GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -  The Davenport University men's basketball team is set to tip-off the 2023-24 season this weekend at the GLIAC/GLVC crossover in Kansas City, Mo. The Panthers (0-0, 0-0 GLIAC) will battle against William Jewell on Friday (Nov. 10), followed by Rockhurst on Saturday (Nov. 11). 

DU will have a mix of returning and new faces on the court in 2023-24. The roster is composed of eight newcomers (four freshmen and four transfers) and nine returners. 

Leading the way in the list of returners is Marcedus Leech Jr. The redshirt junior guard was selected as the GLIAC Preseason Player of the Year after averaging 20 points per game last season, the second most in the conference. 

Scouting the Opponents
William Jewell (0-0, 0-0 GLVC)
Series Record: Davenport leads 3-2
Last Meeting: 11/11/22 - William Jewell defeated Davenport 90-76 in Hammond, Ind.
About the Cardinals:

• The Cardinals finished No. 3 in the GLVC 2022-23 regular season standings. WJC then fell to sixth-seeded McKendree in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament, McKendree went on to be crowned GLVC conference tournament champions, defeating Missouri-St. Louis in the finals.
• Jordan Jermain is the top returner from a season ago. The guard was named First Team All-GLVC, averaging 14.6 points per game in conference play and 15.5 points over the course of the entire season. In the final game of the year against McKendree, Jermain eclipsed 1,000 career points.
• Last season, the Cardinals were one of the top defensive teams in the GLVC. William Jewell ranked second in scoring defense (66.5) and rebounds per game (35.66). As a team, they also ranked fourth in blocks per game (3.2) and field goal percentage defense (42.7).
• Picked No. 5 in the GLVC preseason poll.

Rockhurst (0-0, 0-0 GLVC)
Series Record: Davenport leads 4-1
Last Meeting: 11/12/22 - Rockhurst defeated Davenport 83-72 in Hammond, Ind.
About the Hawks:

• The Hawks finished No. 4 in the GLVC 2022-23 regular season standings. RU fell in the first round of the GLVC Tournament to fifth-seeded Missouri St.-Louis. UMSL then lost to McKendree in the GLVC finals.
• RU lost its top player from a season ago, Rich Byhre, who was a First Team All-GLVC performer a season ago. Byhre led the conference in scoring, averaging 18.3 points a game, while finishing second in rebounds per game with 8.3. The Hawks do return Timaris Brown, a GLVC All-Freshman Team honoree in 2022-23. The 6-5 forward averaged 11.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
•  In 2022-23, Rockhurst ranked fifth in the GLVC in turnovers per game (11.7) and sixth in turnovers forced per game (12.59).
• Picked 13th in the GLVC preseason poll.

Live Coverage:
Friday, Nov. 10 vs. William Jewell (6:00 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Saturday, Nov. 11 at Rockhurst (4:00 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats

 

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