University of Massachusets Athletics
Anderson Named Preseason All-Atlantic 10
November 06, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 6, 2003
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - University of Massachusetts senior guard Anthony Anderson (Lynn, Mass.) has been named a preseason third team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection, as selected by the league's coaches and media. In addition, freshman guard Art Bowers (Wilmington, Del.) and freshman guard Maurice Maxwell (Philadelphia, Pa.) were named to the Atlantic 10 preseason All-Rookie team.
As a team, UMass was predicted to finish in fourth place of the East Division in the 2003-2004 Atlantic 10 preseason poll, also voted on by the league's coaches and media. Saint Joseph's placed first in the poll and collected all 34 first place votes, with Temple coming in second and Rhode Island third. Following the Minutemen, Saint Bonaventure was ranked fifth and Fordham sixth. Xavier was picked to win the West Division with 17 of 34 first place votes, followed by Dayton (second, 17 first place votes), Richmond (third), La Salle (fourth), George Washington (fifth) and Duquesne (sixth).
Anderson led the Minutemen in three-point field goals made (74), three-point field goals attempted (189), three point field goal percentage (.392), free throw percentage (.757), minutes played (1,047), assists (107) and steals (38) last season. He also ranked second on the squad in both scoring (11.8 ppg) and rebounding (4.3 rpg). Anderson enters this season ranked fifth all-time at UMass in career three-point field goals made (145) and career three-point field goal percentage (.390), while standing seventh in career three-point field goal attempts (372). In 58 career games, he has 50 multiple-assist contests and has been credited with two or fewer turnovers 34 times.
Bowers was ranked as the nation's 44th-best senior by PrepStars after averaging 18.0 points and 6.0 rebounds as a senior for St. Benedict's Prep School. He led his team to a 23-4 record in 2002-2003 and the top ranking in New Jersey Hoops final prep/independent school rankings. Bowers earned second team 2003 All-State honors by New Jersey Hoops, and was named to the All-Tournament team at both the Florida Shootout and the Slam Dunk to the Beach. Last year, he was ranked among the nation's top 50 seniors by ESPN.com (No. 32).
Maxwell averaged 26 points, 12 assists and five rebounds last season as a senior at Lutheran Christian Academy. He led the Crusaders to a 20-5 record, and was rated as the 230th-best player in the nation by PrepStars. A fifth team All-Philadelphia / Eastern Pennsylvania / South Jersey selection by HoopScoop Online, he was also named the No. 2 fifth-year senior in Philadelphia / Eastern Pennsylvania / South Jersey by HoopScoop Online.
UMass is set to open the 2003-2004 season with an exhibition game against the Harlem Globetrotters at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Springfield Civic Center. The regular season opener for the Minutemen comes on Tuesday, Nov. 18, when they play host to Saint Francis (N.Y.) in the first round of the Preseason NIT.
For a complete list of the 2003-2004 preseason All-Atlantic 10 teams, click here.
