Men’s Basketball Starts 74th Season at Babson Invitational

SATURDAY, NOV. 9 // 7:30 PM  STAAKE GYMNASIUM // BABSON PARK, MASS.
EYES ON THE GAME SERIES RECORD // SUFFOLK TRAILS, 9-11 LAST MEETING // NOV. 18, 2017, L, 82-74 LAST SUFFOLK WIN // NOV. 19, 1982, W, 88-76 STREAK // L7

SUNDAY, NOV. 10 // 2:00 PM  STAAKE GYMNASIUM // BABSON PARK, MASS.
EYES ON THE GAME SERIES RECORD // SUFFOLK TRAILS, 15-33 LAST MEETING // JAN. 12, 2006, W, 80-76 (OT) LAST SUFFOLK WIN // SAME STREAK // W1

BOSTON – Suffolk men's basketball begins its 2019-20 campaign at the Babson Invitational this weekend where it will take on Salem State and tournament host Babson. The Rams pull the curtain back on the 74th season Saturday, Nov. 9 versus the Vikings at 7:30 p.m., and wrap up the weekend the next day, Sunday, Nov. 10 against the Beavers at 2 p.m. 

LET'S TALK ABOUT #RAMNATION
RamNation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

RAMS REWIND
Suffolk put together one of the most successful seasons in program history with the most since (18) since 1975-76, second-most all-time. Against conference competition, the Rams went 9-2, to secure second in the playoffs, the best finish for the blue-and-gold in the league ranks since 2002. With first-round hosting rights, a first for Suffolk since 2004, the Rams slipped to seventh-seed Saint Joseph (Conn.) in the quarterfinals to have its season end at 18-8.  

STARTING FIVE: QUICK HITS ON THE UPCOMING SEASON
With less than a week away from Suffolk men's basketball's season opener, GoSuffolkRams.com gave Ram Nation a quick hit list of five topics to be on the lookout for in the 74th edition of Rams' men's hoops. Click the link below for your chance at checking out the five things to know in 2019-20. 

MORE READING: Starting Five: 2019-20 Men's Basketball

RAMS RUNDOWN
Three of Suffolk's top five scorers are back in uniform from last season's team that posted the most victories (18) since it went 19-6 in 1975-76 and put up 79.3 points per outing.

The pair of Thomas Duffy (15.6 ppg) and Brendan Mulson (13.3 ppg) led the way a year ago and the NCAA Division III statistical champion in three-point percentage Alex Jacovides supplied 12.1 ppg, mostly from downtown.

Jonathan Eng, George Grillakis and Cameron Powers will close their books on their collegiate campaigns along with Duffy.

NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES
Suffolk men's basketball's head coach Jeff Juron has added half a dozen newcomers to the Rams ranks for the upcoming 2019-20 campaign.

The group of six, all of whom are guards, is comprised of five true freshmen and one junior transfer. The latest editions to the men's basketball program represent a pair of states – Massachusetts and New Hampshire – as well as Bermuda and the United Kingdom. 

MORE READING: Rams Rookies: 2019-20 Men's Basketball

GEOGRAPHY 101
Suffolk's geographical makeup spreads six states and two countries. Nine Rams are Bay State locals, three come from Connecticut and two came down from New Hampshire. Florida, New York and Virginia are represented by one Ram. Two student-athletes stamped their passports to come to Beantown in Adam Davenport, who is from the United Kingdom, and Kobie Reid, who made the trip from Bermuda.

CLASS CATEGORGIES
The Rams rank feature a well-balanced roster representing each of Suffolk's classes. Six sophomores comprise the bulk of the roster with four juniors and seniors, respectively, and five true freshmen. 

RAMS RINGLEADERS
Suffolk men's basketball's Class of 2020 will split captain responsibilities as head coach Jeff Juron unveiled that Thomas Duffy, Jonathan Eng, George Grillakis and Cameron Powers have been named captains for the 2019-20 campaign. 

MORE READING: Senior Quartet to Cpatain 2019-20 Men's Basketball

COACH'S COURT
Jeff Juron, reigning GNAC coach of the year, returns to the floor for his fifth season at the helm of the Rams. 

Juron rounds out the coaching staff with the return of Dana Harris, and Logan Liberty, while adding assistant coach Joe Sharkey and graduate assistant Denis Tobin to the bench.

LIFTING THE LID

• Since 1967-68, Suffolk is 22-29 in the first game of the season.
• The Rams have coupled back-to-back victories together on day one including last season's 95-59 trouncing of Salve Regina. 
• The blue-and-gold is 2-2 in the season opener in the Jeff Juron era. 
• The Rams will open their campaign for the 18th time at a neutral site, first since 2014-15, and are 6-11 when playing on impartial court. 
• Suffolk is 6-4 on day one at home and 5-11 when playing true road contests in its season debut. 
• Prior to the 1976-77 campaign, the location of Suffolk's season opener was undisclosed with the Rams going 5-4 through those contests.
• Suffolk and Salve Regina will meet on day one for the second time and first since the 2000-01 debut when the Rams down the Seahawks, 92-89, Nov. 17, 2000, at the Babson Invitational 

WATCH AND SEE
Head coach Jeff Juron sat down with GoSuffolkRams.com to preview the Rams' 2019-20 campaign. To hear what Juron had to say and get a glimpse inside the Rams' training session, click the video below.  

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, Suffolk men's basketball has been predicted to finish fourth in the GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

MORE READING: Men's Basketball Tabbed Fourth in GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

VIKINGS VIEW
Salem State is coming off an 18-10 MASCAC Championship season and returns a handful of veterans that helped the Vikings get to the NCAA Tournament. 

The key component back on the hardwood is Sean Bryan. The 2018-19 MASCAC Player of the Year averaged an impressive 25.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game a year ago. Hakeem Animashaun, an all-league first selection last season, contributed a double-double average of 21.0 ppg on a 63.8 connection rate from the hardwood and 11.3 rpg.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• The Suffolk, Salem State series dates back to 1969, since then, the Rams and Vikings have tangled 20 times. 
• The blue-and-gold trails the series, 9-11. 
• Suffolk and Salem meet for the first time since 2017. 
• The Rams have fallen in seven straight meetings with the Vikings. 
• Suffolk's last victory over Salem State came in an 88-76 decision in 1982. 
• Suffolk is 0-1 versus SSU with Jeff Juron on the bench.  

EYES ON THE GAME
 

BEAVERS BREAKDOWN
Babson, who will open its 2019-20 season against Anna Maria Saturday, enters the campaign coming off a 15-11 overall run a year ago.  

A dozen players are back for the Beavers including five of the team's top seven scorers highlighted by Andrew Jaworski, who produced 14.4 ppg and 4.0 rpg as a sophomore. Frank Oftring, who suppled 13.1 ppg and 6.4 rpg, compliments Jaworski, while Jack Coolahan (9.9 ppg) and Julian Alexis (7.7 ppg) add depth as well. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and Babson will meet for the first time after a 13-year hiatus Sunday. 
• Despite the Rams taking the last meeting, an 80-76 overtime thriller Jan. 12, 2006, Suffolk trails the series, 15-33. 
• Sunday's showdown marks the first time the blue-and-gold and Beavers meet under Jeff Juron's guidance. 

EYES ON THE GAME

WHAT'S AHEAD?
Suffolk has nearly a week before its back in competition when it opens its home calendar with a non-conference clash against Lasell Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. at the Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court.