Rivier point guard Pharaoh Davis is a cornerstone of the program and is part of a core group returning from two years ago as the Raiders open their season tonight at Brandeis. (Photo courtesy of Rivier University)

NASHUA – In the past few years, Rivier University men’s basketball coach Lance Bisson could stand out in front of the Muldoon Center with a sign that could read “Help Wanted.”

Now, it wasn’t that bad, but depth was not exactly at a premium for the Raiders, who have been struggling most of this decade.

But lo and behold, Bisson has a roster of 19 players who are extremely eager to play their first competitive game in 21 months when the Raiders open the season tonight at Brandeis University.

Bottom line: Bisson had the time, and the players wanted a spot to play. Since the last time the Raiders played a game, they’ll take the floor tonight in Waltham, Mass. at 7 with 15 players who weren’t with the program back then.

“That was sort of the plan, to get our numbers up this year,” Bisson said. “We took advantage of not being able to play last year. A lot of my time that I’d normally put into game planning, and scouting was devoted to recruiting instead. Safe to say we’re starting to see some of the benefits of that time now.”

Bisson feels there’s definitely “a good mixture of potential” plus some experience.

And another thing the pandemic created over the last two years, besides extra eligibility: high transfer rates. Bisson estimates the rates are over 40 percent in college basketball right now, “and some of our more talented players are coming in from the transfer portal.”

Why? With extra eligibility increasing the returnee rate, some players found spots at a premium.

“We felt the benefit of that,” Bisson said, “and luckily we weren’t hit hard on campus with that at all.”

Key transfers for the Raiders include 6-6 multi-positional Miles Gillette from Washington, D.C. and 6-3 senior Will Parsons of Rowley, Mass. Bisson feels Gillette is the most talented player the program has had since last decade’s Tom Poitras, and Parsons is considered an elite scorer with size. “It’s not only their physical presence, it’s what they give us in experience,” Bisson said. “That can make a huge difference.”

Two other transfers are part of the rotation, 6-2 wing player Josef Buford of Charleston, S.C., and 6-2 forward Colin Boucher of North Reading,Mass., who came on board a year ago from Northen Essex CC.

The Raiders did play a semi-scrimmage at Division I UMass-Lowell on Tuesday, but the preseason gave them an idea of what they have.

“We really stuck to our guns, that (the time) would pay off and really focused on player development,” Bisson said. “We do have 10 freshmen, but fortunately we won’t be relying on any of them to be significant contributors.”

That’s because Bisson will use the core group of five returnees from two years ago and his four transfers to create a solid nine man rotation.

“That’s something that’s completely new to me,” Bisson said.

Leading the group of returnees is captain/point guard Pharaoh Davis, the 5-10 senior from Plainville, Mass. who Bisson has relied on in the past,calling him “uber talented.” He feels the time away from games helped Davis see the big picture from the point better.

There’s some height, too, in 6-7 junior center Nesta Davis of Manchester, Conn.

Besides the UMass-Lowell glorified scrimmage, which was 91-55 – not too different from other Division I vs. III opening night games – the Raiders have Maine-Augusta and Rhode Island College on the non-conference first semester docket. Riv has a home opening weekend vs. MCLA Saturday at 1 p.m. and Maine-Augusta Sunday at 1. The Raiders first Great Northeast Athletic Conference game is Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. Lasell.

“At the end of the month we’ll have a good gauge,” Bisson said.

Like the women, the GNAC is now split into two divisions, and in Bisson’s mind, “It could not have fallen better for Rivier basketball.”

That’s because the North Division Raiders get to play some more teams twice that they feel are at their level: Colby Sawyer, Norwich, Anna Maria, and St. Joseph’s of Maine. Teams play everyone in their division twice, and the others once, and top four in each division make the conference tournament. Riv gets to avoid having to play GNAC powers St. Joseph’s of Connecticut, Albertus Magnus and Johnson & Wales twice. All are in the South Division.

Circle Jan. 22 on your calendar. Nearly three years ago, Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun was slated to be on the bench guiding his St. Joseph’s Connecticut team, but an illness upon his arrival kept him off the floor and he watched the game on line from the trainers room. If he’s traveling, he’s due to coach his team at the Muldoon at 3 p.m. that day. The Raiders have already had meetings to go over the logistics of that event. Three years ago seats were sold along the baseline.

But that’s far off the radar right now for Bisson.

MASKS FOR BENCH, SPECTATORS

For most games – including all home games – spectators will be required to wear masks as well as coaches and players on the bench. In other words, everyone except the players actively playing in the game.

However, Bisson said at Lesley next month and also Albertus Magnus, the rules stipulate those players in the game wear them as well.

“There are still some hoops we have to jump through this year,” Bisson said.

But, it’s all a small sacrifice to get back on the floor and play.