Scott Goldstein / Managing Editor After red-shirting last season, Ian Milne could be the first player off the bench tonight.
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The time is now.

This is how members of the Binghamton University men’s basketball team see it as they prepare for tonight’s season opener against the Niagara Purple Eagles at the Events Center.

“We want to get off to a better start than last year, win a few games early,” said senior swingman Andre Heard. “We want to win the conference tournament just like everybody else, and we’ve got to start better to do that.”

But after a preseason that saw the Bearcats easily dispose of Mansfield before having to pull away late against St. Rose, players recognize that they needed to iron a few things out.

“We need to pick it up on defense and rebounding,” said sophomore guard Mike Gordon. “The intensity wasn’t too good in the second (preseason) game.”

The Bearcats must also work on their shot selection after launching 57 three-pointers in two preseason games.

“We didn’t play as well as we would have liked to, but we’re OK with where we’re at,” said sophomore center Jordan Fithian. “We were able to accomplish some things we had been working towards and figured out weaknesses that we need to improve.”

The Bearcats hope to show improvement against a Niagara team that sustained heavy losses in the offseason, despite advancing to the NCAA tournament a year ago.

“If you asked me the last few years, I’d have said we have a real good chance of winning our league,” said Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich. “But this year we’re a new team.”

The Purple Eagles will be without the leadership and experience they relied upon in past years. Juan Mendez — who was regarded as one of Niagara’s best all-time players — floor leader Alvin Cruz and second-team selection David Brooks all graduated.

“This is a wait and see team,” added Mihalich.

With four returning starters from last year’s squad, the Bearcats shouldn’t have any chemistry problems.

“We’ve got nothing but the highest expectations this year,” said junior guard Troy Hailey. “We’re looking good. We’ve got a strong backcourt, strong front court, this is the time.”

And while the Bearcats’ expectations are high, everyone recognizes that the ultimate prize can’t be won in a day.

“We expect that if we’re playing well like the last few years we’ll be right in the mix,” said head coach Al Walker. “But that’s a long way away. For now, we’re focusing on Niagara.”