Men's Basketball Season Preview

A challenging schedule, re-joinder to the Midwest Christian College Conference (MCCC), and many new faces await fans of the 2012-2013 Eagles men's basketball team. Gone are 12 of the 15 men who suited up for the 2011-2012 varsity season. Faith returns just three, senior All American Tyler Betz, sophomore guard Eric Young and junior post Dillon Gingerich. Joining them will be two from last year's junior varsity squad and six completely new teammates. Sophomore posts David Larson and Jon Rocha join the varsity after gaining valuable experience on the junior varsity team last year. Newcomers include guards Tim Jones, Cooper Rodman, Justin Keck, and James Stephenson, and post Jason Scheps.

Faith will look to Betz to lead the team. Betz is a two time All American, and will be returning to the lineup after spending the second half of his junior season on the sidelines recovering from ankle surgery. Betz's career averages include 18.8 ppg. and 9.1 rpg. Before his injury he was on pace to challenge the school's all-time scoring mark. Sophomore Eric Young and freshman James Stephenson will be looked to early to add scoring punch to the Eagles lineup. Young appeared in 28 games for the Eagles last year. Newcomers Tim Jones, Cooper Rodman, and Justin Keck should add some depth at the wing for the Eagles. Junior Dillon Gingerich and sophomore Jon Rocha will be expected to step forward this year at the post position. Gingerich has appeared in 36 games for the Eagles during his first two seasons, and has the potential to add some scoring punch for the Eagles as he continues to improve. Rocha should add some toughness and defensive energy. Sophomore David Larson and freshman Jason Scheps, along with freshman Zac Singletary will also have the opportunity to earn minutes as they improve throughout the pre-season. Scheps is a starting midfielder for the Eagle's soccer team, and won't be joining the basketball team until that season is finished.

The Eagles first semester schedule is challenging as usual. Faith opens their first month of play with four exhibition contests and four Bible college games. Exhibition games include Ashford University, William Penn University, Grand View University, and Grinnell College. Mixed in with those games will be the Eagles first home games, which will be part of the annual Faith Classic. Faith will open the classic with a tough game versus Northland International University, followed by a game with Emmaus Bible College to close out the tournament. Faith's other two Bible college games during the first month will include their re-introduction to the MCCC when they will host perennial MCCC champion Manhattan Christian College, followed the next day by Barclay College.

Faith will close out their first semester of play in December with several regional games which will determine seeding for the regional tournament at the end of the season. The Eagles will travel to Trinity Bible College to take on Trinity and Providence University College. The Eagles will then travel the following week to North Central University, then turn around and host North Central at home the following week. Faith's second semester includes most of their MCCC games along with some other Bible college contests. Faith will close out the season with a trip to the MCCC tournament followed by the regional tournament. Should the Eagles advance out of the regional, they would travel to Springfield, MO, for the NCCAA II national tournament the first part of March.