Men’s Basketball Tips Off 77th Season Saturday Against Salem State

SUFFOLK vs. SALEM STATE
Date Time Venue Video Stats Program Series Last Meeting   Last Suffolk Win Streak	Saturday, Nov. 12 3:00 PM Smith Court Boston, Mass. Suffolk Stretch GoSuffolkRams.com GoSuffolkRams.com 10-11 Nov. 9, 2019, W, 94-81 Same W1

BOSTON – Suffolk men's basketball pulls the curtain back on its 2022-23 season Saturday, Nov. 12 when it entertains Salem State at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court at 3 p.m. 

SOCIAL SAYINGS
Ram Nation 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. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #RamNation a behind-the-scene look at Suffolk Athletics.

RAMS RETURNERS
All, but one player from last season's team that made a CCC Semifinal run last season returners to the Rams roster.

Four of the five Suffolk's starters are back including the back court of Aidan Sullivan (12.0 ppg, 4.9 app), John Gates (8.5 ppg) and front court phenoms William Rowe (10.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Keenan Robertson (10.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg).

Conor Creane (6.6 ppg) opted in for a fifth-year and senior Kobie Reid is set to wrap up his collegiate career, while Abdulahi Aden, Ray Bosquet, Liam Cunnie, Devin Dzikas, Jake Gomez, Cole LeVangie, Jack McDonnell and Kyle Phillips are back for their sophomores seasons. Fellow member of the Class of 2025 Ben Satzis set to make his Suffolk debut after missing his freshman campaign due to injury a year ago.

RAMS ROOKIES
Kaelen Kanealey has joined Suffolk men's basketball for the 2022-23 campaign, head coach Jeff Juron has announced. The graduate transfer is the lone newcomer on the 16-player roster.

Kanelaey began his undergraduate career at McDaniel College. Over three seasons with the Green Terror, the forward from Rochester, New York, produced 256 points, 286 rebounds, 62 assists, blocked 61 shots and racked up 44 steals. 

MORE READING: Men's Basketball Adds Kanealey to 2022-23 Roster

GEOGRAPHY 101
Suffolk's geographical makeup spreads five states and two countries.

Eight Rams are Bay State locals, a trio hail from New York, two come from Connecticut with Pennsylvania and Virginia is represented by one Ram apiece.

Kobie Reid stamped his passport to come to Beantown from Bermuda.

CLASS CATEGORIES
The Rams ranks feature an underclassmen heavy roster with 10 sophomores, however, there are no true freshmen or juniors. The six upperclassmen are evenly split between seniors (3) and graduate students (3).

POSITION PIECES
Nine of Suffolk's players are primarily guards with three true forwards and a quartet of swing players.

COACH'S COURT
Jeff Juron, returns to the bench for his eighth season at the helm of the Rams.

Over seven seasons at Suffolk, Juron has helped Suffolk to new heights highlighted by five consecutive winning seasons and an 84-81 (.510) record in that span.

Back on Juron's staff is long-time assistant Dana Harris with Joe Sharkey and Chris Lydon back on the sidelines for their third and second seasons, respectively. Former Ram Steven DiPrizio was joined Juron's staff as a first-year assistant.

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
In its second year in the league, Suffolk men's basketball has been projected to finish as runner-up in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) according to the conference's preseason coaches' poll. 

MORE READING: Men's Basketball Selected Second in CCC Preseason Poll

LIFT THE LID

• Since 1967-68 Suffolk is 25-29 in the first game of the season.
• The Rams have lifted the lid in the win column in five straight seasons, including last year's 92-78 win over Coast Guard.
• The blue-and-gold is 5-2 in the season opener in the Jeff Juron era.
• The Rams will open their at home for the first time since pulling the curtain back on the 2018-19 season. That year, Suffolk surged past Salve Regina, 95-59, in game one.
• On day one at home Suffolk is 6-4 and the Rams hold a 6-11 road mark in its season debut.
• Suffolk is 7-11 when playing on an impartial court in game one.
• Prior to the 1976-77 campaign, the location of Suffolk's season opener was undisclosed with the Rams going 5-4 through those contests. 

VIKINGS VIEW
Salem State (0-1) fell in its season debut, 77-58 at Brandeis Wednesday, Nov. 9.  

Juvens Louis was the lone Viking in double figures with a 10-point reserve effort. Josiah Green and Conner Byrne each supplied eight points. Conner Byrne and his twin brother, Jarret Byrne, led the way on the glass with six caroms and seven boards, respectively. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• The Suffolk, Salem State series dates back to 1969. Since then, the Rams and Vikings have tangled 21 times. 
• The blue-and-gold trails the series, 10-11. 
• Suffolk and Salem State will meet for the first time since Nov. 9, 2019. 
• The Rams snapped a seven-game skid versus the Vikings with a 94-81 victory in the last meeting, Nov. 9, 2019
• Suffolk is 1-1 versus SSU with Jeff Juron on the bench. 

EYES ON THE GAME

FLUTIE 5K
Over the weekend of Oct. 15-16, Suffolk men's basketball took the course at the Flutie 5k on team You're With Us! 

MORE READING: Men's Basketball Runs Flutie 5k with You're With Us! 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk makes the trip up to Colby Sawyer Wednesday, Nov. 16 for a 7 p.m. midweek match.