ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan University men's basketball team has reached the semifinals of the East Coast Conference Championship each of the past three seasons.
The Redhawks open their 2023-24 season tonight against Goldey-Beacom College in the East Region Challenge presented by WNY Knee and Orthopedic Surgery at Daemen University.
Roberts, which went 10-16 last season, returns just one starter from last year's squad and welcomes 10 new players to the roster. Preseason practices have been intense and head coach Mark Saladzius expects players to continue to compete for opportunities throughout the season.
"We're just looking for effort, energy and communication and making sure that those three things remain fundamental pieces for us," said Saladzius, who is entering his fifth full season as head coach at his alma mater.
Here are five things to know about the Redhawks:

READY TO GO

Despite having so many new faces, Saladzius says the Redhawks have grown close as a team throughout the preseason and feel "connected." That being said, they are eager for some new challenges after squaring off against each other in practice and scrimmages for several weeks.
"We are definitely ready to play somebody different," Saladzius said during a mid-week practice.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

The Redhawks plan to press and run throughout the season, which means players will have the opportunity to earn minutes.
Last season 13 players averaged more than 10 minutes per game and although the rotation will vary from game to game, several players will see the floor in each contest.
"We have to play a lot of guys with the style that we play," Saladzius said. "There will be days when we play nine or 10 players and days where we play 12 or 13. We will continue to try to put pressure on our opponents and to speed them up and wear them down."

WHO RETURNS?

Senior guard Malik Brooks led Roberts in scoring (12.6 points per game) last season and was a first-team selection by the Rochester chapter of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
Graduate student Ben Lekeuneu, who made 13 starts, senior Jean Aristil (2.4 ppg), and sophomore Ryan Garwood (4.6 ppg) also return and will serve as team captains this season. Junior Anastasios Zetos (5.3 ppg) and sophomore Ryan Hudson (4.6 ppg) are also back. Sophomores Trey Kleitz and Spencer Glenn are also eager for action after redshirting last season.

WHO'S NEW?

The Redhawks will also welcome seven newcomers who bring a combination of experience and youth.
Juniors Isaiah Elmore and Kevin Constant played at LeMoyne last season and junior Jermaine Taggart joins the Redhawks after attending the College of Saint Rose. Senior guard Marlon Pratt Jr., a native of St. Louis, comes to Roberts after spending time at Montgomery Community College.
The freshman class includes two players from Massachusetts, Marat Belhouchet, a 5-10 guard, and Jonald Joseph, a 6-6 forward, and Elijah Edwards, a  6-6 forward from California.

WHAT DOES THE SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?

The Redhawks will face a challenging non-conference schedule before jumping into ECC play.
One of the most intriguing matchups is a trip to Division I University at Buffalo on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Although the game is an exhibition for the Redhawks, it will count as a regular-season game for the Bulls.
Roberts plays its first home game on Nov. 18 against Mercyhurst and opens its ECC schedule at home against D'Youville on Nov. 29. The regular season concludes with a home game against Daemen on March 2.