#2 GLIAC NORTH - MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
FERRIS STATE BULLDOGS (23-9 ALL, 16-6 GLIAC)
2015-16 Ferris State Men's Basketball Preview
The Ferris State University men's squad returns six key letterwinners from a year ago, including four seniors, as the Bulldogs return to the floor with high expectations following a championship campaign.
FSU will open its third season under head coach Andy Bronkema after winning the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Championship and reaching the NCAA-II Tournament last year in his second campaign.
The Bulldogs finished the 2014-15 campaign with a 23-9 overall record. In addition to winning the GLIAC Tournament Championship last year, the Bulldogs' season was also highlighted by an NCAA Tournament appearance and several other accomplishments including a top 20 national ranking, a 15-game regular season win streak, an exhibition victory over NCAA Division I Bowling Green and signature wins such as the team's first-ever victory at Findlay's Croy Gymnasium.
Key returnees this season will include the senior quartet of point guard Jibreel Jackson, wings Josh Fleming and James Chappell along with veteran post player Jared Stolicker. Two talented sophomores are also back that saw significant time in their initial seasons a year ago in guard Drew Cushingberry and wing Noah King.
While the Bulldogs will have to replace one of the top players in school history in departed guard Drew Lehman, who was an All-America selection, FSU expects junior college additions Quentin Ruff and Mamadou Ba to be potential impact players this year. In addition, two redshirt freshmen, Zach Hankins and Andrew Meacham, should add depth after strong redshirt seasons. A group of other talented true freshmen could see some time.
The Bulldogs will play three exhibition contests, including a neutral site matchup on Nov. 3 versus Spring Arbor in Middleville. FSU will then face a pair of NCAA Division I teams with visits to Central Michigan on Nov. 7 and Michigan State on Nov. 9.
The 2015-16 men's basketball regular-season will tipoff on Nov. 14-15 when FSU heads to Allendale for a GLIAC/GLVC Classic to play Missouri-St. Louis and Quincy (Ill.) in regional play. The first home game for the men's squad is on Nov. 21 against St. Joseph's (Ind.).
Ferris State led the GLIAC in total attendance last season and Jim Wink Arena has developed into one of the most difficult venues for opposing teams. The program has a long and storied history of success and the Bulldogs hope to build off an outstanding 2014-15 campaign.