Merrimack: In his 30th season on the bench, coach Bert Hammel welcomes back one of the nation’s top floor leaders in Darren Duncan and a number of other talented performers from a 21-9 squad.

UMass-Lowell: Max Kerman, the 2008-09 Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Year, and Kyle Caiola, the conference’s top newcomer last season, headline Greg Herenda’s squad.

DIV. 2 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Thomas Baudinet, Saint Anselm: The 6-3 guard averaged a team-leading 18.1 points as a sophomore, scoring 20-plus points 12 times. Shot 84 percent from the foul line, second in NE-10.

Darren Duncan, Merrimack: One of two Division 2 finalists last season for the Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top point guard, the 5-10 senior All-American makes the Warriors go.

Darin Mency, Merrimack: The 6-2 junior wing, who averaged 17.2 points last season, can drive with authority or score from long distance (40.3 percent from 3-point range).

A.J. Rudowitz, Stonehill: The 6-6 wing averaged 13.5 points and 7.4 rebounds as a junior, shooting 54 percent from the field in earning first-team NE-10 honors.

Jason Westrol, Bentley: An attacking 6-3 guard, the senior All-American can score (18.3 ppg last season), defend (63 steals), and clear the glass (146 defensive rebounds), triggering the break.

DIV. 3 TEAMS TO WATCH
UMass-Dartmouth: Ranked eighth, coach Brian Baptiste’s squad has a talented cast back from last year’s 27-4 squad that advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

Brandeis: With the return of five players who made at least eight starts last season, Brian Meehan’s squad is eyeing an unprecedented fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Williams: With the healthy return of 6-8 senior Joe Geoghegan in the post, the Ephs are primed to improve on last season’s 17-9 finish.

DIV. 3 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Adam Choice, Colby: A two-time all-NESCAC pick, the 6-5 senior fills up the stat sheet; last season, he led the Mules in scoring (15.7), free throw percentage, and blocks, and averaged 5.6 rebounds.

Jon Pierce, Tufts: The 6-5 senior forward from Belmont has led the NESCAC in scoring in back-to-back seasons, averaging 21.7 points a year ago while ripping down 8.7 boards.

Blake Schultz, Williams: One of two returning first-team NESCAC all-stars, the 6-3 senior wing averaged 18 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Ephs last season.

Brandon Shelton, UMass-Dartmouth: A preseason All-American, the 6-4 former Rindge & Latin standout led the Corsairs in scoring (17.7) and rebounding (6.2) as a junior.

Jeremy Shannon, Emerson: What a magnificent junior season for the Lions’ floor leader: second in the GNAC in scoring (20.3) and assists (6.0), first in steals (2.1), and fifth in rebounds (8.8).

CRAIG LARSON