College Basketball Preview 2022-2023 | Page 38

Men ’ s Basketball Seeking National Tournament Run

Williamsburg , KY - The Patriots men ’ s basketball team is coming off a 20-13 year in which they earned a spot in the NAIA National Tournament . This marked the ninth consecutive season that UC has advanced to nationals . They fought to a 13-9 record in the Mid-South Conference , one of the toughest conferences in NAIA basketball . This year the Pats look to win their first MSC tournament championship since the 2011-12 season . Head Coach Matt Daniel returns his top eight scorers from the 2021-22 season , including fifth-year seniors Jahi Hinson and Steven Fitzgerald , who were both featured in the top-five average scores in the MSC last season . Hinson averaged 18.2 points through 33 games , third most in the conference and looks to have an even better season his year . Fitzgerald scored 17.1 a game for fifth overall in the Mid- South , and was the conference leader in minutes per game with an average of 35.2 . Hinson was not far behind with 33.5 mpg . Coach Daniel will continue to lean on these two to lead the team throughout the year . “ We will be counting on those guys again to shoulder a heavy load . Luckily they have enough experience and valuable game reps to lead us when it when we need them the most ,” said Coach Daniel . “ To have two guys who understand our team expectations has been very beneficial in the teaching process . They know what is expected in every aspect whether it is in individual workouts , team lifts , or practices I can count on them to keep everyone accountable just as our coaches would .” Isaiah Payton and Lamar Harris return for their senior season after averaging 8.4 and 7.3 ppg a season ago . Payton started every game last year for UC as their point guard while Harris was an athletic playmaker on both sides of the ball . Harris led the conference in blocks and blocks per game , averaging 1.7 per contest . J . J . Ramey is another Patriot returner that looks to have a big season . The 6 ’ 4 junior averaged just over eight points and three rebounds over his 21-22 campaign . Austin Hall , Khalil Davis , and Kamari Kenemore each played valuable minutes and look to do the same this year as well . Coach Daniel and his staff brought in a mix of freshman and transfers to bring that have the ability to take this team to the next level . Transfers Andre Silva and Jadrian Flores are two guys with experience at this level who can make an impact on the court right away . Silva comes just down the road from Union College where he averaged 9.1 ppg and led the AAC in rebounds ( 11.4 ) and blocks per game ( 3.4 ). Flores comes to UC from Western Illinois and brings a ton of athleticism that Coach Daniel feels can really help , specifically on the defensive side of the ball . Freshmen Brady Bell and Tanner Walton come into their first year after very successful high school careers , both mentioned as All-State players during their senior seasons . Bell was named the 16th region player of the year and Walton was a key factor on Clark County ’ s state championship winning season . “ Both those guys understand what it takes to win . We ’ re excited for both of them and their futures ,” said Coach Daniel . Coach Matt Daniel comes into his second season as the Head Coach of the Patriots . This year the Patriots start their season with five non-conference games against good competition . Milligan , Bryan , and West Virginia Tech highlight this list before they travel to Thomas More University , who won the MSC regular season and placed runner-up at the MSC tournament , for the conference opener . Their conference schedule features 22 games , playing a home and away series with every member of the conference . The MSC tournament is slated for late February with the national tournament to take place the beginning of March . Last year , Cumberlands reached the opening round of the NAIA tournament where they played a tough Grace squad that they ended up falling to 71-73 to end their season . Returning 11 guys that were a part of that experience gives the team a massive advantage . Not only do they have the experience of playing on that stage , but they know what it feels like to end the season in that way . Just making the tournament will not satisfy this talented group of players . Coach Daniel added , “ We want to put ourselves in a position to go forward from there . It will start from the first practice , we can ’ t look ahead or skip steps . We are going to work to get better every day .”

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38 COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2022