Men's Basketball Kicks off 2013-14 Season at Bentley Tip-Off Classic

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MERRIMACK OPENS 2013-14 SEASON AGAINST WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY AND CONCORDIA COLLEGE

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NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College men's basketball team kicks off the 2013-14 campaign at the annual Bentley Tip-Off Classic in Waltham, Mass. The Warriors will debut against Wilmington University Friday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. Action will continue Saturday, Nov. 9 when the Navy and Gold takes on Concordia College at 6 p.m.

The Basics
 Game 1: Friday Nov. 8, 2013 | 6 p.m.
Records: Merrimack (0-0) | Wilmington (0-0)
Location: Dana Center| Waltham, Mass.

Game 2: Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 | 6 p.m.
Records: Merrimack (0-0) | Concordia (0-0)
Location: Dana Center |Waltham, Mass.

Last Season

The Warriors are coming off a 12-win campaign during the winter of 2012-13, one that included a 9-13 mark in conference play, just one game shy of making it to the Northeast-10 Conference Championship.

Merrimack returns three of last year's top-five scorers, including Northeast-10 All-Rookie Team member Gelvis Solano (New York, N.Y.) and backcourt mate JT Strickland (Lauren, Md.), as well as rising senior and team captain Kevin Regan (Philadelphia, Pa.).

In the Warriors last game, the Navy and Gold defeated Northeast-10 foe Franklin Pierce, 69-62. Shooting 43.5 percent from the floor, the Warriors enjoyed a fine shooting performance overall but were even better from long range: the hosts finished 8-of-18 (.444) from downtown, compared to a woeful 4-of-23 (.174) mark for Franklin Pierce. Merrimack was not very opportunistic either with its free throw opportunities, finishing the night just 7-of-18 (.389) from the line.

Notes and Notables: Bentley Tip Off Classic

  • This will be the 10th time that Merrimack has participated in the Bentley Tip-Off Classic (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2012). 
  • The Warriors have won nine straight at this tourney (one in 2002 and sweeps in 2004, 2010, 2011 and 2012). 

The Warriors:

  • The Warriors have been chosen to finished seventh in the Northeast Division in the NE-10 Preseason Poll.
  • Solano averaged 13.8 points per game, as well as one of the top 3-point shooters in the conference, finishing with a 37.5 percent clip from downtown.
  • Strickland ranked first on the team and second in the Northeast-10 Conference with 144 total assists, while ranking nationally in the top-20 in assists.
  • Senior captain Kevin Regan averaged 8.7 ppg and ranked third on the team in rebounds (5.8 rpg).
  • Troy Hammel (Valencia, Calif.) boasted a side-best 86.2 percent from the line on the year.

Scouting the Wilmington University Wildcats:

  • Coming off a 6-19 overall record last season.
  • The Wildcats have been chosen to finish in sixth place within the CACC.
  • Top returning scorer, Herbert Dennis netted 12.8 points a game and had a team-best 118 assists and 29 steals.
  • The Wildcats have added a number of new players, including six-foot-seven transfer Ta'Vaune Griffin, who averaged 10.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks for Division III Neumann.

Scouting the Concordia College Clippers:

  • Coming off a 13-15 overall record a year ago.
  • The Clippers have been chosen to finish in fifth place within the CACC.
  • The team lost three of its four double-figure scorers, but returns standout senior guard Norman Pope.
  • Pope earned second-team All-CACC honors after averaging 17.5 points and amassing 100 assists and 38 steals.

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For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.

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