The Geneseo men’s basketball team brings back 10 players from last year’s 14-13 team; the Blue Knights return their top five scorers and the players who combined for 75 percent of the team’s minutes last winter. Geneseo placed third in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) standings and reached the semifinals of the conference playoffs.

Leading the way is senior Ryan Riefenhauser (Dobbs Ferry/Dobbs Ferry), a second-team selection to the all-SUNYAC all-star team. The 6-3 forward led the Blue Knights in scoring (11.3 ppg), rebounding (7.0 rpg) and field-goal shooting (55.6) while ranking second in assists (79) and steals (28). Riefenhauser, who veteran coach Steve Minton (Heidelberg, ’86) calls one of the hardest workers the program has seen, serves as team captain along with Geneseo’s other senior, guard Marcus Hoy (Batavia/Batavia). Hoy led the team with 83 assists last season and will continue to be a top ball-handler and perimeter defender.

Five of the other six Blue Knights who averaged between 7.4 and 9.8 ppg are back this season, including junior forward Jordan Jones (Rochester/McQuaid). Jones, whose 9.8 ppg were second on the team, is the team’s best defensive player according to Minton. Junior guard Connor Fedge (Bellport/Bellport) earned third-team all-SUNYAC recognition last season after averaging 9.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

Sophomore forward Gordon Lyons (Amherst/Canisius) could step into a starting role after playing in every game a year ago. Lyons averaged 7.4 ppg and 4.9 rpg while playing just 19.5 minutes per contest. He shot 52.8 percent from the floor. Junior forward Matt Curry (Greenlawn/Harborfields) enjoyed a big second half after returning from an injury that ended his freshman season. Curry started 17 games and averaged 8.1 ppg while leading the Blue Knights in three-point baskets (28).

Another forward coming back from an injury, sophomore James McKenna (Huntington/St. Anthony’s), averaged 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds last season. He had been Geneseo’s top shooter from both the free-throw line and three-point range before missing the second half of the year. Junior Thomas Decker (White Plains/Archbishop Stepanic), a key backcourt reserve after missing time early last year, could step into the starting point guard spot. Decker made two starts as a sophomore.

Contributing to the depth that Minton points to as a plus are two sophomores who could become significant contributors. Guard Andy Drescher (Fayetteville/Christian Brothers Academy) played in 22 games off the bench as a rookie and Devon Anderson (Plattsburgh/Beekmantown) saw limited minutes in the frontcourt.

Six newcomers join the Blue Knights: sophomores Calvin Floyd (New Hartford/New Hartford) and Connor Rogers (Liverpool/Liverpool) and first years Mike Callaghan (Baldwin/Holy Trinity), Connor Keenan (East Amherst/Williamsville East), Dennis Oralls (Norwich/Norwich) and Kevin Zabransky (Huntington/Harborfields).

The Blue Knights tip off the season Saturday, Nov. 17 at #27 New York University.