AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts men's basketball team could have two of the tallest walk-ons in Division I in 2010-11.

Andrew McCarthy, a 7-foot freshman center from Scituate who played at Loomis-Chaffee last year, is enrolled at UMass and is expected to walk-on to the Minutemen this fall.

McCarthy still needs to be cleared by the school's compliance department to officially join the squad. If he is, he'll join walk-on Trey Lang, who is 6-foot-7, among coach Derek Kellogg's sizable big men at the end of the bench.

Despite his height, McCarthy's only recruiting interest came from Division II schools UMass-Lowell and Roger Williams. He thought he was capable of playing in Division I and sent Derek Kellogg an email asking for an opportunity to walk-on.

Request granted, McCarthy enrolled in summer school and has been competing in pickup games with his potential future teammates.

"I want to prove to myself that I can play at this level," McCarthy said after a Tuesday night workout at the Curry Hicks Cage. "I didn't get as much (recruiting interest) as I would have hoped. The style of play at my prep school didn't really fit me. I didn't get many looks. I wasn't proactive enough contacting coaches."

UMass sophomore Javorn Farrell said McCarthy was better than expected.

"He's pretty good. He's very mobile. He's a lot more mobile than a lot of seven-footers," Farrell said. "He can get up and down the floor and score around the bucket. It surprised me."

McCarthy had his hands full Tuesday guarding Hashim "Big City" Bailey, who is listed at 6-foot-10, 275 pounds.

"The players have been really nice. It's been fun playing with them. City is fun to match up against," said McCarthy, who was listed at 220 pounds. "I'm still skinny. I'm trying to put on weight. I'm lifting. I'm still trying to prove that I belong."

Kellogg can't comment on McCarthy until he's been officially cleared by the school's compliance department.

BACK AT THE GARDEN? - UMass associate athletic director Tim Kenney confirmed that the Minutemen's game against Boston College, tentatively scheduled for Dec. 4, could move from the Mullins Center to the TD Garden in Boston. UMass officials have said they hope to have at least one game in Boston every year and would like to schedule some high profile games in the Garden.

UMass and BC played the first college basketball game in the building, then called the FleetCenter, in the first Commonwealth Classic in 1996. The teams played there for three seasons before the game was moved to campus sites.

FARRELL HEALING - Farrell, who'll be a sophomore this year, watched Tuesday's pickup action from the sideline. He's not yet cleared to play after undergoing offseason hip surgery.

Farrell said he's nearly ready to return to action.

"I'm feeling great. I'm recovering quicker than they expected. I only have 2½-3 weeks til I can play again," Farrell said.

Throughout Farrell's freshman season, Kellogg raved about the freshman's work ethic and leadership potential. Off the court Farrell has tried to live up to his coach's praise during the offseason.

"I look at myself as somewhat of a leader. I'm making sure my teammates are getting to class on time and doing their workouts. The coaches can't be around in the summer so someone has to do that," said Farrell, who said the Minutemen's five sophomores are better prepared with a season under their belts. "It's a lot easier. We know we can't just come out every day and fool around and not take things seriously. We have to come out and get better every day. Last year we came in not knowing what to expect. This year we know what kind of work we have to put in."

CAMP KELLOGG - There are still spots available for the two sessions of the Derek Kellogg Basketball Camp. Session one is Monday through Thursday while session two is Aug. 2-5. For more information contact Andy Allison at 413-577-2287 or go online at either http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/060410aaa.html or www.coachkellogg.net.

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Follow UMass coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/GazetteUMass. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at http://www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage.