MHERST - It hasn't been an easy preseason for the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team, but according to coach Bruiser Flint, so far it's been a productive one.

Senior shooting guard Monty Mack, last year's leading scorer, remains sidelined with a stress fracture in his foot, but is walking without crutches or a limp.

"Monty is getting X-rayed again next week and then they'll see what they can do from there and what progress he's made," said Flint.

The Minutemen will take on the California All-Stars Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Mullins Center and will face the Converse All-Stars a week later. UMass opens its season at Iona at 7:30 on Nov. 20. Mack is expected back for the beginning of the regular season.

When he returns, Mack will step into a starting lineup that features no surprises as the season approaches. Seniors Chris Kirkland and Mike Babul will resume their bookend forward spots around junior Kitwana Rhymer, who succeeds Lari Ketner as the starting center.

St. John's transfer Shannon Crooks will man the point once the season starts, after sitting out last year due to NCAA transfer regulations. But until Mack returns, junior Jonathan DePina will start at point guard with Crooks moving to the off guard.

When Mack does come back, he will have to get a crash course in UMass' new offense that features more than just running.

"We somewhat changed our offense as well," Flint said. "Our offense is more suited now for slashers and guys trying to take you off the dribble where before we came down and tried to throw the ball inside. The thing now is getting the right people in the right spots. We just have to get the timing down so guys understand where they're supposed to be."

While players are still learning the nuts and bolts, Flint is encouraged not to see the attitude problems that plagued last year's squad.

"The attitude is great. Guys are working hard. It's a good group to coach. You don't have to holler and scream. We have good listeners."

The most pleasant surprise so far has been freshman center Micah Brand.

"Micah Brand is much better than I expected. He can really score the ball," Flint said. "He has to get strength, but he's shown some of the things he can do.

"Micah is a pretty good ball-handler and a pretty good passer. My problem is not on offense with Micah," Flint continued. "It's, 'Who is he going to guard?' I think he can be overpowered at times in the post. Offensively he's fine. He can put it on the floor a little bit. Actually he can shoot the three. My problem is how much of a liability does he become on defense. We have to really get things down defensively."

Brand could see some time at the power forward spot as well, allowing him and Rhymer to be on the floor at the same time.

Flint has also been pleased by fellow newcomer JoVann Johnson, a junior college transfer who is adjusting to the level of a Division I practice.

"JoVann has fulfilled my expectations, but he's hitting a wall a little bit now," Flint said. "I don't think he's ever practiced like this before. But I think he'll be able to do some things for us."

Kirkland is beginning his first full season as a power forward. The addition of Syracuse transfer Eric Williams in practice has been positive. While Williams has to sit out the year due to NCAA transfer regulations, his presence has helped prepare Kirkland.

"Eric is big. I think that's good for Chris because he's going to have to play against a lot of guys his size every day," Flint said.

Prior to the start of practice, people wondered if new point guard Crooks would be able to harness his shoot-first tendencies to be a leader from his point guard position. So far he's gone to the other extreme.

"Shannon has been a little bit cautious, thinking too much because he doesn't want to turn the ball over. We have to get Shannon out of that a little bit. I said 'Hey man force the tempo, force the play'," Flint said. "He doesn't want to shoot every time because that makes people unhappy. I think he thinks too much about getting other people opportunities.

"He's learning the position and he's trying to be too much of a point guard. I tell him this is the strength of your game, you have to play to your strengths," Flint continued. "He's playing cautiously. He's not making mistakes, but he's not doing the things I think he can do to really help us. That's what the preseason is for and what the exhibition games are for."