Bryant Bulldogs: College Hoops return, as Bryant heads into their second season with Coach Phil Martelli Jr, and a third season in the America East.

It was a tumultuous season that turned out to be fairly positive. Longtime assistant, Coach Phil Martelli Jr took over the program, after the departure of Jared Grasso. The sudden change didn't stop the program, and the Bulldogs achieved a 20-13 overall record. The 2023-24 season included two players earning All-America East honors, a ranked win over FAU, a double OT victory against Towson at UBS, and single-season records in total points, rebounds, blocks, steals, and assists, finishing second nationally in blocks with an impressive 6.5 per game. On paper, you count that as a win. Now, the goal is to return to the Big Dance, and the Bulldogs have established the foundation in which success will be built.

The Bulldogs made their trip to the America East tournament, but fell to UMass Lowell in the semifinals. It's a rivalry that is brewing within the conference, while Vermont still sits as the team to beat. But all of that is just words on a screen, and the results from last spring are the past.

Today marks the next chapter of the Martelli era. The Bulldogs are fortunate enough to bring back a 'Conference Player of the Year' frontrunner in Earl Timberlake. The 2x All-America East forward is destined to continue his success after averaging a near double-double last season. He is joined by Rafael Pinzon, a dominant scorer for the Bulldogs. The towering duo also have a few key players returning to the squad including Kvonn Cramer, Connor Withers, Aaron Davis, Keyshawn Mitchell, and Josh Ozabor. All will likely play a pivotal role in this year's campaign.

As the landscape of College Hoops has evolved, the transfer portal has been the rejuvenating point for programs. Bryant brought in a solid crew of transfers including Barry Evans (St. Bonaventure), Devean Williams (Canisius), Kam Farris (Marist), Favour Aire (Penn State) and Jakai Robinson (Miami).  

Over the past few years, Smithfield has become a home for high-scoring and league leading guards. Peter Kiss, Charles Pride, and Sherif Gross-Bullock all blossomed into stars at Bryant, so which back court remember will make the jump this season? All isgns have it pointing to Pinzon, who ended last year on a tear, averaging 25.3 ppg over his final four games. Or will this offensive spark come from a newcomer? We will find that out soon enough.

The schedule boasts a variety of interesting matchups, including a pair of A10 games in St. Bonaventure and Fordham, a visit with Coach Rick Pitino and St. John's, an Ocean State rivalry game against Brown, a dance with Grand Canyon, and a rematch in the BBB Pod Cup Championship against Towson. Conference play kicks off verse Maine on January 4th. As for predictions, the Bulldogs were voted to end third, trailing narrowly behind UMass Lowell and Vermont.