Binghamton Basketball Opens Regular Season at Loyola, Md

The Binghamton Bearcats men's basketball team begins their Division I regular season Friday night at Loyola, Md versus the Loyola Greyhounds, members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.  It's the first meeting between the two teams.  The Greyhounds are coming off a 24-9 season and were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament by Ohio State.  The Bearcats, under new coach Tommy Dempsey, look to right the ship after a season that produced just two victories.

The Bearcats have Sr Guard and Binghamton High product Jimmy Gray back .  Gray will get plenty of minutes at both the point and shooting guard.  Another Sr....Taylor Johnston is hopefully of getting more minutes in a new offense that will fuel on perimeter shooting, the strong suit for the 6-7 Forward.

Several newcomers have looked impressive in the pre-season.  Two 6-8 transfer Forwards are expected to bolster play in the paint. Brian Freeman from Clinton, Md and Roland Brown from Queens, NY will see plenty of action along with returning Jr Alex Ogundadegbe, another 6-8 Forward.

In the backcourt another newcomer and Fordham transfer is Rayner Moquette.  Moquette will play the point when Gray is moving to the shooting guard spot.

The Bearcats learned earlier today that suspended Forward Javon Ralling has been reinstated to the basketball program.  He will be able to practice and participate in all team activities but will serve a four-game suspension.  He will able to play in game competition when the Bearcats host St. Peter's on November 18.  Ralling pleaded not guilty to charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest stemming from and October 7 incident.  His pleas was accepted by the court with two conditions. He must complete 80 hours of community service and the initial charges will be dropped after six months if he is not charged with another crime during that period.

Once again all Binghamton Bearcats men's and women's games can be heard on News Radio 1290 WNBF.  Roger Neel returns for his 15th season as radio voice of the men's team.  Binghamton Mets play- by- play voice Tim Heiman takes over the reins as the voice of BU women's basketball.  Airtime tomorrow night from Loyola is 720 PM.