CALDWELL, N.J. -- When Caldwell men's basketball won the CACC Championship in 2022-23, Melvin Evans was already playing an important role, mostly as lockdown defender, off the bench as a freshman. After another season as a key reserve as a sophomore, Evans took over as team leader last year, placing among the league's top guards, ranking second in assists and third in steals while earning CACC Spring Academic Honor Roll and NABC Honors Court recognition.

And while his 136 career steals heading into his senior season are ninth on the school's all-time list, getting back to the CACC Championship, which this year will be held at Caldwell University's Newman Center floor, is the Bronx, N.Y. native's main goal.

Heading into tonight's exhibition opener at Monmouth (7 p.m., SNY-TV), the Sport Management major took a few minutes to talk about the season and his role as team leader.

What is your main goal for your team this season, both on and off the field?

On the court our main goal is to win the CACC and qualify for the NCAA tournament. Off the court the goal is to stay above a 3.0 GPA as a team.    

What is a team motto or a core value that will drive your team this season?

Our team motto is "next play" which means that if a player makes a mistake there's always a next play to make up for it.

What is the one thing you want fans to know about your team?

We bring a lot of enthusiastic energy to every game, and we love our Cougar fans!

Who is a player on your team that we should be watching out for this season, and why?

I think Terence Thompson and Isaiah Philbert are two players you should be looking out for this season.

Terence is an extremely athletic freshman who is going to help us tremendously on both ends of the court.

Isaiah is coming into his junior season. He is our knockdown 3-point shooter who I believe will have a breakout year and will lead the CACC in 3-point percentage and 3 points made.

What is one personal goal you're striving for this season?

I have several personal goals I would like to achieve this season. These goals include breaking the all-time record in steals, hitting one thousand career points, finishing in the top 10 in assists for the year, win the CACC championship, make a 1st-3td team and being selected to the all-academic team.

What are you most looking forward to in your first season as a Senior Team Leader?

I am looking forward to leading my team by example and showing them that it takes all of us to win.

After you graduate, what are you hoping to do next?

I am hoping to play somewhere overseas.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your team or this season that we haven't asked about?

Both our men's and women's basketball teams are looking forward to having a great season and putting on a show for our Cougar fans!