Despite starting from scratch and retooling an entirely new roster ahead of the 2025-26 season, the UMass Lowell men’s basketball team made a step in the right direction.

The River Hawks turned in a 15-18 record and finished fourth in America East before falling to UMBC in the semifinals. It was a positive sign for a UML squad that had all the makings of taking that next step in its development.

But it’s college basketball in 2026. And it’s now time for head coach Pat Duquette and his staff to do it all over again.

The 2026-27 team arrived on campus just after July 4 and is in its fifth week of practice at the Kennedy Family Athletic Complex. There are a lot of new faces, with only three returners among the group.

“I was a little surprised and disappointed that everybody left and we had to do it again,” Duquette told The Sun. “But I know that now. You’re going to have to build a new roster every year. That’s the challenge. We just got to be better at it than the other teams in the league.”

It’s becoming increasingly challenging for programs to retain talent in a landscape riddled with NIL money and the transfer portal, and UMass Lowell has paid that price.

The River Hawks boasted three players with all-conference honors following their impressive season a year ago. Two of them — Angel Montas Jr. and Xavier Spencer — transferred. Third-team selection Austin Green’s status is in limbo while awaiting an NCAA court ruling regarding fifth-year eligibility.

Montas Jr., who averaged 15.2 points per game as a junior, would have undoubtedly been one of the best players in the conference this season. But the 6-foot-6 guard will suit up for the University of Toledo.

But there are many reasons to be excited about a River Hawks team gearing up for another campaign in the cutthroat America East, headlined by incoming freshmen Jasiah Cannady and Elhadji Diallo.

Duquette said the pair of highly-touted recruits have shown great confidence so far and that he expects them to make a significant impact. On paper, Duquette said Cannady and Diallo are two of the program’s highest-rated recruits ever.

Cannady, a guard from Mt. Zion Prep, amassed over 2,000 points and 700 assists throughout his standout career. He is related to NBA superstar Kevin Durant. Diallo starred with Overtime Elite and is recognized as a three-level scorer with immense finishing ability at 6-foot-8.

“Obviously they’re both highly rated coming out of high school, so they’ve played on the circuit, and they’ve played against really good competition,” Duquette said. “I think they’re both college ready, both mentally and physically.”

Duquette is also excited about freshman Jaden Flemons, who said he was more overlooked in his recruitment but projects to be a strong player. Max Ellis rounds out UML’s freshman class.

This isn’t the first time, though, that UMass Lowell has nabbed a sought-after freshman. Martin Somerville dazzled with the River Hawks in the 2024-25 season before transferring to Florida State. Include the rise of Montas Jr., and UMass Lowell has garnered a reputation for being able to develop talent at a high level.

That, Duquette said, along with a winning tradition at UML, creates an attractive environment for recruits to step into.

“They’ve seen us win, and they’ve seen us compete for a championship,” Duquette said. “We’ve played in three championship games in the last six years. I think that’s appealing to them.”

There is also promise surrounding UML’s incoming transfers. At the top of that list is Jakai Newton, a senior guard who played in 21 games at Georgia State last season. He was initially recruited to Indiana University, but injuries plagued most of his tenure with the Hoosiers before making the swap to Georgia State.

“He’s been awesome,” Duquette said. “So coachable, tough, great teammate, makes winning plays. Really happy with him. We got to continue to have him do his rehab and stay healthy. If he does, I think he’s going to be a really good player in our league.”

Duquette also noted that he believes this year’s roster is perhaps the deepest its ever been.

Victor Okojie, the lone returner from last season’s squad who logged significant minutes, is poised to make a big leap. Duquette said Jayden Harris, a transfer from Eastern Kentucky, has “huge upside” within his versatile and athletic 6-foot-7 frame. Christian Jones is another name to watch. He averaged 17.1 points a year ago on a Siena team that played in the national tournament.

UMass Lowell is known for its offense, having averaged the second-most points in the conference a year ago (74.9). Duquette said this year’s success will start on the opposite end of the floor.

“To establish our defensive identity and make winning plays, that’s what we’re really working on,” Duquette said.