MADISON, N.J. - With a large portion of last year's team remaining intact, hopes are high for the Drew University men's basketball team in 2018-19.
 
Led by 11th-year head coach Darryl Keckler, the Rangers bring back 13 players, including four starters, from last year's squad that reached both the Landmark Conference and ECAC playoffs, finishing the year 16-11 (9-5 LC).
 
In the Landmark Conference preseason poll, the Rangers have been predicted by the conference's eight head coaches to finish second this season.
 
"Experience and depth are two things we will rely on this year," said Keckler, who recorded his 100th career victory late last season. "Collectively, we are very unselfish and willing to do the little things.
 
"This team is a lot of fun to work with," continued Keckler. "Our upperclassmen and leaders love to be in the gym, and I'm really looking forward to this season with them."
 
The Rangers made their mark as a prolific offensive squad last season, finishing second in the Landmark Conference in scoring with 82.9 points per game and closing the year with a 110-point showing in an overtime loss to Neumann University. The team graduated leading scorer Yonathan Napoleon (18.8 ppg), but return another offensive juggernaut in junior guard Riley Collins, who poured in 18.0 points per game a year ago. Collins (6-0) drained 68 3-pointers and shot 78.1 percent at the foul line while leading the Rangers in assists (105) and steals (59). He earned Second Team All-Landmark Conference and Third-Team All-Metropolitan honors.
 
Two additional starters return to join Collins in a deep and experienced backcourt. Senior Darius Reiter (6-3) netted 8.1 points per game a year ago while connecting on 54 triples while classmate Dan Roibal (6-3) posted 6.9 points per game and dished out 65 assists.
 
Five other returners and four freshmen will provide Keckler with a plethora of options at guard. Junior Mike Boice (6-3) played in all 27 games last season and averaged 3.7 points per game off the bench. Also returning are senior Bobby Ganges (6-2), junior Cole Hanntz (6-2), sophomore Jereme Johnson (6-0), and sophomore Dylan Musial (6-0). Freshmen Drew Gallagher (5-8), David Gervase (6-3), Kevin Griffith (6-0), and Jake Tarabokija (6-2) will also bolster the backcourt.
 
Leading the way in the post will be senior Nate Aldrich (6-6), who averaged a double-double last season with 13.0 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. He also led the Rangers in blocked shots (37) and shot 55.2 percent from the field.
 
Senior Sky Harris (6-3) also returns to the frontcourt after netting 7.3 points per game off the bench a year ago. Other returning forwards include senior Chatham Studer (6-5), senior Malachi Walker (6-6), junior Brian Oehme (6-5), and sophomore Kyle Rebelo (6-4). Freshman Mathew Capozzoli (6-3) will provide an additional option in the post.
 
The Rangers open the season on Tuesday, when they visit cross-town rival FDU-Florham at 7 p.m. in a non-conference match-up. Drew plays its season opener on Friday, when it takes on Wheaton (Mass.) College at 6 p.m. in the first-round of the Larry Horner C'40 Rose City Classic. Dickinson College and Washington and Lee University will also compete in the tournament. The team's Landmark Conference opener is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1 at 3 p.m.