An NCAA Div. 1 team from America’s Motor City hopes to be firing on all cylinders when it visits the Langley Events Centre to take on Trinity Western University on Monday.
The Trinity Western University Spartans men’s basketball team opens its preseason Monday night by hosting the NCAA Division 1 University of Detroit- Mercy Titans.
Last season Trinity Western finished with a 10-12 record in the Canada West Conference.
This year, with some fresh faces in their lineup, the Spartans are looking for some big production from the new players.
“We have seven rookies in the lineup and it’s always exciting to see who is ready to make the transition to CIS basketball,†Spartans head coach Scott Allen said. “Our veterans have been amazing with assisting the younger players on what it will take to be successful on and off the court.â€
The Spartans have fared well recently versus NCAA Div. 1 opponents with wins over Santa Clara and Colorado.
“We like the early challenge and it gives us an early indication of where we currently stand in respect to our team and individual progression,†Allen said. “Preparation is much easier when you know you have a tough opponent to prepare for,†commented Allen.
The Titans are led by head coach Ray McCallum, who has helped guide the Titans to impressive back-to-back 20 win seasons including an appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2012.
Detroit-Mercy is playing four games in five days in B.C. with a stop at the LEC on Aug. 18.
“We’re looking forward to going to Canada and bond,†McCallum said during a recent interview with HLN Detroit. “The experience is going to be key. We’re going to play against teams where the rules are different. There’s a twenty-four second shot clock and four quarters, which will be good for us.â€
One of the players to watch for on the Titans is Juwan Howard Jr, son of NBA great Juwan Howard. Last season, Howard Jr. averaged a team high 18.3 points per game, fourth in the Horizon League.
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