Preview of Men's Basketball

Head coach Sam Hargraves coaches up the white team during the intersquad scrimmage on Wednesday, October 15.

OLIVET, Mich. — The University of Olivet Men’s Basketball team is looking to have a great year. After finishing 11-16 and winning in the first round of the MIAA Tournament against Albion, the Comets look to build off of what they accomplished last season.

            “Already in a couple of early practices that we’ve had, I’m kind of ready for practice to end, and they want to keep going. And I’ve not had that happen quite like that before since I’ve been here,” said Head Coach Sam Hargraves.

            The Comets have several key players returning to the roster, including junior Conner Schipper, junior Nathan Richardson, sophomore Porter Kretschman, and junior Lee Hardy.

            “My goal for our team this year is to get a ring. I think our floor is winning the conference, along with the tournament, and our ceiling is winning the national championship,” said Schipper.

            Schipper and Richardson were two of the team’s leading scorers last season, and both of them are entering their junior seasons. Richardson scored over 400 points last season on 51.6% shooting, and Schipper scored over 300 on 53.4% shooting.

“I think we have a great squad this year. Our team is slightly like last year's team, but we have added some new key guys that will definitely help us,” said Richardson.

The Comets have a tough schedule this upcoming season, facing teams such as exhibition games against Division I Central Michigan and Division II Findlay, while also facing several conference opponents like Hope, Calvin, and Trine.

“I think we have a pretty solid team and I’m excited to see what we accomplish this year,” said Hardy.

The Comets open the season at Franklin College on November 7 at 7:30 p.m.