Men's Basketball to Host Mercy and Franklin Pierce to Begin 2024-25

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The University of Bridgeport's men's basketball team will begin its 2024-25 season this weekend (Nov. 8-10) with a pair of home games. The Purple Knights will host Mercy University on Friday night (7 p.m.) before tipping off against Franklin Pierce University on Sunday (5 p.m.)

THE OPENERS
Bridgeport will start its new campaign with a pair of non-conference home games against Mercy and Franklin Pierce while also hosting a pair of neutral site contests. The schedule for this weekend is below:

Friday, Nov. 8
Franklin Pierce vs. Post – 5 PM
Bridgeport vs. Mercy – 7 PM
Sunday, Nov. 10
Mercy vs. Post – 12:30 PM
Bridgeport vs. Franklin Pierce – 5 PM

Fans can watch all of this weekend's games on the Purple Knights Sports Network.

THE SUNDAY FESTIVITIES
Prior to Sunday's game against Franklin Pierce, Bridgeport will be "retiring" jerseys from a trio of Purple Knight legends. Manute Bol, Lambert Shell and Steve Ray will all be forever entrenched in the rafters of Hubbell Gymnasium. The pregame ceremony is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday (11/10).

SCOUTING THE RAVENS AND MAVERICKS
FPU is led by former Bridgeport coach, Mike Ruane, who spent 22 seasons at the helm of UB men's basketball from 2000-2022. He led the Purple Knights to 11 NCAA Tournaments and more than 400 wins during that time.

Ruane's first squad at Franklin Pierce last season went 4-25 with two of those wins coming against Jefferson and Caldwell. The Ravens were picked to finish 11th in the NE10 this season.

Mercy, meanwhile, is led by former UB Associate Head Coach (2021-22) Chris Watts, who is now in his third season. The Mavericks registered a 2-24 record a year ago.

THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE
After their first two games at home, the Purple Knights will hit the road for four straight non-conference contests. UB will play a pair of NE10 schools (AIC, Pace) and a pair of ECC programs (Staten Island, STAC).

Following six non-conference matchups to begin the year, UB will play its conference opener at home on Dec. 3 against Bloomfield.

UB's non-conference slate features eight games against NE10 foes and three versus ECC opponents. The Purple Knights will end up playing five teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season.  

CACC PRESEASON POLL
The Purple Knights were picked to finish sixth in the CACC's North Division according to the preseason coaches' poll released on Oct. 31. UB finished sixth in the standings a year ago with a conference record of 5-11.

Post was selected by the coaches to win the North Division while Jefferson was voted atop the South Division.

THE RETURNERS
Bridgeport brings back 12 players from its 2023-24 roster. Nick Traill and Caleb Jacobs serve as UB's top returners in terms of production.

Traill led the Purple and White in both assists (4.0) and steals (2.0) last season while Jacobs put together averages of 5.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

THE NEWCOMERS
The latest edition of the Purple Knights features 10 new players, including nine transfers from all three NCAA Divisions. Three of UB's newcomers (Justin Hendrick, Damon Williams, Jason Edokpayi) come from in-state Division II foe, University of New Haven.

Bridgeport's 2024 roster is composed of three graduate students, four seniors, four juniors, one red-shirt junior, three red-shirt sophomores, and three red-shirt freshmen.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING (Quotes)

Kranthi "Krunch" Senadhi – Head Coach, 3^rd Year

"In my first two seasons as head coach, we were able to improve each year with double-digit win totals. Now, heading into my third year, we are looking to make drastic improvements as a program. We return 12 players and added 10 more, nine of which are transfers. The future is bright, and we are excited about the student-athletes in our program!"

Caleb Jacobs, Senior Guard

"As we enter this basketball season, we're fired up and ready to compete. We respect the game and our opponents, but we're here to make a statement. Go UB Purple Knight nation!"

Nick Traill, Senior Guard

"Heading into the 24-25 season, we are very motivated and ready to compete with anybody. Valuing hard work and togetherness is going to make us great as we look to make an impact in the CACC. Go Purple Knights!"

Greg Langston, Assistant Coach

"As we head into the new season, our focus is simple, play with 100% effort on both ends, keep the basketball moving, play with heart and mental toughness, and always compete. If we do that on a night-to-night basis, then we will live with the results! Every game is an opportunity to prove what we've built together, and I'm excited to see what the finished product with this team will be!"

Jerry Washington, Assistant Coach

"Coming into this season, everyone is hungry and ready to get after it. I believe we have a great group with our returners and transfers. Our preseason has been highly competitive and a great learning experience for everyone. Hopefully we can have a great year."

FOLLOW ALONG
For all information regarding Bridgeport Athletics, log on to www.UBKnights.com and follow UB Athletics on Facebook (UBPurpleKnights), Twitter (@UBPurpleKnights) and Instagram (@UBPurpleKnights).