The 2015-16 New York University men's basketball season opens this Sunday, November 15, when the Violets host SUNY Purchase at the Coles Sports Center at 3:00pm.
NYU will again be guided by veteran Head Coach Joe Nesci, who enters his 28th season with a 474-232 (.671) overall record. The Violets posted a 19-9 mark last season and advanced to the finals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Metro Championship.
On the court, the Violets will be led by First Team All-University Athletic Association forward Evan Kupferberg, one of four returning starters. The senior, who averaged career bests of 17.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game last season, enters '15-16 as a Sporting News preseason First Team All-America selection.
Joining Kupferberg in the frontcourt are a pair of returning senior starters, center Costis Gontikas and forward Patrick Burns. Last season, Gontikas was selected Honorable Mention All-UAA after averaging 12.5 points and 7.3 rebounds, while leading the team in blocks (44). Burns averaged career highs in points (6.4) and rebounds (5.2), while shooting at a 53.6 percent clip.
In the backcourt, sophomore Ross Udine led the Violets in assists (154) and captured UAA Co-Rookie of the Year honors. Senior Max Ralby will also be featured in the backcourt after averaging 3.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 2.4 assists in '14-15.
A pair of frontcourt seniors will be expected to contribute as forward Tony Bai, who appeared in 19 games last season, and center Brad Lahens, who played in 14, both return.
Junior guard Joe Timmes, who appeared in all 28 games last season and started seven, will see significant playing time in the backcourt. Also returning are sophomore forwards Francesco Cordioli and Landon Kupferberg, as well as sophomore guard David Katz.
Four newcomers join the squad for the '15-16 season.
Making his debut in the backcourt for the Violets will be 6-foot-1 Doug Gertner. Newcomers in the frontcourt include 6-foot-5 forwards Jay Murphy and Gaurav Goparaju, and Max Parks, a 6-foot-9 center.
In addition to the newcomers on the court, the NYU coaching staff also features some new faces, as assistants Taylor Roth, Conor Smith – a team member from 2012-15 – and Adam Parmenter make their debuts for the Violets, joining Nesci and long-time assistant Cal Ramsey on the sidelines.
