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WALTHAM, Mass. - For the fourth year in a row, the Brandeis University men's basketball team has earned a Pool 'C' at-large berth to the NCAA Division III tournament. The Judges will travel to St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y., on Friday, March 5, where they will face St. Lawrence University in the opening round. The game will tip off at 6 p.m., with tickets $6 general admission, $3 for students and senior citizens.
Brandeis closed out the regular season with a 19-6 record, including 9-5 in the University Athletic Association (UAA), good for second place. The Judges, who were ranked as high as No. 8 in the nation this season, faced two NCAA tournament teams this season, posting a 2-1 record against them. The Judges defeated Clark University in non-conference action and split with their UAA series with two-time defending NCAA champions Washington University, handing the Bears one of their two losses on the season. This is the Judges' eighth overall NCAA tournament appearance, four of which have come in the past four seasons, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2008.
The Judges are led by the winningest senior class in school history, as the Class of 2010 picked up their 80th victory over NYU on Saturday by a 69-62 margin. Forward Terrell Hollins of Springfield, Mass., has been the Judges' best player this season, nearly averaging a double-double at 13.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, ranking seventh and second in the UAA, respectively. Guard Kenny Small of Stratford, Conn., is the team's leading scorer, ranking sixth in the conference at 14.2 points per game, while floor general Andre Roberson of Springfield, Mass., is poised to become Brandeis's all-time leader in games played, with 108, and join the ranks of 1,000-point scorers, sitting nine short of the milestone. The Judges lead the UAA in turnover margin and rank 18th in the most recent Division III national statistics at plus-4.98.
The St. Lawrence University Saints posted a 16-11 record and won the regular-season and conference tournament in the Liberty League. This is their NCAA tournament third appearance in the last four years, including a berth in the Sweet 16 last season. The Saints are 0-2 against the NCAA tournament field this season, with losses to Plattsburgh State and Middlebury in December. The teams have one common opponent, Vassar College, who both squads defeated by at least 20 points.
SLU has four different players averaging between 11.8 and 12.6 points per game, including Liberty League Player of the Year Josh Sharlow and second-team All-League selections Ralph Temouga and Garrett Sharlow. At 37.2%, the Saints lead the Liberty League and rank 82nd nationally in 3-point percentage.
This will be the first-ever meeting between Brandeis and St. Lawrence. The winner of the first-round game will face the winner of the Brooklyn College and St. John Fisher College on Saturday, March 6.
For more information on Brandeis men's basketball, please visit our web site at http://www.brandeisjudges.com/sports/winter/mhoops.