Courtesy Chris Bauman, Spring Arbor University SID
SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men’s basketball team, under the direction of 17th year head coach Ryan Cottingham, will open its 2015-16 campaign at Great Lakes Christian College on Tuesday, Oct. 27 in Lansing, Michigan.
Cottingham will look to continue the process of rebuilding the Cougars after the team suffered just its second sub-.500 season since 2003 last year.
RETURNERS
The Cougars return four starters from a season ago, including leading scorer Greg Hamilton. Hamilton, about to enter his senior season, averaged 11.5 points per game. He also ranked second on the team with 4.3 rebounds per game and 75 assists.
Joining Hamilton are juniors Caleb Hogans and Thomas Starks, as well as sophomore Zach Medendorp. Hogans had a breakout season as a sophomore averaging 9.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The Cougars’ floor general also dished out a team-high 83 assists. Starks emerged as one of the Crossroads League’s best rebounders hauling in 7.5 boards a night while also providing a threat on the offensive end, scoring 9.4 points per game. Medendorp made an immediate impact as a freshman. The 6-foot-8 forward was one of the premiere rim protectors in the league amassing 34 blocks, and was tough to defend on the other end averaging nearly 10 points per game.
In addition to Medendorp, sophomores Isaiah Ingle and Drew Zuidema gained valuable experience as freshmen, both appearing in 24 games.
The Cougars also bring back senior Peter Barry and junior Isaac Love. Point guard Xavier Prather, who averaged 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists through seven games as a junior, will redshirt after missing most of last season with an injury.
KEY LOSSES
Spring Arbor graduated two seniors last year in Collin Hewitt and Tyler Hughes. Hewitt had a career-year in 2014-15 ranking as one of the top three-point shooters in the conference. The Cougars will also miss Hughes’ presence in the post as the 6-foot-6 forward hauled in 118 rebounds and blocked 10 shots.
NEWCOMERS
Joining the team this season will be four freshmen – Tommy Hamilton, Luke Barber, Anthony Qasawa and Kyle Bartholomew.
CONFERENCE OUTLOOK
The Cougars were picked to finish 10th in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Indiana Wesleyan University, which has claimed four straight regular season championships and two consecutive tournament titles, was tabbed to win the conference. The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) and Grace College were chosen second and third while Bethel College and Mount Vernon Nazarene University rounded out the top five.
SCHEDULE
Spring Arbor opens the season against Great Lakes Christian, which is now coached by longtime SAU assistant Brian Snyder. Following the matchup against the Crusaders, the Cougars will participate in the Crossroads League/WHAC Challenge in Marion, Indiana where they will meet Aquinas College and the defending national champions Cornerstone University.
The Cougars will host Marygrove College in their home opener on Monday, Nov. 9 and host Great Lakes Christian in the Trent Allen Memorial Challenge on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Highlighting the non-conference slate is a trip south over the holiday break. The Cougars will play at Florida National University in Hialeah, Florida on Dec. 21 and at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida on Dec. 22.
Spring Arbor will open Crossroads League at Goshen College on Nov. 24.