Starting Five: Men’s Basketball’s 72nd Season

BOSTON – With less than a week away from Suffolk men's basketball 2018-19 season's opener – a matinee Saturday, Nov. 10 against Salve Regina inside the Rams' Regan Gymnasium – GoSuffolkRams.com has given Ram Nation a quick glimpse of five hot topics to watch out for in the 72nd edition of Suffolk's men's hoops. 

1. MILESTONE MOMENTS
   
   Senior Michael Hagopian and junior Thomas Duffy will each attempt to join Suffolk's 1,000 point club this season. Hagopian leads the duo with 930 career points, while Duffy, who is coming off a standout sophomore season in which he provided a team-best 16.9 ppg, has totaled 642.
   
   Hagopain also has the chance to check off another milestone, appearing in his 100th game in a Suffolk blue-and-gold jersey. The Watertown, Massachusetts, product is 21 games shy of the feat and would become the 16th player in the Rams' record book to take the hardwood in 100 or more games.
   
   
2. OFFENSIVE OUTPUT IS BACK
   
   Suffolk's core offensive unit from last season's team that posted the most victories (15) in over a decade returns with 97.0 percent of its 71.1 ppg back in uniform.
   
   The trio of junior Thomas Duffy (16.9 ppg), senior Michael Hagopian (14.6 ppg) and sophomore Brendan Mulson (11.8 ppg) led the way a year ago and look to do the same this season with help from senior Jim Djema (8.0 ppg) and junior George Grillakis (7.0 ppg).
   
   
3. DEFENSIVE MINDED
   
   Similar to the offensive numbers, Suffolk's defense, which limited the Rams' foes to 68.9 ppg, which stood second amongst its conference counterparts, welcomes back a bevy of talent as well.
   
   On the glass, 85.5 percent of the blue-and-gold's 32.4 rpg is back paced by Brendan Mulson's team-best 6.1 caroms per outing as a freshman.
   
   Suffolk notched 6.6 spg a year ago with 95.5 percent of that back in the line-up. Thomas Duffy (1.4 spg), Jim Djema (1.3 spg), Brendan Mulson (1.1 spg) and George Grillakis (1.0 spg) all have a knack for reading the passing lane.
   
   
4. NAPLES NOTES
   
   For the first time in the Jeff Juron era, Suffolk men's basketball will take its talents outside of the northeast on a team trip to the Sunshine State over the holiday break when it ventures to the Naples, Florida.
   
   The Rams' four-day trip features two games at the Naples Shootout when they will face Luther Saturday, Dec. 29 and Wells the following day, Sunday, Dec. 30.
   
5. HOW TO FOLLOW SUFFOLK MEN'S BASKETBALL IN 2018-19
   
   Family, fans and friends of Suffolk men's basketball can follow all of the action via the Athletic Department's website, GoSuffolkRams.com. Even game will be previewed and recapped with in-game live stats and video offered for every home event.
   
   Members of Ram Nation are also encouraged to stay up-to-date on the Rams' official social media sites, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and use the official hashtag #RamNation for an insider's look at Suffolk's team and student-athletes.
   
   For a more in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at Suffolk men's basketball, fans can follow the Rams on Instagram and Twitter @SuffolkMBB.