2014-15 Wayne State Preview (by Brian Lester, GLIAC contributor)

Coach: David Greer enters his 14th season as the head coach of the Warriors

Overview: The Warriors are coming off a rare down year, dropping five of their final six games, and will look to get back on track despite having only two players back with significant starting experience. Sophomore guard Clark Bishop started 23 games and scored in double figures eight times as he averaged 7.8 ppg. Bishop was also a key defensive threat, tallying 22 steals. Junior guard Gavin Toma started seven games and averaged 8.5 points per outing. He was second in the league in free-throw shooting (88.2 percent). Sophomore forward Michael Lewis showed promise early, starting once and playing in three of the first four games. He came through with one double-double. An injury sidelined him for most of the year as he received a medical redshirt. The addition of freshmen John Draper (guard), Chuck Key (forward), Marcus Moore (guard) and Tristan Wilson (forward) should benefit the Warriors as they look to re-establish themselves as contenders in the GLIAC.

Wayne State Sports Information Preview

Last season, the Wayne State University men’s basketball program missed the GLIAC Tournament for the first time since 2008 and will need to replace seven seniors from a team that fought its way to 12 wins including notable victories at Grand Valley State in overtime and a four-point win over No. 16 Lake Superior State at home to end the season. 

David Greer begins his 14th season just four wins shy of 200 with the Green & Gold. Gavin Toma, Michael Lewis and Clark Bishop return along with a host of newcomers including five offseason signees. Joel Ndondo also returns, adding size to the young roster. DeMarius Miller, a graduate student, comes to WSU after leading Clarion in scoring (16.4 points per game), scoring in double-digits on 18 occasions including a career-high 42 point performance on Dec. 15, 2013. John Draper, Chuck Key, Marcus Moore, George Spencer and Tristan Wilson all will look to contribute immediately on a roster that features just one upperclassman.  

WSU returns to the GLIAC South Division, where it spent every season since 1996 (when the GLIAC divided into two divisions) except the last two. WSU will open with an exhibition at Michigan on November 10 before heading to the GMAC/GLIAC Challenge in Tiffin, Ohio where the Warriors will meet Central State and Kentucky Wesleyan. The home schedule opens on Nov. 29 when Lewis visits the Matthaei. Other home opponents include Lake Superior State, Northwood, Grand Valley State, Ferris State, Ohio Dominican, Walsh, Findlay, Tiffin, Lake Erie, Ashland and Malone.