–By Mario Martinez–

After a rollercoaster-like 2012-2013 season that earned them a playoff bid in the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament, NJCU’s men’s basketball team (10-9) is once again in the playoff hunt, and looking to make a late-season push into the postseason.

According to head coach Marc Brown, the 2013-2014 men’s basketball team is a talented squad, but seem to lack some of the grit that got them through a seven-game win streak to close-out last season, and earned them a playoff berth.

“The difference with this year’s team is that we’re a better team.” Brown said. “We’ve got better players and we’ve got more talent. But I’m disappointed with their effort. I’m hoping we can turn it around in the final stretch of the season. Last year we were hungrier and had more fight. This year we definitely have more talent.”

Last season, the NJCU men’s basketball team began the season 2-7, but then put together an incredible turnaround which made them one of the top defenses in the NJAC. Now with the return of senior forward Walik Albright, early childhood education major from Jersey City, who scored his 1,000th career point last week, the Gothic Knights have revamped their offense.

“Walik is one of the best players I’ve ever coached and one of the best recruits I’ve ever had.” Brown said. “His abilities and leadership make us a much better team. We’re a much better backcourt now. “

Last season, Albright missed the entire season due to a broken jaw. This season, his average of 31 minutes,13.4 points, 6.6 rebounds per game has certainly improved the team, which needed it. Now in his sophomore season, shooting guard Khalid Mohammed, business management major from Orange, has had his point average drop from 15 points a game to 11.1 points, and his field goal percentage has also slumped from 42 percent to 36 percent.

According to Brown, Mohammed’s performance declined because he arrived this season “out-of-shape,” and because opponents have prepared for him defensively during the off-season. However, with a newly bolstered backcourt, Brown believes they are significantly better this year at the guard position.

“Jourdan Roberson (junior point guard, fire science major from Newark) transferred to NJCU this season and is pretty much leading the team as we go into the backend of the season.” Brown said. “Jahmill Jenkins (senior point guard, account major from Elizabeth) and Justin Harte (junior point guard, history major and early childhood education minor from Irvington) have come along and made our backfield much better. We have better point guard depth which has been major difference this season.”

But for Brown, a dominant defense is a cornerstone of his program, which is why he recruited NJCU hall of famer Abdul Madison as an assistant coach.

“I tried to recruit Madison for three years.” Brown said. “ My dad would say he’s one of, or if not, the best NJCU defender ever. He’s been great. He brings toughness to the team, is helping our perimeter defense, and has a lot of basketball experience.”

Brown’s father, Charles Brown, a NJCU hall of famer for whom the basketball court at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center is named after, coached the men’s basketball team for 25 years before handing over the reigns to his son Marc. Since then, Brown has been determined to uphold the high standards his father set at NJCU, but always tried to do it in his own way.

“When I became the head coach at NJCU, I knew I had big shoes to fill because of my dad.” Brown said. “I try not to be a coach like him. I try to have my own style. I run a less structured offense than him. My dad ran a pro-style offense, but we both know the key to be successful is to recruit. We both also care a lot about defense. So we’re similar, but different.”

With making the NJAC tourney being the team’s goal, Brown hopes to galvanize the team like they did last year; by taking it one game at a time.

“Our goal is to get into the NJAC tourney with the best possible record.” Brown said. “The team with the higher seed in the playoffs gets home field advantage. We’re taking it one game at a time. If you start to look too far ahead, you get in trouble. Right now our focus is on Valley Forge Christian College.”

The Gothic Knights host Valley Forge Christian College Monday at 7 p.m. on Charlie Brown Court in the JMAC.