2009-10 SCHEDULE RELEASED, NEAL ONE OF MANY READY TO MAKE PRIDE TCCC CHAMPIONS

updated Oct. 26, 2009 11:50 a.m.

Weston, Mass.-Entering its third season as a varsity sport, the Regis College men's basketball program released its 2009-10 schedule to www.GoRegisPride.com. A highlight of the 2008 season was Regis defeating then ranked No. 13 Elms College 66-63.

The Pride will host 11 games in 2009, which also includes its annual Park Lodge Tournament Dec. 11-12. "Our schedule is flat out brutal," says head coach Nathan Hager (Franklin, Pa.).

"We made a point to put ourselves in a position to be ready for Jan. 9 (Colby-Sawyer College)." Regis will compete with some of the top basketball programs throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic.

"Every league game is important," says Hager. "The University of New England will have a target on its back because they are the champs."

Regis faces the TCCC defending champions Jan. 28, but opens its regular season schedule playing host to Lesley University on Nov. 16.

The Pride competes in the Oki Data Americas Tournament (Chester, Pa) Nov. 20-21, where possible opponents will be Rowan(NJ) and Widener University.

As for its Park Lodge Tournament, Regis hosts Westfield State, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), which advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament in 2009, and Gwynedd-Mercy College.

"We're a veteran team," Hager remarks. Regis returns with 13 of its team members from its 10-14, 4-9 TCCC 2008-09 season.

Two of its impact players that return are James Cooper (Philadelphia, Pa), and Derrick Neal (Boston, Mass.), an All-TCCC Second Team member last season.

"He (Derrick) should have a tremendous impact this season," Hager retorts. "He's hungry."

Neal ranked third in the TCCC in scoring, tallying 17.8 PPG. Known throughout the conference as a three-point shooter, Neal shot better than 39 percent from behind the arc last season.

Cooper, one of two seniors on the team, was an immediate boost to the Regis backcourt in his first-year with the program. He tied fourth in the TCCC in assists averaging 4.25 assists per game.

Senior Jesse Vega (Pawtucket, R.I.) will return in the front court where Vega was the top offensive rebounder in 2008-09, and sits in the top five of every statistical category.

A team is only as good as the players coming off of its bench, and Regis will certainly play with some depth this season. With a total of 17 players on the roster, Regis will have two standouts ready to make the Pride championship worthy.

Freshman Ndubisi Ezeigwe (Brockton, Mass.) of St. Andrew's is a tall, strong, and persistent forward that will give slower, less aggressive post players a headache with his raw athleticism.

Ezeigwe can battle underneath the basket, or step out to the wings to use his speed and drive.

Also joining the program is Darrin Kelley (South Dennis, Mass.), an Elms College transfer that adds depth to the Regis backcourt. Kelley is a talented guard with an ability to shoot, and quickness to drive to the basket.

"Both come from great programs, and have a very high basketball I.Q.," Hager remarks.

With the new additions and a talented group of returnees slated to open the season Nov. 16, every game will be a contest for the ages. The Pride is young, but with that youth comes determination and hunger to prove something.

For more information on Regis College men's basketball or any of the athletic programs at Regis College, visit www.GoRegisPride.com.