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Wednesday, June 13
Updated: June 19, 3:03 PM ET
Team preview: Massachusetts Minutemen
ESPN.com
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The lowdown
2000-01 record: 15-15; 11-5 in A-10 (4th)
Final Ranking: NR
Postseason: None
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Who replaces Monty Mack's scoring?
2. How quickly can Minutemen adjust to Steve Lappas' style of coaching?
3. Will the inside threats continue to develop like Kit Rhymer and Jackie Rodgers?
Three Key Facts
1. The Minutemen once again will be challenged even before the A-10 schedule begins with road games at North Carolina State, Boston College and Marshall, not to mention home dates against Connecticut and Ohio State and a return to the Springfield Civic Center against Oregon.
2. With the hiring of Steve Lappas, UMass also got a trip to Greece in the deal. The Aug. 12-22 trip will include four games against Greek professional club teams, and Lappas is hoping a game can be arranged against Greece's national team. Lappas had originally arranged the trip for Villanova before switching sidelines.
3. Even with the departure of leading scorer of a year ago, Monty Mack, look for the Minutemen will rely on the 3-pointer much more under new coach Lappas.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: Lappas molds remaining pieces into East Division champion.
Worst case: Lappas can't find enough production to replace Mack's scoring and Minutemen struggle to finish third in the East.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Shannon Crooks
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Jr.
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G
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6-2/222
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PTS: 9.0 | REB: 3.5 | AST: 3.2
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Micah Brand
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Jr.
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C
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6-11/243
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PTS: 8.4 | REB: 4.7 | AST: 0.6
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Jackie Rogers
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Jr.
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F
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6-8/230
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PTS: 6.6 | REB: 3.9 | AST: 0.5
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Kitwana Rhymer
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Sr.
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C
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6-10/236
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PTS: 9.9 | REB: 7.3 | AST: 0.7
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Monty Mack
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G
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6-3/200
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PTS: 19.5 | REB: 2.9 | AST: 1.9
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Jonathan DePina
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G
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5-9/185
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PTS: 5.8 | REB: 2.2 | AST: 3.1
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Massachusetts Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Brennan Martin
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F
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6-6
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Rancho Santa Magarita/Hargrave Military Academy (Va.)
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Kyle Wilson
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G
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6-1
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White Rock Christian Academy/British Columbia
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