Last season, the men's basketball team led Amherst College 29-24 at halftime in the Round of Eight of the NCAA Tournament, and a Final Four berth seemed well within their reach.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."

Olson averaged 10.8 points per game, with 53 out of his 112 field goals coming from behind the three-point line. He was second only to Coppens in three-point shot conversions.

Even with the NCAA's decision to move the three-point line back from 19 feet, nine inches to 20 feet, nine inches, Olson said he is "very comfortable" with the new distance.

"It spreads the court out a little more, which I think can be a good thing," Olson said. "It makes it so it's harder for defenders to get out, and [it] gives you an extra step."

Both head coach Brian Meehan and assistant coach Eric McKoy said last week that a five-player starting lineup has not been set. DeLuca, Roberson and Olson will start, but the other two spots are up for grabs.

"There's some good competition; it's not like we're waiting for somebody to do well," Meehan said. "We've got guys who are playing well."

Meehan and McKoy both expressed interest in having Hollins, who led the Judges in rebounding with 5.9 a contest, come off the bench this season. Meehan said last week that this might prevent Hollins from picking up personal fouls early in games, and McKoy said last week that playing Hollins as a sixth man may cause matchup problems for the opposition.

"Now he's going in against other teams' second units. Let's be honest with ourselves; how many other [forwards] that don't start in New England or in the country are going to be able to cover him?" McKoy said.

Guard Kenny Small '10, who played sparingly the second half of last season, is one player who teammates think can make an impact.

"He's going to surprise a lot of people . because he's a scorer that can really heat up fast. He's very athletic," Hollins said. "He has an opportunity this year to really show that he can play at this level, and I definitely know he can do it."

Forward Vytas Kriskus '12 is a rookie player Meehan touts as a skilled shooter "with good size and athleticism."

Rookie guards Jaime Shannon '12 and Tyrone Hughes '12-along with guard John Weldon '10-will figure in the mix to back up Roberson at point guard, according to Meehan.

The Judges are ranked ninth in the D3hoops.com preseason poll, but Meehan cautions not to take too much stock in these rankings.

"It's a nice thing, but ultimately, as I always say, it doesn't really matter [where you are ranked] 'til the end of the year," Meehan said.

The Judges' non conference schedule includes games against four 2008 NCAA Tournament participants in the first six games (see schedule, page 28).

"There's no real easy game in the first semester," Meehan said. "We're going to really have our hands full night in and night out."

Brandeis kicks off its season today on the road against 2008 NCAA Tournament first-round opponent Lasell College at 7 p.m.