If Sean Carter was eligible this season, UMass would have a legitimate chance at contending for the A-10 title.

However, the Oregon State transfer will sit out and have three years left. That means the Minutemen, as they did a year ago under former coach Travis Ford, will rely on perimeter players.

Chris Lowe is a senior who has run the team for the better part of his first three years in Amherst. Ricky Harris had a break-through season last year, averaging 18.2 points per game. Anthony Gurley, a local kid who transferred in from Wake Forest, should slide into the role vacated by last year’s leading scorer, Gary Forbes (19.4), who also averaged 7.5 boards per game.

``We’re going to have to fill that,” Harris said. ``We’re all going to have to rebound better.”

That’s not going to be easy with three guards that probably stand 6-3 (Gurley), 6-1 (Harris) and 6-foot (Lowe.).

Tony Gaffney, a role guy a year ago, has already impressed new coach Derek Kellogg with his length and athleticism. Look for him to start along with the three guards.

Now the question is who will step up in the middle.

The candidates are Luke Bonner, a senior who averaged 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds last season, and Tyrell ####, a 6-foot-9 freshman who needs to get into better shape.

``Luke’s got to give us more than he’s given in the past and I’m going to put a lot of pressure on Tyrell,” Kellogg said. “He’s got to get himself in the best shape of his life, but his attitude’s been great.”

Carter is the guy who would come right in and make an impact because of his size and athleticism, but he won’t be eligible until next season. Kellogg will also add UConn transfer Doug Wiggins, who should step in and replace Lowe.

Kellogg is realistic about trying to get his alma mater back to what it was when John Calipari led UMass to the Final Four.

``I’m trying to use the blueprint that he had here and also at Memphis,” Kellogg said.

That means getting guys with a chip on their shoulder, playing a difficult non-conference schedule and trying to increase the television exposure – among other things.

Kellogg speaks highly of the senior leadership with Lowe, Gaffney and Bonner and said his biggest shock came when watching Harris.

``I didn’t realize how tough and competitive he is,” Kellogg said.

Lowe, who played three years in Ford’s system in which there really wasn’t a bad shot, said picking up the Dribble Drive hasn’t been nearly as difficult as he figured. Ditto for Harris.

``It’s just a lot of repetition, but it’s not that big of a difference,” Lowe said.

``The terminology is weird, but after a few weeks we started to get the hang of it,” Harris added.

SOUTH KENT NEW COACH OPTIMISTIC

Kelvin Jefferson may have already figured the recipe for success in the prep ranks.

Quality perimeter players and a handful of athletic bigs that can run the floor and finish.

Jefferson said that Lisandro Ruiz-Moreno, who he says has committed to Miami, will run the team.

``He’s tough, plays hard and is extremely fast,” Jefferson said.

He’ll have a pair of talented wings to make his life easier with Omari Lawrence (St. John’s) and Kevin Parrom (Xavier). Lawrence was back briefly from a shoulder injury, but is back out of action for another couple of weeks.

Jefferson will have multiple options up front.

Jackie Carmichael is a 6-foot-8 athletic kid from Kansas who needs to polish his offensive game. Ryan Brooks (6-9) is a face-up power forward who is already committed to Rhode Island while Rashad Wright (6-10) is a New England kid who needs to gain strength. South Kent also has Aru Kok, a long 6-foot-11 Sudan native who spent the last few years in Australia, and his cousin, Majok Majok, who will be on campus for two years and can score with his back to the basket.

``I don’t know how many high-major guys we have,” Jefferson said. “But we have a lot of D-1 players.”

That’s been the recipe for success over the last few years in the New England Preps. Just ask Bridgton’s Whit Lesure.

RANDOM NOTES: Ryan Kelly, one of the top players in the senior class, will make his decision on ESPNU tonight. Kelly is considering six schools, but the word we’re getting is that he’s leaning towards picking Duke. … Central Michigan picked up a commitment from wing K’allante Miller from Oak Park High (Mich.). … Cadillac High (Mich.) wing Ben Simons committed to Drake. ... UCLA junior Nikola Dragovic had an MRI on his left foot and will undergo further evaluation after it showed a cyst. ... VCU junior Frank N####o will miss the season with a left knee injury. ... Western Kentucky coach Ken McDonald has given B.J. Frazier his release.