Spring Break
MBBALL PREVIEW: Judges set sights on NCAA championship
by Jeffrey Pickette
Senior writer
Basketball preview | 11/18/08
Posted online at 2:40 AM EST on 11/18/08
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Instead, the Judges were unable to hold off the Lord Jeffs in the second half, falling 65-55. The squad still finished with a program-best 23-6 record and its deepest NCAA Tournament run ever, but this year's players said they are hoping for more.
"Our goal is to be the last team playing at Salem, Va. [site of the NCAA Division III Final Four]," guard Kevin Olson '09 said. "Anything less I think would be a disappointment. We really want to build on last year's success and take it a step further this year. Last year was very bittersweet."
Mainstays Joe Coppens '08, Kwame Graves-Fulgham '08, Stephen Hill '08, Florian Rexhepi '08 and John Saucier '08 are gone due to graduation, but the Judges retain a solid core led by forward Steve DeLuca (GRAD), who returns after missing all but 27 minutes of action last season with lower back and leg injuries.
DeLuca, a D3hoops preseason first-team All-American selection, received a medical redshirt last year to remain eligible for this season as a graduate student. He says he is "feeling great" after successful back surgery between his fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae in the lower back last April.
"I've been waiting for this for a long time," DeLuca said of returning.
DeLuca is joined by Olson, an honorable-mention all-UAA selection last season, forward Terrell Hollins '10, a second team all-conference selection, guard Andre Roberson '10 and forwards Rich Magee '10 and Christian Yemga '11. All played key roles in last season's tournament run.
Roberson, who supplemented Graves-Fulgham off the bench at point guard last season, will assume starting duties this season.
Roberson, who averaged 9.7 points per game last season, is cognizant of the role he must fill as a starter.
"That's my main thing, getting my teammates involved, getting the ball to the proper people who can put the points on the board," he said. "I definitely want to lead my team with assists and defensive steals-whatever I can do to fit the role of my position."
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Karen Hollins
posted 11/22/08 @ 12:53 AM EST
I belive that Brandeis needs to concentrate get their head in the game and focus.This is a great team and with the great coaching and the right formula of team playing we know what they are capable of!!!! Lets Go Brandeis show em what we got!!!! Do the D--- Thing!!!!
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