(CLEVELAND) – The Truett McConnell University men’s basketball team is set to begin their 2022-23 season on Saturday, October 29, at Voorhees University, where tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m.
The Bears had a historical 2021-22 season, with an overall record of 20-12, 14-10 AAC. TMU was featured setting a new program record for conference wins in a single season and tied the record for overall wins in a season. Junior Brent Kelly set a new team career record with 282 assists, while graduate student Enocka Franky broke the career record for total rebounds with 720. Respectfully, Head Coach Jon Yeh achieved 100 career wins during the 2021-22 season.
“Cautious optimism are the words I seem to choose every pre-season. With our top 12 players from last season all returning, we have a lot of familiarity,” said Coach Yeh. “But I’ve been warning our men since last May that just because we have the same brushes and paint as last year, every season presents a brand-new canvas. It’s up to our team to paint the new picture,” said Head Coach Jon Yeh. “We’ve had some highly competitive practices, and in some ways we are ahead of where we have been going into the season. But with the new compacted NAIA schedule, we’re also missing some valuable practice days.”
The Bears punched their ticket to the AAC Tournament after beating Milligan College in the AAC play-in game, where they fell in the semifinals to the No. 1 seed Union College. Franky was named to the All-Conference First Team, while sophomore EJ Smith earned a spot on the AAC Defensive Team and freshman Raul Arias-Ortega earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team. Amongst the key group of returners are team leaders junior CJ Brown and senior Kafunba Toure, along with seven incoming freshmen.
“Our team is very deep and very experienced with nearly all of our top guys being 21 years old or older. Our younger guys are learning and will have some extra games to develop. It’s been great to see the veterans teach and take the younger guys under their wings. Selflessness will need to be a huge component for each and every player, because we have a lot of individuals who can contribute.”
TMU’s conference home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8, against Appalachian Athletic Conference member, Point University. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
