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: Klint Pleasant, second season
• Last year:
• Conference: Independent
• Key losses: Torey Throop, Stephan Henning, Ricky Doran
• Key additions: Jeroen De Baat (freshman from The Netherlands), Stavros Schizas (transfer from Kirtland Community College), Drew Maynard (transfer from Valdosta State via Oakland), Matt Gold (freshman from Detroit Loyola), Erin Hopkins (freshman from Imlay City who will redshirt), Paris Pereira (freshman from Rochester High School who will redshirt)
• Team roster
• Team website
• Rochester news on BallinMichigan

Overview

Rochester made it to the USCAA National Championship game last season. They join the NAIA starting this season, though they will also keep their USCAA membership as well. They take that step into the NAIA with one of their two All-Americans from last season returning and an impressive group of impact transfers.

Strengths

Dramell Hogan was an All-American last season after averaging 16 points (12th in USCAA Division I) and shooting 58 percent from the field (third in USCAA).

Also back is point guard Brad Norman, one of the top 3-point shooters in the league last season, and also a gritty defender who had four steals in the championship game loss.

Joining them are a group of transfers who should contribute right away. Maynard is a former NCAA Division I player, Schizas was an all-conference player in the MCCAA and A.J. Burton, a St. Clair Community College transfer who redshirted last season, also joins that group.

Rochester was great in front of its home crowd last season, going 14-0.

Weaknesses

Without a conference, the schedule is tough. Rochester plays six NCAA Division I opponents. That should prepare the Warriors for the postseason, but they could also take some lumps during the regular season.

The team also has to replace Doran, one of the top rebounders in the USCAA last season and a solid offensive player as well.

Circle these dates …

• Nov. 12 – It will take some time to develop as Lawrence Tech‘s program is brand new, but this has the makings of a great NAIA rivalry right in Oakland County down the road.
• Nov. 14 – It’s unrealistic to expect Rochester to knock off any of its Division I opponents, but perhaps their best chance will be against Texas Pan-Am during the EMU Ice Man Classic. Pan-Am was 11-21 last season and just 1-15 away from home.
• Dec. 6 – A Rochester vs. Rochester battle as the Warriors take on neighboring Oakland University.

Outlook

Rochester should be talented and fun to watch and their schedule will give fans who follow the team a chance to see teams they wouldn’t normally see following some of the state’s other NAIA programs.

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
• First-year coach hopes to help Concordia build on .500 WHAC finish
• Aquinas must replace a couple key players after solid season
• Madonna returns an All-American in its quest for WHAC title
• Cornerstone looks to overtake Davenport in the standings
• Can Davenport repeat as WHAC champs?
• Davenport picked as preseason WHAC favorite, two from Concordia, Madonna make preseason All-WHAC
• Spring Arbor returning several key players, including an All-American

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