Men's Basketball Season Preview
A strong first semester schedule awaits the 2015-2016 Eagles men's basketball team. A core of six men return from the 2014-2015 team that set new records in wins and win streak, including a conference tournament championship, regional tournament runner up finish, and ACCA national tournament runner up finish. Nine of the Eagles first semester games feature NAIA and NCAA 3 schools along with NCCAA National Tournament qualifiers from a year ago.
The Eagles return 57% of their scoring from a year ago, but will have to find a way to replace leading scorer Josh Bray and third leading scorer Ryan Kupferschmid. With a more traditional lineup this year in the form of guards and posts, the Eagles will look to have a more balanced inside out attack to counter their loss of a consistent outside threat from positions 1-5.
How quickly the Eagles can adjust to the new style of play will determine how quickly they will find success on the court. "We've got a good core of guys coming back in juniors Jon Luke Talton, Aaron Leistikow, Cody Chaffin, and John Acree. Sophomore Willie Felderman has had a great pre-season and has really come a long way in a year's time. If this group can learn to execute and play disciplined basketball, they can be just as successful as last year's team," noted coach Fincham. Sophomores Joey Young, and Senior Jason Scheps should add maturity and leadership. Young appeared in several games last year and provides great hustle and work ethic, while Scheps returns after a year off for a mission in Peru. Scheps' length is a much needed asset. "Jason and Joey will help out with maturity, hustle, and effort. I'm looking forward to getting them into the swing of things once their soccer season is over," notes Fincham. Micah VanNausdle also returns after playing during the first semester of last year. "Micah's grit and work ethic are great. He plays hard all the time and earns a lot of extra possessions for the team with his hustle," said Fincham.
The Eagles add eight new faces in the form of freshmen and newcomers. At the point guard position, Cole Glanzer should make an immediate impact. Says Fincham,"Cole gives us a true point guard look, something that we haven't had for the past couple years. He had a very succesful high school career, winning a state championship as a senior, and we're excited to get him on the court once his soccer season has completed." Newcomer Chase Clark gives the Eagles a big body down low with a knack for rebounding and finishing around the basket. "I've enjoyed watching Chase play soccer, and am excited to get him on the court. He has a nose for the ball on both ends of the court and works hard all the time. He'll fill a much needed role in rebounding and getting us easy baskets," noted Fincham.
Other newcomers at the wing include Riley Stuckey, Marcus Denham, David Levy, and Caleb Sturgis. All four will have an opportunity to earn minutes as they adjust to the college game. Denham can also fill in at post along with the other newcomer Brennen Ruis.
Seven of the Eagles will be joining the team mid November after their soccer season concludes at the NCCAA II National Tournament.
Faith will play their first four games with only eight players. With a late start to the season for those seven on the soccer team, the Eagles will temper their early season expectations with an eye towards the end of the first semester and conference play during the second semester. "This year will be a unique challenge with adding, realistically, an entirely new team midway through November. They'll be some bumps in the road early on as we play shorthanded and then try to integrate guys once they join from soccer, but the potential is their to be very competitive during the second semester. It will all depend on how quickly we can buy in to disciplined play and team basketball, as well as a stronger focus on defending," noted Fincham