahad Thomas (Williamsport, Pa.), who paced the River Hawks on the glass with eight rebounds, added eight points in the contest. Junior Tyler Livingston (Hudson, N.H.) also notched three three-pointers to finish with nine points.

The early part of the first half was low scoring, as the teams traded possessions. Freshman Keith Hayes II (Little Rock, Ark.) tallied the River Hawks’ first three points of the season from the foul line to put the visitors within one point at 16 minutes in the first half. The Wildcats used five straight points to create a buffer, but back-back threes from White put UMass Lowell back within a bucket at 11-9 with 12:02 remaining in the half.

Senior Mark Cornelius (Westford, Mass.) tied the score at 13-13 thanks to a well-placed pass before Thomas hit a jumper to give the squad its first lead of the night. Livingston followed with a pair of threes, putting the River Hawks on top, 21-15, at 7:12 in the first. Redshirt freshman Josh Gantz (Grove City, Ohio) would notch four straight points to cap off the 16-3 UMass Lowell run, producing the team’s largest lead of the night at 2516.

The Wildcats were able to cut the difference to back just one at 2928, but White converted on two free throws and sophomore Matt Harris (Erie, Pa.) drained a jumper from beyond the arc to give UMass Lowell a 34-32 advantage at the break.

Coming out of halftime, the home team used an 8-1 spurt to regain the upper hand at 40-35. After UMass Lowell pulled within three on three occasions, the Wildcats outscored the visitors 10-5 to take a 55-47 lead. Livingston knocked down a three, making it a two-possession game, but 13 unanswered points helped NU pull away en route to the 79-57 victory.

Northwestern was led by Alex Olah and Aaron Falzon, who posted 21 and 20 points, respectively. Two other double-digit scorers helped to earn the win for the Wildcats, as well.

Olah and Sanjay Lumpkin recorded a game-high 12 rebounds apiece.

Friday’s contest marked the first meeting ever between UMass Lowell and Northwestern in the sport of men’s basketball. The River Hawks will return to action on Wednesday, November 18 when they host Sacred Heart University in their home opener at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. The “White Out” game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.

Page 12

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

November 17, 2015

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