Since the last bit of the 2024 fall semester, the men’s basketball team has played eight games, three of which were University Athletic Association (UAA) games. They won five of these eight games and their current season record is 10-4.
In their earliest game since our last publication, the Judges faced the Framingham State Rams in a home game on Dec. 4. This game was extremely dominant for Brandeis as they not only won 112-64, but they also established a new school record with the 35 3-pointers they scored during this game. They tied the previous record of 17 by halftime and only continued their momentum through the second half. Basketball is a game of chance; you live and die by the three. On this night, that rang particularly true. Elias Rodl ’26 led the Judges with a career-best 27-points. This was the first game of the season that Toby Harris ’25 did not lead the Judges in scoring. For a first-year to have that honor shows that the Judges have strong potential for the years to come.
In their next game, the Judges faced the Bates College Bobcats in a tri-team tournament at Tufts’ UAA Winter Challenge. This game started out strong for the Judges as they scored double what the Bobcats scored in the first half. However, both teams scored 35 points in the second half, indicating that the Judges lost some of their momentum and let off the gas on their defensive efforts. Despite this, they still came out on top with a winning score of 76-55. Back in the highest point-scorer position was Harris ’25 with 21. Rodl ’26 was the only other Judge to reach the double digits in points scored. Aedan Using (GRAD) led the Judges in with five assists and six rebounds.
The following day, the Judges finished off their time at the UAA Winter Classic at Tufts by playing the #16-ranked Tufts University Jumbos. The Judges went into this game with a chip on their shoulder as they are the top 3-pointer scoring team in all of Division III men’s basketball. Despite this, they were outscored 31-39 and 41-48 in either half. They seemed to maintain their momentum but were unable to make up their 15-point deficit by the conclusion of the game. Rodl ’26 led the Judges with 19 points scored in this game, 16 coming in the second half.
After the Holiday Break, the Judges were quick to get back to playing as they faced the Middlebury College Panthers on Dec. 30. This game was another dominant win for the Judges as they shot 71% from the field in the first half along with a blazing 28-point game by Harris ’25. The first half started with two baskets by the Panthers, but after that, the Judges claimed the lead and did not look back for the remainder of the half. By the end of the game, the Judges had five different players scoring in the double digits. With this win, the Judges extended their record against the Panthers to 16-12.
Three days later, the Judges played their first game of 2025. They did so in a home game against the Rivier University Raiders. The Judges outscored the Raiders 54-32 in the first half, but were beaten in points scored in the second half 33-30. Having relaxed a bit, the Judges did give up some of their lead, but they still came away with a 84-65 win against the Raiders. The Judges had another point-heavy day from a group of players; four starters scored in the double digits. Additionally, Rodl ’26 earned his first career double-double. The Judges, leading Division III in field goal percentage showed why as they connected on 56.4% overall (22-39) and 50% from beyond the arc (8-16) as they established a 54-32 lead.
To start off their UAA in-conference season, the Judges faced the #4-ranked New York University (NYU) Violets in an away game. Though the Judges were able to erase half of their 25-point deficit, that was not enough to earn the win against the Violets. The final score was 101-85. A positive for the Judges was that Alex Zakheim ’28 earned a career-high 15-points off the bench.
Next, the Judges hosted the University of Rochester Yellowjackets in a home game this past weekend. With their dominant play, the Judges earned a 84-54 win against the Yellowjackets, the biggest win for the Judges in the matchup’s history. Every aspect of the game was seemingly controlled by the Judges in this competition. The visitors scored the game-winning basket and ultimately never possessed the lead again. Harris ’25 and Rodl ’26 tied for game-high scoring honors with 20 points.
In the Judges’ most recent game, they hosted the Emory University Eagles during a celebratory Alumni/Family Day. Though Rodl ’26 scored a career-high-tying 27-points, that was not enough to hold off the #2-ranked Emory Eagles. The Judges lost by 11 points; 77-88 to the Eagles. Their 18-2 run in the second half was what sealed the deal on the Judges’ loss.
Despite this loss, the Judges are showing how strong they are as a team, especially while playing against such talented, nationally-ranked teams. Losing by 16-points to NYU may not be representative of this, but losing by only 11-points to the #2 team in the country is something to certainly be proud of! By playing at such a high level in these UAA-conference games, the Judges are improving more and more. It is exciting to think about what is in store for this team, especially as a first-year is their second-highest point scorer so far this season.
Looking ahead, the Judges will travel to Ohio and Pennsylvania to face the Case Western Reserve University Spartans and Carnegie Mellon University Tartans this weekend. To stay in the loop until they play their next home game on Feb. 7, go to the Brandeis Athletics page or social media.
