J-term is upon us, and that means Pepin is going to be filled to the brim for NESCAC basketball season (last year, Middlebury led the NESCAC in home attendance). For most attendees, this week’s slate of home games (January 7 vs. Plattsburgh, January 10 vs. Bates, January 12 vs. Tufts) will be the first look at this year’s team. Luckily for you, we’ve been watching this year’s team since they were scrimmaging in September. Here’s a viewer’s guide to the 2013-14 roster for the casual fan.

(15) JOEY KIZEL – You know Joey Kizel. Middlebury’s star point guard, a preseason First Team All-American, the captain has already established himself as an all-time Middlebury great. His late game heroics are legendary, and a few more magic moments are surely in store for his senior season.

(33) JAMES JENSEN – A relentless fighter and a tremendous athlete, the senior thrives in the big home game environment. On defense, he will match up against point guards, centers, and everyone in between. When the team’s offense stagnates, Jensen attacks the basket, unmatched in his ability to finish and get to the free throw line.

(55) JACK ROBERTS – Middlebury’s senior enforcer in the middle, the 6’8″ Roberts is at his best playing defense on the block. Watch his balance and timing as he stifles opposing big men.

(11) MATT ST. AMOUR – A Vermonter from Missisquoi Valley High School, the freshman St. Amour is the face of the future. The two-time Vermont Player of the Year, and career 2,000-point scorer, turned down a guaranteed roster spot from UVM (D1) to come here. He is as talented of a player as this program has ever seen.

(24) HUNTER MERRYMAN – Merryman burst onto the scene last year with his scorching hot outside shooting. Now a junior, Merryman boasts a complete offensive game and can create his own shot just about anywhere on the court.

(22) NATE BULLUCK – Bulluck, a senior, is a core reserve for this team who was set back with a knee injury last January. He comes off the bench, can guard top scorers, has a nice outside shot, is effective at drawing fouls when he attacks the basket.

(23) MATT DALEY – A sophomore who hardly played last season, Daley is the next star in the Middlebury front court. Long enough to play center, but dangerous enough facing the basket to play on the perimeter, Daley can take over a game when everything is clicking. His play will largely determine Middlebury’s success this season.

(41) DYLAN SINNICKSON – Sinnickson is an exceptional outside shooter with a high release point. The 6’5″ junior missed all of last season with a broken arm, and will have to work his way back into the rotation after missing seven games earlier this winter. The best athlete on the team, if Sinnickson gets into the open court on a fast break, he will bring the house down.

(35) JAKE NIDENBERG – Nidenberg, a sophomore, was one of the pleasant surprises of the fall semester. He finds ways to score with a nice post game, underrated athleticism, and good touch around the basket.

(5) JAKE BROWN – The nephew of head coach Jeff Brown, Jake has earned a spot as the back-up point guard as a freshman. At this point in his career, it’s hard to know if any given possession of his will produce a highlight-reel pass, acrobatic reverse layup, or careless turnover. The growing pains will continue, but he can make you forget about them pretty quickly when he is on point.

(43) CHRIS CHURCHILL – In and out of the rotation this fall, the junior is still inconsistent on offense, but can affect the opponents’ offensive rhythm with his size and rebounding ability.

(10) CONNOR HUFF – A sophomore wingman, Huff has has earned a spot on the periphery of the rotation with a nice outside jumper, gritty defense, and improvement handling the ball.

(14) DEAN BRIERLEY – Good at everything but not great at anything, the junior can be counted on to provide steady offense and defense on the perimeter, but won’t see big minutes unless he takes his outside shooting up a notch.

(13) HENRY PENDERGAST – Though the sophomore’s progress was slowed by an early season knee injury, Pendergast will see some opportunities to run the point. He is long and athletic for his position, a strong passer, and can explode to the rim when he drives.

(25) BRYAN JONES – Much like Matt Daley last year, we know Jones is a talented freshman and is going to be a big part of the future, but there might not be room for him in the rotation this season. He is going to make quite a complement to Brown and St. Amour as their class develops.

(2) ALBERT NASCIMENTO – Recovering from injury, Nascimento’s opportunities will be limited given the logjam at the guard position. If he gets in the game, his 3-point shooting can provide a spark. The senior’s energy will be felt no matter what.

(21) LUIS ALVAREZ – Now in his fifth year with the program, Alvarez is a veteran presence at the end of the bench. He has seen more Middlebury wins than any other player and is doing what he can so that this team can live up to the gold standard that has been set by his former teammates.

(45) LIAM NAUGHTON – A freshman walk-on with Middlebury roots, humble confidence, and an automatic mid-range jumper, this kid is going to make the most of what he is given.

(31) EAMON CUDDY – Recovering from knee problems, Cuddy might not see the court in 2013-14. The junior is a big weapon who can score in the post and will surprise people if he ever gets healthy enough to play.

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