MEDFORD, MA (November 11, 2023) -- The Tufts University men's basketball opens its 2023-24 season this upcoming Sunday afternoon at Endicott College up in Beverly, Massachusetts, but the Jumbos enter this season with a slightly different look than in previous years.
The Jumbos graduated a very important senior class, which included three starters and the team's top scorer off the bench. That group featured All-American
Dylan Thoerner, who's finishing his career at Division I UC-Irvine, along with standout guards
Tyler Aronson,
Carson Cohen and
Theo Henry and big man
Kris Bortz. It was an successful group of seniors that helped Tufts to another NCAA Tournament bid in 2023.
Despite the departures, head coach
Brandon Linton and his coaching staff are excited about how the team has been competing so far in practice. "Practice has been really competitive so far, which is natural when you lose three starters," said Linton. "There is a lot of opportunities for minutes and new roles, and there's a lot of iron sharpening iron. Excited to see where our returners and how our first-years have implemented themselves in."
The Jumbos do still bring back a ton of contributors from last year's squad, and that group also includes players that are ready to step into larger roles. Tufts does bring back pretty much its entire front court rotation, one that includes both starting forwards in
Trumann Gettings and
Bobby Stewart. That pair combined for 52 starts in 2022-23, while Gettings was third on the team in scoring with 8.1 points per game.
When asked about the strengths of this year's squad, Linton mentioned that he thinks the squad has shown the willingness to work defensively while also looking to share the ball on offense. The balance that has become a staple to the Jumbo program looks like it will once again be on display in 2023-24. The leadership from the captains and upperclassmen has helped continue that for Tufts.
"I've been excited with the leadership from our older guys, they've fostered an environment of keeping each other accountable," said Linton. "You know,
Jay Dieterle had a big season as a sophomore but was hampered by injuries,
Casey McLaren has been a big part of this program for the last three years, so they've been doing a good job in those new roles."
Another reason that Tufts has had success is because of its competitiveness in scheduling and in practice. "We don't have opportunities to compete against anyone else prior to our first game, but guys are separating themselves now but we're constantly evaluating. What we start with now might not be what we end with this season."
When asked about goals, Linton mentioned that there are of course short term and long term goals. "Whenever someone wears the Tufts basketball uniform, there are goals to make the NCAA Tournament, win a NESCAC title, but those are long term goals. Our day-to-day goals are to embody our program, live our values everyday. If you can do that over a 190-day season, we'll be fine, but its relationships, competitiveness and trying to stack those one percents every day. That'll lead us in the right direction."
A position by position breakdown of the squad is below:
GUARD
As stated above, the Jumbos will be looking for an entire new backcourt this season but there are certainly strong options to step into those roles.
Junior
Khai Champion had a strong season off the bench for the Jumbos, as he played in 25 games while finishing fifth on the team in scoring with 7.9 points per game. He made 30 three-pointers, third on the squad, and also had nine games in double-figures in 2022-23. Champion is a strong offensive player that can score in transition and from behind the arc.
Senior
Jay Dieterle played in 18 games as a junior last season, but has been looking strong and healthy this year so far. While he averaged just around four points per game last year, Dieterle poured in 7.1 points per game back in 2021-23. A strong ball handler with high IQ, look for Dieterle to get more reps this season.
Fellow senior
Casey McLaren is a fantastic defender and has great size for a guard, though he can play the forward spot as well. McLaren is a strong shooter, making 26 threes last season, and he runs the floor exceptionally.
Sophomore
James Morakis had moments as a first-year player last year, including a strong performance against Yeshiva in a big road win. Morakis is the prototypical new-age point guard, as he can set up teammates while being able to fill it up himself.
Junior
Quinn Cain had one of the best shooting percentages on the squad last year as a sophomore, as the sharpshooter nailed 47.1 percent from three-point land. Cain is also a solid defender in space as well, and he will look for more opportunities this season as well.
Sophomore
Sidney Wooten is a lightning fast guard that is another scoring option, as his first step with the ball is among the best on the squad. Junior
Jackson Patton is also a high IQ guard that can knock down shots and handle the ball well.
Another sophomore,
Theo Liu, has had a strong preseason and his length and nose for the ball has shown up in practices. The lefty shooter is also very good in transition, and his length helps on defense.
Tufts brought in a bevy of guards to replace the departures, and Linton talked about how all four of them do different things.
Liam Kennelly is a tough, gritty guard from Rye, NY that is great at getting the team into the offense.
Jon Medley is a very impressive defender on and off the ball for the Jumbos, and has shown the ability to play within the scheme on offense and continues to make things happen in practice.
Dylan Reilly is a long, versatile scoring guard that uses his 6-6 frame well on offense, and has shown to be a great passer both on the perimeter and inside if he's used in the post against smaller guards.
Zion Watt is a guard and forward on the roster, but has shown a ton of potential due to his athleticism and length. Watt is an effective shooter, and has a chance to be an impact player this season and down the road.
Another wild card for the Tufts squad will be junior
Michael Berluti, who recently finished up his football season as the starting quarterback. The athletic guard is one of the best quarterbacks in Tufts football history, and his athleticism and competitive drive will make him someone to watch.
FORWARDS
The Jumbos do have most of their front court back from 2022-23, as the same four listed big guys from the rotation are back this season. The group of four all bring different skills and talents, which allows Linton to match-up well with other squads.
Trumann Gettings was a starting forward for the majority of the season last year, and he showcased his ability around the rim as he shot 51.3 percent on the season. Gettings is very athletic and can finish at the rim with two hands, while pulling in five rebounds per game as well last season.
Bobby Stewart is the glue guy that every team needs, as Stewart is a fantastic passer and defender in the post. The now-junior does all of the little things to help a team win, and his high basketball IQ was on display last year in 25 starts for the Jumbos.
A pair of now-sophomores came on late in the season and show a ton of promise for the present and future.
Joshua Bernstein finished his first year by forcing his way into the starting lineup as he shot a team-high 65.9 percent from the field, adding 4.4 rebounds per game in just 12 minutes a contest. The 6-10 center has shown that he could be a big problem for opposition this season.
Another player that flashed in the second semester last season was
Scott Gyimesi. The high energy forward missed some of the early going last year due to injury, but he came back strong to play in 16 minutes per game over 18 games, posting 5.3 points and 6.4 rebounds a game. Gyimesi is as tough as they come, and can score in a variety of ways.
Along with these four, look for Liu, Reilly, McLaren and Watt to get some time at the forward spot as well for the Jumbos.
COACHING STAFF
Brandon Linton is in his third season with the Jumbos, and he will be joined this year by a new pair of assistants in
James Holmes and
Chris Lydon. Lydon came over to the Tufts coaching staff after working at nearby Suffolk University, while Holmes joined the team after serving as an assistant at RPI. Both have already proved to be strong assets to the program.
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The Jumbos get their season underway Sunday, November 12 at 1 p.m. on the road at Endicott College.
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