It’s hard to believe, but college basketball season is almost here. This week, we’ll preview Michigan’s 11 NAIA schools.

By Patrick Hayes

At a glance

• Coach: Matt Distelrath, first season
• Last year: 15-17, 9-9 WHAC
• Conference: Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC)
• Key losses: Austin Cook, Chad McMullen, Rocko Holmes, Nic Greenwood, Jeremy Simmons
• Key additions: Jesse Schienke (St. Clair Community College transfer), Lydell Mason (Schoolcraft Community College transfer), Justin Barrows (freshman from Orchard Lake St. Mary), Austin Elam (freshman from Milan), Jalan Ford (freshman from Warren Lincoln), Aaron Fox (freshman from Troy Athens), Brandon Miller (freshman from Frankfort), Nathan Pisecki (freshman from Oakland Christian), Joe Remstead (freshman from South Lyon), Tanner Vida (freshman from Clare), Blake Williams (freshman from Jackson Christian)
• Team roster
• Team website
• Concordia news on BallinMichigan

Overview

Although Concordia has a new coach in Distelrath, he’ll bring continuity as a four-year assistant to former coach Ben Limback.

Strengths

Concordia comes off a .500 finish in the WHAC last season, and they’ll get an opportunity to improve on that mark with a significant portion of their roster back, including second and third leading scorers John Schaeffer (13.5 points per game) and Andrew Patrick (10.5 points per game), both guards.

The backcourt, in fact, should be a major strength for Concordia. Patrick led the team with 4.6 assists per game. Schaeffer is an elite shooter who hit 41 percent of his threes last season.

Off the bench, the team has Josh Fugate, who made 42 percent of his 3-pointers last season, and Chatavius Turner, a slasher who is adept at getting to the basket and finishing.

Weaknesses

Although guard play should be a major strength, Concordia has a gaping hole up front with the loss of Holmes, who was an All-American last season after averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds per game. The team will rely on JUCO transfer juniors Mason and Schienke to help fill that void and contribute immediately. Aaron Olsen, who averaged 6 points and 6 rebounds per game last season and started 31 games, also returns.

Circle these dates …

• Nov. 5 and 9 – If Concordia is going to compete with the top of the league, they’ll have to play well against Cornerstone and Davenport. The Cardinals get them in back-to-back games in November.
• Feb. 6 and 9 – Same deal. Concordia gets Cornerstone and Davenport back-to-back, with some very winnable games sandwiched around those two.

Outlook

Despite the big loss of Holmes, the returning talent Concordia brings back has proven to be enough to keep them competitive in the league, and if the newcomers quickly develop, the Cardinals could move into the top tier of WHAC teams.

Previously

• Lawrence Tech Blue Devils prepare for reboot
• Marygrove makes move to Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
• Siena Heights tries to turn around fortunes with new coach
• Bolstered by strong recruiting class, University of Michigan-Dearborn looking to escape WHAC cellar

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