After a bright start to the season, the men's basketball team hopes to continue its recent run of success as it hosts Brandeis University this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at Cousens Gymnasium.
The Jumbos are looking to avenge the loss they suffered last year at Brandeis. Last season's contest proved to be a struggle for the Jumbos as they fell 87-72, despite a double-double performance by then-senior Reggie Stovell, who finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Senior tri-captain Dan Martin believes that the Jumbos' chances against the Judges are much better than last year.
"We have a better team than last year," Martin said. "We're more mature and last year we weren't all on the same page. But this year it's seemed like we've picked up right where we left off so we are playing a lot better together."
While the rest of the team is equally as confident about its chances against Brandeis, Martin says the team isn't taking anything for granted.
"We're just taking one game at a time," Martin said. "When game day comes around, we'll look at the scouting reports, watch a few tapes and plan accordingly, but as for our mental attitude going into the game, it's the same as any other."
It's a good thing the team isn't taking anything for granted, because Brandeis will likely offer stiff competition. Three of five players who started against the Jumbos last year return, two of whom recorded 18 and 23 point nights.
However, this year's Jumbos squad has received contributions from all corners of the roster during its early-season success.
One of those contributors has been sophomore Jake Weitzen, who along with Martin, is the Jumbos' top scorer for the season at 15.5 points per game. Weitzen believes that the Jumbos will match up well against Brandeis, noting a particular change in staff personnel that has made the teams' styles somewhat similar.
"Actually, a former assistant coach at Tufts was a coach at Brandeis," Weitzen explained. "Because of that, they seemed to have recruited a similar team to us so it should prove to be an interesting game."
Weitzen also stressed how important continued strong defensive play will be against their opponents on Saturday.
"Our defense has been a lot better this year," Weitzen said. "We don't have to go out and score a bunch of points and we can now rely on our defense to make big stops when we need them to."
The Jumbos hope momentum from their victory over Western New England on Tuesday will carry into Saturday's game as the young and talented squad looks to build upon their exciting start to the season. With contributions from the starting five, mixed with a solid and deep bench, the squad should have a good chance of toppling the team that beat them by a considerable margin last year.
