WBRS Sports Blog

*(Photo by Ravi Kotecha / SportsPix)

To say that Brandeis has been waiting a long time for this game would be an understatement. At a school starving for something to raise school spirit and bring everyone together, Saturday's game against Amherst is really what everyone has been waiting for. Yes, Brandeis did lose to UMass-Dartmouth in OT on Thursday, dropping their record to 7-1; and yes, Brandeis will once again be without their star forward, Steve DeLuca. But the squad has still showed a lot of grit and determination, coming from behind in almost half of their victories this season. The Judges are still #3 in the nation, and a win Saturday against top-ranked Amherst College, the defending D3 National Champion will most likely still put the Judges at the #1 spot heading into the semester break, a place the team has never ever been. Red Auerbach Arena is gonna be packed tomorrow, and the crowd will certainly be ready. But what do the Judges need to do if they are to spring the upset and hand the Lord Jeffs their first loss of the season?

One big key for the Judges will be strong play all-around on the inside. Amherst boasts four seniors who stand 6'6'' or taller, three of whom score in double figures. The Judges are going to need sophomore forward Terrell Hollins, who leads the team at both scoring and rebounding (17 and 6 respectively) to have a huge game. But Hollins has had a propensity for getting in foul trouble this year, and he needs to stay on the court for the Judges to have a chance. Senior center Stephen Hill needs to step up around Hollins, especially on the boards, to help combat the Lord Jeffs size. Also look for Judges Coach Brian Meehan to bring in sophomore Rich Magee and freshman Napoleon Lherrison for more bodies, and fouls, on the interior.

In the backcourt, there's not much else to be said about Amherst senior Andrew Olson. He's as good as it gets for the division 3 level. Think of him as a cross between Steve Nash and Jason Kidd - yes he's that good. But what the Judges do have on Amherst in the backcourt is depth. Seniors Kwame Graves-Fulgham and Joe Coppens both average in double figures. Sophomore Andre Roberson is also contributing over 10 a game off the bench, and senior Florian Rexhepi leads the squad in assists at almost 4 a contest. Also expect to see a lot of Kevin Olson, one of the Judges best shooters, especially if Coppens is hobbled by a recent injury. If the Judges are to slow down Andrew Olson, whose not 100% himself, it is going to take a total team effort to tire him out. The Judges 2-2-1 full court press will probably play a big role in that attempt.

Whatever happens tomorrow, it should be an outstanding game. The crowd is expected to be one of the largest, loudest, and rowdiest in school history, and a win would do wonders for school spirit. But will that be enough to get the Judges over the hump? It's gonna be tough. It's too bad neither team is coming into this game at full strength, because until then we won't really know who is the best in New England, and maybe the country. Tomorrow's game will go a long way to determining that - but I have a feeling we won't know for sure who is the best until both teams meet again, at full strength, sometime in late March....