5 Reasons UMass Lowell Basketball Is The America East's Biggest Sleeper In The 2025-2026 Season

The UMass Lowell River Hawks are deep into their 2025-2026 campaign, and while the non-conference slate has presented significant challenges, the men's and women's basketball programs are poised to make noise as America East play begins this December 2025. The River Hawks are no longer the new kids on the NCAA Division I block; they are a legitimate threat looking to finally break through and capture an America East Tournament title.

The men's team, under long-time coach Pat Duquette, has navigated a challenging early schedule designed to prepare them for the rigors of conference play. Meanwhile, the women's team, led by Coach Jon Plefka, is focusing on defensive intensity and finding consistency from a deep and talented roster. Here is a deep dive into the state of UMass Lowell basketball, highlighting the key players, the venue, and the path to America East success.

UMass Lowell Men's Basketball: Key Players and 2025-2026 Season Overview

The 2025-2026 UMass Lowell men's basketball team has built its identity on a combination of veteran leadership and breakout talent. As of the current date, the River Hawks hold a 4-7 overall record, a mark that reflects a challenging non-conference schedule that included tough matchups designed to test their mettle before America East play begins.

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Men's Team Player Profiles and Statistical Leaders

• Austin Green (Forward): The undisputed leader of the team, Green is a dominant force on both ends of the floor. He is the team's leading scorer, averaging 14.0 points per game (PPG), and the top rebounder, pulling down 7.4 rebounds per game (RPG). His ability to score inside and stretch the floor makes him a difficult matchup for America East opponents.
• Xavier Spencer (Guard): Spencer is the engine of the offense, leading the team with 3.3 assists per game (APG). His playmaking and court vision are crucial for setting up the River Hawks' half-court offense.
• Shawn Simmons II (Forward): A defensive anchor, Simmons II leads the team in blocks with 1.4 blocks per game (BPG), providing essential rim protection for Coach Duquette's squad.
• Other Key Entities: The roster depth is provided by players like guards Kris Johnson and Darrel Yepdo, and forward Keenan Bey, all of whom are expected to play significant minutes in the conference season.

The Pat Duquette Era: A Decade of Growth

Head Coach Pat Duquette is now in his 13th season leading the River Hawks. He has been instrumental in the program's transition from Division II to a competitive Division I program, consistently guiding the team to the upper half of the America East standings in recent years. Duquette's coaching philosophy emphasizes tough defense and player development, a formula that has made UMass Lowell a perennial threat in the conference tournament.

A major highlight of the non-conference slate was a hard-fought battle against a high-major opponent like Wake Forest, a game where the River Hawks nearly pulled off an upset, falling 75-77. These experiences are invaluable in preparing the team for the intensity of their America East rivals.

UMass Lowell Women's Basketball: Defense and Deep Roster Potential

The UMass Lowell women's basketball team, under the direction of Coach Jon Plefka, is focused on building a winning culture based on defensive intensity. The team's early-season record sits at 4-6 overall, showing flashes of brilliance, particularly on the defensive end.

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Their defensive metrics are noteworthy, as they are holding opponents to an average of just 57.6 points per game (PA/G), ranking them highly in defensive efficiency nationally. The challenge for the River Hawks will be finding a consistent scoring punch to complement their strong defense.

Women's Team Roster and America East Outlook

The women's team boasts a diverse roster with players from around the globe, providing a wealth of different skill sets. Key players to watch as the team enters conference play include:

• Jennah Johnson
• Amina Kameric
• Jaini Edmonds
• Paris Gilmore
• Sabrina Larsson
• Emina Kameric
• Carla Subirats

The collective strength of the women's team lies in their depth and commitment to Coach Plefka's system. If they can improve their points scored per game (PS/G), which currently hovers around 57.0, they have the defensive foundation to climb the America East standings.

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The River Hawks' Home Court Advantage: The Tsongas Center

A crucial entity for UMass Lowell basketball is its home venue, the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. This state-of-the-art facility provides a significant home-court advantage for both the men's and women's programs.

The Tsongas Center, which opened in 1998, is named after former U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas, a Lowell native. It serves as the primary arena for UMass Lowell sports, including the highly successful men's ice hockey team. For basketball games, the venue offers an electric atmosphere with a seating capacity of 6,003, making it one of the premier arenas in the America East Conference.

The energy generated by the student section and local fans is often cited as a factor in the River Hawks' success in key conference matchups. Playing in front of a passionate crowd at the Tsongas Center will be vital as they face their biggest rivals.

The Path to March Madness: America East Rivals and Conference Play

For UMass Lowell, the ultimate goal is to win the America East Tournament and secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament (March Madness). The conference schedule is a gauntlet of regional rivals and tough competition. The America East Conference is known for its parity, meaning every game is a battle.

Key America East Entities and Rivalries

• The UMass Rivalry: A key non-conference and state-system rivalry is against the UMass Minutemen. The River Hawks have recently had success in this matchup, including a 96-83 victory over their Atlantic 10 foe, demonstrating their ability to compete with high-major programs.
• Bryant University: Since joining the America East, Bryant has emerged as a significant rival. UMass Lowell has historically held the upper hand in this series, including a recent win in Smithfield, but the games are always intense, especially during the America East Semifinals.
• The University of Maine (Black Bears): Another key regional opponent, the rivalry with Maine is one of the longest-running in the America East, with UMass Lowell holding a historical advantage in the series.
• Vermont and Albany: These teams are often at the top of the America East standings, and success against them is critical for UMass Lowell's tournament seeding.

The River Hawks must leverage their home-court advantage at the Tsongas Center and rely on the leadership of players like Austin Green and Xavier Spencer to navigate the America East schedule. With a competitive men's team and a defensively stout women's team, UMass Lowell basketball is set up to be a major factor in the America East title race this season.

The rest of the 2025-2026 season promises high-stakes basketball for fans in Lowell, MA, as the River Hawks seek to achieve their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth.