Rivier head coach Tom Glynn's Raiders take the floor again tonight vs. the University of Hartford at the Muldoon Center. (Courtesy photo by Nick Grace/Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA — They’ve begun the season with yet another win in their home/season opener, the Rivier men’s basketball team hopes that trend continues tonight when it hosts the University of Hartford at the Muldoon Center at 7.

The Raiders, who beat MCLA 88-65 in their opener here this past Saturday, were ranked 5th in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) preseason poll, a significant improvement from their 13th-place ranking last season. This jump of eight spots reflects the team’s impressive turnaround under first-year head coach Tom Glynn, who led them from just 2 wins to 14 wins last season.

Hartford had been a Division I program but has transitioned to Division III.

LAST SEASON

The Raiders concluded last season in the GNAC Quarterfinals, falling to eventual champions, Saint Joseph (Conn.), but enjoyed a 14-11 regular season after the team posted a 2-23 record the previous season.

Rivier earned the eight seed in the GNAC Tournament with a final record of 15-12 (6-8 GNAC).

The GNAC play-in victory over Colby-Sawyer marked the team’s first playoff win since the 2006-07 season and its first appearance in the playoff round since the 2013-14 campaign.

The squad is led by captains Robenson Baguidy, Kyler Bosse, Odarius Cade, Matt Constant, Ra’Quan Groves, and Joey Merrill, comprised of five returners and 11 newcomers. The incoming class features six transfers and five first-year players.

SCHEDULE

After tonight, the first road game is scheduled for 11/14 against Fitchburg St. GNAC play opens on Jan. 4 with a road matchup against Emmanuel (Mass.)

Youth Sports Day is set for Jan. 11 against New England College, while a rematch of last season’s GNAC Quarterfinals will occur on Jan. 18 as the team travels to Saint Joseph (Conn.)

Senior Day falls on Feb. 15 against Dean and the regular season concludes with a road matchup against Mitchell on Feb. 29.