ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team is set to kick off the highly anticipated 2024-25 season at home, facing off against rival Allegheny on Friday, Nov. 8. The exciting matchup is scheduled to commence at 7 p.m. in the state-of-the-art Junker Center, ready to host a thrilling evening of collegiate basketball.
Coverage:
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Behrend News & Notes:
* The Lions concluded an impressive 2023-24 season, finishing with a commendable 21-8 overall record and a stellar 14-4 in the conference, earning the title of Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Co-Regular Season Champion.
* Behrend’s journey in the postseason saw them fall short, with an 80-69 defeat to La Roche in the conference championship; however, the team was subsequently awarded a bid to the prestigious Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC).
* After a nail-biting double-overtime battle in the ECAC Semifinals against Juniata, the Lions were edged out with a score of 93-86, showcasing their resilience and determination throughout the playoff run.
* Reigning AMCC Player of the Year, Tommy DiRienzo, has once again been recognized as the 2024-25 AMCC Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year, highlighting his critical role in the team’s success.
* Last season, DiRienzo’s exceptional performance earned him a place on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 7 First Team, as well as accolades from the ECAC First Team and D3hoops.com All-Region Third Team. His talent also secured him spots on the 2024 AMCC All-Tournament Team and the All-Academic Team, establishing him as a well-rounded player.
* As a team, Behrend has been projected to secure the runner-up position in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll, closely trailing behind the defending champion La Roche, indicating high expectations for the upcoming season.
* In addition to DiRienzo, junior Matthew McDonough, hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, has received recognition as a Preseason Player to Watch, having earned an All-AMCC Second Team selection last season.
* The Lions are enthusiastic about the addition of seven newcomers, comprising six freshmen and one transfer, complementing a solid returning roster of 11 players, including three of last season’s five starters. The team’s top three leading scorers from the previous campaign, DiRienzo (18.7 ppg), McDonough (14.3 ppg), and junior Mason Blankenberg (Ontario, NY/Wayne) (10.2 ppg), are all returning, bolstering their offensive capabilities.
* Head coach Dave Niland, beginning his impressive 30th season at the helm, is poised to lead the team with his extensive experience. Niland will also benefit from the support of new sideline personnel, RJ Marsh, who is stepping into his first year as a full-time assistant, and Malike Brinson, who joins as a volunteer assistant, adding fresh energy to the coaching staff.
* Both Marsh and Brinson are proud former student-athletes of Behrend, bringing valuable insights and familiarity to their roles under Niland’s mentorship.
Meet the Opposition:
* Allegheny enters the competition after being projected to finish 11th in the 2024-25 Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Preseason Coaches’ Poll, following a challenging previous season that saw them record a 6-19 overall and a 4-16 conference tally.
* Guards Luke Barker and Ryan Lang are both recognized as PAC Preseason Players To Watch, suggesting they will play pivotal roles in the Gators’ season strategy.
* Barker, who was honored as a 2022-23 All-PAC Honorable Mention, led his team last season with an average of 13.7 points and 3.0 assists per game, showcasing his scoring and playmaking abilities. Additionally, he was tied for first on the team with 1.2 steals per game, demonstrating his defensive proficiency.
* Lang contributed significantly last season, starting all but one contest, and achieved career bests in rebounds (4.4) and assists (2.7) per game, in addition to averaging 11.2 points per game, establishing himself as a key player.
* In a fresh start for the Gators, first-year head coach Pat Sullivan was appointed to lead the men’s basketball program this past April. He brings a wealth of experience after spending a decade on the coaching staff at Wabash College, looking to instill a new vision and drive for success in Allegheny basketball.
Series History:
* Historically, Behrend leads the all-time series against Allegheny with a record of 21-17, dating back to the 1972-73 season, underscoring a competitive rivalry that spans decades.
* The Lions and Gators have evenly split their last four matchups since the 2019-20 season, reflecting a balanced contest between these two teams.
* Last season, Allegheny emerged victorious in their meeting with Behrend, having secured a win with a score of 73-67, setting the stage for an exciting rematch this season.
**Interview with Coach Dave Niland of the Penn State Behrend Men’s Basketball Team**
**Interviewer:** Coach Niland, thank you for joining us today as the team prepares for the upcoming season. The opening game against Allegheny is always a big event. What are your thoughts as you gear up for this matchup?
**Dave Niland:** Thank you for having me! We’re really excited about the season ahead, and starting with Allegheny is always a great way to kick things off. It’s a rivalry that brings a lot of energy, and our players are eager to show what they can do. Normally, the first game sets the tone for the rest of the season, so we want to make sure we come out strong.
**Interviewer:** Looking back at last season, it was quite a journey for the Lions. You finished with a commendable 21-8 record and earned the title of AMCC Co-Regular Season Champion. What do you think were the key factors in achieving that success?
**Dave Niland:** I think it really came down to teamwork and resilience. The players had a strong chemistry on and off the court, which translated into our play. Our star, Tommy DiRienzo, played a huge role, earning numerous accolades, but it’s important to mention the contributions from our entire roster. Each player brought something unique that allowed us to succeed.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of Tommy, he’s been recognized as the AMCC Preseason Player of the Year again. How crucial is he to your game plan this season?
**Dave Niland:** Tommy is an invaluable asset. His scoring ability and leadership on the court significantly impact our performance. Knowing his capabilities, we plan to put him in positions where he can excel and lead us. However, he also knows that the team’s success hinges on collective effort, so we’re aiming to get everyone involved.
**Interviewer:** You have seven newcomers joining the team this year alongside a solid returning roster. How do you plan to integrate them into the team dynamics?
**Dave Niland:** Integration is key, and we’ve been focusing on building chemistry from day one. It’s essential for the newcomers to understand our systems and for the returning players to help them acclimate. We’ve been implementing team-building exercises and incorporating them in practice to ensure they feel like part of the family from the beginning.
**Interviewer:** You’re entering your 30th season with the program. What continues to motivate you and keep your passion alive for coaching?
**Dave Niland:** The love for the game and the players keeps me going. Watching young men grow, not just as athletes but as individuals, is incredibly rewarding. Each year presents new challenges and opportunities to learn, and that dynamic aspect of coaching is what fuels my passion. Plus, working with dedicated individuals like RJ Marsh and Malike Brinson on our coaching staff brings a fresh energy that keeps things exciting.
**Interviewer:** That sounds great! Lastly, what message do you have for the fans as the season kicks off?
**Dave Niland:** Our fans are an essential part of our success. We’re thrilled to have them in the Junker Center to support us. I encourage everyone to come out, make some noise, and be a part of this journey with us. We’re committed to giving our best effort every game, and with the fans behind us, I believe we can achieve wonderful things this season.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Niland. We look forward to an exciting season ahead!
**Dave Niland:** Thank you! We can’t wait to get started. Go Lions!
