The Brown men’s basketball team aims to build on its successful run from last season. The team faced numerous challenges during the 2023-24 season, but losing senior forward Nana Owusu-Anane indefinitely due to left shoulder surgery adds a new layer of adversity. The Bears will need to overcome this setback to return to Ivy Madness.
Last week, Brown was picked third in the conference’s preseason poll. The Bears received one first-place vote, while defending champion Princeton secured the other 15 votes. Brown’s prospects seemed promising before Owusu-Anane’s injury, but the team is not making excuses.
“We believe our experience will help this year’s group,” said Brown coach Mike Martin. “However, this is a new team and a new season.”
Last year, the Bears struggled at the start, going 2-8 in nonconference play. They finished with a 6-17 record and were just 2-6 against Ivy opponents. However, the team eventually found its rhythm, winning seven consecutive games. This included victories against every conference opponent and a stunning semifinal upset of Princeton, before narrowly losing to Yale on a buzzer-beater in the championship.
“It’s a new team,” said Brown forward Landon Lewis. “We have some returners, but we must carry that hunger. We remember the feeling of beating Princeton and then losing in the championship at the last moment.”
The Bears came close to securing their first NCAA Tournament bid since 1986. Matt Knowling’s jumper in the final seconds of a 62-61 game denied them that opportunity. Over two days at Columbia, Brown showcased strong basketball, defeating Princeton and controlling much of the game against Yale. This disappointing finish serves as a reminder that the last hurdle is often the hardest to overcome.
“Our team has an everyday mindset,” said Brown wing Aaron Cooley. “For the returning players who experienced that loss, it’s crucial that we don’t forget what we went through.”
Kino Lilly Jr. is expected to be a top contender for league Player of the Year honors. Lewis, Cooley, AJ Lesburt, and Lyndel Erold will also return to the rotation. Malcom Wrisby-Jefferson and Sam Klores saw limited playing time, but N’famara Dabo and Adrian Uchidiuno are ready to step up. Freshman Jeremiah Jenkins is a highly regarded prospect likely to earn immediate playing time.
“The great thing about our team is that anyone can be a leader,” Cooley noted. “We have chemistry and are open to giving each other constructive criticism.”
Brown’s nonconference schedule includes a challenging five-game stretch against Vermont, Bryant, Rhode Island, Kansas, and Kentucky. The Bears will face the America East champions, in-state rivals, and two powerhouse programs. KenPom.com lists Brown as the underdog in each matchup, but the games are not played on paper.
“We want to win,” Martin said. “They keep score for a reason. We aim to win those games and learn about ourselves in the process.”
Yale was ranked second in the league, with Cornell rounding out the top half of the standings. Columbia, Harvard, Penn, and Dartmouth make up the bottom four. The race to reach the league tournament will culminate at the Pizzitola Center in March, where Brown will host the event for the first time.
“We have a lot to focus on before we think about hosting,” Martin said. “It’s great for our institution and for our city.”
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