IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine men's basketball team enters a new campaign this November flush with new faces and a handful of eager returners excited to show what they can do.
The Golden Eagles were predicted to finish sixth out of 13 programs in this year's PacWest Conference Preseason Poll which came out on Friday. Every October, the head coaches from every school vote on how they think things will shake out across the league.
Point Loma was picked to repeat and garnered 12 of the 13 first-place votes, while Hawaii Hilo and Fresno Pacific tied for second place in the voting. The Sunbirds received the one other first-place vote. Chaminade, Biola and CUI round out the predicted Top 6 order.
CLICK HERE for the full PacWest Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
On the home front, Concordia is coming off a 16-12 season and an appearance in the PacWest Conference Tournament. Head Coach
Ken Ammann is in his 25th season at Concordia and is among a small handful of coaches in the country who have amassed more than 500 career victories since taking the reins in 2001.
CUI returns senior wing
Jackson Tucker as well as junior forward
Kaden Minter who have starting experience. Minter was the team's second leading scorer a year ago (12.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg) while Tucker has excelled in multiple roles since jumping right in as a true freshman (11.2 ppg in 2022-23). Tucker has played in over 75 games during his Concordia career and Minter scored in double figures on 16 occasions last season.
Sophomore point guard
Kevin Haupt as well as forward
Logan Cremonesi are back from last year's rotation as well as redshirt freshman guard
Roman Rose who will look to provide some additional outside shooting.
Joining the mix are eight transfers with a wide variety of skills and playing experience.
James Freeman (G/F, Jr.) averaged 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for Mt. San Jacinto last year while shooting 58 percent from the floor.
Nick Corbett (F/C, So., Skyline College) and
Akeem Akeredolu (F/C, Jr., West Valley College) will provide optionality in the paint on offense when they are not crashing the boards.
Blake Ballard (G/F, Jr., Citrus College),
Ben Krystkowiak (G, R-Jr., Corban University) and
Marcellus Edwards (G, Jr., Chabot College) are all threats to knock down open treys and spread the floor. Plus, junior guard
MaCarhy Morris is a former All-Conference selection from NAIA school Lewis-Clark State and
Radek Homer (G, R-So., Northern Colorado) shot 53 percent his senior year at Mountain Vista High School while averaging 13.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.
New this year is also freshman
Tavares Foster (G, Huntington Beach HS) who is a 6-foot-4 guard from Orange County. He developed his skills with travel teams FBA, OC Rain and All In Elite and helped lead his squad to several tournament championships.
The new campaign begins with an exhibition at home this Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. against Westcliff. Admission is free for the exhibition game.
The regular season opener is slated for Friday, Nov. 14 when the Golden Eagles visit Cal State San Marcos down south. The home opener for Concordia men's basketball is Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. against Cal State LA.
CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's basketball schedule
