When the Husson College men’s basketball team opens its season against the University of Prince Edward Island tonight, coach Warren Caruso will send a bunch of familiar faces onto the Newman Gym hardwood.

Gone from last year’s NAIA Division II tourney qualifier are Brian Alley and Jeremy Durost.

Back are the rest of a Braves squad that finished 20-12. That’s why Husson enters this year ranked 20th in the nation _ its highest ranking since Caruso’s rookie year in 1993.

“I think our expectations are the same as they always are,” Caruso said. “We want to be the best team in the [Maine Athletic Conference], and we want to win the conference and get back to the nationals.”

Husson will face challenges early, playing back-to-back contests against UPEI and Dalhousie University on Thursday and Friday. Both games begin at 7:30 p.m.

Starting for the Braves will be juniors Mic Dyt, Chris Funk, Sean Foye, and Mike McCaffrey and sophomore Nikos Sompatzis. Explosive senior Tony Tobin will come off the bench.

“It’s going to be a good test to start our season,” Caruso said. “We’re going to see two good teams right off the bat.”

Husson College men’s soccer coach Mitch Ellisen had to remold his team after graduating All-American midfielder Adam Heaslewood and prolific striker-midfielder Jason Hill.

The Braves strung together a 10-5-2 season, 4-1-1 in the Maine Athletic Conference, and the No. 2 seeds will open the MAC Tournament against No. 3 University of New England, 11-4-1, 4-1-1, at 10:30 a.m. today at Thomas College in Waterville. Husson and UNE battled to a 0-0 double-overtime tie during the season.

Top seed and defending champ University of Maine-Farmington, 12-2 and 5-1, will face No. 4 UM-Presque Isle, 9-6, 3-3, approximately 20 minutes after the first game.

UMF has won three of the last four MAC tournaments.

“I’m ecstatic [about our season],” said Ellisen, whose Braves compensated for the loss of Heaslewood and Hill through better balance and important contributions from newcomers.

Husson has been led by strikers Joey Melanson (13 goals, 6 assists) and Kevin Burton (9 & 13), central midfielders Sean Fleming (10 & 2) and Gordon Ferguson, and sweeper Richard Lewis (11 assists).

UNE features striker Bryan Hill (19 & 3), sweeper Gabe Lucas, and goalie Ian Nagus (0.69 goals-against average).

UMF has been sparked by Frode Olsen (16 & 5) and Laughn Berthiaume (11 & 14) along with goalies Nick Moulton (0.60) and Chris Roy (0.60), while UMPI has been led by David Hamel (18 & 1) and Steve Babineau (9 & 3).

The women’s MAC tourney will be held on Friday with No. 2 St. Joseph’s, 9-6-1, 6-2-1, facing No. 3 UMF, 8-6-1, 6-2-1, at 10:30 and No. 1 UNE, 11-2-2, 5-0-1, taking on No. 4 UMPI, 7-8, 5-5, 20 minutes after the conclusion of that game.

Michele Dufour (7 & 6), Heather Norsworthy (5 & 3), Shawn Callahan (6 & 1), and goalie Keli Daigle (4 shutouts) pace UMPI, while UNE has been guided by Melissa Dauteuil (11 & 7), Heather Wilde (8 & 5) and goalie Janet Lamy (0.93).

St. Joseph’s features Kristy Shedd (7 & 8) and Kendra Brown (0.67, 7 shutouts), while UMF has been powered by Jodi Dyer (4 & 6) and Pam Goyette (1.18, 5 shutouts).

The men’s title game will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with the women’s game to follow.